This one's for you, Kirk and Karen....

To our devoted blog readers, all the way in Australia! :)

The other day I overheard Kaden talking on "his" cell phone (our old one that doesn't work): "Um, hi, I need a flight to Australia.  Ok.  Bye."

Me: "Kaden why do you need a flight to Australia?"

K: "So I can visit Mr. Kirk."

Later that day (no joke....great timing)...... I told Kaden that he got some mail.  He proceeded to open a brochure of fish in Australia with a note from Mr. Kirk.  Kaden screamed with such delight.  "MOM, MOM!!!!!  Mr. Kirk sent me this!!!  This is from where he lives.  That's SO cool!!!!!!!"

He spent the next 20 minutes looking at the brochure quietly on the couch.  When he was done he let out a big sigh and said, "Mom, I miss Mr. Kirk."

We love and miss you guys!! :)

The note from Mr. Kirk has since made its way to Kaden's bulletin board in his room.

Keurig

Someone decided he needed to make himself some hot chocolate. I guess I'm not surprised that he knew how to do it by himself. He's only seen Andy and I use it hundreds of times :)

Roly-Poly

The girls are constantly on the move these days. Maya was the first one to start rolling all over the place, and now Makenna rolls everywhere, too. I can't count on them being in the same spot I put them anymore- and the fun begins. I managed to capture Maya in action the other day. Again, this is a video from my phone, so not the greatest quality, but watch it if you'd like. :)

I love these girls.

The girls looked so cute in their outfits, that I couldn't resist a little photo shoot. Of course, getting them to smile takes a little work.

First, Maya has to push her sister.

Then the girls get good smiles- but only for Daddy who was next to me, so not looking directly at the camera of course.

Then Maya continues with her happy little self and tries to hold her sister's hand, and Makenna decides she's bored.

Easter afternoon

After our traditional Easter meal of ham we relaxed. It was nice to hang out and spend time with family as we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ!

Kaden was pretty excited to spend time with Uncle Brian.

Playing Operation

(Kaden's new game in his Easter basket. We had an old one that didn't work from when Andy was younger, but Kaden kept asking for one that worked, so I grabbed a new one from my stash of stuff in the basement. I love having a stash of age-appropriate stuff for my kids that I find for dirt cheap on clearance/sale, garage sales, etc. It makes Christmas, holidays, and birthdays pretty easy and stress-free!)

Showing off his Easter eggs

Having fun opening up his Easter basket from Grandma Rysdam

Hanging out with the girls. Kaden wouldn't take a picture with us (of course).

Makenna

Watching the Master's on TV. Look at their hands. Precious.

Hi Ho Cherry O! Uncle Brian got his share of games in for the afternoon.

A visit with Uncle Brian or Uncle Steve wouldn't be complete without a wrestling session.

Horse rides from Uncle Brian. Nothing like getting him all riled up before bed.

Easter kiddos

Of course we had to get some pics of our adorable kiddos on Easter. It just wouldn't be Easter if we didn't! :)

In all seriousness, it was a blessing being with my little family on Easter. I couldn't imagine spending such a special day with anyone else! Plus, Uncle Brian and Grandma Rysdam got to come over for Easter dinner, too!

Kaden making a silly face...

The best picture we could get of the 3 kids. Not too bad! :)

Makenna

Maya

Mommy and her girls

(Makenna on the left, Maya on the right)

I {heart} these three kiddos.

Easter Egg Hunt

Our Easter weekend began with an Easter Egg Hunt at church on Saturday morning. Kaden was very excited to go, but then once we were there he wasn't really that into it.

He's the type of kid who loves doing fun things, but doesn't like crowds. So, all of the noise and chaos made him a bit shy and apprehensive. He was happy to walk in the grass, grab a few eggs, and then redeem his tickets.

Getting ready to start

Daddy helps Kaden put his eggs in his bag

The girls enjoyed the festivities, too, as you can see.

And proof that I was there, too! :)

Disaster

On Sunday morning, I went to get Kaden's clothes for church, and this is what I found. I can't even make this stuff up. When I asked him why he made such a mess, his reply: "I was looking for hunting pants." Seriously?!?!? OH.MY.WORD. This kid makes me crack right up (Oh, and for the record, he doesn't have hunting pants. No one in our family hunts. In fact, I don't even like any type of animal. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff). If you look at the disaster you will see that he took his 3-drawer bin out of his closet, completely emptied it, stacked up the drawers under the window and left everything else in the middle of his room. Needless to say he couldn't get his Easter basket until it was all cleaned up. I knew I couldn't let this mess go unrecorded in the history of our family! :)

Yoga master

So, apparently Kaden is into yoga now. He has quite the skills.

Balance still isn't one of them.

If Andy let go, Kaden would fall on his tush.

It was still pretty cute watching him concentrate so hard on making the correct formations- ha!

Cubs baseball player

The Cubs started their season this week, so we had to celebrate in style. Kaden was very excited to wear all of his baseball gear. He was mostly excited about wearing his new baseball pants and baseball socks from his Easter package from Grandpa and Grandma VDH in NJ! In a matter of minutes, my 3 1/2 year old boy turned into a Cubs baseball player. Let me tell you- he has QUITE the sports skills. He's no longer allowed to play baseball inside because I'm afraid he's going to break something. I wouldn't doubt it if he played for the Cubs someday.{Wishful thinking}

Hitting from home plate

"Yeah, I'm number 1, Mom!"

Cutest Cubs player I've ever seen.

Quite the pose.

Wow. Those blue eyes.

I know I'm biased, but wow, is he cute.

Capturing Conversations

Kaden's prayer at dinner last night: "Dear Jesus, thank you for my brocceroni. Amen."

Um, what exactly is brocceroni? Once again, I'll admit, I laughed. I know it's one of those moments that you should hold it together and have a discussion about appropriate prayers, but this one just threw me off- coming out of nowhere. After we got over our laughter, we had the discussion. :)

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Kaden got out of bed last night while he was trying to fall asleep. A common occurrence, yet one he knows he's not supposed to do. As I walked him back into his room and tucked him in, he says in the sweetest voice, "Mom, I'm REALLY, REALLY sorry I got out of bed. I know I'm only supposed to come out of bed if I hear something roaring outside or if there's a big giant in my room."

I'm pretty sure I never told him that those were the specifications.