Melissa and the girls have been to town several times and we had never taken them to Garden of the Gods! Blasphemy, I know. We decided to spend the whole day down in the Springs. We spent the morning hiking Garden of the Gods, where we also had a picnic lunch, then we drove to Manitou Springs and visited the cliff dwellings, and then walked around tasting all of the different natural spring waters. We ended the day with dinner at The Mason Jar.
There are a MILLION pictures- but, seriously, with the scenery around us- how could I not take a bajillion???
Nobody really cared much for the spring water.
But the kids did enjoy the penny rides.
We had the stroller to carry our water bottles.
After 18,000 steps, we were exhausted and ready for a delicious dinner!
Both Melissa and I are attempting to teach our girls piano. Audra's awesome piano teacher recently moved, and we are trying to figure out our next steps with her. In the meantime, Melissa had the idea to do a little piano recital while they were in town- so we did.
Audra performed "I Believe In Christ" and "The Spider Song." I tried to get some video, so here you go (FYI, I don't think I succeeded very well with the video)
The Spider Song isn't uploading- but she nailed it!
On Thursday we had planned to go to a park, but it was cold, windy, and wet. So, instead we headed to one of our favorite bakeries- Piere Micheles- for breakfast (seriously, this place is divine! Melissa wanted to go back every day, but our budgets and our waistlines wouldn't allow for it).
Then we took the girls swimming. I thought we would stay for a couple of hours, but they ended up lasting for 4 1/2 hours! We came home exhausted- which was the plan.
This last week my mom, sister, and three nieces came into town. It was so great!
On the first day they were here, they wanted to play Wii or watch a movie. We said no- they needed to play with their cousins! So, I remembered that I had a skit set in my homeschool stuff, so I pulled it out and the girls spent a couple of hours designing costumes, sets, and rehearsing their play. When dad came home, they gave us a show.
Audra was a space alien- I love their creative use of costumes. Olivia was the dog, Claire the nurse, Alicia the main character Elizabeth. Even mom and I had to get in on the action as the "chorus."
Camille kept grabbing a book to read from a "script." It was really cute- she desperately wanted to be a part of the show.
Ben has felt a little outnumbered with so many girls around, but it has been heaven for all of them- they have had so much fun together!
We had a great Easter! The girls were so incredibly excited- it was fun to see their giddiness over getting the carrots ready for the Easter bunny and such.
Claire's Pictures- for some reason, she really wanted to color a picture on a plastic bag. To each their own, I guess.
Audra's PIctures
We did a great FHE about the resurrection of Christ last Monday. It's an FHE we have done every year for several years, and it was really neat this time because they remember the story and can tell it to us. It takes quite a bit of prep work, but once you have it set up you can re-use it every year. HERE is the lesson if you want to give it a shot. It's definitely one of my favorite lessons we do each year!
Anyway, the Easter Bunny left lots of books this year, and of course some Easter dresses.
It was chilly in the morning, so we made the girls wait until 9. They did a good job being patient, but it was a struggle!
The Easter Bunny gives each girl a different color of eggs to find. Camille had yellow, but she didn't quite grasp the concept. Here is Audra trying to help her out:
Later we hosted a brunch with Ben's family. Here is what we have decided: I need to make crepes more! We love crepes! We also love brunch- YUM!
It was a wonderful day. We have been so blessed, and all of our blessings stem from the Resurrection of Christ- which we get to celebrate every year. The eggs and baskets are fun, but it is only possible because of Him. I love and am so grateful for Jesus Christ. I am grateful to know that not only did He die for all mankind, but that He LIVES!
Today I took Audra and Claire to the play Charlotte's Web. It was so much fun! It was at the Arvada Center, and they really did a fantastic job. The girls loved it, as did I.
This was the first year the girls were excited about April Fools Day. Yesterday the girls and I were talking about how to fool dad, and Claire said, "I want you to get us!"
I knew Ben and I had to act!
We (I) did a classic- putting up a false door filled with balloons and streamers so when the girls opened their door they would be greeted by falling balloons.
The girls loved it! It was great!
Then, for dad, we made a special "drink." Audra came up with the idea after reading about it in Highlights Magazine.
Instead of Kool-Aid, it's Jell-o. It was pretty funny- and tasty!
