Well, not only was this the first week of Spring, it was also the first week it felt like Spring. The daffodils and cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, everything is so green, and we have had several sunny and 65 degree days! We had a playdate at the park after we picked Ava up from preschool on Wednesday. It felt so good to be outside in the sun!
Ava trying to get Carter to look at the camera, haha :)
My dad picked the kids up one Sunday afternoon while my mom was out of town with her sisters and mom. He bought some materials for the kids to build their own bird house. Here they are working hard hammering in the nails.
they also helped cut out the wood shapes.
and here is the finished project. They were excited to bring it home, paint it, and hang it up outside so hopefully a little bird will build a nest in it :) Thanks grandpa for taking the time to do this fun project with them! They really enjoyed working on it with you!!
Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Holidays! ALL OF THEM :) The kids got up on St. Patrick's day morning and had green oatmeal (Cristian had Gorilla Munch w/ green milk), and they found a note left from a leprechaun that told them he had hid a pot of gold in the house! The older kids were so proud of Carter when he found it!
Showing off the treasure they found in the pot of gold... sunscreen, gum, and Easter shaped sweet tarts.
Hard to believe, (like usual) but my baby boy is now 2.5 years old. He is talking like crazy, and is just as happy and laid back as always. He has really been an absolute JOY. His smile says it all!!
opening his 1/2 bday present
Carter LOVES anything Mickey Mouse!
After Ava's 5 year well child appointment, I took her to see the movie Tangled for a treat since she had to get 3 shots :( This was Carter's first ever movie, and he did great! He sat on my lap and watched more then 1/2 of it, then he decided he'd rather sit in his own seat right next to Ava. He walked back and forth between his own seat, and my lap a few times the last 1/2 of the movie, but was quiet and attentive. Looks like he'll get to start coming to movies with the family from now on!! 
Here she is with cousin Cami, who is wearing one of Ava's old leos :)
Carter having fun!!
Ava and Makenna
Ava playing with the parachute, spinning some of her friends
Ava and friends taking a turn being spun around.
Running under the parachute
Cami, Carter, and Cristian eating dinner
Everyone singing happy birthday to Ava
All the kids eating dinner
The second table of kids
CHEESE!!
Cristian flashing me the Husky W since the Dawgs were playing Arizona in the Pac-10 tournament title game.
All the kids getting ready for the treasure hunt.
Natalie found the first clue, and her sister Alyssa read everyone the next clue.
Hailey found the next clue and read everyone the next one :)
Abby and Ava found the treasure box, which had all the kids' goody bags inside it!
Ava and her friend Madisen
Cristian and Kydin having fun taking turns spinning each other in the doughnut.
Natalie being a monkey
All of the kiddos
And a few pictures of Ava opening up some presents. She, of course, loves anything Rapunzel!
First thing she opened once she got home was this moon sand.
And Ava still loves Tinker Bell :)
More fairies from cousin Abby!
I found these cute paintable magnets at Target for $2.00 and thought they would make a great Family Fun Night activity. Ava painted a butterfly, Cristian a turtle, and Carter a fish.
They sure enjoy hanging their art work and spelling tests with the magnets they painted.
Ava was excited to get a special birthday package in the mail from her friends Emma and Ellie. She LOVES anything and everything Rapunzel right now, so this swim suit and towel were perfect! She had the biggest smile on her face while opening it. Thanks guys!!!
Cristian participated in his 2nd ever play/musical this winter. This one was called PIRATES. His practices started back in January, and the performance was on Monday March 7th. The program director is wonderful, and really does a great job introducing the kids to beginning drama, acting, and singing. She works with kids ages 6-11... and Ava cannot wait until next year when she can participate too.
Cristian played the part of a pirate :)
performing one of the songs
dancing
getting ready to say one of his lines
another song they performed, this time his partner was his (almost) life long friend, Kaylee.
performing
the entire cast
Cristian and Kaylee after the play
Grandma and Grandpa with our Pirate :)
