Good Friday and Earth Day

After a busy week and Geoff recovering from the Flu, we had a pretty relaxed evening. Each person had two crosses at their place setting. We went around and each person was to tell two things they were thankful for as they put their cross into the grass centerpiece. We were all thankful that Jesus died for our sins and we are forever forgiven!

Also, in honor of earth day, we used cloth napkins and real plates. I have to admit I have been using more paper plates lately. And used our grass centerpiece.

Preschool Easter Party

Gavin and Camille had their parties at school today. 

I had to capture some spring time photos

Annual Easter Party

In 2007 we started an Easter Celebration I think the idea actually had begun the year before when I hit the clearance aisle at Target and bought a few boxes of dye for $.19 and had a few kids over for some messy fun but our first official party was in 2007. That makes this year technically our 5th year though skipping 2009 because I was ready to hatch my own little chickie, Camille.

Each year there is a group photo, this year we had about 100 friends and family come out on this gorgeous day to celebrate this joyous occasion of Christs resurrection.

I estimated we stuffed 1500 eggs. The eggs for the tiny ones had pretzels, animal crackers, stickers, little people figures, and wooden crosses. The big kids got candy, tiny toys, tatoos, wooden crosses and stickers.

This year I attempted a resurrection cake and combined the scene of Golgotha with the Garden Tomb. Golgotha, Aramaic for "The Skull", was where Christ was crucified with the other two criminals. The Garden Tomb was where Jesus was laid after his death with the big stone that was rolled in front of the entrance AND also arose from to walk this earth again! Hallelujah!!

These two places, though close to one another, are not able to be seen at one time.

Decorations

The kitchen table with some of the sweets

 Water bottles with bunny tails

Food tables, it has evolved into a potluck dinner. I wish I had more of a drive to menu plan for this party but quite honestly food prep stresses me out - so potluck it is!

 Little chicks were peeking out from the wheat grass pots.

 Getting ready for the big hunt.

 One of the kids tables.

 The hand print banners from years past.

This marked the beginning of the bunny trail leading down to the hunting.

An inflatable is the perfect entertainment and distraction as everyone arrives

Caring for others

Each year Aiden has chosen a cause to support and ask other to support as well. In the past it has been food drives, this year he wanted to add on donations to buy water filters for Haiti. I'm thrilled to report he raised enough money for two filters. I love his compassionate heart. I hope Gavin and Camille will jump on board with the desire to serve others.

Let the Egg Hunt BEGIN!

 On your mark, get set...

 GO!

Egg Dying

 It was almost forgotten about, most of the people had left by the 

time someone reminded me to put it out!

Hand Print Egg Banners

 The banners are marked with the year and I attempt to get a reminder of each child that was there.

Our Family

 The littles still ready to go after the party. After all we had a the jump house for a bit longer.

We had a wonderful afternoon with family and friends! Thank you all so much for coming out and spending your Palm Sunday with us! See you next year...

A very special thank you to my Mom, Geoff was out of town the entire week before the party, if it hadn't been for my Mom's help the party may not have happened!

Job well done

It has been a pretty tough year for Aiden and today he reached a math goal he has been working toward all year! So a reward was in order...

Here we are at Yogolycious and of course I had a coupon. It was for unlimited free toppings so I let him go crazy and pile it up.

Aiden and mommy being silly on our solo outing together!

I have a great video of him bustin' a move then acting all cool when the girl that works there comes out. I think it is hysterical that he feels like he got busted for his breakdancing.

Bye bye birdy

This morning when Geoff went out to load the car to go home there were two large birds waiting to wish us safe travels. Geoff said they looked like door to door salesmen standing on the sidewalk ready to make a call.

 We fed them some lunch meat then we had to tell them we weren't interested in what they were selling and closed the door.

Our trip back was very eventful. Apparently everyone else though traveling on Saturday was a better option as well. We drove to Ocala to drop Geoff off, he will be out of town for the week and pick my mom up. She agreed to ride with me and be flight attendant for the littles. It is a good thing she did because our 8 hour trip was actually 12 hours. We even took a detour through some lovely pecan groves.

Caladesi Island, Fla

We have been to Dunedin many times and have always talked about going to Caladesi. Geoff and Aiden did kayak over there before, and brought home many beautiful shells, but I had never been. After Camille and I took our morning adventure together we were ready for another. So we got back from the beach told the boys to pack up and off we went to find the ferry. 

On the ferry and ready to go!

 

Camille is waving to all the boats that pass by. 

Then we saw dolphins, many of them, they put on the coolest show for us. Thankfully our captain turned off the engine and let us watch. I bet it was about 5 minutes they jumped around for us to watch, cheer, ooh and awe over.

Camille absolutely loved the wind in her hair she giggled the entire way.

 Once we docked then we ate lunch at the little cafe' and wouldn't you know a big turtle was just walking by. Gavin's favorite animal right now is a turtle so he was out of his mind excited!

 Camille fell asleep while Geoff was walking with her on the beach, 

so I got to benefit from the snuggle time.

 Aiden was chasing the seagulls away. Every time he does this I'm reminded of a time he was 4 years old and kept calling them Eagles!  Oh these birds only wish they were that regal.

 We went out for a seafood dinner (why is it that it always tastes better at the beach??) then down the pier to watch another sunset over the ocean.

Family shot, a bit more tan and a lot more relaxed. I will miss this wonderful place!

Early morning on the beach

It was just me and Camille. We left the boys and took off for a quick look at the beach. At the beginning of the week she wasn't very sure she liked the sand on her feet. 

By now I think she quite likes it!