So, everyday as I'm sitting in an enormous line waiting to pick my kids up from school, I think about how pretty the sky is here. I was worried there would be a lot of overcast days, but for the most part, it is blue skies. There really doesn't seem to be a lot of smog here and the clouds are always fluffy. I am always amazed at how beautiful the sky is. I have also really enjoyed spring. I love all the flowering tree and shrubs, daffodils, and little wild flowers all over.
Scott was in town for business so we got to see him on Tuesday. Tom and Scott met us at Jack's baseball practice after work. Grace had been looking the other way so I told her that Daddy was here. She runs over to Scott saying, "Daddy." Scott picked her up and talked to her for a second. Then Tom came closer and talked to Grace. As soon as Tom started talking she looked at him and realized that it was not her Daddy holding her. She had the funniest look of concern on her face. It was hilarious. I wish I had taken a picture of her face.
The boys were really excited to see Uncle Scott. They were pretty hyper while he was here. Thanks for visiting, Scott.
We were at the park yet again during Jack's baseball practice. The merry go round was really muddy today. The boys had a blast running around trying to avoid the big puddle. Then Josh decided that stepping in the mud was fun. They also were flinging mud all over the place with sticks. So much for new shoes.
This is Grace's favorite thing to do - eat!
Kade has finally mastered pumping on the swings. He then launches himself off the swing (Just like Jack and Josh). 
Look at all that mud just waiting to be stepped in.
We had our 1st glimpse into what it's like living in tornado country on Friday. We had just sat down to dinner at 6:30 p.m. and said the prayer when the tornado siren goes off. It wasn't raining or anything yet. The boys and I were a little panicked and wanted to head to our closet, but Tom was hungry. He got out our radio since we don't get local channels here to see where the tornado was. The radio guys were saying there was rotation on the ground just three exits down the road from us but then it stopped. Nothing happened by us. We ate our dinner. Then the thunder, lightning and heavy rain hit. Grace is terrified of the thunder. As soon as she hears it, she runs as fast as she can to me and won't let go of me till it's over. I'm sure she'll get used to it soon. We just never had thunderstorms in California.
When I said that I needed to take a picture for our blog, Tom thought we should take a picture of us in the closet. I'm not sure why since he didn't see any need to get in it during the tornado warning, but here we are in our closet. Looks cozy doesn't it? Let's just hope we don't have to spend a whole lot of time in there. All of our food storage is back in this closet. I might have to rethink where I am going to store all that food.
We made ghost and men shaped cookies. Kade loved using the cookie cutters.
He insisted on decorating the cookies with gum drops. I convinced him to try using red hots as well.
Kade was getting frustrated with Grace because she kept eating all the gum drops. She didn't care if they came from the bag or the cookie.
I always tell Grace that I love her when I put her down to bed. The other day, she picked out her book for bed, then I put her in her crib. I said, "I love you Grace." She said for the 1st time, "I love you too, Mommy." It made my heart melt to hear her sweet little voice.
The boys had fun making little monsters with their eggs. Josh and Kade had guys with mohawks. Jack's egg had an afro. They were so proud of their eggs.
This is Jack's egg.
I think this one was Two Face.
Grace was really excited to find eggs and she would get mad if the boys beat her to an egg. In the end the boys would discreetly drop eggs close to Grace and then help her find them. Everybody was happy.
The kids found all but three eggs. There was one on top of the pole for the bird house that no one saw until I pointed it out. The last two eggs weren't found for a few days. That Easter Bunny sure knows how to hide them.
I asked him if he had looked around because last year the Easter Bunny had hidden their baskets and left clues to find them. He dashed out of our room to look.
They found a note on the dining room table. That sneaky Easter Bunny did hide those baskets. The boys ran all over the house looking for treats. They finally found their baskets hidden under the foosball table in the bonus room. I'm sure Josh was relieved that the Easter Bunny hadn't forgotten them.
It's amazing that none of the kids got sick on Easter. They ate so many jelly beans. We had to cut Grace off and hide the candy. She is very good and pushing a chair over to wherever she wants to be and hoisting herself up on the counter.
I am embarrassed to put this picture in because I look frightening but Tom commented that I am never in the pictures (that's because I am always the one taking the pictures). Anyways, Tom took this one so here I am - no make up and in pajamas. Now you know why I always take the pictures.
Grace loved the bowls of colored water. She dumped several bowls over spilling dye all over the table, herself and the floor. You can't really tell in the pictures, but her hands were way more colorful than any of her eggs.
She was pretty upset when all five dozen eggs were done.
The kids looked so cute in their easter clothes. I loved it when the boys were little and I could get them to wear cut little sweaters for Easter. Now all they will agree to is a new tie. I had another outfit for Grace for Easter but Tom picked this dress out for Grace. She looked so cute in it. She loves her new shoes. In fact, these are the only shoes that she'll wear now. They don't look quite so nice since she even wears them outside and to the park. We were at Jack's baseball practice the other night and she ran over to a merry go round and got on. She didn't care that there was a huge mud puddle in her way. She stepped in that same puddle at least four times. She didn't want her shoes to be dirty so we had to wipe them off on the grass each time. I think she would sleep with them on if I let her!
We went on a short hike to a look out point.
Okay, so Jack wasn't that thrilled with our little trip.
Grace at everything and wanted more.
He was pretty ambitious with his meal. He wanted turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, vegetables and yams (I'm sure the only reason he wanted the yams was for the marshmallows on top) and ice cream sundaes for dessert. We forgot the yams when we went shopping, but Jack made everything else himself. He peeled and boiled then mashed the potatoes. He cooked the turkey and also prepared the salad. Perhaps Jack should be in charge of Thanksgiving next year. He did a better job than me. 
So for Spring break, Tom told the boys that they had to do more chores around the house since they were going to be home all week. Jack and Josh decided that they were going to make breakfast every morning as their chore. 
When Tom made this suggestion, I was thinking they could help by cleaning the bathrooms or mopping the floor, but they were excited to do this. They made something different for breakfast each day. We had scrambled eggs, omelets, pancakes and toasted bagels. They were very creative and had everything planned out before the week even started.
The boys came up with a new treat for our family. Chocolate chocolate chip pancakes. Josh added chocolate syrup and chocolate chips to his pancake batter. Kade and Grace loved it. Let's just say that you better love chocolate before you try these.
Josh was able to play basketball at school this year. This was his first time playing on a team. He had so much fun.
