Karate

I mentioned before that two of my littles are giving Karate a try

They have been to a few classes already and are really enjoying them.

Little man is usually a little shy at first

and sometimes lags behind everyone else

(notice how everyone is on the ground and little man is the only one standing up)

but he loves it

Snowball has caught on 

and follows along great!

Their favorite part is when they get to punch and kick the bags

Snowball found a friend from school in the class too!

(Notice the little one in the black shirt looking at Snowball)

Kicking is a favorite

Seriously, this is cute and I love watching them have a blast!

Field Trip

I had the amazing opportunity to be a chaperone on Snowball's field trip to Wildlife World Zoo

There were so many volunteers that I was only responsible for Snowball and one other little guy

He told me he wouldn't smile for any pictures.

We made it around the whole zoo and aquarium.

We saw animals from all over Africa

We fed the giraffes - the kids laughed so hard! The giraffe's tongue was so long and slimy!

The kids even fed the birds apples! The birds sat on their heads, arms and shoulders.

Snowball liked the camels!

We also enjoyed a boat ride and the kids answered all the questions correctly...

Question: Can you tell me why someone would say Kangaroo?

Answer: The don't understand what you are asking!

Great job kiddos!

It was so nice hanging out with my middle one all day. 

Crafty

I am getting ready for little man's birthday party. 

I only have 3 1/2 weeks until the big day and there is lots to do

I need to make 2 table cloths for the picnic tables at the park

Table cloths are kind of pricey so I decided to make my own

I love painters canvas drop cloths and have used them for many art projects

First, tape off your lines

I wanted a "pinstripe" type look so I alternated 1" white stripes with 2" blue stripes

Once everything is taped, paint!

I watered my paint waaaaaay down. I was going for a distressed, old look

Painted! Now it's out drying

I still have another one to make and I will make a few changes

First, I will make a huge bucket of my paint

As you can see, I have a few shade variations on this one

Second, I will not do this outside in the sun on a hot day

Not only did I burn the tops of my feet and knees on the grass but the sun also made the tape not stick so well.

No worries though, I'll still use this one. It's going to be covered with goodies anyways so I'm sure people won't care.

Also, if you are going to make one of these and wash it, you need to heat set the paint. You can use an 

iron or a hot dryer. Just make sure your paint is dry first

Good luck!

Pitchers arm

So Bryson has gotten into this habit of throwing things over our fence into the neighbors yards. 

He thinks its a game. He likes to show off how he can throw things. 

So far about a dozen or so matchbox cars, 4 balls, a shoe and just now, his hearing aid. 

Yes, you read correctly....he threw his hearing aid over the back wall.  

This is the hearing aid next to my phone to show you how small these suckers are and how we have this great camouflage covering over it. 

This is the one neighbor who has real grass and one of two neighbors with dogs. 

I was frantically looking over the back fence in hopes the neighbor would notice me and come out to investigate. Much to my despair, she did not. 

I did happen to notice the lovely camouflaged covered hearing aid lying in her freshly watered lawn...right next to a large mud puddle. 

Bryson is standing next to me saying it was an accident. 

Really? How is pulling your ear out and chucking it over the fence an accident? 

Luckily I was able to run over to the neighbors house and retrieve the hearing aid but this reminds me of one of Bryson's friends at school. 

His friend was at the zoo with his parents when he decided to throw his implant into the lions den. 

Yeap, LIONS DEN! 

They were lucky that a zookeeper was able to retrieve the implant before the lions ate it. 

I guess it's one of the joys of having a toddler.

Dads

This is my dad back in 1980 with yours truly!

Today is his birthday!

He loves all things having to do with farming...after all, he was born and raised a farmer

My love of farming, tractors and cows is all because of him!

He loves spending time with his grandkids

Even when they are kind of fussy

He even likes his son-in-law...bonus!

Cheers to the best dad in the world!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Sports

Little kids playing sports is the cutest thing ever

Snowball and Little man gave karate a try last night

Little man didn't want to leave and can't wait to go back

Bunny Time

We've been busy the past two days

Saturday we had to make cookies, 

bird nests (we added little chocolate eggs to the nests when they were done)

and dye eggs

glitter eggs!

It was fun dying eggs!

Happy Easter! The kids were up with the sun and ready to go

mmmm, lollipops!

Then it was off to church for our annual outdoor service

the kids were too excited to stand still for pictures

After church we were off to Grampa and Gramma's house for an Easter egg hunt

the kids found all the eggs...except one. Maybe the Easter bunny counted wrong

You can't visit Gramma and Grampa without going in the pool!

Uncle Cory was a good sport...he did lots of tossing and catching of small children

Little man was quite the dare devil. He discovered he could fall backwards into the pool!

With 3 birthdays in the first 13 days of the month, we also take the time to celebrate all the birthdays at Easter. Here's my brother, Uncle Andrew. 

His birthday was on the 1st. 

Happy Birthday Uncle Andrew!

Uncle Cory and Aunt Elise!

(Bryson loves Elise. He had some chocolate on his face and when Elise asked him what was on his face, he become embarrassed and asked me to clean his face for him. After it was clean, he went back over to Elise to sit on her lap.)

After a busy day, Little man was so tired

but we still had to have cake!!

All the birthday folks! Grampa, Uncle Andrew and myself!

I will celebrate more today for my birthday!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!