Bouncing's What L's Do Best

During K's last soccer game there was a bouncy house set up near the field. M took L over to play in the house and she had a blast. She spent almost an hour bouncing around.

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter weekend. On Friday afternoon a large group of us got together for an egg hunt at our park. We had a ton of kids show up and they had so much fun looking for plastic eggs. Afterward, Auntie and the kids showed up to go to Wicked with us. They gave the girls Easter pillow pets before we left.

On Saturday K had another soccer game and she scored 4 goals. After the game the girls opened their box from Granny and Papa they received in the mail. K got a book and L got a lamb; they both love their gifts.

On Sunday the girls woke up early and ran downstairs to find baskets filled with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, coloring pencils, sand shovels and a chocolate bunny. After going through their baskets they searched for plastic Easter eggs lightly filled with candy.

After eating some candy, we had french toast with strawberries and homemade whipped cream. Then we read My First Easter together and talked about what Easter really means. Before we headed off to church they watched Veggie Tales: Twas the Night Before Easter.

After church we had tacos and nachos. Not your traditional Easter dinner but it's what M asked for and I was happy to oblige, though he ended up cooking it for us. For dessert we had strawberry shortcake. It wasn't a hugely spiritual day, but better than past years. Hope you had a great Easter weekend too.

Wicked!

I was able to talk my hubby into going to see Wicked the musical when it came to town. I got tickets along with my aunt, two cousins and their significant others. We went out for dinner before heading to the show.

Here we are all dressed up and ready to go.

I didn't think to bring my camera and we weren't allowed to take photos once the show started anyway. So, the pictures I have of us were taken with Mika's and my cell phone camera. The others I found online.

I was impressed with the backdrops, props, and costumes; they were amazing. I especially loved the dresses of Glinda and her personality. She really did a great job on her character. The acting was really good and there were some very funny lines. I also really enjoyed the singing although it was pretty loud where we were sitting.

Elphaba and her professor.

Elphaba flying before leaving Oz.

The face-off after the death of Nessarose.

I have read this book but it was a whole new experience seeing it acted out. They did an excellent job turning it into a musical. I was very impressed and entertained. I definitely recommend going to see this show.

An Gathering of Mothers

Our close friends are expecting another baby and I volunteered to throw a shower for the triple blessed mom. I made a chocolate carriage cake with ganache and cream cheese frosting. It turned out pretty cute.
Because you can never have too many diapers, I also made a diaper cake with goodies hidden inside and socks balled up like roses to decorate the tiers. I love the little turtle toy on top. My girls loved their car seat toys when they were little.
Here are the yummy treats we enjoyed with the cake. We had chocolate sticks, hot artichoke dip with pita chips and bread, Reeces Peanut Butter Cups, and strawberry lemonade.

The gift table with her prettily wrapped goodies waiting to be opened.

The guests with the mom of honor. It was a great night of laughing,
eating and showering Becky with our love.

Brain Candy

I have read a lot of very serious books in the past six months:
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Night
The Glass Castle
Left to Tell
In Defense of Food
Wuthering Heights
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Just to name a few, so lately I have been reading total brain candy. Books that are quick and easy and leave nothing to ponder over. My latest book is Heat Wave written by Richard Castle. Now, not only is this total brain candy, but the author is fictional. Those who watch Castle will recognize the name and the book title. I think it is funny that they actually paid someone to ghost write a book as the main character on a fictional television series. Although, for some reality-challenged people, this may add to their delirium that the show and people on it are actually real.
So far the book is very much like the television show but I am only three chapters in. I don't recommend reading this book unless you are going on an exotic trip to a tropical paradise and want to relax, but I totally recommend the show. It is funny and I love the characters interaction. I am going to go veg on my book now.

Sunshine

My girls are taking a dance class together and are loving it. They have been learning the song, You Are My Sunshine and moves to go along with it. Their instructor told them if they sing it loud enough maybe the sun will come out. So, my 6 year old has been singing it a lot lately when she is playing outside and the sun goes behind clouds or it's a cloudy day.

Amazingly enough, almost every time the sun comes back out which just reinforces what her teacher told her. Plus it gives her a sense of control in a world where she doesn't have much. I find it adorable that she continues to belt out the song with her face tilted high to face the sky.

And here is a video of them singing. I don't have any pictures of them in dance yet. The parents were banned from the room until their recital in a couple more weeks. It's okay, though, it gives me a chance to read in the car while they are practicing. I can't wait to see their new moves.