May Focus

I have to laugh, because each month our focus has kind of kicked our butts.  Not sure how else to put it.  I guess there is a force that is trying awfully hard to keep us from accomplishing our goals, but I keep reminding my kids that we are stronger than any force against us.  I'm not sure what that means for May, but we sure are going to try to work and serve diligently no matter what happens. 

And now it's May

April was a blur of our wonderful vacation followed by major spring cleaning and learning how to better love my children while wishing they weren't fighting so much.  And now it's May.  It seems like it shouldn't be May already.  But of course it is.  Time just keeps marching on.

We've had some silly times this past week or two, like when I showed my kiddos how to make these chin faces. LOL.  What a good laugh we had!

 Madeline decorated chocolate cupcakes for FHE.

 Some days are just hard.  Even when mom makes your favorite lunch and makes a tent and tries to feed you in the tent like a fun picnic.  It still is hard...

 But sometimes, even I surprise myself by being a fun mom.  I took the kids to two parks, two days in a row!  Don't faint, I know.

 My yard has some hidden delights if you look around.  I couldn't leave them outside.

 This blossom tree is super pretty.  But the pink blossom trees around town have my heart.  I'm always commenting and gasping at their beauty while driving around.  My kids think I'm crazy.

 Todd and I enjoyed a revolving sushi place with friends last weekend.  I've always wanted to try a place like that.  It was fun.  Not the best sushi in the world, but definitely a fun time.

 The little boys helped me load the car up with stuff for Goodwill.   Hooray!

 And Oliver and I had a little date to the library today.  He made food for me and played with all the toys and thought it was the best thing ever.

the end.

Tulips

The tulips were just as breathtaking this year as they have always been.  Todd loves me so much, that when we got there, he told me to jump out while he took a long drive around the block with the kids before they met up with me.  I really loved those moments alone to soak it all in.  As funny as it sounds, I teared up.  The beauty is just so overwhelming to me.  The beauty of God's creations.    

Pinewood Derby

Last night, we had a blast at our Pinewood Derby!  It was a ward activity so the kids got to race against Grandpa!  Cooper used one of Ethan's old cars and I award him the most enthusiastic racer award!  Haha!  He was a hoot to watch when his car won.  Todd and I were thinking we might need to teach that kid some winning etiquette.  He has quite the celebration dance!

 Madeline couldn't have been more thrilled to make her own car.  And yes, it's a unicorn with rainbow hair.  And yes, she rocked it.  Only one other car was faster.

 I have to say that Ethan and Madeline's cars were the same as fast.  They both beat each other three times!  In the end, the three Madeline won were the ones that counted so she got 2nd overall and Ethan got 3rd.  But the final race of the night (Grandpa vs. the grandkids) he won, so everyone was pretty happy.  Ethan's car is called Electric Maniac!

I enjoyed eating chocolate cake and laughing like crazy watching everyone's reactions to the races.  There were a lot of cool cars.  An egg car that looked straight out of a Richard Scarry book, a coffin on wheels, and some other sweet rides.  In the youth division, my kiddos took 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.  And they all beat Grandpa.  That made everyone happy (yes, even Grandpa!). What a fun night.  A special shout out to Todd for spending a lot of time on the cars, especially the wheels so they'd fly down that track!

The Random Stuff

Love his kisses and snuggles 

 Best Friends!  Joshua and Cooper

 Ethan won our families March Madness Bracket and chose Menchies for our treat.  Yep, we all won!

 These two cuties were pretty excited to find a salamander in the window well!

They named it Charcoal.  :)

And my oh my, the sky was sure amazingly beautiful tonight.  The picture doesn't do it justice of course, but it was such an amazing fade from light to dark blue.  And you can see the moon and Venus.  

Spring Cleaning!

I've gone a little crazy the last week.  Crazy in a really good way.  The spring cleaning bug hit hard and I've spent hours going through every closet and drawer and getting rid of things.  This is our donation pile!  It's mostly toys and clothes that Madeline and Oliver have outgrown.  Lots of baby stuff!  But also random household items too.  I figured if I haven't used it since living in this house, it's time to let go.  I threw a lot of stuff away too.  There's only so many art projects and school papers you can save.

 I also painted this wall in my laundry room.  We had a repair patch spot for months and months and now it's gone and done.  Hooray!  The lighter color makes the cabinets look so pretty.

 Here's an example of some of the spring cleaning.  Before (don't judge, I know it's scary!):

After:

And during all this spring cleaning, I came across this little gem.  A paper backpack that Ethan made me for Christmas a long time ago.  He's so cute.

 He was probably 6 or 7 I'd guess.  It came with a water bottle and a lunch box and a folder.

That year, he made one for Madeline and Todd too.  It took him forever.  Such a sweetie.  And always happy when he's busy with a goal.  I guess I can let go of it now.  It's not the easiest backpack to store.  :)

It feels so good to get rid of stuff we don't use.  It's nice to have closets and spaces organized.  Even the family room looks toy free now when it's clean.  Every thing has a place.  That sure makes me happy!

Victoria Sandwich

Baking is so much more fun than cooking.  Just saying.  Too bad we can't just eat Victoria Sandwiches for dinner.

The Great British Baking Show inspired me again.  I love that show.  Almost as much as actually baking.