A recap of our March

 At the time of writing this, we are almost half-way into April and I can't even remember what happened in March. This is probably why I am so deeply thankful for this blog as I do take the time to look back on life from time to time and I am so relieved to see small windows of time for our little family. My how times have changed though. I no longer have a tiny baby (or multiple children under the age of 3). My youngest is 4 and looking at this compared to 2017 feels like an entirely different chapter. How quickly the seasons change. But, I am here for it. All of it. 

So let's just begin.

Jayden started trying out some bug graham crackers treats courtesy of Grandma and he insisted on documenting his new favorite treat for the time being. As I write this I think he has already moved on and has been asking for teddy grahams on repeat. The awe and joy of so much to discover at the age of 4 never seems to disappoint me.

As we continue with pictures it starts to look like I only have one child (in the beginning here at least) but we are just in the full swing of school which leaves lots of time for me to spend with Jayden. All 3 kids are in soccer and that means Jayden wants to practice constantly as this is his first year:

We also continue with school daily during the week:

And so much cooking and snack making together:

Our smoothies we made!

tried out chocolate covered oreos (dairy-free for out little man)

Making muffins

And also making banana bread this month.

But... when the kids are home, they have our full attention, too, and we love spending time with them so much!

Playing in the snow! It only lasted a morning before it melted but we played outside all morning long while we could.

Hammock time!

                                                         

                                                  

Park Play! Several times this month and we also got to watch a guy with a variety of model boats he was testing out!

Another park with a friend.

Shopping. The kids were trying to convince us to buy this chair that "fits all 3 perfectly."

             Above, Payton brought home some science experiments from school for us to try out.

Crafting together.

More soccer practice!

A coffee shop date with my 3!

The kids even got a snow day this month (and on a day I'm not sure we deserved it but we'll take it) and so we used our bonus day to have an indoor picnic! Here was our snow day view that morning, but it quickly melted:

                                      

                                                         

                                           We've even been trying out some video games together. 

                                                        

                                             We made breadsticks together for pasta night!

On the nice days, we got outside to play, both boys are pulling out their bikes already:

And we have already eaten meals outside together when it's nice enough:

For St. Patty's day, the kids worked hard on activities. They made leprechaun binoculars and leprechaun traps, all courtesy kits from the local libraries.

We made it to a friend's birthday party:

And their mom sent me home with cupcakes that I secretly put away and ate all for myself:

They were so cute and so good and I should feel guilty. But I really don't. Sometimes we just have our thing.

And, it wasn't all fun and games around here as we got hit hard with a stomach bug this month. All 3 kids got and we were thankful no adults got (saved by God's grace):

A picture I found that Jayden took of Riley sleeping on the couch.

Although it isn't fun to have sick kids, I do still love a good bonus day with my children. Jayden and I tried to enjoy all the extra time we had with them. 

Riley and I did the annual mother/son painting day! We painted together and then went to lunch where Riley chose: chinese! It was so fun and we love these days. Next year, Jayden will be old enough to join us and we are all excited for that! I so love my Riley time:

                                                 

We also met up with cousins one weekend to play for a few hours, it was long overdue:

I also found random selfies on my phone from my daughter, like this sweet one:

We got Payton's pictures back from the father/daughter dance and how cute are these from February:

Big NEWS at our house! Both Riley and Payton entered into a bookmark drawing contest back in October. I loved their work so much and was so excited just to see what they came up with. In March, we got a call that Payton was selected as a winner and our family was very thrilled for her. 

                                                         

Her work was then turned into an official bookmark that our local library will give for free to patrons. It was so fun and exciting for us all to celebrate our family's creative side. 

This is long overdue but we are finally beginning work on our landscaping in our front yard/driveway. We pulled everything out this month and created a plan. Hoping to have this done by the end of May!

                                                          

                                                                            Our plan.

Here is just a random picture I found that Jayden took on my phone:

I almost deleted this right away but I decided to include this on the blog. A frozen image of our season of life right now. We call this room the sitting room and I'm not sure why because we do little sitting in here. We actually play and dance a ton in this room. Since its typically neat and tidy (minus clothes from kids on the chairs), it is in constant use to play and spread out. This room is very important to me which is ironic because, when we moved here, I thought we would use this room very little. But we use it so much!

As I wrap this up, I have included several pictures of creations I made this month. I push myself to learn more with baking and cooking, some out of necessity and some out of personal interest. This month I tried my luck at sub sandwich breads and had quite the success with them!

                    Breadstick and runzas. Both made in the same week by request from the kids.

                                                       Sub sandwich bread and puppy chow.

The bread made fantastic sandwiches:

I am seriously so proud of my bread that turns out well. Some batches didn't but most did. I'll keep practicing and growing!

I hope your March went well as well! We are already flying through April!