Justus Spring Hat

Justus kindergarten class was given the homework assignment of completing a Spring Hat.  The kids were brought into the work room one by one, allowed to choose two colors for the hat.  Then the hat was fitted to their head.


It was our job as parents to help them decorate it.  Thankfully I remembered what it was like when my niece had this same assignment almost 10 years ago.  I knew parents went all out and decked the hats out.  Of course having a boy made this a little more challenging.  We had to ditch the Spring idea and just make it cool.

So Angry Birds Space it was.  J had gotten an Angry Birds game for Christmas so I knew the pieces would work great.  So J colored his planets and helped to arrange the pieces while I hot glued them on.  We were also lucky enough to find an Angry Birds Space shirt for him to wear.  Perfect!

 Then they got to parade around the school.  They went into all the hallways while the kids were lined up to see them.  I thought this was great for school spirit.  So cute to see even the 5 & 6 graders giving the Kinders high fives as they walked by!

Havens class Easter Party

Today Haven had her Easter party.  I love to watch the kids.  They sing us cute songs then we all have a yummy lunch.

 Then the kids got to go hunt some Easter eggs.  I love it!  Haven did a great job :)

Snow Day

One of the fabulous things about being a *mostly* stay at home mom is I can readily take my children on fun adventures whenever I want.

The other day we got a huge rain storm which means a huge snow storm up in the mountains.  Then two days later- which was yesterday- it was sunny and nice.  Soooooo sounded like a snow day waiting to happen to me.

I checked Justus out of school a little early, packed up our snow stuff (along with the kids, and lunch) and away we went, just about 1 hour NE of us to a great snow park.

We also invited some of our friends along for the ride.  I didnt include pics of them, but we all had a great time.

The snow was so deep it was up to my hip.  Haven had a few problems at first but once we figured out how to maneuver through the snow, everyone had a great time - and some super steep/fun snow runs!

St. Pattys Day - Adults

Adult Stuff:
I had everyone come over for dinner (except we were missing one couple).  We had pesto chicken and pasta - the most green thing I could come up with for a large crowd. Also a green salad and one of the ladies brought a green pistachio jello salad.  We had green party punch

The punch before I added the 7Up

  Then after we were all full and had some rainbow cupcakes and green cookies that another lady brought we sat down to play some games.  We played 4 on a Couch which the men dominated, then onto Fish Bowl (which I only knew as The Game) then another game I dont remember the name of.  It was a super fun night and I believe it was after midnight by the time we got in bed :)

St. Pattys Day - Kids

I love St. Pattys day.  Ever since Ive had kids it has become one of the most fun holidays for me.

We had a jam packed day.  I had planned some fun things for our kids and then we had an adult party with our life group that night.

Kids Stuff:
So the night before I decorated so that when the kids woke up (way before me) they would come out to a special St. Pattys breakfast.  There were gold coins leading them down the hallway to the breakfast table which was filled with fun stuff.  Leprecaun hats, shamrock glasses, gold coins, Lucky Charms (a real treat in our house) and I did make them some green milk.

 They loved it.

Then a little later I had them go on a scavenger hunt for the pot of gold.  This year was fun because Justus could read all the clues.  He helped Haven out and together they found the pot of gold!  Which also had a small toy in it for each  of them.

 We also made rainbow cupcakes - one of my personal favs.  The kids helped me make them and then they got to eat one after their lunch.  Later I served the rest of them at the Life Group party.

Remember and Never Forget #1

This year the dates lined up with the days of the week the same as when Justus was born.  February 12 was a Sunday.  A week and half later was a Wednesday.  Two day later a Friday and then Monday.

We thought Justus would be a girl so when he arrived 2.12.06 at 8:57am as a boy, we were all taken aback - even my doctor ;)  But thrilled none the less, we were.  Happy, healthy.....or so we thought.

Neil and I have had a lot of time to discuss these events, especially recently since we both have been sick.  He has been home more.  We had no idea what God had in store for us.

That first week Justus was home was killer on me.  He was not an easy baby.  But as always, God is faithful.  I didnt have many of the soreness issues that my friends have had.  It was easy from a physical standpoint to take care of him.  My sister came to help and did so in so many ways.  She was the one who redecorated my nursery taking down everything pink and replacing it with blue.  She was phenomenal.  I had to get over the fact that I had had a baby boy when I expected a baby girl.  That was harder than I thought it would be.  I truly had to mourn the loss of my girl.  Weird maybe, but I had to do it.  I felt like I buried that baby (or dream of that baby) and then I had to move on.

Justus right after I had him

All the girl clothes that had to go back to the store