Natalie’s Dance Recital

 

 

Enjoy the Dance Video!

Natalie had so much fun this year in her first official year of dance class. She took ballet with Mrs. D of the Decatur Park District. Mrs. D is a wonderful instructor and has so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so much patience with these chitty chatty, energetic, easily distracted, fun loving little girls! Natalie enjoyed the whole experience of learning dance, meeting new friends, dressing up in her dance outfit weekly, and don’t forget the beautiful recital costume! 

We counted dance class as part of physical education, classical music time, and the arts for homeschool.

These ladies worked so hard this year and had a lot of fun! We look forward to all of this next year!

Simple Pleasure Thursdays

 

   

These little ducks brought a happy time to us one evening. The kids enjoyed feeding them bread and chasing them around our “front lawn” at the time.

These little visitors came to see us while we were living in North Carolina back in 2007. It was just a simple evening of hanging out at home, grilling on the grill, and playing outside. The ducks came pretty often and we would feed them.

We were a family of four at this time with Natalie at 3 and Adam at 18M, these two little ones enjoyed laughing as they got to see the ducks come closer and closer to them. The ducks would “quack” and the kids would repeat!

This is a simple pleasure of our family. It brought us a great memory.       

What brings your family simple pleasures?

Easter Celebration

                                                 

Jesus’ Resurrection. Death is crushed to death. Finished. Risen. The tomb is empty. Jesus is ALIVE! He has risen.

We have been talking a lot about the resurrection of our Lord. I am so excited because the kids understand what Easter is all about. I mean beyond the Easter Bunny, coloring eggs, and candy. They KNOW the real meaning! I love this by far! If there is anything that we want to instill in our children with teaching them at home its that we want them to KNOW their Lord and Savior! We can not emphasize this enough to them. Knowing their Lord is a lifelong relationship. I am so glad that my children are learning this at such a young age, I wish I had known Jesus as my Lord as a child and had the relationship my kids are gaining at their young age. I am blessed enough to have a relationship with the Lord at my age now and since my late teen years! I have learned so much and walked on his path for a long time and don’t plan on ever leaving it!

We began our week talking about what the cross meant, what Jesus did for us and why he did what he did! We had four easter eggs filled with different objects, verses to go along with each egg and lesson. We did one lesson, verse and egg daily. One egg had a cross, one had a nail, another had a cloth, and the final one was empty.

On Good Friday we went to church for service and then headed to Culvers for some yummy, well deserved ice cream!

On Saturday morning, Easter Eve we headed to an Easter Egg hunt at a local church here in Decatur. (We also go here for a playgroup on Tuesdays.) The kids had a blast searching for eggs and ended up with so much candy, the Easter Bunny didn’t even bring any!!

 

 

Natalie and Bella all ready to get some eggs………

  

                                   

Travis had a complete technique…he would pick up a ball (egg) and say ball, then decide where he would put it, maybe in someone else’s basket, maybe throw it, or he might bring it to Daddy and put in his bag!! He had a great time and was even happier when he found out there was candy inside of them!

                                    

And then there was Adam…he was very reluctant to go and get the eggs. He wanted me to hold his bag, maybe he had a technique as well.

Mom holding bag+two hands free to get eggs=2x as many eggs

And then the candy…. 

   

 

Easter Eve…..we colored our eggs….does this count as art??

     2 dozen boiling eggs…

  Table set for decorating eggs….

 

 

                                           I think it took all of 15 min to color all the eggs…everyone was a little disappointed when we were all done.

Easter Morning…we started our day off with our traditional Easter breakfast..our hardboiled colored eggs, bacon, and toast. Then everyone got ready for church. One of my favorite days of the year is Easter, I absolutely love going to church on this day, especially! I love going to worship my Lord and sing praises to him. I also enjoy seeing everyone in their very best, I mean there is a special feeling in the air on Easter Day. It almost seems as Easter comes, there also comes a new, refreshing feeling of Spring. There are bright colors, the sun was shinning and people had a “hop” in their step!

Here we are all glammed up…..

     

                            

                                       

Travis enjoying his smoothie

 

Our Easter would not be complete without worms……

HAPPY EASTER!! HOPE YOU ENJOYED!

BLESSING, JACKIE

Surgery- A character building lesson.

 

Nene laying in the hospital bed.

On Tuesday, April 19, Nene (Mary Ann, Grandma) had a total knee replacement on her right knee. We have prayed for this day, and sent many prayers the day of her surgery and are still praying for a great recovery. The surgery went beautiful and she is doing well with recovery. Still in a lot of pain almost a week after surgery, but is walking around with a walker and is having physical therapy.

The knee after surgery and 31 stitches.

Michael having fun with his mothers pill cups, nope he didn’t take the meds in the cups, but by looking at the photo’s you may have thought so!! AHHAHHA!

Oh the hospital humor..

This event has served as a great learning tool for Natalie and Adam. We have visited her everyday since her surgery. We went to the hospital three days in a row and since she is now home we have been there the past few days as well. The kids have learned that we are to take care of people when they need it. They have been a great help at helping their Nene get “better”. They have assisted in grocery shopping, making sure she is comfortable and also helping in cleaning up after themselves at Nene’s house so she won’t fall on the toys.

Just at out visit today, Easter Sunday, we all enjoyed seeing Mary Ann walk with a walker. We are glad to see she is doing well and are excited for her to be able to walk further and get around better without being in pain all of the time.

blessings, jackie