Pictures that Should Have Made the Blog, But Didn't...Yet

Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging on a regular basis. However, there were so many cute pictures from the end of March that should have made the blog, but didn't...Until now! So, you will see some pictures from the Easter Egg Hunt at the Upstairs Gallery with Mama, Grandaddy and John Thomas complete with confetti eggs. You will see the playgroup "Post Easter" Easter Egg Hunt, and a few other random shots that are just too cute to pass up.

Enjoy.

Kids, A Bucket of Water and Three Paintbrushes

Today was one of those beautiful days in Texas that make people want to be outside all day. Corey was doing yardwork and I was needing to get things together for a baby shower tomorrow at our house. We try not to turn on the TV on Saturdays, but we needed the kids to be completely entertained for atleast an hour. That's when I remembered water painting. All it takes is a bucket of water and big paintbrushes. Jacob, Jude and Grace "painted" everything in the backyard...the ground, the house, the shed, their jungle gym, each other....It was great. They were working together so well that it was astonishing. Jacob was the boss and he had his little two man crew (Jude and Grace) working nonstop. There was never any crying or fighting or wanting to play something else. All three of them went in at naptime, took a nap, and woke up ready for more painting! Such a spontaneous and fun afternoon for us all.

Happy Easter Everyone!

It was Easter Sunday today and it was a full day. The kids looked adorable adorable adorable! The boys got new tennis shoes from the Easter Bunny and Gracie Girl got white sandles with sparkles on them...perfection. We went to church and then over to Gram and Papa's house for lunch. There was lots of people, food and dessert which was great. Here are some pictures of my lovely little birthday cuties.

Kick It Soccer is Back!

This Saturday Kick It (that's the name of Jacob's team) was back in action. I think Jacob's favorite part of the soccer game was getting dressed for the soccer game. We did his hair and made sure he had his sunglasses and his Buzz Lightyear backpack to carry his gear. He had a blast at the soccer game...not so much playing tons of soccer...but just being there with this friends seemed to be fun enough. I think we found out a little piece of Jacob Hooks wisdom, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose...It's how good you look playing the game."

Roadtrip to Nashville, TN

Time with Grandad and Grandmoe is always so precious. We have such a great, relaxing time in Nashville everytime we go. That being the case, we loaded the kids in the Civic (yes, three kid and three carseats in the back of a Honda Civic) and made the 12 hour trip. We talked and laughed on the way...there was a little arguing and some crying, but isn't that part of the family roadtrip??? We arrived in Nashville Friday evening and unpacked, ate pizza and stayed up late playing. Grandmoe had bought fun toys for the kids and Grandad had bought all their favorite food. It was a great start. While in Nashville the boys went with Grandad and Daddy to go see "Horton Hears a Who" on Saturday night while Mommy, Grace and Grandmoe took part in a Women's Circle. How perfect for Grace to get the chance to be part of Grandmoe's tradition! Sunday we went to the Science Adventure Center which basically amounted to a great place for three kids to run in three different directions all at the same time. The kids had a blast, and the adults had been hit by the bus of non-stop energy. We celebrated Jude's 3rd birthday on the 16th complete with a Sponge Bob Squarepants cake and Spiderman decorations. Jude was so excited, and has not stopped talking about his party yet! Monday we went to the Dragon Park which Jacob loves, and spent several hours there playing and making new friends and eating snacks. We topped the trip off with a family dinner at a Mexican restaraunt where Jacob impressed us all with his spanish speaking skills. That is our trip to Nashville in a nutshell, but it doesn't come close to sharing all the stolen moments of love and togetherness...Jude and Grandmoe inside the world's smallest blanket fort, Jacob constantly wanting to show anyone the Yoda poster, Grace finding a strand of pearls to keep us in stitches, late nights, laughter and just that feeling of family...it was great. Jacob cried as we drove away from Sunnyside Dr., and when asked Jude said that his favorite part of the trip was Grandmoe. Grace just slept, but I'm sure she was dreaming of her Nashville family.

First Botanical Gardens Trip of 2008

Last week our playgroup made our first trip of 2008 to the Botanical Gardens. It was wonderful! It was fabulous to be outside, and see the kids running around (my boys of course with their shirts off). We played "inside" a huge magnolia tree and climbed on the lower branches. Thankfully, Jacob and Jude had taken the "Don't Climb on the Branches" sign out of the ground!!! The flowers were beginning to be in bloom and the turtles were out basking in the sun, and the Texas weather was fantastic for a minute...you can't beat that!

Jude's New Thomas Bike!

Jude woke up on Saturday morning to a Thomas Bike in our living room! He was so excited. Finally we get to put away his tricycle that has been "cramping his style" while Jude is out riding with the big kids (aka 4 and 5 year olds). Jude is pretty much the safest bike rider I've seen yet. He is very into wearing his helmet (no bike needs be in sight) and his knee and elbow pads. He also has yet to test his bike on the pavement...the living room carpet has served as a fine race track! He may soon get his chance, however, to find out just how well he rides because Jacob informed me today that he is riding his bike all the way to Nashville to see Grandad and Grandmo. My only hope is that Corey and I can take the car...and pictures of course.