EASTER

BBQ

The other night I was trying to fix dinner and Kate was "helping" me. When she got into the fridge and seemed to be entertaining herself, I let her be. When I turned around, this is what I saw.....

FLORIDA

We made it!

 Olivia and Nick are in Florida this weekend with Grandma Joan to see Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. Aunt Kat is there, too, and it sounds like the four of them are having a really great time. They are texting me cute pictures every so often so we can see what they are up to!

N & L licking a giant sucker outside sweet candy cookers

"I just rode a huge roller coaster and I loved it! Love, Livi"

The house seems a lot quieter-and younger-without them here. Ben is LOVING being the oldest kid in the house for a few days and being spoiled with swimming and ice cream and all kinds of fun things. We are also having fun with Grandpa Cookie, who is getting ready for some business meetings in Denver next week.

 

OWL

About six weeks ago, Nick came home with some important news. Here it is, in his own words:

"Mom, today Mrs. Peirce came into our class and asked Mrs. Wright (his teacher) if Nick was here. She said yes and then Mrs. Peirce asked if she could talk to me in the hall. So we went into the hall and she told me that not very many kids had auditioned for the part of the Wise Owl for our play "The Bear Went Over the Mountain." She had asked Mrs. Wright who she thought would be good and she said 'I think Nick would do a very nice job.' She told me it was a big part and asked if I would like to do it and I said yes!"

He stressed out because he didn't get his script for a week, but then he practiced and practiced until those lines were perfect. He almost backed out a time or two because during play practice, all the kids would watch him say his lines and that made him "uncomfortable." (I didn't mention to him the many many people that would be watching him on opening night.....) He promised me I would cry during the song "Forever" because his teacher said all the parents do. (I did.) He was thrilled to hear that his costume was to be the most authentic of all the forest animals. He was sad when Bobcat #2 broke his leg over spring break and they had to make room for his wheelchair on stage. He didn't like the yellow socks I had for his costume and was relieved to know his owl pants were long enough so he didn't have to wear them. It was six weeks of excitement in that boys life!

The kids did two showings, one in the afternoon for the school and then one in the evening for parents. Grandpa Randall and Grandma Jen came to see the play and when Grandpa asked him how the first show went and if he was nervous, He responded, "No. I just pretended they were all in their underwear. AND I said a prayer....."

Nick did AMAZING in the evening show as well. There is not a cuter owl on earth!  It was so fun watching him up there on stage. He said all of his lines beautifully and had the biggest grin on his face the whole time. His giant wings flapped as he moved and danced to the songs and I could tell he was loving every minute of it.

Afterwards, we celebrated at  Jack-n-the-Box with Nick's favorite Oreo shake. It was such a fun night. Way to go, Nick! Love you.

NEISY

Grandma Jen and Grandpa Randall came for a visit last Wednesday. When they arrived, they rang the doorbell and the kids answered it right away. Grandma told them she had a surprise for them in the back seat of the car and when Livi opened the door, she saw a pair of legs hiding under a pillow. The legs belonged to Anneliese, one of our very favorite cousins!!! Lots of screaming and hugging went on by all of us, even Chris and I didn't know she was coming. In fact, Chris had just been on the phone with his sister (Neisy's mom) and had said, "Well Mom and Dad should be arriving any time." Annette played along and said, "Oh really? I didn't know they were coming out this week!" What a stinker.

The next week was full of sleepovers, laughing, skipping school, cotton candy and swimming. Livi stayed home two days, Nick stayed home one day and Ben and Kate also got a day with Neisy all to themselves. Kate fell in love with her right away, It was so cute. Neisy is a sweet girl and we just love her like crazy!