Arts and Crafts

 One of our favorite activities is coloring and crafts.  The girls love it when they can get messy in my art class paints.  Logan loves to pretend to color and is so proud of his work.  I had my second art show today, and Emily was so excited to share her artwork.  She loves to join my art class because of her excitement to be with kids and create art.  I love having her in my class.

The other day while I was putting some things together for my art class I overheard the girls talking.  Emily said to Lily, "I can show you how to spell Cinderella - C-I-N-D-E-R-E-L-L-A."  She was opposite of Lily so part of the time she was writing backwards.  I was so impressed!

Logan 13 Months

It is hard to believe my little boy is now 13 months.  Logan is such a delight in our home.  We love his giggles, curiosity, and snuggles.  It is always fun to watch him grow with all of us cheerleading him on.

• Loves to play outside with bubbles, cars, and in the dirt.  He is not afraid to get messy and likes to be in the action as we work on putting in the backyard.
• Enjoys cars, trucks, planes, and anything that moves.  He loves to watch the many trucks pass in the busy construction zones near by.
• Momma's boy - he cries even when I leave the room.  The girls often say, "He just loves the Mama."
• Crawls - everywhere and loves to discover new things.  He loves to try the stairs and find ways to open and shut drawers, cupboards, and doors.
• His favorite foods are: frozen gogurts, pasta, chicken, pork, cereal, strawberries, and crackers.
• Says Mama, Daddy, and Bye.
• Loves to turn the pages of books.  His favorite book is Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb.
• Enjoys playing peek-a-boo with blankets, especially his sister's.

Thanksgiving Point Farm

Emily and Lily love to read books about animals. They have been intrigued with Panda Bears lately.  We have read many books about them.  After asking to see a Panda Bear many times, I pulled out a map and showed her how far away they lived in China.  I explained that it would take a whole day on an airplane to fly there to the other side of the world.  Now whenever she hears or sees an airplane outside she tells me, "Our friends are on their way to see the Panda Bears."  What a cutie!

Since China was too far away, the girls were thrilled with an adventure to Thanksgiving Point Farm with Nana, Grandpa, Amber, and Ellie.  It was a busy day there, but the girls loved seeing the animals, riding the horses, and going for a tractor ride.  Logan of course loved the cars and tractor.

Biker Babes

The warmer weather has sure made for some fun in the sun.  We are all anxious to have grass in our backyard soon to play.  In the meantime, the girls and Logan love to play in the front yard with bubbles, chalk, cars, and new bikes.  We found a great deal online for a new bike with training wheels.  The girls have loved trying it out.  Lily is still a little short, but Emily is figuring out how to use the pedals.  Our sweet neighbor, Melissa, let the girls borrow her balance bike.  Emily is quite good at it and keeps her balance well.  It is so fun to watch them learn a new skill.

An Artist in the Making

Emily loves to draw and color.  She is becoming quite the artist.  Whenever I am preparing for art class, Emily is right by my side to help.  She often joins my classes and does well.  Today she drew a picture of Cinderella.  After she finished she showed me proudly and said she would put in on the fridge for Daddy to see.  I love the bottom picture because Lily is always right by Emily's side trying to do what she is doing.  She sure looks up to and loves her sister.

Easter Celebrations

The kids woke up to find the Easter Bunny had left a surprise - new Princess Barbie's for the girls and cars for Logan.  He also left new Sunday outfits for them all.  They loved playing with their new toys throughout the morning.  We had enjoyed some Easter Egg Hunts with Nana and Grandma Yates!  They had so much fun finding treats galore!

One of my favorite parts of this Easter season was teaching the kids the meaning of Easter: the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I often wonder how much they are learning, but know it is always more than I anticipate.  Today Emily out of the blue said, "Mom, Easter is about Jesus living again."  My heart swelled.  I told her, "Yes Emily!  And because Jesus lives again, so will we always be together here and again in heaven."  I am so grateful for the atonement of my Savior and that I can be with my family forever.

Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Pointe

With Spring Break, all the cousins and Sissa are out of school.  This called for a fun adventure to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Pointe.  The flowers were so pretty.  I loved the variety of colors and kinds of tulips.  The girls loves seeing all the "flower gardens."  It was a perfect day for a walk in the warm sunshine.  I especially loved seeing the "Reflections on Christ" exhibit with statues of the Savior's life.  It was a tender reminder for this Easter Season.