Band Concert,Fine Arts Night, Moms and Muffins

Band Concert

Maddy had her very first on stage performance playing her instrument. It was very nice to see her put together all that she has learned this year in band.

Maddy played the clarinet this year. She has enjoyed band and we have not threaten to purchase ear plugs for a while now at home when she practices. he he

She just loves performing in front of people.

"We will Rock you"

Fine Arts Night

We had a few minutes to stop by the book fair. Mr.Selvenis was talking to the kids while picking out books. We have certainly enjoyed having him as Maddy's principal this year. He is very personable and is great with the kids.

Moms and Muffins

Moms and Muffins!  It was a full gym of moms and kids

 my sweet Maddy

We were so busy at the fine arts night that we didn't have time to find Maddy's art work. So we took a few minutes after moms and muffins.

Can you tell she really enjoys her new school???  So hard to believe that the kids will finish a full school year in PA in 21 short days.

Olivia's 5 year old Super Mario Birthday

We had a special celebration for Olivia's 5th Birthday. Just like any parent, I can't believe how time has flown by and my "sweet pea" is 5 years old. It seems like yesterday I was a bit surprised to find out I was pregnant with my 4th child. She brings so much to our family. Her animated faces, inquisitive nature, silly dancing, competitiveness, creativity, endless pretend play, flexible, love for her siblings, her continuous words of affirmation "Mom your the best cake maker in the world" "Dad your the best worker in the world", Maddy, your the best book reader in the world", "Logan your the best sports player in the world", "Breanna your the best art person in the world"

Blowing out her candles

 We had a few friends join us for cake and ice cream.

 Even though we said it was totally not necessary to bring gifts she somehow ended up with a few to open.

 We spent some time hanging out playing. I met this sweet family at Logan's bus stop and I am so thankful for our walks in the neighborhood, chats at the bus stop and quick childcare exchanges with the kids when we are in a pinch.

 Here are a few pictures I put up for Olivia's Birthday. Olivia and I spent some time looking at her baby book during the day.

I surprised Olivia with a trip to Chucke Cheese (yes I took Tylenol after our outing!)  and she had a blast picking out a few toys with her money from grandma and grandpa.

Papa and Nana have a very special way of singing Happy Birthday. The kids look forward to their phone call and now thanks to technology skype! Also, a bonus she was able to open her gift while the grandparents watched.

Olivia went to bed and said "this was the best birthday ever"

Cakes are a BIG deal at our house. Our kids start planning for their birthday cake months in advance. While working on Olivia's cake she started planing for her cake next year! The kids anticipate the cake "coming together" while they come in and out of the kitchen however Olivia tends to be in the kitchen most of the time helping.

Olivia's favorite thing to do is sifting. Can you tell?  Well....I did tell her she could lick the bowl. She cracks me up!

Olivia asked for a Super Mario birthday cake with a princes peach castle (All Chocolate!) .  A pretty big request but she is turning 5years old right?  This is a picture after many, many hours in the kitchen making cakes, icing, making fondant and more fondant. This is the fun part for sure! It was like I was really playing the game while decorating. 

Olivia is holding the super Mario book, giving gentle suggestions on what I should make to put on the cake.  ohh and yes, the castle is cake as well. lots and lots of cake!!

 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalms 139:13-16

Happy Birthday, "Sweet Pea"

Opening Baseball Day- Let's play ball!

Opening Day for baseball in Susquehanna Township is no joke! It was great to see all the teams that are involved in the league out on the field together. It was also neat to look around and have crossed paths with many families in other sports and activities in the community.

Here is coach Bucky, He is throwing the opening pitch for the season. Can you believe he lives right next to the park and has lived in the same house for 80 years? He has been coaching baseball for 56 years. That's impressive!

 STBA organizes team photos on opening day (great idea!) Here are a few I took....

 We couldn't have picked a better team to play our opening game day! We played against the red team...we are not talking about who won..right? The boys all played well & we are looking forward to a great season. 18 games on the schedule! Lots of baseball over the next couple months!

For the first game we had a nice little cheering section, I got caught up cheering and missed our full crowd that came! Fun times for sure.

Olivia enjoyed her time playing in the dirt, totally missed the game but she did have fun.

 The boys just cracked themselves up as they bumped into one another on the bases. It was cute, until I heard one of the coaches yell, "focus boyz!!" hehe

So Much More Than Eggs

Lot's of creativity going on here, it's not just dipping and moving to the next egg. Much thought and planning went into creating each Easter Egg, the kids used crayons to write on them and experimented with different colors.

 Dyeing Easter Eggs......

Easter Morning Buckets

 We had a good game of wiffle ball going before church (notice Nana in the cast....a bit competitive I must say) . It was a beautiful Sunday morning and we enjoyed having Nana and Papa here to celebrate Easter. 

We caught up with Billy's brother and family for lunch. It's nice that they live in York, only a quick 30 minute drive to see them.

 Much of the Easter Sunday afternoon was spent outside talking with neighbors and playing in the yard with the kids.  We spent time with our neighbor Yehoshua. He read in Hebrew a variety of Psalms and we discussed the translation from Hebrew to English.  Questions were asked about the meaning of Easter and why we celebrate. With that conversation entrenched in my heart,  I want to share a few verses in scripture.

Matthew 28:1-10

Jesus Has Risen 

¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

additional verses: Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 27:50-53, 1Peter 1:3, Philippians 3:10-12, Romans6:8-11, Romans 1:4-5,  John 11:25-26

Visit from NC

 Our family had been counting down the days until the Saleeby's came to visit us in H'burg. I only wish we didn't sit around so much being bored.....NOT! It turned out to be a very busy weekend. Busy. Did I mention it was a very busy weekend?  The Saleeby's were so gracious in being flexible with their 3 small children. They jumped right into the mix of our lives and poured into us and our neighbors.

 We loved sharing meals, late night talks, tears, spontaneous prayer times, laughter..etc

 Here is "princes Layla" I don't think she wanted for anything all weekend. The kids loved "taking care" of her and I don't think she minded at all. (I took several pictures with my phone so the quality of the photo is poor)

 Lala had all of us wrapped around her little finger.

 

We had a sweet time in the word as we gathered together for brunch with the Shays. Joseph challenged and encouraged us with the Word.

Thankful for this sweet family. So difficult to see them pull out our driveway, I must admit that is the hardest part of visits.