the Paladinos

Last Friday Gabby’s school had their annual Art Auction.  Each class had to participate in an art project that was later auctioned off to support the school.  I coordinated the project for Gabby’s class and after a little research came up with the below project.  The kids drew pictures on plastic plates with sharpie’s then I baked the plates in the oven for a few minutes which melted them into interesting shapes.  Then I hung them from a wire wreath form to create…well, I don’t know what it is exactly but it’s some sort of art form.  I have to confess though that I was so disappointed that the piece only went for $50 which was the lowest item of the few that we stayed to see.    Oh well!  I thought it turned out pretty cool for some plastic plates hanging from a wreath form.   Gabby’s class also did a cute little performance at the art auction.  They did such a good job!

On Monday their class was also in charge of the morning assembly.  Gabby was so nervous because she had to memorize a line and read it with her friend Kole.  But she did such a good job and was so darn cute up there.  I love her little personality!  She also received a t-shirt for completing all of her AR testing (reading tests). 

Art Auction Performance

Gabby’s interpretation of the Mona Lisa.  So proud of my little artist! 



The finished art piece

I’m finally getting around to posting pictures from Easter weekend. 

Over the last couple of months I’ve been in a Bible study at church on the Gospels.  Really digging in and studying Jesus life and death has been so good and really made this Easter special.  I simply can’t comprehend the love that He has for us and the sacrifice that He made for us.  But I’m so thankful that I don’t have to comprehend it to receive it.  He loves crazy, neurotic, sin filled me even though I could never come close to deserving it. 

John 15:9 says “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” and John17:23 says “I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity.  Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  That’s how much we are loved!  With the same love that God and Jesus have for each other.  Wow!

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  ²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.  ²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you^[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” -- John 17:20-26

Gabby had an Easter egg hunt at school.

Loved seeing these two play together.  A rare sweet moment between siblings. 


Miss Sassy pants just had to strike a pose with our dyed eggs (and yes of course that’s a swimsuit and ballet skirt she’s wearing).

Easter baskets.  Can you tell which one of the kids doesn’t like to have their picture taken right now?

Last week was Spring Break for the kids.  The weather outside didn’t feel much like Spring but we were definitely glad for the break.  Now that Gabby is in full time school it was so nice to have her home and just get to enjoy being with the kids without having a schedule to keep. 

For the most part we took it easy but on Friday we drove to Tulsa and stayed overnight at a hotel with an indoor pool then went to the Oklahoma Aquarium the next day.  The kids loved staying in a hotel and Gabby was so glad to get back in the water and swim.  I have a feeling we’re going to be spending a lot of time at the pool this Summer.  Peter stuck his toes in but decided it wasn’t for him.  The aquarium was pretty crowded with the cold/wet weather outside and Spring Break combo but we had a great time and the kids got to see a lot of new things.  Seeing some of those fish made me realize how creative God was when He made ocean creatures.  There are some truly amazing things swimming around out there. 

Swinging at the park.  Even mommy got into it.  I forgot how much fun it is. 


They even got to see cousin Arleigh and Drew. 


Mommy and Gabby fixed each other's hair.



Showing off their candy from the candy store.  An impressive gummy snake and a watermelon slice.


A monster tent/tunnel. 


Kids enjoying the hotel room. 


Gabby inside the fish tank.


This is right before they fed the sting rays which was Gabby’s favorite part because Daddy accidentally stuck the food in the sting rays gill or eye or some unknown orifice (but in his defense the sting ray really did swim right into it).