Happy Easter!

Although we celebrate His resurrection throughout the year, Easter is a very special holiday. Christmas (His birth) wouldn't mean anything if it weren't for Easter (His death and resurrection). Ian remembered that "Up from the grave" is one of my favorite hymns, and he told me this morning that they sang it in church last Sunday when I was at Grandma's house (my mom). Hopefully they'll sing it again on Easter Sunday. I know today is actually Maundy Thursday and not Easter Sunday, but I also know it's really hard to find time to take Easter pictures on Sunday, and since it is a gorgeous day today, I had them pick out the outfits that they will wear to church on Sunday and took their photos today. They changed out of their play clothes, I took the pictures, we went to CVS for their Easter candy, we drove back home, changed back into play clothes, and then enjoyed a few jelly beans. After the candy I told Oliver to go to his bedroom for his quiet time, and guess what happened? He took a nap in his BED. This hasn't happened in weeks. WOOHOO! Nadia used to do that sometimes during her quiet time when she was four years old, but since Ian gave up his nap the only naps he's had have been in the van. The only downside was that Oliver had a hard time falling asleep this evening, in part because his nap was later than usual. He slept with his light on lying on top of his comforter and sheets, but he did take a quilt from the glider and slept under that.

I started the tradition last year of buying the kids each one small gift for Valentine's Day ($10 or less each). Last year they each got a puzzle and this year the boys each got a hardback book and Nadia received a set of paperback books. I have not gotten into a habit of buying the kids Easter gifts or baskets. I am going to take them to a few Easter egg hunts in our town on Saturday, and they might win something then. I had some coupons for CVS and could have gotten $15 worth of candy for $3, but I let them each pick a chocolate bunny and then I also bought 2 bags of jelly beans and 2 bags of peanut butter eggs. I spent $10.35 after using $12 worth of coupons. Spending $10 on Easter treats for three kids seems reasonable to me. It was in part my way of thanking them for participating in the photo shoot. In hind sight I didn't pick the right time of day for the location in terms of where the sun was located, but all in all I am happy with the pictures I got. I used a giraffe puppet on my left hand to help the boys smile. I like how you can see Ian's missing tooth in the photo!

I had planned to take the kids to the playground after Oliver's quiet time, but he was asleep at that point. We went after dinner instead. Since I didn't run today, I wanted to at least get in a nice walk. We walked to a playground a little farther away than our usual one. The kids noticed the neighbors playing outside today so I explained that the public school's spring break started yesterday. I told them that we would be finishing our school year on May 6, about one month before they will finish their school year, so we weren't taking a spring break. After this week we just have six weeks left of second grade (Nadia) and Kindergarten (Ian). 

My other project today was ordering four frames including two that will hold a total of three pieces of art work. The art projects were on 6x9" paper which is not a standard size opening. I want to display more of the kids' artwork on the walls in addition to photographs of the kids which are on display throughout the house now. I am eternally grateful that the Lord gave me these three children!