Summer Cuts

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Classic Annabelle

The pollen around here has been unbelievable this week! You can see it in the air, feel it on your skin, sweep it with a broom, and, unfortunately, breathe it every time you're outside. Thus, many snotty noses around town . . . more specifically at my house!


Annabelle: Mom, I don't feel so good.

Me: What's wrong? Can you tell me what hurts?

Annabelle: I feel like it's my mind.

Me: (with a little chuckle) Oh, you have a headache?

Annabelle: (in a frustrated tone) No, Mom! I have a mind-ache!

A Lil' Crafty

Last summer the girls had juice cups that had detachable straps. We used them so often that I knew we needed something similar before the weather got warm! Since we purged all juice cups a few months ago and bought Nalgenes for everyone, I knew I had to come up with something on my own.

Whipped these up a few weeks ago during naptime. I was surprised at how easily they came together and at how excited the girls were about them! They carried them everywhere in Cincinnati, and I'm sure they'll get a lot more use as we're out and about in the next few months!

My favorite benefit of the time it took to put them together? I can attach Katie's to her carseat strap and never hear "Momma, I dropped my cup!" again!

Blowing Kisses

Mmmmmuuuuu...
waaaaaaaaaa!!!

Happy Belated Easter!

Easter is quickly becoming one of my favorite times the year! I love the weather, the time with friends and family, and celebrating the significance of this day in my life.
We did a few egg hunts and, of course, the girls got Easter baskets! This year they each got a sleeping bag, a blanket, pj pants, and a pair of slippers.
My favorite memory was teaching Annabelle and her friends the Easter story in Sunday School. Annabelle interrupted me as I was talking about Christ dying on the cross. "Mom," she said, "He had to let those mean men hurt and kill Him, so He could forgive our sinful choices." So, true, my darling!

It was also sweet to have Ella Grace in the service with us as we celebrated a Risen King! She was thrilled to hear the pastor's "He has risen!" and our response, "He has risen indeed!"

Downtown Cincinnati

. . . in photos:

Catch Up...

It's Spring Break this week!

We're in Cincinnati, OH with Eric's family -- enjoying some down time!

It's naptime in our hotel room, so I thought I'd take a second to post all the things I've been meaning to post over the past few weeks.

Ella Grace and her kindergarten class participated with the entire kindergarten in a program a few weeks ago:

Annabelle's class had an Easter Egg hunt:

Following tradition, we brunched (oh, such good food!) and egg hunted with our favorite peeps -- our community group from church:

We participated in night three of Soccer Club! My favorite picture of the night -- "soccer sisters!" as they call themselves:

On a side note, I'm highly recommending Soccer Club! It's put on by the parks and rec and is a pretty cool program teaching kids the fundamentals of soccer. The "coaches" are high school students and each take a small group of players and work with them on skills like dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, etc. We've enjoyed it!

Today we spent the day at the Cincinnati Zoo (thus four tired kiddos!)! It was a beautiful day to spend outside. Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Wow! If you hung with me through all of that, you're dedicated!

More pics of the rest of our time in Cinci to come, I'm sure!!

Until then...