Easter Baskets and Blessing Baskets

So many people have been asking me what we are planning to do about "The Bunny" this year. I love how they put it... "The Bunny". It kinda makes me laugh. Up until this year I haven't really addressed it at all. It's easier than Santa in a lot of ways. While Easter is commercialized.... "The Bunny" isn't as prevalent as Santa is. Also, Hannah has been so young until now that it was hard to really explain the death and Resurrection to her anyway. (Quite honestly it still is...)

Anyway, we have decided not to do "The Bunny". It is difficult enough to make it clear what Easter is about with eggs, dresses, and baskets. Don't get me wrong... I am not opposed to the eggs and chocolates. I even embrace bunnies... just not "The Bunny." I want it to be clear to my kids what Easter is all about. "The Lamb" not "The Bunny".

So what are we planning to do instead you might ask? Well I'm so glad you did! We are going to start the tradition of sinning stones and blessing baskets. The days leading up to Easter we are going through the story of the passion using Resurrection eggs like these:

If you've never seen these before they are AWESOME! These eggs have a symbol for each day that coincides with the passion. (Hannah is loving them.) We are using them similar to an advent calendar to count down the days until Good Friday. They have a bible verse to go with each egg so that you can focus on what the true story of Easter is about.

Then on Good Friday we are going to collect rocks and paint them black. (You can cut out black circles as paper if you want but Hannah is really into collecting rocks these days ..... and paint is always fun!) We will then draw unhappy faces on them and put them in our baskets. We will explain that these are our sins. That Jesus died for us because of our sins. As the children get older we will work on naming our sins and using it as a form of confession before God.

Then on Easter Sunday the baskets will be empty (just like the tomb!) and instead will be filled with all the blessings (candy and treats) brought about by the blood of Christ.

I am really excited about starting this traditions with our family! Won't you join in our fun!

Birthday and Scooters

So how about some birthday cake and candles!




And her wish came true! Hannah got a 3 wheeled scooter for her birthday from Mommy and Daddy. She is in love with it! If you are looking for a present for a 3 year old I would highly suggest it!

Her's of course had to be princess!

She has a tricycle but isn't quite coordinated enough to make it work for her yet. (Not to mention she is still a bit too short to reach the pedals while turning.) The scooter is totally a self-sufficient mode of transportation. Anything that she can do with supervision but without help is AMAZING in my mind! The only draw back is that the area has to be fairly flat.... although I guess that isn't any different if it is bike, scooter, skates, or anything else with wheels. I love it though because she can only go as fast as her little legs can go. It took her about 5 minutes to get the hang of it...so the learning curve isn't that steep!




Now if we can teach her to keep looking straight ahead and not look back at me! Happy Spring!


Oh and Drew... well he took the whole cake thing very seriously... he's definitely ready for his own cake next month! (Note the scooter next to the table... she had to take it EVERYWHERE!)

(More birthday pics to come after this weekends Princess Party Palooza!)

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Three years ago today our lives were all changed forever. It was the day my beautiful baby was born. She was tiny then and still is. She is the light of our lives. Hannah we love you so much! It's amazing to think that you've only been with us for 3 years. Most days it is hard to remember what life was like before you. It seems like light years ago that I had a paying job and life outside of playing and spending time with you. I wouldn't go back to those days for anything.

So what does 3 look like:

You are weighing in these days at a whooping 24lbs and are about 35 inches tall.

You love animals.

You would talk our ear off and can talk to anyone. (Although you claim to be shy.)

You love to play dress up.... and especially LOVE makeup.

You have some sweet friends that you love to play with.

You read Horton to Daddy before bed and have it memorized.

You love going to church.

You love chasing Puddles around the house.

You always want to watch one more "dv" shows before bed.

You are still taking naps (after a 2 month hiatus) and tend to sleep for about 1.5hrs.

You sleep soundly through the night and NEVER get up.

You play well by yourself and with your brother.

You are one tough cookie and boy are you stubborn.

You are one of the most caring indivuals I know.

You are SUPER excited for your birthday this year and I wish I could keep you this age forever.

We love you sweet angel....

Newborn

1st Birthday

2 years old

Today!

Grandparents and Goldfish

Grandparents are great fun. All the time.... but especially when they underestimate what their grandchildren are capable of.

Exhibit A: Granny takes the kids for donuts. Drew ends up covered in chocolate icing since he is quite a grabby little guy. Granny is amazed.... and slightly sheepish that she was caught giving Drew chocolate! HA! No wonder Drew loves her so much! (How I wish I had a picture of this!)

Exhibit B: Drew goes to Nana's house and pulls up on the coffee table.... where he finds a bag of goldfish. See the results below:

Obviously no one was watching him that closely.... or didn't realize he could open ziploc bags.....

Very proud of himself!

Deciding whether to put them back in the bag....

Or maybe just shove about 10 in his mouth at once....

"Hey Nana, can I hang out here more often.... this is good stuff!"

Hamburger Buddy

So if you like hamburger helper because it is quick... this isn't the recipe for you. But if you like it because your kids, like mine, are sure to gobble it up this is TOTALLY for you. My kids love hamburger helper but I hate that is full of junk.... I mean nothing that gets stuck to the pan that way can be good for you!
Anyway here is a much healthier alternative with lots of veggies that are "hidden" so your kids will never know!

8 oz macaroni (I use whole wheat)
1lb ground meat (I use ground turkey and it works fine)
14 oz reduce sodium beef broth
2 c water
1 large onion
2 medium carrots
3 cloves garlic
10 oz fresh mushrooms
(any other veggies of your choice... clean out the crisper)
2 T worcestershire
2T flour
1/2 c sour cream (I use Fat free)
1/2 c grated Parmesan (I use reduced fat)
2 tsp thyme

Start by browning the beef and drain. Use the food processor to puree all your veggies (start with the carrots and then everything else... just makes it smoother). Add the veggies and thyme to the ground beef and simmer about 3 minutes. Add water, 1.5 c broth, uncooked pasta, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is tender.

Meanwhile whisk flour and remaining broth in bowl. Stir into pasta once pasta is cooked. Add sour cream. Top with Parmesan right before serving.

+++NOTE- this is NOT freezer friendly. It does make a lot and does reheat well... but don't try to freeze it... it's gross!++++