Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is the best. Jordan and I try really hard to make Sunday about Christ. I definitely have a few things I'm going to change for next year. 

This year, however, the kids awoke to simple Easter baskets and we had them find the scripture eggs (a couple of which Eloise had found and opened). Each egg was labeled so we knew which order to read them. We've been talking about the atonement all week and so, on Easter Sunday we focused mainly on his resurrection. Each egg was filled with a different object that corresponded to the scripture. 

After, we made "resurrection" rolls. Marshmallows rolled in cinnamon and sugar and covered with a roll, baked and when they are done, they are empty-just like the tomb on Easter morning. The boys love to help make breakfast and while they baked we talked about Christ appearing to Mary. Eloise gorged on whatever she could find at the table. 

We ate, watched conference and then ate lunch and played some card games before nap time. 

The most tender moment I think I've ever had with Cedrik happened during one of the earlier songs in the afternoon session. It was a primary song and Cedrik knew every word. I didn't know he knew it and as he snuggled against me and we sang it together my heart and spirit were full. It was a moment given to me to help carry me to the next spiritual moment as a mom. 

After the afternoon session, we headed to Dad and Donna's for dinner. Clayton is bigger than Eloise and although he was exhausted from their trip home, he was still a doll. He is so cute. The other cousins loved playing together and Eloise was in heaven pushing the baby stroller.

Piano Players

Easter 2015-Part One

This Easter we stayed home instead of going to Utah. Since we were in Portland the weekend before, we thought we should just be at home. 

On Friday the kids decorated their baskets with ribbon they had picked out. I need to remember that the best gifts are ones that we can do something with them instead of just something they can do by themselves. They loved decorating. Next year I need to get some spring decorations. 

On Saturday we woke up and Eloise and I ran out for bagels. We watched the Saturday morning session of conference and it went okay. I'm sure as they get older (at least I'm told) conference gets better and better for the kids. We realize that at 4, 3, and 1 we can't expect them to sit the whole time, or understand everything that's being said. I planned one activity-I found ovals with pictures in them. I showed them all the pictures before the session started. Then, when they heard the words during conference, they had to find the picture and color it and they could eat a snack at the table. They loved it. We didn't get through all of them on Saturday morning, but finished Sunday morning. 

Shannon, Jared and Lucas came over, along with Dad, Donna and Shannon's mom and aunt for the egg hunt. Jordan carried on the golden egg tradition and Freddie found the egg. 

We ate lunch with Dad and Donna and Jordan and I watched the afternoon session while the kids took really long naps (chocolate crash). 

Jordan went to priesthood session that night and I found time to vacuum, mop, and talk to Adrienne about conference. It was a good day. 

Cedrik Said Something Funny

The other day Eloise pooped in her underwear. I tried to slide it off slowly and get it over the toilet without it falling out. It didn't work. It fell on the ground in the bathroom. Cedrik was standing there and Freddie walked up. Then Cedrik said:

"Freddie! Eloise pooped and it fell on the floor. That means you need to step on it!"

Days Like Today

I woke up this morning in a good mood. It felt like it was going to be a great day. We even made muffins together this morning. Usually when they help make breakfast, days are good.

While we were waiting for our muffins, we answered the question of the day in preparation for Easter. (Their primary sent home a little sheet that asks one question per day to help prepare the kids for Easter and to think more about Christ.) Today's question was "what is one way you can be more obedient at home?" Both of the boys answered and we agreed we'd work on no begging and no arguing today so they could try to be more like Jesus.

Then Freddie broke a dresser drawer. Then they played in the sprinkler when it was 40° outside.
Then they broke Eloise's ceramic pig that was mine as a little girl.

They argued and begged all day. 

There were some good moments:

Eloise peed three times on the toilet. They all ended up napping (even if it was really late). We enjoyed muffins all day. They went to bed early (which gave me more time to prep for the person I had coming over for a session-a session which went really well). Cedrik prayed on his own to ask Heavenly Father to help him. 

I was the one who learned the lesson today and although my lesson wasn't obedience, it was that I need to be more in-tune to know how to help them. How do I help them become more Christ-like. Obviously, my example needs to be my first thought. And hopefully conference this weekend gives me some other specific things we can do to help make our home more peaceful (our goal by the end of the year). 

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father"