Easter 2015

Easter weekend was full of family traditions. 

We color eggs every year.  The little ones always sport just underwear.  Bryson has finally moved up to wearing a shirt...haha.

We found a fun Easter egg kit with crazy faces and hair.  The hair was supposed to be glued on with sugar glue.  Ummm what?!?!  Ain't no body got time for that.  Glue sticks for us.  Who's going to eat the shell anyways?

We had a little egg hunt for the kids on Saturday evening.  We purposely didn't mow the grass the weekend before so that we would have some good hiding places.  Bryson's eggs were camo and actually pretty hard to find.  Hallie would find one of his eggs and point it out to him.  He was not appreciative of sister's help.  He was determined to find them on his own.

 

Easter baskets ready Sunday morning.  I had to be at church early to work, so I didn't get to see Hallie open her basket.  The Frozen chocolate surprise eggs must have been a big hit since they were all open by the time I got home.  The Easter bunny even left something for the hubby :) 

 

 

They had a very cute Easter background for pics at church.  This is the first year we did not color coordinate as a family.  I had planned on it, but I had to work, which meant church t-shirt for me.  Serving in the kids ministry was definitely worth giving up coordinating outfits. 

After church, we stopped by the house to get a change of shoes for the Easter egg hunt at my mom's.  Bryson left with me early to go to church.  He finally got to go through his basket.  He was super surprised to get a rare skylander trap.    

We had the traditional egg hunt at my mom's.  No kids are too big.  Heck, even adults hunt.  I mean, there is money in some eggs. 

Hallie was over the picture taking and letting me know.

I love that there is land where we can all spread out and have fun.

Later that night, Hallie got to enjoy another gift that the Easter bunny left.  Man, that bunny sure knows she loves Frozen :) 

Friday Favorites

Here are just a few of my favorites this week!

Hallie insisted on this blue and pink ice cream on our last Walmart shopping trip.  I've ate some the last few nights.  Oh my goodness....it is divine!!  Although I wanted to eat the whole carton, I've limited myself to one serving, which I have memorized as 66 grams.  Got to keep on track to meet my March goal of losing 5 pounds :)      

I have been in Easter mode trying to knock out another March goal.  I've started planning the kids' Easter outfits.  I have also gotten a good start on Bryson's Easter basket.  I found this nail and string art that I would like to attempt to add to our Easter decorations.  

This weekend, we are going to try this St. Patrick's Day craft I found on Pinterest.  I plan on using Hallie's hands for the top leaves and Bryson's hands for the bottom leaves.  

One of my favorite blog posts I have read this week is from The Queen in Between.  She posted about a "day-cation" she had with her kids her in her hometown.  She made it fun by looking for ways to create a picture for every letter of the alphabet.  You really should check it out.  I've put it on our "to do" summer list.    


This week, my sister-in-law educated me on the Show Your Disney Side app.  The whole family has been having fun.  You need this app ASAP :) 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  Linking up with Andrea, Erica, and Narci for Friday Favorites.  

Easter Basket Ideas for a Preteen Boy

I'm still working on those March goals.  Yesterday I shared Easter outfits.  Today, I'm sharing my list of possible Easter basket fillers for my preteen boy.  I've been finding this age hard to buy for, but I think I've come up with a decent list.
   

BOOKS

I've already ordered the first book.  I usually try to include some kind of devotional in the kids' Easter baskets.  The last two books look fun and have great reviews.
  

OUTDOOR TOYS

We spend lots of time outdoors when the weather is nice.  Our outdoor toys gets lots of love.  Bryson actually got the stomp rocket for Christmas.  It has been a hit.  Even little 3 year old sister loves it.

 

Seriously, where do all the nerf bullets go?!?!  We can always use a refill. 

We've had a flying ring in the past, but not this specific one.  We had tons of fun with it until it landed on the neighbor's roof.  

You can never go wrong with water balloons.  

GAMES

Bryson and I frequently play a different version of Spot It.  I think he would enjoy this sports edition.

I really don't know anything about the game Phase 10, but it has great reviews and we are always looking for new games.  

CLOTHES

All Bryson wants to wear these days are athletic clothes.  These Nike Elite socks are popular with the boys in this area.  He would also like either a Nike or Under Armour shirt. 

OTHER IDEAS

• Itunes gift card.  Definitely buying one.
• Swimsuit, sunglasses, and flip flops.  I think these are great ideas, but we usually include those in their last day of school gifts
• DVD of their favorite movie
• Headphones.  Between the iPod and iPad, we never have enough headphones.
• Favorite candy.  Bryson will be getting mints, gum, and sour candy.
• Silly string
• Yoyo
• Coupon to skip a chore
• Fishing lures or bullets for those that fish or hunt
• Cash in eggs
• Gift cards to favorite places.  I may get Bryson a $5 gift card to Chick-fil-a.  He loves their milkshakes.  He would also enjoy a gift card to the movies.   

I'd love to hear any other ideas you may have!

Linking up with Vanessa for Thinking Out Loud Thursday and Annie for Thoughts on Thursday.

