Easter is My Friend

Saturday night, I was walking out the door to go see a movie with a couple of friends. Tyler turned to me and said, "Are you going to pick up Easter, Mommy?" Then, the next day, he said to us, "Easter gave me this Thomas movie!"

Apparently, Easter is a person and Tyler seems to be on a first-name basis with him!

Thankfully, I had found this Easter lesson, and was able to use it to teach the boys about the Resurrection and reinforce why we celebrate Easter.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day:


We hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Egg Hunting

Recently I was talking to a friend of mine about my excitement over taking the kids to the local park for the city Easter Egg Hunt. She scoffed at the idea of a city sponsored egg hunt. Thinking she was just jealous that she had not bought tickets for her family, I have been teasing her for being "too good for the local egg hunt"!

Yesterday was the day of the hunt, so we made our way over to the park with excitement in our eyes. Dylan's age group was first, so Arthur and he waited in the crowd. The gate opened and the crowd rushed. If you know Dylan, you know that he doesn't rush to do anything. He made his way over to the side where I would be taking pictures, picked up 2 eggs, and then the hunt was over! The eggs were gone!

Tyler's group was next. The parents lined up with their children at the gate. The announcer then came over to tell the parents that they would not be allowed to help the children of this age. This was bad news for us since Tyler is a bit timid in unfamiliar settings. The gate was open and kids started running. Arthur tried to get Tyler to go, but he would not budge. Arthur looked up to see the field saturated with parents disobeying the rules by helping their children pick up eggs, so he walked with Tyler into the madness. Less then 30 seconds after the hunt began, the field was cleared and the hunt was over. Either there were not enough eggs to go around, or too many pushy parents participating. Whatever it was, Tyler walked away empty-handed! Since Tyler is old enough to understand the concept, it was a sad moment for him. Thankfully, the workers were sympathetic to the group of kids with empty baskets and gave them a few at the end of the hunt. So, after paying $18, we walked away with 4 plastic eggs and 4 cold hot dogs.

Next year, I will proudly state that I won't be attending the local egg hunt and will not be ashamed when my friends say that I am "too good for the local hunt"!

Grandpa's Birthday Video

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! We hope you enjoy this little video we put together for you!

Love,
TYLER and DYLAN

Greenish Thumb

Most people know that I am not a plant person. In the almost 7 years that we have been married, we have had one live plant in our house: A palm tree that got severely mistreated. Everyone who came into our house would give us suggestions on how to revive the sad tree. I think that simple regular watering would have been the answer, but I was too ashamed to admit my negligence. Nonetheless, the palm lived a short 4 years before it ended up in the trash. That was about 3 years ago, and we have not taken on the responsibility of any other living decorations in the house (unless you count our 2 children).

Last summer, we had a major backyard landscaping project completed. Our landscaper suggested that we use a small plot to plant some vegetables and herbs. I had the best intentions when the work was complete, but sadly, the garden went to waste. I am definitely hopeless when left on my own with plants!

When my friend, Kimberly asked to help me start a garden in my backyard, I almost burst out laughing. I only agreed when she said that we would do the shopping, planting and care together. If it were not for her instructions, the garden would have continued to waste away. So, 2 weeks ago, we worked the little space and planted tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, onions, spinach, and celery. We set up the automatic sprinklers and things are looking up. Now that I have a teammate and am not alone in this endeavor, I think we just might actually produce something!

I've Been Tagged

Thank you, to my good friend Megan who tagged me!

Here is more than enough info about me! I hope you still come back here after reading all this stuff!

RULES: Answer questions, tag 5 people then go to their blog and leave them a comment reminding them.

10 years ago... I was in my Junior year of college at Boston University, hanging out with a really great "friend" named Arthur, swimming a lot, spending too much time in group meetings, freezing my tail off in -20 degree temperatures

5 places I've lived...Danville, CA - Fairfax Station, VA - Folsom, CA - Boston, MA - Santa Monica, CA

5 things to do today...
1)try to fall back asleep - thank you Tyler for waking me up at 1:30 a.m.
2)train with my friend Jennifer for the "5K Beat the Bishop" around the Rose Bowl
3)laundry
4)drop and pick up Tyler from school
5)prepare a quick dinner for the family before Arthur has to leave for Young Men's at church

Jobs I've had...
1) Swim instructor (yes, it sad that neither one of my boys know how to swim now)
2)Merrill Lynch intern
3)Accountant for Harmans (KFC Franchiser)
5)Accountant for LowerMyBills.com
6) Mother

5 snacks I can't live without... 1) fruit 2) cereal 3)ice cream, 4)Jamba Juice 5) chocolate

What we would do with Billions of dollars (I stole a couple from you, Megan!)...
1)Pay off our mortgage and Invest so that our children don't have to worry about college
2)Give money to charities
3)Travel - there are too many places on our "must-see before we die" list
4)Hire a professional chef and house cleaner
5) Spend as much time with family as possible

5 things you may not know about me...
1)I spent 16 years of my life on competitive swim teams
2)I was a baton twirler during my elementary school years
3)I have a toe that is partially "webbed" - please don't ask to see it
4) I have run 3 marathons (pre-children)
5)I love 80's music

10 years from now... I want to be full of energy, taking care of my children, appreciating all the wonderful things that life has to offer, and still head over heels in love with my husband.

OK I tag...Angela, Jamie, Jordan, Maren and Megan...have fun girls!! Thanks for the tag Megan!

In Case You Forgot

This video is dedicated to all those people around the world who are suffering through the winter and can't remember what summer feels like. Someday, you will be able to wear a t-shirt again. Someday, you will be able to walk around outside without any shoes on. Someday, you will be able to sing Beach Boys songs. It just probably won't be this week, unless you live in Southern California!