Sara Goes Buggy!

Sara was able to participate in one of my favorite little musicals today: Goin' Buggy!  Such cute songs, and Sara got to have a speaking part as a Bee.  She delivered her lines beautifully, though the mic started slipping at the end of her little speech, so you couldn't hear the tail end of it. No matter though-she looked beautiful, and so at home on the stage!  She did not smiling for a single second of the performance.  So many of the kids looked plain old sad...not Sara! she was beaming and singing her heart out from beginning to end.  I was so proud of her!  So glad you got to go Buggy this year, Sara!

We got there about an hour early, as I was determined to get really good seats!  No matter for James-he played while we claimed our spots at the door.

I Spy Sara!

Look at that smile-seriously, so happy!

This is thee picture-look at her smile next to all those other somber kids!!!!

Singing away!

And still smiling, lol!

Hanging on to that mic for dear life!

And making sure it wouldn't fall off again before she left it!

Love ya Gracie Girl!

The Final Battle

Karianna had her final Battle of the Books today-truly an indicator of her final year at elementary school. She has done Battle of the Books for the last two years, and I personally love the program.  She is such a great reader and remembers everything she reads-it is crazy.  They didn't win, but they did a great job, especially since Karianna only read 3 of the 4 books (one of the books was somewhat scary, and i told her it was just fine to skip it). I am so proud of Karianna for seeing this through, especially this year, since she was busy with a lot of things, and didn't have as much time for Battles. I also love how much she got to connect with Baily through this activity-they got to be best friends, which impacted Karianna for the better in so many ways.  Great job Karianna!

Chatting until the Battle begins....

Their turn for a question and Karianna delivering the answer....

A Family Easter Lesson

You know, I should probably pick the best shot out of the many I took, but these are so comical, especially since I cannot figure out what Jordan is doing or thinking in most of these!  So I'll post them all!

This year, instead of doing a huge Easter Egg hunt and baskets, we decided to focus on Jesus Christ and the meaning of Easter.  We started off reading a portion of the scriptures and transitioned into one of my favorite singing time activities using a powerpoint presentation of Did Jesus Really Live Again.  I love that song, and how it so simply teaches the doctrine of the holiday.

After that, we did the traditional Easter Egg activity, where each Easter Egg has an object in it that represents a part of the crucifixion, atonement, or resurrection. I had a reverent kid open an egg, try to explain what it meant, and then expound as a family.

Jordan had the best egg, as there was nothing in it, representing the Resurrection!

The spirit that accompanied the lesson was absolutely lovely, which led me to say without a shadow of a doubt that this was my favorite Easter celebration of all time.  I love that the focus was on Jesus Christ.  It is so important to me that the kids look to Christ as a focal point of their lives, as the comfort and support that will so often be the only thing that pulls them through hard moments.  I want that for them, and today, I think they probably felt that.  That's what I call success. :D

So, while we totally focused on Christ, I did get the kids just a small gift apiece, and we did have a small Easter Egg hunt after we went to church so to keep the focus on Christ. They are always so appreciative of things, and that gratitude makes me smile.

Look at that hair!

He was completely attached to this car for the rest of the night.

A thumbs up for Easter Egg candy!