May's Best Day, 2011

We had a few really nice days toward the middle of this month.  We actually got out the shorts and enjoyed the sunshine.  I can't wait for the weather to warm back up, but for now, I'll enjoy my pictures.  

On your mark, get set, go.  In Spencer's words, "Mar, S, Go!", or something like that!

The race is on!

Four Wheelin's Youngest Fan

Jeepin's Sweetest Fan

Caught with his pants down...
I just had to snap a picture when Spencer's shorts fell down.  It was the end of the day, and he was just tired of pulling them up, I guess. 

Boy in a Box

Spencer dove all in looking for that one special toy...

No Water Required

We had some beautiful weather earlier this month (and I am missing it greatly, I might add). The kids asked Richard to get out their pool. We didn't get a chance to fill it with water before the weather turned crummy.

That did not slow Spencer down a bit. He went down the slide at least ten times the night we brought the pool out.

The next day, he kept saying "side, side". I took him outside, thinking that was what he wanted. Oh no, he was telling me he wanted to "slide". Before I could stop him, he was climbing in the pool, which had been filled with rainwater from the night before. I managed to pull him out before his socks got wet. My boy is all boy!

"Nastics"

When dance was over last winter, Olivia told me she wanted to take "nastics" instead of dance in the spring. Well, by the time I actually got her into a class, she had learned to say "gymnastics" and she could hardly wait. She still loves going. We are going to take the summer off, but here are some fun shots to remember her first few months.

I love this picture! Very few of my pictures turned out.

This one did and it captures her happiness.

Such tiny little arms, holding up a tiny little "big" girl.

She was very serious about doing it right.

This is where it all started. Olivia just loved walking on the balance beam at library storytime. It took me a couple month too long, but we finally got her in a gymnastics class.

Puppy's Shoes

We were late a our friend's birthday today because Puppy could not leave the house without shoes.

Olivia decided, after I painstakingly tied them, that they were too big.


So I dug through her old baby clothes and found these bunny slippers.

I am trying my best to enjoy my kids, and like Olivia prayed, just have fun spending the day with them and my Saviour. It can be tough when there's a time crunch, Puppy's shoes fit wrong and Olivia requires a certain color to relace them, birthday parties replace naps, Spencer drives his four-wheeler off the retaining wall, and the kids walk on my car seat with their shoes and Dorito fingers.

But at the end of the day, I treasure my photos of pink-slippered Puppy, the gracious birthday hostess appreciated the extra time to prepare, party memories with friends win out over naps hands down, and Spencer learned to clearly say the word "elbow" after his spill (he said it multiple times, mind you). And yes, my car is rid the winter dirt and mess (for a couple days). I am really hoping I can spend the summer showing my kids the love, grace, and patience my Saviour shows me. I want him to enjoy me when I interact with my kids.

Prayer Requests of a Four-Year-Old...

She has the sweetest heart. She really does. I wish my heart was as pure and innocent as my daughter's. The other night when Olivia was saying her bedtime prayers, she asked God to please "be with her and have fun with her in her day tomorrow". My heart melted at that moment. I don't think I've ever prayed that prayer. I forget that my Saviour actually wants to spend the days, hours, and minutes of my everyday life, with me, enjoying me, celebrating my family's joys and sharing in my sorrows. I get caught up in the wrongs and rights, the black and white, what I should or shouldn't do. I forget to ask Him to enjoy the time he has given me on this earth with me.

I'm trying to learn from my 4-year-old. I'm trying not to forget to ask Jesus to have fun with me when I start each day. Thank you, Olivia, for reminding me one of the things that Jesus desires for me each day. He blessed my life so much when He made me Mom to you and Spencer.

Coloring Eggs

I can't believe I almost forgot to post our egg-dying pictures.

My "little" girl is looking so grown-up.

I had three pictures of Spencer to choose between. In the other two photos, he is making the goofiest faces ever. I was trying to keep the blog-time even, so I went with only one picture; I chose the adorable face.

A Park is Coming

We are excited that a new park is being built about half a mile down the road from our house. It's been fun to watch the progress. We went down to check out their work and the big equipment a couple weekends ago.

Spencer enjoyed looking at the machinery.
Olivia is even posing a little more these days.

That's one big bucket!

The view isn't bad at all!