Sports kids!

Roo did a handstand by herself for the first time!

And Monkey tested for his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Doe last weekend and did an awesome job.

Go team.

The mouse turns 1

And so the mouse is one year old. Amazing! We had a typical (and perfect) birthday celebration yesterday with our dear Scherreis - pizza in the brick oven and chocolate cupcakes. We even made a new recipe - a cream-filled version, like the Hostess cupcakes of HF's and my youth - to celebrate the occasion. 3 enthusiastic helpers for that venture, of course. Our wonderful Scherreis made - as they always do - for an awesome and fun-filled party.

The mouse fell apart and needed to go to bed at 6:30 last night, right after she tasted (and loved) her birthday cupcake. So we did the presents this morning - again with lots of enthusiasm from some big sib helpers.

I love this shot and how shows the changes in the sweet mouse and her bond with the guy who delivered her last April on a crazy but amazing night. HF and I adore this little one, who is becoming her own person day by day. She loves to climb the stairs. She loves to laugh. She loves to eat fruits and all things carb but little else (like big sister Roo). She loves her bed and time to regroup when she's feeling spent. Our mouse is a treasure and a gift. Happy birthday dear girl!

Easter in these parts

HF was traveling for work throughout Holy Week. Before he left we managed to get "Easter Mountain" created, and then the kids and I decorated it and readied it for our weekend reenactment. This year we went for pastels.

We also busied ourselves with daily swim lessons with our beloved Miss Lynne who - bless her - offers them during spring break. Monkey and Roo are thriving and really getting it.

We baked cookies and generally got ready for Easter, read books, colored, etc. No help from anyone on this "Easter symbols" collage they both did, which quite surprised me.

On Good Friday I took the big two to a living stations of the cross service put on by the youth group at a nearby church, which was powerful and moving. Easter Day was pretty low-key. Church, egg hunt, roast beef meal with strawberry shortcake, plenty of chocolate all around. Thankful for the victory we have in Christ!

It was the mouse's second Easter, even though she hasn't yet celebrated her first birthday (which will be this weekend). Last year she was 9 days old on Easter!

Things around here

It was raining last weekend, and the goose was helping Daddy make blueberry scones:

Roo continues her love affair with princesses and paper dolls... A few samples of our recent combined efforts:

The gang gathered here this weekend... We're up to nine kids ages 1 to 6 (and still six adults). Chaotic but fun!