Some More photos from this Spring

I am a little behind on my posting and am going to try an get all of April after Archie's birthday.  There may be a couple from before as well!  

After Archie's birthday my parents left for a 2 week drive thru Europe.  It was a great trip and I am very proud of their willingness to do something new, go places they don't know their way around (thank goodness for GPS) or speak the language, and see experience different ways of life.  They enjoyed it and we enjoyed having them here.  It was great for the kids to spend time with their Didi (Grandma Jane) & Grandpagrandma (Grandpa Fred).  Somehow Archie made up very particular names for each!

Hiding!

Posing!

What?

Daddy, no photos!

beers in Belgium

For Easter, I was in charge of organizing the kids Easter Egg Hunt for our Women's Club.  There were 29 kids and almost as many adults.  We went to a local forest where the kids went searching and found lots of goodies.  Then we had hot cross buns supplied by a local British baker friend, tea, and coffee.  The weather was mild and perfect for some fun in the forest.  I am happy to say it was a success even though our kids were a little under the weather.  Archie has been asking where the "Rooster Bunny" (Easter Bunny) is every time we bike through the forest by our house.  We say he is sleeping as he come out very early in the morning and then back to bed.  But if we are quiet, we might see him sleeping!

getting instructions

Happy Birthday Archie

With the beginning of April, came the arrival of my parents for a visit.  They began their European trip with a little over a week with us.  And during that week, it was Archie's 3rd birthday.  He finally understands that it is a special day and that he gets presents and cake.  We had a small party with just the family.  

 Our little monkey has turned 3.  He is as spirited now as from the beginning.  He is talking all the time and uses some great words (delicate, frustrated, fast asleep, delicious, kachow, to infinity and beyond, and more).  He is also still very social and says hello to most everyone we pass as well as with a smile.  He is now very cuddly and wants to sit with me often.  He is growing physcially and emotionally so much right now that it is a lot for him to handle on some days.  He is more adventurous in eating but still cautious.  He loves to cook with me while Sylvie takes a nap.  And he loves Sylvie.  She is now his buddy and they play constantly.  We are so greatful and happy to have him in our family.  How did we get so lucky with 2 wonderful children?  We are blessed.

I tried my best to make the goodies again this year.  I made sugar cookies for the daycare class.  Luckily they didn't know they were supposed to look like anything as they were blobby shapes.  And the frosting dripped and looked horrible.  But they were tasty.  Then I made cupcakes for our weekly meetup at a play center.  The kids loved those and had massive sugar overloads.  Then I did my best when I made a chocolate cake.  I had grand plans to put some cars and other decorations but settled on candles and white icing.  Problem is, the kids don't really like chocolate.  So we at the cake instead!  At least Archie liked the candles!

And with my parents here there was lots of fun to be had. Grandpa brought the wooden rocking horse he made Archie in his checked luggage.  Then he and Archie assembled it.  They had a good time and then the kids had a great time riding it.

And on one rainy day, we went to the Kuekenhof flower gardens.  Archie loved running around but wasn't too respectful of keeping off the grass.  The wooden lily pads were his favorite.  I thought he and Grandpa were going to topple in a couple times.

More photos and posts to come.  Just too much that I haven't put up.  I need to upload more often!