A Fool's Easter

This Easter was definitely a strange one.

First of all, Easter on April Fool's Day is a bit strange in itself. Then, I attempted a fun evening of egg dying with my children and they were not that interested. Weird. Most the eggs in this picture were dyed by yours truly.

Then the weather was anything but Spring like. We had to bundle up for yet another chilly egg hunt in Stamford.

Warming up with some yummy cupcakes made by Aunt Sonja.

On the way home, Papa stopped at the farm and let Anna and Mason pet the calf in the barn. Our sweet Mason said, "I'm just so sad that calf is sick." That boy just melts my heart.

With Jentry being at her dad's, Isaac being a bit older and Tucker being little, cousin time was definitely a different dynamic. Anna and Mason played very well all day Saturday. We think they look the most alike of all the cousins and they had so much fun together.

Mason actually slowed enough to cuddle a bit with Papa.

Sunday we attended church in Alma with the Hamiltons. The service was wonderful with lots of great music by the Ehrke cousins, however it was different than being at the Presbyterian Church in Orleans. After church, we enjoyed a delicious lunch and yet another blustery egg hunt in Grandma's back yard.

  

Isaac was thrilled. Can you tell?

It is always hard to say goodbye, but Tucker was all smiles.

Mason played so hard he fell asleep with a goldfish in his mouth on the car ride home. 

On the way home, we stopped to tell Papa and Onnie Happy Easter since the 8 inches of SNOW kept them from joining us in Orleans.

We certainly missed having Jentry with us, but thanks to technology we got to see pictures of her with her other siblings in her beautiful Easter dress. 

This Easter was unlike any other I have experience but the truth remains the same. Jesus died for all, even us foolish people, so I guess a fool's Easter is fitting after all. 

Blazin' Into 4

Mason began his 4th birthday celebrations with a request for blue pancakes and presents.

He received a unique gift from his sister. Completely unknown to me, she had been working on piecing together a blanket for him. I was shocked. She was disappointed in the finished product, however I thought it was amazing for her first sewing project with zero assistance. She wanted to throw it in the trash, however I convinced her it was way too special for that and encouraged her to give it to him. 

After a birthday breakfast, Mason was lucky enough to have a pajama party at preschool. He was beyond excited to wear his "pajammies" to school.

He chose to take brownie treats to daycare and then we spent the evening celebrating with Blaze and the Monster Machines.

Thanks to some Pinterest ideas, I was somehow able to put together another cake request.

Mason invited his grandparents and friends Dalton, Bodhi and Beckham. The boys had so much fun playing they hardly ate any of the pizza or cake. Beckham was the exception, he ate everything. 

  

Who wants ice cream? Yep, that is Beckham raising his hand.

Happiest of days to our "schweet" Mason boy. We are so thankful for every day of the last four years with you. May you have many many more!

The Great Candy Pick Up

It may have been blustery and cold but that didn't stop Mason from collecting an entire ice cream bucket of candy in the park. It was supposed to be an Easter Egg Hunt, however it was actually just tons of candy thrown out in the grass.

All smiles with this kid!

Baby Doctor

This boy is exactly what my life needs. He is simply more precious than words.

It Snuck Up On Me

Last Wednesday our daycare provider warned me that a few kids had gotten the stomach bug and had to leave early. As any mother would do, I cringed and prayed and insisted on everyone hand washing like a crazy person. Our family has been healthy all winter long and I was just beginning to think we had made it through the entire season scot-free.

The next morning I was loading Tucker in his car seat to take Mason to preschool when I heard some noises coming from the bathroom. The toilet flushed and Mason came out claiming, "I spit up mom and when Barrett spit up on Melisa's floor he had to go home and stay home all day." My first instinct told me to question his story, however I didn't want to risk it either. Thinking back he hadn't eaten his breakfast very well, he loves school so it would not be like him to want to miss that, and he had certainly been exposed to illness. With only a few minutes to decide, I resolved to let him stay home. After twenty minutes, I could tell he was simply testing his acting abilities. He was bouncing all over the couch and asking if he could go outside and play. I had been played. By 10:30 I had him loaded up and on his way to daycare. I was thankful that he wasn't really sick, however I was a bit frightened that his almost four-year-old mind could pull one over on me.

By Saturday I thought we were all in the clear and then BAM! It snuck up on me. As I was getting ready for bed, the stomach flu hit me like a truck. It was awful and all I could think about was how I was possibly going to get up and nurse my baby when I couldn't even move. Thankfully, Tucker slept a good stretch and I was able to feed him around 4 am and then everyone went back to sleep. Sunday was cold, gloomy and one of the longest days I have had in quite a while. As if all that wasn't enough, we also had to deal with the time change which made everything just weird. Nathan was amazing with the kids and took care of everything so I could rest. I am just hoping that I was the only victim of this nasty nasty bug.

In December, thirteen weeks of maternity leave sounded like forever and then BAM! It snuck up on me. Today is my last day with my little guy at home. I am feeling much better but very weak. The silver lining to my sickness is that I have been doing nothing but snuggling with my sweet baby and soaking up every last minute. I told Nathan that I wasn't going to set him down all day. I really am quite surprised by my feelings. I did not expect to be so sad about him going to daycare. By the end of just eight weeks with my other babies I was ready for change, a new routine. My skill set is definitely not "stay at home mom." Somehow the years and experiences must have taught me to cherish these precious days at home with my newborn. As all the wise ones say, they go so quickly and this time I know I will never again be gifted with these precious moments.

With my third and final baby my emotions really hit me unexpectedly. I know Tucker will be well cared for and that going back to work in my home is ten times easier than going back to an office but for some reason the end of these treasured days has me feeling glum and yet so grateful. These last three months have been some of my greatest days yet and my wish is that in thirty years I will read this post and still be able to feel his warm body resting in my arms.

Bose Bros

Yesterday, Tucker had his first visit to Bose Bros Farms. Papa was beaming as he showed him around.

Here is the work bench, Tucker.

Jason thought you were pretty cute. 

Kelsi had to come to meet you too! 

Uncle Craig thought you looked a lot like Mason.  

Tucker, you are so dang lucky to have these special people in your family. I have so many wonderful memories in that shop and my hope is that you will have some too.