Easter

For Easter this year we went to Kevin's parents house. Both of his sisters were there with their kids and our kids were dieing to see their cousins. Kevin decided to stay home and work on school work so it was just the girls that headed to Twin. This year the Easter bunny came on Saturday so we could use Sunday to focus on our Savior. The girls didn't know the plan so they were surprised to wake up and find their Easter baskets at the end of their beds but there was no complaining. A few of them tried to convince me that the candy was for breakfast but I told them no way. They survived. The kids were busy all day long. Madison and Allison are 6 and 3 years older then the the rest of the cousins but that doesn't' phase them. They always have the best time. Madison is so amazing with kids. She is so patient and loving. Madison's little cousin Ava who is 2 1/2 loves her so much. Where ever Madison was you would find Ava. Madison loves that Ava loves her so much. Allison had fun with Owen who is the closest cousin to her age. He also was the only little boy that was there this weekend but he didn't seem to mind.

At first we were worried that the kids weren't going to be able to hunt eggs outside because of the weather but it got a little warmer and the kids were to excited not to do it. Grandpa went out and hid all 80 eggs and we had a hard time holding the kids back while everyone was getting ready to go outside. This is Allison and Owen the first ones out of the house to hunt for eggs. Ashley wasn't missing any part of the back yard she was very thorough. It was really fun watching all the kids run all over the yard. Each one had their own strategy. Ashley and Kylie
Kylie, Owen and Allison
Madison played it smart and went away from the house at first while the others were getting all the ones closest to the house.
Ava only wanted the pink eggs so it was fun watching her pass eggs because they weren't pink.

When the kids were done hunting and looking what each egg had in it, we moved on to the coloring eggs. Nana cooked up 3 dozen eggs for the kids to color. It was interesting coloring eggs with 3 four year olds, a two year old, a eight year old and an eleven year old. Madison and Allison are old pros so they helped a lot so there wasn't a big mess. It went pretty smooth.
The kids really had a great time and the all saved one egg each for the egg spinner. I bought this at the beginning of March and Ashley was very anxious to use it so she got the first turn and it was her birthday. All the kids did their eggs and they thought they were so cool. This isn't the best picture but the eggs turned out tie dye. The kids thought it was pretty cool.

The girls had a great time celebrating Easter with their cousins and I am so glad that we did all the commercial Easter stuff on Saturday. It really helped keep the true spirit of Easter in our hearts on Sunday. We had a great time and will miss our family very much. The girls are already talking about the next time they get to see their cousins.

Happy Birthday Ashley

Ashley turned 4 yesterday but we started celebrating on Friday. The celebrating started by going to lunch with Kevin. We normally do a birthday dinner but the girls and I were heading to Twin later so we bumped it up to a lunch. Ashley chose to go to Red Robin. As soon as we ordered our meal, Ashley was asking to open her gifts. It is always so fun to watch her. She gets so excited and doesn't hide it at all. The present that I was most excited for was the cape that I made her. She is always asking us to tie her blankets and make them capes so I thought she would really like to have one. She loved it and wore it the rest of lunch.

When lunch was over we hurried home to make sure everything was perfect for all of Ashley's friends to arrive for her party. Ashley's nickname has always been bug which is short for lady bug. She always gets a lady bug pair of pjs every year for her birthday. This year we decided to have a lady bug themed birthday. We played pin the dot on the lady bug. The kids really had a great time with this and they loved that they got to have two turns. One little boy Michael got it right on the spot. We also had a lady bug pinata. When I bought the pinata I just thought it was a normal pinata that you have to hit but it was better. It had pull strings so I didn't have to worry about anybody getting hit. I never knew that there was such a thing but it was great. The kids really enjoyed it a lot. They would walk up and pull really hard and was so bummed if they didn't get the one string.
We played a lot more games and really had a lot of fun but the best part as always is the cake. I thought I would try something new this year and I actually made a themed cake. It was not as hard as I thought it would be but not sure I am up for anything more complicated then a lady bug.
Ashley loved the cake and I am sure that she will be telling people about it for weeks. She had a great party. I love watching my kids have so much fun and make great memories with them.

When we were preparing for Ashley's birthday she really wanted her cousins to be there but I told her they live too far away. I did tell her that we would have a little party with them at Nana's house. That made her happy. So on Saturday her actual birthday we had another lady bug cake so she could celebrate with her cousins. Madison, Owen and Ava decorated by making a sign. Ashley loved telling everyone that this said "Happy Birthday Ashley." They made her day by making this sign. After dinner we had our little party for Ashley with a lady bug cake and everything. She got some presents from her cousins. She was so sweet after opening them she looked Owen and said, "I love you Owen." Then she turned to Kylie and said, "I love you Kylie." It is so sweet how these three interact with each other. They are all 4 and you would think there would be a lot of power struggles but they get along very well.

I think Ashley really had a great birthday that hopefully she will remember it for a long time. She is such a joy to have in our family and I can't imagine not having her smile in my life.

