Spring Break

Spring Break...ahh...again nothing fun was planned, and I had just a wee bit of a pity party. But I was determined to rise above that and make it a good week with the girls. I tried to find that balance of accomplishing something, yet doing something fun each day. Our weather wasn't the best, so that made it more challenging.

Let's see if I can remember all we did...we played games, we had cousin Aaron over for an afternoon. We went to the theatre and saw "Mr. Peabody and Sherman," we went to Target and made a "game" of saving lots of money. 

The highlight of the week was Friday; Brandon took the day off from work and we headed to Lincoln. We ate at Raising Cane's, shopped at Scheel's (where both Analise and I got new bikes!), and the girls played at Lost in Fun while I went to Kohl's. We then had dinner at Olive Garden with one of our favorite young couples, Tabitha and Jesse. We all had a great day, and I was thankful to get away. 

One thing we did this year was allow the girls to be "mom for the night" for the dinner hour. Each one chose a meal and night, and they had to help with all the prep work, getting the table taken care of, and if anyone needed anything during the meal, they had to get up and get it. (Brandon and I made sure we needed lots of things during dinner. :)) It really was a lot of fun, and each girl loved it! 

For Sadie's birthday, we got her a basketball hoop. Brandon did made some special accommodations to attach it to the back patio overhang, since we didn't have many options. The girls have enjoyed shooting hoops. 

 Sunday night it was decent enough for the girls to swing.

 See those big feet? I had to get her  Nike sandals size eight. 8!

 She's enjoying her new bike.

Sweet Sadie is Six

Every year I wonder how my baby can be another year older. This year is no exception; Sadie turned six. We celebrated with the family on Saturday the 15th. Grandpa was in Michigan, but we were thankful to have rest of the family there to celebrate.

Sadie is my one daughter that likes raw veggies, so I made this little veggie man. (And that homemade dip is so yummy!)

 Sadie wanted chicken fajitas for dinner.

 Our annual picture together - just the two of us.

 A new ball for the hoop Brandon is going to install.

 Sadie was thrilled to receive Anna and Elsa dolls.

 Sarah and boys got her a new water bottle and a fun outdoor toy.

 She wanted an Olaf cake; this was the best I could do.

 By the end of the night, she was happy, and I was tired. :) Yet grateful.

Dad/Daughter Date Night

Each February our park and rec offers a daddy/daughter date night for girls 1st-5th grade. Analise has enjoyed going a couple of times with Brandon. This year we decided it was Maisie's turn to go. Analise had a busy month with birthday parties and volleyball tournaments. Thankfully, she wasn't disappointed, and Maisie was super excited.  With Analise I used to "stress" on what she was going to wear. This year I walked into Analise's closet the morning of the date night, pulled out a dress that I thought Maisie could wear, and it worked. Oh, the mothering differences of daughter number two.

I am so thankful for a husband who is willing to go out of his comfort zone a bit to take his daughter out for a special evening. He knows this is an opportunity to show his girls how a man should treat them.

About 600 girls and dads had dinner at a local conference center. Before dinner they could craft and after dinner they danced.

 Maisie who is anti-dressing up or looking cute, let me curl her hair and actually enjoyed this moment.

 My favorite picture - true Maisie

Sadie part 2

Sadie's birthday was a little different this year since it was on a Sunday, and Analise had a volleyball tournament. We did try to make it as much fun as possible.

Each year I like to go back and reread my journal from the time in the hospital, and this year something spoke to me. I was rereading about my Beth Moore study on Daniel, and she talked about the fiery furnace, and sometimes we focus on the big miracle of them not burning. We can miss the little miracles along the way. That's exactly how I felt when we were there; we had miracle after miracle along the way...not just her delivery and health.

Six Sweet Things about Sadie

1. She is doing really well in school. I love hearing her read now.

2. She is pretty responsible; she has the nicest made bed of her sisters.

3. She is still really thin, and yet she has long legs...makes finding pants tricky.

4. She is always my helper.

5. She will eat about anything.

6. She is still a mommy's girl. :)

Love you lots Sadie Lady!