Those Sweet Glimpses ...

Do you ever see glimpses of your childhood?

I did today. 

This year our family has endured too many losses. And as much as I hate to say this, it took those losses to shake us to our core and decide to spend more time together as a family.

Growing up, Easter was always, always, always spent at Grandma and Grandpa's. With a juicy ham, too many deviled eggs to count, okra and sweet cream corn. And of course there was always the Egg Hunt. I can remember having to hide in the back bedroom while the eggs were being hid, oh the anticipation. I can remember filling my basket and retreating to the living room to dump them all out to see what goodies I got. 

And this year, I was so thankful to watch my babies enjoy that same tradition. It's been, only the Lord knows how long, since we had Easter at Grandma and Grandpa's. There was ham, okra, deviled eggs, sweet cream corn, the list goes on and on. And there was the Egg Hunt.

I'm just gonna say this. My generation has blown the last generation out of the water in offspring. Good Lord. I lost count after 25. You try countin' kids while they're all runnin' around lookin' for eggs.

I am so thankful for my Grandma and Grandpa. Good Lord, look what they've done!

All these kiddos, what a blessing they are! Drive ya a little crazy, but a blessing still!

Sugar Lump wasn't feeling too swift this weekend, so her Daddy's arms was where she wanted to be. No Solo Egg Hunting for her this year. 

I think this was my favorite picture of all from today! I just love those sweet smiles from Kohen.

 This Easter Season has been a doozy for us. Lots of sickness shenanigans, last minute shopping, yucky weather. But this. This is what is important. Family coming together, loving on one another and having some fun. 

I am so thankful for this big family of mine! My Grandma is 85 Years Old, my Grandpa is 90. I have 5 Aunts, 4 Uncles and 14 Cousins and remember, I lost count at the Second Cousins. We are crazy and country and strong as all get out. Plain and simple, I am thankful to call them mine. 

I am excited for the years to come, for the future Easter get togethers, to see my children enjoy this tradition like I did!

Happy Easter Y'all!

 

Pond Life at The Rock Ranch ...

We were up extra early Tuesday morning, at least I was, to get all ready for our field trip to The Rock Ranch for the Pond Life Eco-Adventure. 

Five lunches packed, seven containers filled with water, diapers, wipes, the stroller and much more later, we were all packed in the car and ready to go. 

This was our first time to The Rock Ranch, so everything was all new for us. 

In the beginning we were placed with the wrong group, but once we were shipped back to the right spot on the bumpiest hayride ever, we were all ready to go explore the ponds! 

The boys were able to learn about the frog's lifecycle, turtles, the ecosystem and so much more! 

...

Our first stop was to learn about all of the different animals that live in the pond. 

The kids were all given buckets, nets and microscopes and were given the opportunity to explore in the pond. I wish they were given more time at this station, it took the boys each a while to get stuff in their buckets, strained and under the scope. And I don't think any of mine actually got a tadpole to look at. Kolt got a leach though. Ick!

All of the big kids were able to walk across the creek. I'd say those were some brave workers there to take that task on ... 

The worm station was my favorite for two reasons: the kids were really able to get in the dirt and explore and I learned a lot about worms. I was fascinated that worms have five hearts and the boys, of course, were fascinated that worm poop is very nutritious. 

Go figure ... 

I'm not gonna lie. During the station I was under the shade trees having a snack. Momma gets hungry! So I missed out on the majority of the learning part of this one. All I know is, the kids made a web and Kolt was the only one to not get eaten up ... 

 And here are a few extra ones from the day ... 

Tot Conversations: Ice Cream ...

Kohen: Hey Kruz. I'm totally aware this spoon is flippin' tiny man. Like I'm gonna sample anything. I mean c'mon. Gimme a bowl. But hey, I'm workin' with what I got here. How 'bout ya hook me up with those sprinkles and some of that chocolate goodness you got there. 

Kruz: Nom, nom, nom. 

Kohen: Hey!! I'm talkin' to you man. I know this is a sorry excuse for a spoon ...

Kruz: Alright, alright. I get it. You want some of my ice cream. Say pleeeeeease.

Kruz: Good Lord! You just ate like that whole spoonful. Ya pig. 

Kohen: Nom, nom, nom. 

Fred Has Emerged ...

Last October I introduced you to Fred.

 Fred - the ginormous, green caterpillar that Kruz found in our backyard. After Fred cocooned himself in our bug catcher the same night we found him, we assumed (according to Google) he would hatch in about 2 weeks. 

For over 6 months now, I have come downstairs to fix breakfast and have glanced in the bug catcher only to see just a cocoon. 

This morning was different. 

Fred has finally emerged himself. 

And thus, Science started at 8:30 this morning. 

After I expected Fred to just fly away and be free when I opened the bug catcher door (I imagined something from a movie really), he just sat there. Any mother's immediate thought: The poor thing died.  Kollin (thank God he remembers our lessons from last year) reminded me that it takes hours for his wings to dry out before he can fly away. 

His wing span is like no other butterfly or moth I have ever seen and I was afraid he wouldn't be able to come out of the small door of the container. I dumped him out onto the porch rails and then transferred him into our butterfly garden net, it's much larger and the entire top will open for him to fly away. He's been doing some "stretching" as Kruz says and I think within the next few hours we will watch his miraculous debut into the world. I'm telling you - I'm seriously wishing for something like out of the movies. 

So for now we will wait. And try really hard not to stare all day and focus on the rest of school. 

Wish us luck!

Good Friday, Great Easter ...

Good Friday is a day that is often overlooked in the realm of Easter around here. For the first time I sat down with the big boys on Good Friday and told them what the day represents, that this was the day Christ actually died for our sins. Not only did they learn something, but it was such a sweet reminder to me about giving reverence to such an important day. 

My Uncle Doug called me a couple weeks before and wanted to get together for Good Friday. After a little planning we were set to dye eggs with the boys and have slaw dogs off the grill. Now, call me a bad Momma, but I have never dyed eggs with the boys for Easter. I know, I know. I'm horrible. There is a first time for everything though and once we got started, I wished we had done it every year. Good thing my Momma and Uncle Doug were experts and had tons of history with egg coloring. The boys had a blast to say the least and were disappointed when all the eggs were gone. 

Here are a few pictures to share the sweet moments ...

Easter morning was your typical Sunday morning for this crew, just add in Easter baskets from Mommy and Daddy. 

Besides that we were running around chaotically, ironing last minute wrinkles, shoving diapers in the diaper bag and thanking God on the way there that the children were all fed that morning. And let's not forget that regardless of being right on time instead of early, an Easter morning picture is as important as breathing. Well, in my eyes anyway. 

Thank the Lord they all cooperated. 

We hid eggs in our front yard after lunch and each kiddo had a "Prize Egg" (aka a $1 bill). Is it crazy I have never hid eggs? I guess the husband has always had this duty. Me and Momma had fun doing it this year and then we all enjoyed watching the boys hunt. 

I loved that Kohen found this egg on the car handle. Kruz went over and got it for him, they are so cute together. This Easter was so relaxed, no running around from house to house. It was nice. We enjoyed our family that came over and joined us for lunch, the hunt and then relaxing on the back porch.

 And most of all taking the day to celebrate our risen Savior.