Robes by Yaya

Ever since Madison was a baby, Yaya has purchased elephant attire for her (usually store bought) until the ripe old age of 4 when stores figure most children will not want to wear elephant clothes any more.

Hence the beginning of Yaya sewing creations began.
Now each year (usually for Christmas) Madison receives a homemade elephant outfit of her choosing.
This year she asked for an elephant robe (last years elephant pajama pants still fit and she has 2 pairs).

Well, our ever petite Lillian decided for her birthday to ask for a Yaya robe too (unlike her older sister it is ALL monkeys for Lillian).

Yaya was happy to make it.

Robes made with love by Yaya. THANK YOU!

Meatloaf Mania

Do you think its child abuse to make your kids mix the raw meatloaf together?

I have never been a fan of raw meat (many who know me will tell you I often wear rubber gloves or use utensils to avoid it) and being pregnant and having to touch meat is even less appealing. But when the kids (and dinner guest) request meatloaf for dinner, what's a mom to do?

So I made it a game...
the girls were thrilled to mush together the meatloaf ingredients.

 OK, Madison was thrilled and Lillian was less then pleased

 A happy compromise... Madison mixed the meatloaf and Lillian made the green bean casserole.

Here's to the next generation of cooks! Mommy's best little helpers.

Clubhouse Sparkle

To celebrate Madison's 9th birthday, Rob and Madison completed the addition of a clubhouse to our swing set.
Rob got up early Saturday morning to prep the swing set before the girls arrived home from Nana and Papa's house.

 Step 1: Time to plan and measure
Madison helped to hold the measuring tape and complete the necessary math calculations to determine how much lumber and materials would be needed for the project

My job was to keep Lillian entertained and out of the way. She loved coloring the scraps of wood with chalk. Here is her pink stick. We also picked the dandelions from around the yard and emptied the water out of the sandbox.

With Madison and Rob safely on their way to the hardware store, Lillian and I went inside to make sandwiches. I think Lillian ate more peanut butter then ended up on the sandwich. It only took 20 minutes to make 2 sandwiches and they were delicious. Time for a nap!

2 hours later...
Rob and Madison returned from their hardware store excursion and gourmet lunch (Little Caesars pepperoni pizza while sitting in the trunk of the car drinking large frozen cokes from the gas station).
It was time to begin cutting the wood and assembling the clubhouse.

Foreman Lillian telling them to get back to work.
The floor is almost done. Just 2 more cuts.

 The sister team was unstoppable. They liked helping each other carry the wood.

 Taking a break on the new floor.

 While Rob and Madison were hard at work, Lillian enjoyed a slide break.

 Drilling in the supports.

 First wall done, adding the brace for wall number 2.

 6 more slats to go.

 Wall #2 is complete. Madison was enjoying the shade in the half completed clubhouse.

 The saw is too loud- shouted Lillian

 Deciding the right height for the window ledge

 Perfect!

While Rob completed adding the new platform supports, the girls enjoyed their first (of many) games of grocery store. Lillian loves to buy broccoli (and she hates to eat it).

 Back to the patio. Another chalk art.
Which has more chalk on it... Lillian or the scrap of wood?

 Clean up was done now it was time to play.

 Clubhouse Sparkle is complete!

I loved sitting in a chair on the patio (in the shade of course) watching my girls with their dad. It was great to see how well they worked together, listened to one another, and enjoyed an afternoon just being in each other's company.

At one point, Madison and I were inside to getting cold drinks when she whispered quietly to me (the screen door to the backyard was open) I am so glad you picked a Daddy that can build such great things. He is the best at everything.

What a wonderful birthday present and a great day of memories.

Easter

This year the girls and I (along with Nana) drove to Sydney, Ohio to spend Easter with Papa at his new interim church.
(Rob is still in Mississippi for test support and was unable to come home for the weekend to celebrate with us. We really missed having him!)

It was just over a two and a half hour drive (not including having to go back for forgotten items or stopping for lunch).

We arrived Saturday late afternoon and enjoyed relaxing at Papa's apartment and watching TV together before heading to bed.

Easter Morning the girls awoke at their usual time (7:15am) and enjoyed eating several bowls of Cheerios in the living room while watching TV before getting ready for church.

The Sparkle Girls (and Mommy) beautiful in blue!

 Papa's apartment is directly across the street from the church. It was great to walk to church together- Papa and his girls.

 First Presbyterian Church of Sydney, Ohio

Easter breakfast was served at the church before the 10:30am worship service.

The girls enjoyed making resurrection rolls with the other children as they listened to the Easter story.

 First you dip the marshmallow in the butter

 Then roll it in the cinnamon

 Wrap it in the crescent roll. TaDa! Now bake it.
(When the rolls are baked, the marshmallow dissolves and the crescent roll opens- looking like an empty tomb. The children understood that it was just like what Mary found- the tomb was empty. They learned to then greet each other with the phrase : Christ is risen!)

After worship we returned to Papa's apartment for our Easter lunch (Bob Evan's family take out- roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn and for dessert- cherry pie and ice cream)

The girls were anxious to begin their egg hunt.
Quickly they ran around the apartment looking for eggs to fill their baskets.

 They found eggs in the couch and eggs in the dining room

 Eggs on the windowsill

 and eggs in the bedroom

 There were even eggs behind the couch.

 Lillian got into a bit of egg mischief when Papa wasn't looking. She could hardly wait to see what was in the eggs. (This particular egg had lots of pretty bracelets in it).

 A few more eggs in the kitchen

 Yeah we found them all!

 It was time to empty the eggs and find the treats inside- M&Ms, skittles, chocolate bunnies and eggs, smarties, and little prizes. The girls were thrilled.

With the eggs all emptied, the girls enjoyed opening their Easter prizes from their grandparents.
(Thanks Nana and Pa, Grammie and Grampie, Papi and Gran. We love you!)

What Easter would be complete without a new electric toothbrush.

Where's Lillian?

The other morning when I am came out of the shower, I could hear Lillian's sweet voice but did not see where she was.

She loves hiding and here is her new favorite spot. When she tucks herself down you can't even see her behind the pillows.

We are going to have to watch our little pint.