Bookworms: Spring 2014 edition

Most weeks, I'm heading to the library to pick up a preordered stack of books from a list of must-reads I've compiled. Then, we roam around the shelves with an already overflowing bag and add even more! This week, we didn't have any books waiting for us and went in with an empty bag.  (Danger!) We chose randomly and without knowing anything about our books this time, but ended up with an overflowing bag of book gems.

 1. How to Hide a Lion by Helen Stephens- a sweet picture book with a clever plot and beautiful illustrations

2. Skippyjon Jones Class Action by Judy Schachner- We love EVERY Skippyjon book. These books definitely win the award for best books to read out loud. Not going to lie, I love the chance to show off my Spanish speaking skills. It really fits well here since the book is a whole lot of Spanglish. Makes me sound like a pro. The girls have a lot of fun and get into it too!

3. Hippos Can't Swim: and other fun facts by Laura Lyn DiSiena - Such a fun learning book. The pictures are beautiful and the animal facts fascinated the kids. I learned a lot too. Engaging and informative.

 

4. Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf

 

5. Henry's Map by David Elliot 

 

6. This one is a gem for another reason. It isn't the story that delighted us most this time, though this Little Critter story was particularly cute. Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer made our Bookworm Favorites list because Abby opened it and with the exception of a few words read me the whole thing all by herself! Some of these beginner reader books still have really hard words in them. This one was perfect for a beginner reader. I loved seeing the look on Abby's face when she realized she was taking this one to the finish line all by herself. Milestone moment!

Unexpected Adventures

I'm a planner. So most days I tend to have a general outline for what I expect to do. It's not often that I wake up without any plans, but I did the day after Easter. That tends to happen the day after a holiday. We're usually tired. The day after a celebration the girls are most likely detoxing from too many sweet treats and lack of sleep, so I never plan much. We take it easy, stay in our PJs for a while and play A LOT, while we recharge to start the week for real on Tuesday.

Every now and then, God surprises us with other plans! When I'm flexible enough to roll with it (a trait I'm learning to cultivate more and more), I'm always so glad I did. His ways are so much greater than ours...even in the simple day to day moments when I'm willing to follow Him.

Monday morning our plans were shaken up by 9:00 when we learned we had to make a spontaneous trip to my hometown. On Easter, my dad took our green car home with him to work on it for the week. With all the happenings of the day, Joe didn't realize that he had left his wallet in the car after church. On Monday morning, when Joe went looking for his wallet..he quickly realized it was an hour and a half away in my dad's driveway. So, the girls and I got ready quickly and packed up for our unexpected adventure. (Side note: So thankful for my dad and his willingness to spend his days off fixing our cars for us when we need him! Thanks, Dad!)


It was a beautiful day, so on the way I called my mom and asked her if she wanted to picnic with us at my favorite park. She rearranged her day and packed up a picnic for us. After visiting with Papa and Uncle Cory for a bit, we spent the afternoon with Grandma enjoying the day! 

 

I have years of memories at this very spot. Picnics by the river as a kid. Learning how to pump for the first time on the swings as a little girl. Fourth of July fireworks. Class field trips. Hikes with friends. College goodbyes. Birthday lunches. More picnics.  I loved being with my mom and taking my girls here for the first time! 

 

Everyone was flying kites down by the river. The girls were fascinated and asked if we could try flying a kite this summer. I'm adding that to our summer bucket list!

Let the record show, I was totally spontaneous!  I love days like these when it really works, we choose to embrace life (even the unexpected) and everything about the day is a beautiful success. It didn't hurt that a really grateful husband was waiting for us when we got home that night! To think a misplaced wallet could provide such unexpected joy!

Easter 2014

the annual egg coloring

This Easter, we woke up to the most beautiful spring day! A birds chirping, flowers blooming, maybe even a bunny or two hopping by type of cliche perfect spring day. Everything about the day whispered new life and fresh beginnings.

The girls woke up to some Easter basket surprises at the breakfast table.

There's nothing like little girls in their new Easter dresses. A mini photo shoot before church was a must.

I present....Ella's cheese face!

love this so much.

We started the morning at church celebrating our risen Christ and all the promise, all the hope that brings to our lives year round. We came home to welcome our family for lunch and enjoyed lots of yummy food together.  Papa, Uncle Cory, Grandma and Casey were here for the afternoon.

I love everything about the colors of spring and the simplicity of fresh tulips on the table.

We enjoyed our appetizers outside.

Nina and Ollie were instant buddies. There wasn't a minute of tension, which was a great relief.

She's a hugger!

Fits right in the basket

After lunch, we headed outside for an egg hunt. This was the first year Ella was old enough to walk around and find eggs.  Abby liked having a partner to hunt for treasure with.

 

being interviewed by Daddy

found one

sibling selfie

mommy and girls

Daddy and his girls

One of the best parts of the day was when the girls and I walked out to the car on Easter morning to go to church. Our neighbor, Mr. Brian, was across the street and came over to say hello. It was such a sweet moment. As we wished Mr. Brian a Happy Easter and he told the girls how pretty their dresses were, Ella ran over to him without any prompting and gave him a big hug like he was a member of the family. It made his day! It is such a sweet snapshot of Ella's personality. She hugs and includes and goes out of her way to make people feel welcome.

Grandma! Look at my dress! (Then she lifted her whole dress up and flashed the world.)

our family

me and my momma

love.

Dad and Uncle C

resting with Gma and Ollie

My people. Always.

instant love

no need to say a word...but Uncle C was a new puppy owner just a few days later. Puppy fever.

the girls

Gma, Casey and the girlies

bubbles

Oliver was not starved for attention AT ALL.

hanging out with Casey

free bird...flying carefree