Mother's Day

Mother's day was great this year (as always) but daddy certainly spoiled me too!  The morning started off with a lovely drawing of the girls hands and breakfast sushi--banana and PB, rolled in rice krispies. I think I had 2--the girls took the rest ;)  The also brought me back beautiful roses from the store, after their morning grocery run!

Next up, a trip to my mom's to give her her gift--then on to Denton.  In the barn, Eric had 2 whiskey barrels for me--we talked about doing a container garden this year! score!!  My mom came out too and gave me (and the girls) this strawberry plant--and they wasted no time picking the red ones right off of there!

At home during nap, Eric slaved away and made me the BEST homemade carrot cake too--the house smelled amazing!  I also scored a replacement pair of sunglasses (the girls always break mine) so now I just have to find time to try them on, uninterrupted ;)

Back out to Denton after naps, we worked and played, then finished the day off with a brush bonfire, complete with smores, hotdogs and drinks.  Believe it or not, we got a cold snap--enough to actually ENJOY the bonfire, so it was perfect!  We got to sit around and soak in the new house a little more--as we waved at an engineer and the train passing by.  Amazing.

I loved spending the day with my family, doing our normal things, but with the special little touches all day. Eric wanted to take me to Chocolatiere Stam in Westerville, but we tabled it for another time...I had plenty of blessings with just  my family alone!

Grandma Young''s quilt

Grandma Cindy has shown an interest in my quilting ever since I started--so fitting that we'd make one for her!

Eric helped me pick out a color palette for her this winter and right after Cora's birthday party, we got started on it. The top came together quickly, then boarders, then finding that perfect backing.  I was happy too finish it a few weekends ago--in plenty of time for Mother's  Day.

Next I'm starting on quilts for the girls rooms in the new house--those will be my first bed size quilts, but this throw for Grandma was the perfect next quilt for us. It's a great size, has her favorite color (purple) and involved the girls AND Eric--my favorite people.  We can't wait to give it to her!

sharing a shamrock shake

One night, as we're prone to do--we splurged and took the girls to McDonalds. Not because that in itself is a splurge, but because we don't do restaurants all that often.

We were on the way to the big Disney on Ice show--and dinner was hitting at a funny time. They weren't really THAT hungry, but we knew we had to get something, and wanted the whole evening to be a treat.

Amara saw the green shamrock shake on a poster and asked for it. I had the server divide it into 2 cups (I've learned that not only do they not even come CLOSE to finishing something that big, but it's too heavy for them to hold with one hand).

So after dinner, the girls got their surprise and LOVED them. I had no idea they would both like it that much! and of course, it was mid March and now we can't get them.  Amara asked for a shake last week at Mc.D and when the chocolate one came, she was notably disappointed.

I guess we're going to be 'those people' who wait for the shamrock shake all year and then enjoy it while we can  :)

Kennedy and Payton's princess party

Perfect timing! Amara was invited to Payton and Kennedy's 3 and 5th birthday parties--a Princess party :) They are new friends from gymnastics and happen to live just around the corner from us!

Amara was a little shy--but was excited to have her face painted for sure.  The artist did a crown on her forhead and all the little girls loved it--and she kept looking at it in the mirror ;)

Cinderella showed up too! All the girls were excited to see her--especially the 3 or 4 who were dressed as Cinderella.  She gave lots of hugs to the girls and posed for as many pics as she could.

The girls got to take pony rides with miniature horses too--and the girls who weren't riding would follow behind the wagon--it was quite the parade around the yard and the neighborhood for sure.

Amara and one of the birthday girls--Payton.

Kennedy digging right in to her cake too!

Amara enjoyed some quite time towards the end of the party--she's not a huge chalk drawer, but there was a lot going on and a ton of people--so as she got tired, she tried a few other activities. She also participated in the pinjata event, and got a few swings in--but she wasn't lucky enough to bust it open.

Cora likes daddy's chili

meeting Kamryn Rae

After 7 boy cousins (and nephews for E ric and I) the Jahn-Young family landed a girl, Kamryn Rae--to parents Matt and Steph on Monday April 23.  When we told the girls, even though they kept referring to her as a "he," we all couldn't wait to see her. I think seeing Connor a few weeks ago helped in the confusion, but it also aided in the excitement.  

Amara was first up. She held her several times.  Each time, squeezing her just a little tighter, always gently though, and very sensitive the entire time. The sheer joy and love on her face is so intoxicating and she just kept saying how soft and cute she was.

Cora was up next.   She kept stroking Kamryn's head, leaning down to kiss or hug her, and was really hugging her tight!  But she also took time to really look into her face--even as close as they were together.

At one moment, Cora leaned over and gave her the sweetest little squeeze/hug and I think everyone in the room just melted.  Cora is so stoic when she holds babies, it's adorable and it's clear she thinks it's the most important thing in the world.

In a flash, she is done and moved on, but i bet if she came back once to hold her, she came back a half dozen times.

Both girls were very sad to go, but I promised we'd come back soon. I think they are happy to have another cousin, especially one who is just a smidge more like them this time.

Easter afternoon at the Jahn's

After a busy morning of baskets and church, the girls took a much-needed nap at home.  When they woke up, they were ready for play clothes and to head to Grandma and Grandpa Jahns.  

All the other cousins were already there, and the older ones had already hidden the eggs for the younger ones, so they were all ready to dig in!

The rain kept the hunt from lasting too long, and of course Cora was distracted by the swing and all the kids-- but the older kids helping the younger ones out was pretty great.

If it could have just been a few degrees warmer it would have helped!

Never fear--we had a cool weather plan too. We brought the ceramic eggs to paint and fire like we did last year.  The older kids got involved helping the younger ones again and the aunts, moms and g'mas got involved too!

Amara LOVES painting and arts and crafts of any kind really so this is always right up her alley.

Cora was happy to have me help her with a monochromatic egg and put her seal of approval on that pretty quickly.

I love this project because everyone really does get involved--whether they start to initially or not, the creativity takes over. We had some with a Pepsi logo, rainbows, a rabbit and lots of freehand work. I can't wait to see them when they are glazed and fired.