Overheard: She Needs Fixed

Gracie scraped her leg the other day, and Alli escorted her inside so they could get a band-aid for it. It was only a small scrape, and I realized that I only had one band-aid left, so I told them that we should save it in case someone really needed it before I can buy more. They weren't pleased, but went on their way.

A few minutes later I came outside and told all the kids that I just got an appointment to get Kodi (the dog) fixed. At which time Alli replied indignantly, "Kodi?! Gracie is the one who needs to get fixed! She has a hurt!"

Not the same thing sweet girl. :-)

Recipe: Strawberry Spinach Salad

This is one of my favorite salads. I first had it when Deanna brought it to a preschool retreat. Kim's review of it goes something like this, "It's a weird combination, but go with it. It really works!"

Strawberry Spinach Salad

1 bag Spinach
1 pint Strawberries, sliced
1/2 c sliced Almonds (sometimes I roast them)

Dressing:
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil (I use EVOO)
1/4 cup Cider Vinegar
1 1/2 tsp Minced Onion (I use well minced fresh onion sometimes.)
1/2 tsp Poppy Seeds

Mix the Spinach, Strawberries, Almonds and Dressing together and enjoy!

Coloring Easter Eggs

We colored Easter Eggs this evening. Britany remembered that last year when we colored eggs, we put a little bit of oil in the color which made very pretty swirls on the eggs, so we tried that again with some of the colors this year. I should have gotten more eggs. I really thought 3 dozen would do it, but they would have liked to have done more. They are looking forward to the Easter Bunny coming tonight!

Church Easter Celebrations

We went to the church Easter Celebration today. The kids were looking forward to it, but Gracie was most excited. They had talked about it in her Sunday School class.

They did a craft to remind them of the salvation story. Each different colored sugar represents a different part of the story.

Gold represents Jesus' gift of eternal life with Him in Heaven.
he Bible tells us that in Heaven the streets are made of Gold.

Black represents sin.
The Bible says that we have all sinned.

Red represents the blood of Jesus.
The Bible tells us that without the shedding of blook there can be no forgiveness of sin.

White remind us of our clean heart.
By admitting your sins, and believing in Jesus, you will be saved.

Green represents you growing in Christ.
After you receive Christ, you learn more about Him.

Gracie is waiting for the egg hunt with some of her and Alli's friends. She took the whole thing very seriously.

Gracie is in the middle with the blue sweatshirt on and her model-hair flying.

Gracie and Alli had fun. Gracie was eating her candy before she was done hunting! So Gracie. There was a little boy who hadn't found any eggs, so Gracie shared her's with him. She is such a sweet girl.


Mitchell was a little embarrassed to participate - being in 4th grade and all ;) but he was up against 4-6th graders, so it wasn't so bad. He got a lot of eggs.

Britany and Lizzy were volunteers for the event. Such purty sisters!

Baseball and Softball Camp at Alpha Omaga Sports Academy

Mitchell, Britany and Mary participated in a baseball/softball camp this week. Coach Jordan is their homeschool PE coach, and runs Alpha Omega Sports Academy. Mitchell participated in an indoor baseball league there this winter, and attended one other baseball camp. He's improved so much through the training he's received from Coach Jordan, and we are really looking forward to watching him during this baseball season.

Britany and Mary are going to play softball for the first time this year. They are on the same team. This week-long camp helped them learn some of the fundamentals they will need to get them started off on the right foot.

Coach Jordan let the little kids (Gracie, Alli and Grayson) practice a little this week, and even let them play a baseball game with them at the end of each day of camp. They thought they were so big! Alli cannot wait to play t-ball, and I think she might end up being pretty good at it too. She can hit off the tee with both hands. I also realized this week that she kicks a soccer ball with her left foot. Gracie does left-handed cartwheels, so I guess they are all a bit ambidextrous.

Regular season baseball practice started for Mitchell last night. He did 2 hours of baseball camp from 1-3, then went to his first team practice from 7-8:15. The boy was hurting this morning!

Britany and Mary's draft is next Thursday. We'll have their draft and then Mitchell's practice right after it. I told the kids, we will probably be having dinner in the stands quite a bit this year!

Coach is pitching to Mitchell.

They all do drills off a tee.

Britany hitting at camp.

Grayson hitting the ball in a game of baseball with the big kids.

Alli has hit the ball and she's running to first base. Coach had to physically take them to each base, so they knew where to go! He is so good with the kids, young and old.

In the background Grayson is running for the ball, and Gracie just made it to first base. It was girls against boys this day. Mitchell, Grayson and coach against Britany, Mary, Alli and Gracie. I think the girls won!

Gideon New Testament

Alli fell asleep while looking at her Gideon New Testament. Of course, she can't read yet, but she loves that Bible. If you look close you can see that it is very well worn!

Stalker Kitty (aka Sunshine)

Stalker kitty has gone too far this time. We don't bother her and Snaky, Mitchell's Corn Snake, when they both daydream about eating each other.

Short of taping the top of the filter down so she can't drink the fish tank water, we don't bother her there either. (We tease that it's her version of flavored water. We have strawberry water, and she has fish water! Ha-ha!)

When Britany moved in, she took to sitting on her bed and watching Britany's rat for hours at a time, but no harm there really.


But last Sunday night, we came home from church to find that the kids had left the door to the laundry room open. I scolded some, and then I got everyone ready for bed. I had read a story, and then was tucking everyone in when I heard this strange screaming sound. I went in the hall and found Britany holding a little bunny that was screeching for all it was worth.

Britany and Mitchell had found the poor little creature in her room - the cat's lair, as I'm beginning to think of it - and they caught it! The best we can figure is that Stalker Kitty carried the thing inside while we were gone. How she did so without getting her eyeballs scratched out, I do not know. The rabbit had about a dime sized scratch on it's side, but other than that it seemed fine.

We put it out, and locked Stalker Kitty in the house over night trying to give the little beast a head start. Hopefully it will live.

Mama and Daddy

Only for you Deb...you and posterity I suppose.

Crazy faces

Is there really any need for explanation? These girls are crazy!