Waiting on....Easter

One of my March goals was to get everything Easter related done.  I have been scouring the Internet for outfits, Easter basket goodies, and decorations.  I've gotten a pretty good start.  I have 2 dresses on the way for Hallie, because options you know.  I made a collage of each dress with possible matching outfits for brother.  I'd love your input on which outfit you like best.  Now to start the search for mom and dad outfits.   

Beautiful Bunnies by mmorris0922 featuring a ruffle sleeve dress

Boys' Secret Wash shirt in gingham
jcrew.com

Old Navy Boys Belted Twill Shorts Size 10 - Grey matter
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy Boys Short Sleeved Plaid Shirts Size L Husky - Madeira bay
oldnavy.gap.com

Ruffle sleeve dress
firefliezkidz.net

Pretty in Pink by mmorris0922 featuring a lily dress

Boys' Secret Wash shirt in gingham
jcrew.com

Old Navy Boys Plain Front Uniform Shorts Size 5 - Couscous
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy Boys Linen Blend Shirts Size M - What a dahlia
oldnavy.gap.com

Lily dress
welldressedwolf.com

We've also started putting up some decorations.  Hallie's Christmas tree is still up in her bedroom.  I'm thinking we'll just leave it up all year and decorate for every holiday.  Why not?!  She keeps insisting she needs more eggs.   I keep trying to convince her she just needs to spread them out.  It's not working.  She's been having fun redecorating the tree each night.  That's all that matters. 

Bryson is at that age where it's really hard to find Easter basket fillers for his basket.  Everything is either too kiddy or geared to teenagers.  I have done lots of research and plan on sharing my list of possibilities soon.  What do you buy a boy that isn't a small kid or a teenager? 

Linking with Holly for Waiting on....Wednesday

March Goals

Oh blogging, how I’ve missed you!  Work has been super, crazy busy due to a company spin off.  I’m hesitant to say I’m caught up because every time I think I’m caught up….BAM, I’m putting out 20 fires.  I have so much catching up on documenting what’s been going on with our crew, but for now I’m sharing some March goals.  I have shared goals in the past, and simply typing them up definitely keeps me more accountable, even if no one else reads them.

Goals for March

Lose 5 pounds – I need to lose some of this winter weight I’ve put on.  My workouts are on point; it’s the whole eating thing I have an issue with.  The game plan is to log food into mfp, monitor water intake, eliminate cokes, and keep exercising.  I wish I could eat healthy without having to track my food, but I’m just not there yet.

Easter – Plan everything Easter.  This includes putting out the decorations, buying Easter outfits, and buying Easter basket goodies.  Yes, we are THAT family that coordinates on Easter. #noshame

Vacation – We are headed to Tennessee over spring break.  I need to start researching things to do and places to eat.  We will be going to Nashville and Gatlinburg if anyone has suggestions. 

Blogging – Getting back on track.  Post at least 3 times a week.  That doesn’t sound like much, but I’m trying to be realistic.  With work stuff still up in the air, I could be in survival mode at any moment. 

That’s my March.  It’s looking to be a fun and productive month.  Maybe I’ll check in weekly with my goals just to be super accountable :)    

Friday Favorites

Oh my goodness!!  It's been FOREVER since I've blogged, and I have really missed it.  I got busy with the holidays, like most other people.  But I also had some unusual stuff happen at work that made me super busy.  Things are finally starting to slow down, and I feel a sense of normalcy.  But boy, do I have a lot of catching up to do.

My most favorite recent event is that we booked our Disney cruise for October of this year.  I am so excited about this.  This is on our bucket list.  I'm already in full planning mode.  Hallie's first outfit for the trip has arrived.  I'm in love!

Last weekend, I gave Hallie a trim.  What was I thinking?!?!  I really butchered it.  I had to take her to get it fixed.  I am loving the shorter length on her.  Her hair is just so thin that it looks really stringy when it's long.  I actually want it a little shorter now.  I'm thinking a cute little bob.

The weather last weekend was finally warm enough to enjoy some outdoors.  Hallie went to a birthday party in the morning.  

When we got home, she helped Daddy with yard work.  She was in her element.  This girl would live outdoors if we'd let her.  

Ok, I know I'm seriously late to the party.  I got some hunter boots for Christmas.  They're my new favorite shoe even if my step dad makes fun of them.  He cracks me up with all his fashion commentary.  I really should start keeping a list.

My favorite picture of the week.  What is more precious than a sleeping child.  I feel bad for not having as many pictures of Bryson as Hallie.  There are two reasons why I have fewer pictures of him.  One, he's at his dad every other weekend, and the weekends are when I take most of the pictures.  Two, he's at a stage where he doesn't want his picture taken and normally runs the other way when he sees my phone.  So, I sneaked (is it sneaked or snuck??? whatever) in his room the other night and got a picture.  I don't care how old he is, he'll always be my baby boy.
 

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Linking up with Andrea, Erica, and Narci for Friday Favorites.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!!