A Bike, Buddies, Birds, and Chalk

Some random fun photos from the past week:

The kids love to go out front in the mornings to watch Daddy suit up and ride to work on his motorcycle.

Today we went to a barbecue with a few friends, including Joy's best bud, Jonathan.  They love to discuss Minecraft traps and building projects every chance they get.

I spotted two baby doves in our courtyard this week.  And a pumpkin.  In April.  Like I said--random.

Drawing with sidewalk chalk is a perennial favorite activity among our kids.

Nice goatee, Daniel.  Got chalk?

Awwww.

Ready to Run

Our local high school hosts an annual track meet for kids from the city's three elementary schools, and Joy decided to give it a try this year.

She attended the practice on Tuesday to learn how the events worked . . .

. . . and today was race day.

Joy's relay team placed first in the event for first grade girls.  Woo-hoo!

Coincidentally, Daniel was part of a running event today, as well: a jog-a-thon to raise money for his preschool.

Both of the big kids were pretty proud of their medals.

Anna wanted her picture taken, too.  :)

Easter at the Park

Yesterday we joined some friends at the park for an Easter egg hunt.

We even got to see the Easter bunny (who happens to live down the street from us).

The kids waited patiently for the hunt to start . . .

. . . then each got to collect a dozen eggs.

Here's Daniel surveying his loot.

After the hunt, Joy strapped on her roller blades and did a few laps around the park . . .

. . . while Daniel and Anna enjoyed the swings.  It was a fun outing, but I feel a little bad that it was the extent of our Easter celebration this year.  Usually I assemble Easter baskets and do a three-day object lesson about Christ's resurrection, but lately I've felt so busy and worn out that all I could manage was this outing and a few decorations around the house.  The kids didn't seem to mind, but I regret that I let what is arguably the most important holiday of the year pass practically unnoticed in our home. Todd will only be a little baby once, though, so hopefully I'll have more holiday energy next year.

A Solid Step Forward

I finally worked up the nerve to start feeding Todd solids today.  I'm sure he was ready weeks ago, but I didn't relish the idea of feeding him seven or eight times a day (if you count nursing and spoon-feeding) on top of everything else I'm doing.

Still, we do what we must, right Todd?

Anna wanted me to take her picture, too.

Photo bomb!

At least one of Todd's siblings was a very reluctant solid eater, but Todd took right to it.

In fact, his first spoon-feeding session went so well, that I let Daniel give it a try.  Stay on target!

Anna and Todd

Anna asked me to take pictures of her and Todd today.

Knock knock!

I wuv you widdow brudder.

 This is Anna Body Language for "don't take any more pictures of me, please."

Rolls But No Pizza

The kids and I had a nice picnic at the park this morning.

(Don't tell them that the cool picnickers a few yards away brought pizza instead of fruit and granola bars.)

Todd decided that the gentle incline would be a great place to practice his budding rolling skills.

He also quickly concluded that he did not like being face-down in scritchy-scratchy grass.

Conference with Pink/Blue Grandma

We watched the Sunday sessions of General Conference at Pink* Grandma's home today.

Daniel liked bouncing on Grandma's trampoline.

Poppy thought Todd's rocker made a fine tunnel.

Anna decided to give that a try, too, but soon had second thoughts.

*One of my children recently asked why we call her Pink Grandma, since she usually wears blue.  The answer is that when Joy was a toddler she liked looking at photos of her grandparents, and the photos showed my mom wearing a red sweater and Phillip's mom wearing a pink one, so Joy started calling them Red Grandma and Pink Grandma, respectively.  A few months ago, she suggested we started calling Phillip's mom Blue Grandma instead, but it hasn't really stuck.

Daffodils and Zombies

We joined Papa and Red Grandma in the cabin to watch General Conference today.

In addition to watching the uplifting messages from a modern prophet and apostles . . .

. . . we went (chocolate) leprechaun hunting . . .

. . . had a paper airplane throwing contest . . .

. . . read stories . . .

. . . admired the lovely spring daffodils . . .

. . . and cheered Papa on as he labored to keep virtual zombies out of his virtual yard.

It's all enough to tire a Papa out.

Life's a Playground

We met up with some friends at the park today.

It was relaxing to get out in the fresh air . . .

. . . but who really needs a jungle gym when there are plenty of things to climb on at home?