Protecting

 They love her. And fight over who gets to hold her. Colin usually wins - its in Norahs best interest. Joel loves to give strangle hugs to Norah and doesn't understand gentle

Joel realized it was too bright and sunny.

He thinks about what to do

Decided to protect her eyes from the sun.

Overall I think he will be a great big brother to Norah.

Spring Break

 Colin just finished his first spring break.  I loved having him home.  It was a little big of a juggle at first since I had all three kids all day but it was so nice.  None of us wanted him to return to school on Monday.  We got out a lot considering we have a newborn.  One afternoon Brent came home early and we headed to the Aquarium.  Out of all the fish/sharks Joel was fascinated by a squirrel :) 

 Then one night we went to the Botanical Gardens for their Bike night. 

 Norah and I tried to keep up with the boys but towards the end we found a bench near the front where she could eat and we could wait for the boys.  So far she's a snuggler.  I hope she stays that way.  We've been blessed with very snuggly kids. 

And then on Sunday we went to the zoo.  The one thing Colin really wanted to do.

 Norah wasn't too impressed at how close we got to a giraffe.

Colin and I are now counting down to summer break.

t-ball

 Tball has started again.

 This time Colin is on the Cardinals

Here Colin is playing pitcher and passed the ball to Noah at 1st base.

I think its going to be a great season

4 weeks

4 weeks ago I was in labor with this sweet girl. 

 Its going way too fast.

beautiful

Backpack

Colin likes to fill his backpack with stuff and go outside and explore.  After finding one of his toy handguns in his backpack one day while getting out his homework folder I found him Brent's camel pack to use.  (don't want him expelled from school) He has filled it with all his science books and I'm not sure what else. Its pretty heavy especially when I fill it up with water.

Potty Time

Joel isn't interested in going on the potty.  I figured this summer we'd work on it but right now I haven't been pushing it.  Colin on the other hand thinks his brother should be peeing and pooping on the potty.  And tries everything to talk Joel into going.  Joel hasn't shown any interest but today he was pooping and Colin said once again "joel you need to poop on the potty."  And Joel said "ok" and then went and finished on the potty like it was no big deal and he had been doing it all along.  Just like that. Hopefully this will be the start of something. But knowing Joel it'll be on his terms and when he's ready. 

Meeting Norah

 Norah had a busy weekend with Easter (her first time going to church) and the day before meeting a lot of family members.  She met her Aunt Mary and then great grandma and great grandpa.  And then a few cousins.

 Family times are always fun times

Colin found a friend in Sam the whole day. 

Happy Easter

  Happy Easter.   Joel told me yesterday when we got home from a lunch with our community group that "Jesus got the blood and water and the blood came out his bottom. And they whip his back and blood came out his bottom."  Which is pretty good I thought.  I think he's confusing Jesus' bottom with Jesus' side but pretty close. But the blood coming out of Jesus is what stuck with Joel.

 Baby girl has this one eye opened thing she likes to do.

 We didn't get a good family picture yesterday.  The boys were too excited to go inside and eat their Easter candy/play with their Easter toys.  But here I am the other day with my two youngest.  Our azaleas are in full bloom and once again I'm loving it. Joel wants to go outside and take pictures in front of the pretty flowers all the time. 

Too much love

 

telling daddy all about her day

Easter Egg Hunt

 This morning we got out of the house as a family of 5.  First time since coming home from the hospital.  Our Community group had a picnic/Easter egg hunt at a near by park.  They separated the egg hunt into two groups - 0-3 and then older kids. 

 At first Joel was only looking for the yellow eggs (I think because at home all week I've hidden their lunch in easter eggs and made them hunt for it - colin has green eggs - joel the yellow) Then when I told him he could get any egg he took off and collected lots of eggs.  Colin cheered on Joel from the side. 

 The older kids were checking out what Joel got. 

 Counting his eggs.

 Then it was time for the bigger kids.  Crazy how these boys are now considered the "big kids"

 Joel calls easter eggs his bunny eggs. 

 And then the big kids were off.  Colin ran all over the field. 

Norah was passed around and slept through the whole thing.