Chefs in training

The girls are out of school right now on track break and they have been having fun in the kitchen. As Madison has gotten older we have let her do more things in the kitchen and that has sparked interest in Allison. They want to bake or cook all the time. This week I have let loose and let them go at it. One morning Allison made fluffy pancakes and scrambled eggs. They were very yummy. One evening this week Madison made dinner all by herself. She made Tortellini with an Alfredo sauce. It was a big hit everyone had seconds including Allison who never does. The one bad thing was there was no leftovers for lunch the next day. I wanted some more. The girls are also good at desserts. Madison made some cherry turnovers and Allison made a cheesecake. We have really had a treat this week with all of their cooking. Tonight I thought I would make it fun for all and we made personal pizzas. Ashley is always wanting to help and I thought this would be a good way to include her. Allison was in heaven because cheese is all she likes on pizza and we don't normally have just cheese pizza. Ashley surprised me. I thought she would only put olives and cheese on but she put all the toppings on and ate them all too. Normally she doesn't eat it all if I put it on. Madison treated it like a piece of art. She was so meticulous with the placement of all the toppings. The girls had a lot of fun and thought their pizzas were the best. It is so hard for me to turn the reins over to them but I need to remember how much fun they have. Messes can be cleaned up and the memories are priceless. It has taken along time but I am learning to let go and let them be kids.

Come on I can't take this anymore

On Monday around bed time Ashley started to run a fever. We gave her some Tylenol and put her to bed. About an hour later she woke up covered head to toe in hives. I felt so bad for her. She had a pretty ruff night that night because we weren't sure how much Benedryl she could have. In the morning she wasn't complaining of anything but her eye was all red and goopy. I got on the phone with the doctor right away. It was very hard on her waiting till we saw the doctor but she made it. This picture was taken right before we left for the doctor. She was so puffy and miserable. While we were waiting for Dr. Ally, Ashley looked at me and said "Come on I can't take this anymore." I don't know where she gets the stuff that she says. She is one brave strong little girl because she was diagnosed with pink eye, a bad ear infection and strep throat. The hives are a side effect of strep throat. She complained once that her ear hurt last Friday but never said anymore. I feel so bad that I didn't pick up on things but she was acting normal. Kevin was so surprised when I called him to let him know what was going on. Since she had so much going on Dr. Ally didn't give her the normal yummy pink medicine(amoxacillan). She gave her augmenten. The first dose I started to have flash back of her spitting it in my face. If she does not like something she will spit it out and there is no convincing her to try it. I was so nervous but I bribed her with M&M's and she actually took it. She gags every time I give it to her but she takes it. I am so grateful that I don't have to fight with her twice a day over this.
She is doing much better today. The hives have stopped and her eyes aren't goopy anymore. She is one strong little girl.

It still hurts after 20 years

It has been 20 years today since my little brother passed away, I don't know why but today has brought up alot of feelings that haven't surfaced in a while. He was such a wonderful little brother. In the 3 1/2 short years he was alive he brought so much happiness to my family. He brought joy to anyone that he met. I watch my sweet Ashley at times and think of how much she reminds me of him. It pains me that my girls never got to know him here on earth but I look forward to the day that they get to meet him on the other side. As a parent I don't know how my parents did what they did. It is unimaginable to me to lose a child. I love my mom and dad that they were able to carry on raise the rest of us. They are the best parents that anyone could ask for.I needed a day like today so I could evaluate things in my life. My goal is to live with my little brother again. This was our last family picture taken 2 months before he passed away.

Mother Daughter Activity

Tonight I went to a Mother Daughter activity with Madison and Allison. We had alot of fun. The girls dressed up the moms using all sorts of different things. The girls really had alot of fun dressing me up and since I had two little girls they got alot done in a short amount of time. Yes that is a Seran wrap dress. Very flattering I know. Madison and Allison had a great time and I love their creativity. The girls wanted me to wear it home so Kevin could see it but I couldn't get in the car with my new dress. I did leave my head dress and top on so Ashley and Kevin could see. Kevin thought it was great and Ashley wanted to wear it all. She was a little bummed when I took it off and put it in the trash. She will live but I did let her keep the head dress for a little while.

It was a great evening and we had alot of laughs. I love the time that I get to spend with my girls.

All-Stars

When Madison's basketball season ended the girls on her team got to vote for teammates that would go to the all-star tournament. On Tuesday night we found out who everyone voted on. There were five slots and Madison got picked for the 60 second shoot out. She was so excited and touched that her teammates picked her. The all star tournament was this last Friday. We had went up to the church on Thursday so Madison could practice and she really felt ready for the shoot out.

On Friday we first watched her other teammates compete and then the last event was Madison's. If she was nervous she didn't show it.

She did a great job and got 15 points. Basketball this year has been great for Madison. She has grown so much as a player. I look forward to the many years we have to watch her. Here is the video of her 60 second shoot out.

Madison All Point Shootout from Kevin Scharnhorst on Vimeo.