Cool Outfit

Oh, to have the freedoms of a little girl!

Dangerous Game

Oh, to have the freedom of a little boy!

Wearing the Mississippi River

I know I've said this about 100 times, but this spring has been amazing. I think it's been warmer the past three days than it was all last summer. We spent the day yesterday at Itasca State park (which is the headwaters of the Mississippi River) with Uncle Greg, Aunt Michele and Cousin Ben. It was a glorious day, temp was about 67, no wind, sun shining, absolutely perfect...

When you're there, you must walk across the river. I mean, how many people can say that they've walked across the Mississippi River? I started off taking both kids across at the same time which turned out to be a really bad idea, so I brought Sadie back on the beach and brought Eli across first.
We made it across the river the first time with no problem. Our feet got a little cold in the frigid water, but we made it.

But, the second time... Well, this picture was taken right before Eli slipped and got wet. He started to cry and wanted to be carried, so I picked him up and lost my balance and fell in too. We didn't get too wet, but it was kind of funny!

Sadie just wanted to be carried across, which was ok with me. She ended up falling in later when she was just playing on the rocks collecting snail shells. So the three of us got wet while Dennis managed to stay quite dry (he didn't even take his shoes off!). We had a picnic, did a little walking and the kids did a little bike riding all while catching up with Greg and Michele (who is 38 1/2 weeks pregnant!). It was an awesome day.

Easter

We made a very fast trip to Bismarck over Easter. Why not Napoleon? Well, Dennis' mom was in the hospital there having a series of tests done (which we're still not sure what was/is wrong with her, but she is home now and feeling better) so we camped out at Dennis' sister's house. This house belongs to the much talked about Emily and Ashley, who are pretty awesome cousins. They kept my kids entertained by taking them to the zoo and dying eggs and playing games and reading books and teaching them gymnastics... Oh, and they babysat the kids while Dennis and I went to church on Easter Sunday. See, they went to the Easter Vigil the night before so they were free to watch my kids while Dennis and I went to church and actually got to listen to a sermon. Turns out that Sadie's Easter dress was a waste of money. Anyways, we always have a great time when Dennis' family is around so I'm glad we got to see them, and Cindy's clan, and Mick and Mel, and Terri, and Paula, and Grandma and Grandpa too.I'm including this picture of the baby goats because baby goats are soooo cute, not as cute as lambs, but pretty cute none-the-less.

And on an entirely different subject, Dennis reached his goal of running around the lake today. I wonder what his next goal will be? I hope it's something like, cleaning the house all by himself for 52 consecutive weeks... Now, I need to quit daydreaming go rub my husbands aching muscles!

My Birthday Present

Oh how I've longed for a hammock to lounge on in the summer: a cozy place to read books, take naps and snuggle all outside while the sun warms me and the gentle winds lull me. Well, this year, I took my birthday present into my own hands and ordered one for myself and told Dennis that he was getting me a hammock for my birthday. The weather, oh the beautiful spring weather we've been having, has been absolutely perfect for hammock lounging.

The kids have had reading time every day in the hammock since it arrived. Just look at that thing. It's monstrous and has turned out to be the perfect place for snuggling.

Sadie's First Dance Performance

There was a tiny-tots expo in Bemidji yesterday, a place for local businesses, schools and organizations that have anything to do with young children to gather in one place so parents can be aware of these services. It was a lot of fun. Lots of games, crafts, and activities for young kids. They gave away some cool prizes (markers and band-aids, no candy!!) and the kids made some cool things. First City Dance, where Sadie dances, gave a little performance. This was Sadie's first time dancing in front of strangers and I was a little worried that she wasn't going to do it as she didn't want to put on her tap shoes when we arrived. But, she rocked it. She's in a class for 3-5 year olds. She's standing next to the only other 3 year old in her class. They've only been working on this dance for several weeks. It's for their spring recital, which Sadie won't be in because we're going on vacation that week! Enough jabbering, here she is!!

The Latest Pictures From School

These pictures were taken by Frances at Enchanted Garden in February and March. Sliding on the ice that has since melted (thank goodness for an early spring.)
Hot, hot soup.
Hot, hot soup.
One-a-penny, two-a-penny,
Hot, hot soup.The beginning of what ended up being a beautiful spring flower arrangement.


I'm including this picture only because Eli is finally dancing. It only took 6 months...

Turn Off TV Month

Technically it's Turn off TV week and it doesn't start until the week of April 19-23, but we've been spending too much time watching the old boob tube, so we're declaring it turn off the tv month. We started Monday (as we were speding 6 hours driving on Sunday and needed the DVD player in the car!) and we're ending it on April 29 (because I'm going out of town on a women's retreat that weekend and figure that Dennis might need it!). So far it's going well, but I must admit that I am bribing, ahem, motivating the kids. Legos have been promised if they can survive and they are excited for their Legos so we might just make it. Lots of activities have been planned. Thank goodness for an early spring and playing outside and for the Crafty Crow!!