Birthday Celebration for Daddy

Peter's birthday fell on a Saturday this year. We started off the morning with soccer. Go Coach Peter!
Our friends, Mark & Stephanie Robinson joined us at the soccer game and then spent the weekend with us. It was great to hang out with them and their almost one year old daughter, Savannah.
When we got home, the kids gave Daddy their gifts. They had each painted a picture for Peter. Very cute and sweet.
We didn't quite get to baking a cake, but we did decorate one from the store. For dinner, Peter made a delicious salmon dinner. Hopefully, he thinks we celebrated right!

Hats

Weekend in Review

We had plans to go to College Station this weekend for the maroon & white football scrimmage at A&M. I'd really been looking forward to that trip. The kids know I love the Aggies but they really don't know that there is a place where Aggies are everywhere! Unfortunately, the rain we have so needed decided to come on Friday and Saturday. We scratched the trip.
Both soccer games were cancelled due to soaked fields. So, what to do? What to do? Peter lobbied for a trip to a local brewery celebration. We did that. He got to put back a few brews and the kids jumped in a jump house and got some tattoos drawn on their arms. They were thrilled.
Conleigh attended a friends birthday party Saturday afternoon and then we went to our friends the Welsch's for a fun cajun dinner party. The kids all had a blast and it was a relaxing evening. Late night for the kids though. They didn't fall into bed until after 10:30.
Peter helped me teach the 3's Sunday school this morning. I really enjoyed having him with me.
After church, we went to another birthday party for our neighbor, Cameron. She celebrated the big #5 at a fun place we had never been called Jungle Java.
Once that party was over, we came home and the kids crashed and watched a movie, Despereaux. I went for a walk with Brittiany and Peter surfed the net.
Now back to school and work, so we can relax.

It was the Best and Worst of Days

Conleigh had the day off from school. Alex & Campbell had school today, so Conleigh & I got to spend some time alone together. We went for a walk around the neighborhood. Conleigh desperately wanted to search the golf course for tee's. She filled a baggie full of broken and colored tees. We walked through ToysRUs, we went to the grovery store and we made dinner together, Conleigh's choice - taco salad. The day was wonderful.

This afternoon we went and got her an ICEE. As we got in the car she said, "This is the best day ever."
This evening the kids were in the garage playing with their scooters. Alex and Conleigh had a run-in (pun intended) and she came inside saying, "This is the worst day ever."

Oh-lo, my dear. I love you very much.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Conleigh: I wonder what color the Easter bunny is?

Alex: Red
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Believe.

Can you remember when you believed that a Bunny hopped into your backyard and hid eggs everywhere?

Innocence.

Do you remember when you didn't question how your Easter basket was filled with a chocolate bunny on Easter morning?

We are living in those times at our house. Conleigh ran into our room this morning about 6:30. "Mom, I think I hear the Easter Bunny in our living room."

Little did she know daddy was up already trying to prepare his Sunday school teaching lesson.

She and Campbell entered the living room at the same time this morning and were so excited to find their baskets filled with a chocolate Easter bunny, a small toy and a ring pop. Alex soon joined the crew and he was grinning from ear to ear to see the two Hot Wheels in his basket.

The girls looked so cute with their Easter dresses, white shoes and big bows in their hair. Here is the outfit Alex walked into our room and asked if he could wear to church. A muscle shirt, really? Pretty funny, I think.

Conleigh and Alex both came to "big" church and did very well. Afterwards, I taught Alex's 3 year old Sunday school class, and Peter taught upstairs in our adult class.

As I taught the three year old class the Easter story, I was so pleased with how much Alex participated and remembered from the story today and in previous weeks. Conleigh too, seemed to be able to tell the story. Jesus is Alive!

When we got home, the rain had cleared, and lo' and behold, the red(?) Easter bunny had put about 60 eggs in our backyard! All the kids had a blast looking for the eggs and got it done lickety split.

Peter & I attempted our first honey baked ham. It turned out pretty well. We ate ham, broccoli, rolls and salad. It was a nice meal and we spent an hour or so afterwards watching videos of the children when they were younger. It was so much fun. Happy Easter 2009.

Thank you God for giving the ultimate gift of your Son Jesus to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life.

Updates on Weights (& shoe sizes)!

One lazy morning recently, March 19th to be exact, I had each kiddo step onto the scale.
Here are the current weights of our children.

Conleigh Grace, 40.2 pounds
Alexander Spence, 41.7 pounds, but Conleigh was quick to remind him that she is older than he is. Oh, the days of wanting to be the heaviest. Enjoy them, my dear.
Campbell Elizabeth, 29.5 pounds

Friday we went shoe shopping. I bought four pairs of shoes and not a-one for me!
Campbell landed two new pair. One purple(her choice)pair of crocs, and some cute new summer white sandals, size 8.5.
Alex got some cute brown sandals, size 12.5
Conleigh was not with us. She was busy creating art at the Doughtery Arts Center in downtown Austin. I guessed on a size for some cute, white Easter shoes for her. I came home with a size 12. She has tried them on, loved them, and they are still too big! Her feet have been the same size for over a year. We'll return them tomorrow and hope they have a size 11.

Egg Hunt #2

Campbell, Alex and I headed down to the Northwest Rec center this morning for their annual egg hunt. This year may be our fourth time to participate in this egg hunt. It is down near our 'old' house. Basically, there is a mad scramble to pick up eggs. Eggs are littered across the field.

The Easter bunny didn't stay long, so we missed our chance to get a pic with him. He apparently hopped over to another egg hunt somewhere, but my friend Krissy brought her new baby John for a photo op with E. Bunny.
Like her boots? She insisted on wearing them!

Campbell and Alex both scored a prize! Some of the eggs have a number in them that correspond with a prize. It was fun, and it worked out perfectly too. Alex got a big basket filled with a stuffed bunny and candy. Campbell won a cute gorilla dressed up like a bunny.
Now we are having quiet time and I can hear the plastic coming off candy. I'm sure they'll be all sugared up here in a bit!

Morning Conversation

Each morning Conleigh eats her breakfast at the bar. This morning this was our conversation.

C: Mom, what is the best holiday?

M: Hmm, I think Christmas is my favorite holiday.

C: No, Mom. Not your favorite holiday. The best holiday.

M: Oh, okay.

C: I think Easter is the best holiday because He rose from the dead.

Ah. Sweet Jesus. Let us remember your sacrifices for us this week and always.

Wordless Wednesday

Time, time, tickin'

Time is flying in case you haven't noticed.

We are gearing up for Easter here at the Hardin's. Decorations are up, art is all over the place, and the kids went on their first egg hunt of the season Sunday. Wonder how many more there will be?