easter celebration ~ benson

"Mom, is the Easter Bunny coming into my house."

"Yes, he leaves you fun gifts and treats"

"Mom, no...that's what Grandma does"

True statement ;)

Beautiful weather this past Easter weekend was the perfect gift to this never ending winter.  We try and enjoy every minute we can, starting off with a fun egg hunt.  Grandpa was in charge of making sure Carson did not face plant into the flower bed while Grandma watched on as Madison did a run for every egg she saw.

 

Each piece of candy was slowly taken out and evaluated by the children.  Madison understood we would save some for after dinner, Carson decided he would just bite through the aluminum foil to get to the chocolate.  It was a problem.

We had a delicious turkey and lefsa meal, and finished off with some perfect strawberry pie.

Then off to do a small walk and fishing.  We caught a few.  Nothing crazy but the big news of the day was Madison getting stung by a bee.

She fears the outdoors.

I mean really.

Any thing that even touches her she assumes is a bee that will sting her.  

That's another problem.

In a nut shell, Madison was stung by a huge bumblebee, the burning pain came and went for a good one hour 5 minutes, and she begged to go in the truck from that point on.  Poor girl was a complete mess over it but I do not really blame her.  Plus she had not had a nap which increases every bad thing times ten.

Overall the day was a huge success!

conversations of 3 year olds

Madison: "You like me Lucas"

Lucas: "Yay"

Madison: "You love me Lucas"

Lucas: "Um, Yay"

Madison: "You happy Lucas"

Lucas: "YAY"

Madison: "You be my friend, cause I really love you"

Lucas: "Yay"

Madison: "Okay I will share my bus."  {Referring to the school bus across from our neighborhood park}

Lucas: "Okay"

Madison: "See we are friends"

Lucas: "Yay"

Kari and I often talk about how different boy and girls are.  We have already been witness to a fragile girls' heart compared to the carefree heart of boys.  Madison always is checking in with Lucas to make sure they are still friends while Lucas {in a brotherly way} knows this is a soft spot for Madison, and frequently uses that "I am not your friend now" as his weapon of choice.  There bond is going to be strong but they will love and fight like brother and sister.

No matter what anyone says, I have a boy and girl, there is a difference, even when raising them exactly the same way.  Girls get hurt by what others say much more profoundly than boys.  Having her cousins around is going to be a benefit.  She is going to see how boys play, both physically and emotionally.  I love having them nurture and love our family {really just Madison, no one likes Carson...he is little and destructive, hopefully that changes soon}.

Cheers to beautiful children ;)

thinking of you grandma

My grandma is having knee surgery today so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

madison {ism}

Mom: "Would a lion eat me?"

Madison: "Come on mom!" *Loud Sigh*
   {Age 3}

outdoor campus

Our new favorite and completely free activity {second to geocaching} has been this Outdoor Campus only 10 minutes away from our house.

The center has tons of toddler and kids programs all centered around nature and animals.  We have learned about Beavers and Snakes.  This week is Spiders.  The interaction and fun games keeps both kids occupied and entertained.

Large fish tank

Beautiful area



Building with trees

We even brought lunch to share with Daddy, whose work is less than 5 minutes away from the campus.

Showing a beaver dam

Madison kept wanting to make me a mud pie {from a this book}

A gigantic child's nest. I asked Carson if he liked being a bird and his response was a strong, forceful cry out in tears.

But he is one cute bird ;)

I can't wait to follow the trails surrounding this area in the summer.

please go away winter

Tot school remains in full swing.  Madison is amazing us!  She is doing great {when she will do it} on identifying all her letters, tracing her letters extremely well and even reading SIX books now!!

 

We are working hard on identifying numbers and counting appropriately.  Princess stickers really are helping!

Painting. Painting. Painting.  We love finger paint {Well, they do.  I am not in love with the mess and clean up!}

Ice fishing {aka sledding} with the cousins

Aunt Kari is SO. AWESOME!

Where is the fish Grandpa?!?!

Check my work out off the list for this day.

Fun. Fun. Memories.

dad's birthday. geocaching. bald eagle views. family photos.

All in a morning.

We expected super sunny weather but got cloudy somewhat cool weather.  The kids put a few more layers on {and maybe mom and I did as well} and we headed out to find a few geocaches around and near the lake.

We found the treasure!

And the new toy!

Anything for me over there?!?!

My parents had not had the joy of our treasures hunts yet.  We broke them in quick with 3 scattered caches around the lake's trail.  And luckily we did.  Although Ben and I had married at Lakota Lake, we had never been around the entire lake.  Behind the large rocks was a beautiful stream and waterfalls.  Wow!  We had no idea.

Not only did we find this we also enjoyed watching a bald eagle.  Everyone was bummed.  No one had brought there long distance lenses for a picture but enjoying the beauty of a gorgeous and many times, hidden, bald eagle was amazing.

The trail was just enough for the kids.  We are trying to hike as often as possible to get them both use to the walking or carrying ;)

Madison does alright.  We have a ways to go.  And Carson does a touch better with constant moving.  My parents were troopers.  They both have been on hikes with the kids and expected MANY delays, a very slow pace and a constant reminder that kids need something every single moment.  Example, my son was eating more than any of us that were actually hiking.

A perfect day to celebrate a great Father and amazing Grandpa!

Thanks Dad for your kindness and love through the years.  My life is this wonderful because of you and mom! 

Love you!!!