Good tricks

I've often heard that I need to record the cute stuff that the kids are saying and doing. Here it is!

Bridger loves showing off tricks. Many times a day, I hear "Idea, Mommy!" or "Look, Mommy, look. Good trick!" His favorite involves a tape measure with a friendly recoil. Over and over again he says, "Look at my good trick, Mommy!" (He presses the button; the tape recoils.) "Click!" (Cocks head.) "Isn't that cool?"

Lately, he simultaneously proved his dexterity and the worth of our childproof locks:



The same night, Brooke heard Bridger singing his ABCs and of course, wanted to show what a good job she could do, too. Brad half-jokingly said, "That's great, Brooke. Now do it backwards." She did! We had her do it a second time for the camera:



By the way, here are some of her recent cute 5-year old sayings:

"Meteor" accidentally became "meateater."

"How do you like Bridger's mush-mash?" (He had an applesauce mustache, which was pretty mushy.)

"You have to use lots of different foods to make oatmeal. That's why it's oatmeal." (I make fantastic "Mommy's Oats," by the way.)

Brooke and I had a two-hour pony bathing party, washing their "brains" and tails.

"The snake is asleep now, Mommy. It's nighturnal."

And although this may be TMI, Bridger's label for his you-know-what is his "tail."

We just finished a wonderful visit with Mom (Gran), who was able to visit for five days. Unemployment has its perks, huh? The kids absolutely loved having her here. They continually asked her to read them stories and push them on the swings, to which she sweetly obliged.



Fun dying eggs at Nancy's house:


A neat highlight was their introduction to her flute last night. They were delighted and requested song after song. She played lots of kids songs and several hymns that they know and love (Beautiful Savior, Holy, Holy, Holy, Christ the Lord is Risen Today). Wild dancing and scooter riding quickly ensued.

When she started the hymns (which are lullabies around here), Bridger decided it was time for bed, got his lovies (Baba and Oof Oof), and made a bed on the carpet. He was quite disgusted when we told him he still had to go to his real bed.



Although these pictures are from last summer, it seems fitting to include them. Cousin Robyn was kind enough to introduce her bassoon to us. She played pretty music, but even more impressive, she made funny squeal-y sounds and blew up a glove on the end!



Last night we took the kids to their first Hibachi restaurant, which they loved. Even though Brooke was scared of the fire, she said it was her new favorite restaurant. Of course, the kiddie chopsticks (spring-loaded) with the pink umbrella was a bit hit. In another funny word mix-up, she called them "chapsticks!" Bridger decided his was an airplane. His didn't make it home, and Brooke's met their demise thanks to him this morning. I promised that if we go back we'll ask for another pink one.



Finally, this morning, we went to see my good friend and mentor from church, Alison Ibsen. Alison is a neat lady; she and I meet a couple times a month to talk, pray, and ride horses (although we're doing ground work this year due to my pregnancy). We had a great time introducing Mom and visiting with her horses, particularly Scotty, who is really an overgrown Labrador Retriever incognito. We groomed him and the kids even got to sit on him! Brooke seemed very comfortable up there. Bridger held very tightly onto Brooke!



Alas, the good visit had to end. Bye bye Gran:

Poor Bridger was very disappointed when he woke up from his nap: after playing in the back yard, he very excitedly yelled "I go find Gran!" and ran to the front yard to find her car, which was sadly heading north to KY. (Fortunately, I was able to console him with the promise of going to Grandmother's house down in MacDonough tomorrow! Let the grandparenting fun continue!)

He is Risen!

Easter is my favorite holiday. The day of the resurrection is in my opinion the most important day of all human history up to this point. (I say that because the story isn't over yet!) I believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ. If it were not for that, everything I have based my life on would be foolish. Ridiculous. To be laughed at and pitied. If it were not for the resurrection, Jesus would be a liar or a lunatic, but certainly not Lord or even a good man or a good teacher (credit to C.S. Lewis for that sentiment). However, I have been convinced on intellectual, emotional, and personal levels that Jesus' resurrection is a historic fact that proves that everything He said and did was trustworthy and true, and thus worthy of being the Lord of my life. And so, Easter is the biggest celebration of the year in my heart.

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) deserves a huge thank you for preparing the kids and me to celebrate Jesus' victory, through its in-depth study of John this year.



It was a neat day with the kids, too. They had a fun time at church and with family. We've dyed and hunted eggs, baked special foods, dressed up, and enjoyed the Easter story with the Resurrection eggs -- Brooke even told the story herself. Of course, lunch with family at Scott and Nancy's house was wonderful. Easter was extra special this year because Gran (Mom) is here for the celebration.

Here are a few pictures. Brooke's dress is one from Mom's generation.

Here's a cute series of shots that shows how animated Bridger is these days:







Brooke was an egg-gathering machine!



A (rare) quiet moment on the patio swing:



On a more somber note, we learned today that my Uncle Joe (Dad's brother) passed away this weekend. I am happy to think of him reunited with Mother Dot and Granddad. In a way it's a good touch on the day, thinking of the eternal life that is available to us through Jesus' redemption. There is hope and celebration. Where, O death, is your sting? I don't fear you any more.

Happy Easter, everyone. Much love to you.