April, April, you were so good to us!

 April was so fun and so fast for our house. I have actually spent so much time today just thinking about how quickly time has sped up for me. I remember having adults tell me that when I was a child and I can't even imagine how fast I will feel like time goes when I am old and grey. 

I found a way to insert my pictures in order this time (instead of a photo dump with everything scattered all over) but they came in backwards so we will start at the end(ish) of April and work our way back up. Behind the scenes, these once a month posts are so much more work than one could ever imagine. I love it though as this is such a special piece of our lives to share with our children when they are older. A stamp in time for them. 

First, I found out my camera on my phone can do amazing things! I haven't had this phone but maybe a few months but I played around with it some the other day and ended up with these fantastic shots:

Wow! Aren't those so fun? I am tempted to frame them or put them to canvas and put on a wall in my house.

This month has been birthday central! Not just for our family (yay, yay for Payton) but for so many friends who share the exact same birthday as Payton! The exact same day. Isn't that so fun? So some party pics:

Meanwhile, we had a few days that were so nice Jayden insists we get out any time possible. So we have had a few picnics on the front deck:

I volunteered for a field trip for Riley's class and we had a great time touring a hospital and playing at the park afterwards. It was such special quality time with Riley and trying to get to know his class some:

Back at home, I have obsessively taken pictures of this sweet girl as she turns another year older. The time, I can't say it enough, but time is such a thief:

Payton has been listening to Harry Potter on repeat and hand cutting the grass. A recent past time that I think calms her after a long, busy day at school.

We also planted trees this month! A few bigger ones we bought, some that the NRD gave away for free, and a few that the library sponsored (one for each kid):

Hoping we have an acreage full of trees some day! Praying they grow!

All three kids did soccer this year! It was Jayden's first year to try! They all had a blast.

                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Grandma(both actually) and grandpa even came to watch a game or two. We felt so blessed.

Payton really wanted a laid back party at her own house for her birthday and so that's just what we did. The party was complete with her class (and some extra siblings and a few others from school), family (immediate and extended), a unicorn egg hunt, pin the horn on the unicorn game, and general just running around the house! They all had a blast. 

Payton, I can't believe you are 9. You mean so much to us and continue to teach us so much about life, love, and God. Thank you for being ours.

                                                                 Her special unicorn cake

                                                            The gift her brothers gave her

We spent some time outside if the weather was nice. This month we saw so much of everything: rain, snow, crazy windy, and then just plain beautiful summer weather.

                                                         Jayden outside in the hammock.

Jayden didn't feel well one day but the kids had an extra day off from school so we put him in the stroller and got out for a long bike ride (for Riley) and walk (for Payton).

Over Easter break, we snuck in some fishing and had a fantastic time together!

Payton caught the most fish that day, Dad caught the only keeper, and both boys caught one fish each. We enjoyed our time together and saw friends for a bit just before we left. All in all, the day was amazing.

Then, we celebrated EASTER:

                                                            Our own egg hunt at our house

                                       We snuck out to a garage sale and playground in another town.

                                                                           Dyed eggs

                                                               The local town Easter hunt

Payton was "egged" by her pen pal from her class. A wonderful older lady is her pen pal and has been so good to Payton (and us) over this year. She was caught red handed by me as she hid eggs for all 3 of my kids. I helped her hide them and the kids were so shocked to find them after school one day. I felt so blessed to be reminded of community we have here.

He is risen. He is risen indeed. 

We feel so blessed for Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us.

Payton was in the paper for winning a bookmark challenge contest back in October. I snapped this picture of her finding the article and reading it:

Jayden got a little ice cream maker for Christmas and had played with it in the bath tub ever since. But, on this day, we attempted to use it. We had a hard time getting dairy free ice cream to set up right and Jayden lost patience so he ended up drinking flavored dairy free milk and said it was so good. He then declared the ice cream kit will return to the bathroom to be used as a toy there. 

I also got together with my friend and made a craft:

I am so thankful to have this sweet friend in my life.

Another nice day in April and another outing with Jayden:

We had one night that was so nice, we turned on the fire pit and roasted marshmallows:

We also had several game nights at our house this month:

Payton's class had a lemonade stand to make money to use for graduating seniors scholarships, this year they made $400. So we made treats and took them:

Payton made chocolate oreos and Jayden helped with puppy chow.

Jayden and I both went to support the school and made a donation. The sign below was the one Payton made and was hanging in the school:

Each month I try really hard to take a meal or two to someone else. I did it this month but the past few months have been more and more challenging as the demands of my own house have felt seemingly high:

                                                         

I do feel good to spread a little love though, where we can.

This month, Jayden ended up in the ER. I am not sure how long it has been for him but I feel like the last one was over a few years ago. He's done so well since getting his food diagnosis and the right medications. But, sickness and allergies (it has been super dry and super windy for part of the month) landed in the emergency room for breathing problems.

He is well now but I am extra thankful for medical intervention and people to help when we need them in a true emergency.  I am also thankful for good health.

But, during that week, all of our kids were sick, so this:

Grandma brought some puzzles for us so we got started on one this month:

Riley also didn't have school one day this month as there was kindergarten round up (so he didn't have kindergarten) so we enjoyed our bonus day with him lounging around and having all the fun at home and at the park (and, you guessed it, coffee shop)! I so love my bonus days with kids that are feeling well and just want to soak up life together. These boys are both so fun!

I hope your April was good to you! As I write this in May, we have 9 days of school left until summer break and our house is so, so ready! I'm working on my summer bucket list now!