Happy Easter

Happy Easter!  We've had a very busy week and loved every single minute of it.  Mostly, it's just great because we're finally in spring and the weather has been beautiful.  We love that the weather is good and we can spend all our time outside now instead of cooped up inside.  We've been spending a lot of time doing projects outside that Jon's not thrilled about. . . cleaning up the yard, cleaning out window wells, working with landscapers to clean up the backyard, etc., with many more projects to follow in the coming weeks.  Spring Cleaning.  If you have any ideas for landscape ideas or good landscapers that want to work for a reasonable price, let us know.

The kids had a dentist appointment this week.  We love our pediatric dentist.  He does such a good job with the kids. . . they even actually enjoy going. Tayton sat still for x-rays and let them examine her, but she wouldn't tolerate any cleaning at this point.  Maybe next time.  But the good news is, that both Noah and Tayton have great teeth.

 We enjoyed lots of Easter festivities this year.  On Thursday, we dyed eggs as a family.  Tayton couldn't figure out how to get the egg dipper underneath the egg to pull it out, so she tossed that aside and started using her hands to move the eggs in and out of the pots.  Noah watched how easy that was working, so he resorted to the same method.  Works great, but everyone comes out a mighty bright shade of some color.  When we were done, we immediately ran a bath and threw Tayton in and asked Noah to get in too.  He came running down the hall saying, "Wait!!!  I want to watch Tayton turn colors."  Evidently she had enough egg dye on her hands that he thought the color would bleed over to other parts as well.  Pretty funny little kids!!

On Friday after I got off work, our neighbor invited us over for a little egg hunt.  The kids really loved it!  Tayton didn't know what to do at first, she just wanted to open every egg and look inside.  The neighbor walked around with her showing her where some eggs were and what to do with them until she finally figured out that the concept was to gather as many eggs as possible.  Noah on the other hand, got a little shy around the kids he didn't want to venture far from me, so I helped out as much as I could.  It's nice to have such great neighbors and be a part of such a great neighborhood.

Grandma was here this weekend, so on Saturday, we got together with everyone and dyed eggs and enjoyed each other's company.  Gina is always so kind to step in and help out the little people that are making messes and throwing temper tantrums.  My favorite quote of the week comes from Gina as Tayton is glaring at her for not letting her have any more candy, "Oh don't you dare, I'll show you what being the princess means."  Now that I'm sitting here, I don't think I got it right, but that was the gist.  We have a running joke in the family that we all have our moments of being the "Princess" and we get our crown on while we throw our fits, children and adults alike.  Tayton did eventually warm up to her again later in the day.  Easter Festivities with 6 kids and family is so much fun!!  Definitely one of my favorite holidays!

On Sunday, we woke up to a house filled with hidden eggs that the kids were so excited about.  Tayton had figured out the concept from the egg hunt on Friday, so she was immediately off, gathering as many eggs as possible.  Noah found his Easter basket after gathering about 3 eggs and dropped everything to sit on the floor and go through the goodies in his bag.  Tayton, on the other hand, found her basket but didn't care.  She just left it there and kept on gathering eggs.  Her basket was overflowing while Noah only ended up finding about 8-10 total.

Then off to church we went.  Noah didn't want his picture taken, so we didn't get very good pictures of their Easter outfits, but they looked very cute.  In primary, I was really nervous to teach the true meaning of Easter to 4 year olds.  How do you explain that Christ was nailed to a cross and died, was buried in a tomb, then resurrected 3 days later?  Surprisingly, the kids did great and seemed to understand it all.  I had a cute little cut out for each of the kids, attached with brads, so that the kids could act out the story by laying Jesus in the tomb, rolling the stone in front of the entrance, then counting to 3 and rolling the stone away from the cave and raising Jesus out of the tomb.  We also spent a lot of time learning to say the word resurrected.  See here if you'd like to use the "He Lives" craft for your family home evening.  http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4310&Itemid=429 
The 2 major things I've learned thus far from teaching primary are:  1) Four year olds comprehend much more than we give them credit for.  Smart little critters that absorb everything around them.  2) There are lots of crafty people out there that post their ideas on the web, which makes my teaching experience much more fun and enjoyable, because I definitely couldn't think of these things on my own.

After church, we went to the Webb's for another Easter celebration.  As you can see, our family takes the Easter Egg hunt very seriously. . . put on your run fast-jump high sneakers, possibly body armor and enjoy the fun!  This year, Jason wore a head camera to film the experience.  You can view it here:  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200387887174063

Can't imagine these holidays without my family.  I enjoy the quiet moments with Jon and the kids but nothing beats all the rowdy's getting together to laugh, cry, celebrate and just purely enjoy each other's company.  We love spending time together and do so at every opportunity!  It means so much more when you have family to support your every move and to celebrate the minute details in life as well as the momentous occasions.  I appreciate everyone of them and how they rally around my group whenever the call goes out!  You're the greatest!!! Thank you for selflessly loving us and for loving my kids as your own!

Bowling is harder then it looks

This week has been quite busy and fun for the kids. First we had Bowling Grandma come visit (that's how we tell the difference because this grandma likes to bowl on the xbox with us when she visits)

True to her name bowling grandma went bowling with us but this time it was for real which grandma found out is much harder then 

the Wii or xbox. Both Noah and Tayton would ask every day until the big event if bowling grandma was coming today. As the score shows I (Jon) took first of course while Tayton about doubled grandma's score. I asked Grandma if she wanted bumper lanes and to use the dinosaur to bowl with too and she declined.

    Thursday I took the kids and their friend Branson to the Tree house museum as part of a field trip for Noah's preschool class. everyone had a good time. I got a little too into it and dressed up like a king. What can I say ;) The kids ran from room to room and were sad when it was time to go.

     Friday I went to work and Tomi took the kids to visit with their cousins. I was not there but Tomi said every one had fun.

     Saturday Tomi watched the neighbors kids as part of a baby sitting trade and Noah and Tayton really enjoyed the company!

     Today (sun) I got to go to church with the family because I didn't have to make a 2nd trip on the railroad. The kids looked so cute in their little church outfits. SO did Tomi ;) I also helped Tomi with her lesson on baptism. I took each kid in her class and did an over simplified version of baptism. we also got to baptize action figures. I am not quite sure of this but I think Optimus prime the transformer is now Mormon.  

Tomi found Tayton hiding on the shelf under the fish tank! You can't take your eyes off these kids I tell you.

Well that is all for the wacky, zany adventures of the Crane house hold. Until next week America!

 

Kiddie Dates

We decided to start a new tradition in our family.   Kiddie Dates!!  Once a month, each of us will take one of the kids to do an activity for a little more one-on-one time with the kids.  This week was our first one.  We had a blast and are so excited to be able to do it again each month. . . maybe more if we can fit it in.  This month, Noah chose to take me to Nickle-Cade.  He loves that place and we had such a good time.  Tons of games to play, a few rides to ride on, lots of tickets and choosing prizes at the end of it all.  Tayton chose to take Dad to McDonald's for an ice cream and then to the dollar store for a few treats.  Jon knew that Noah would come home from Nickle-Cade with a few trinkets, so he wanted to make sure she didn't feel left out when we all got back home.  She chose a cute little stuffed Chihuahua dog with big eyes.  Fitting for her at this stage since her favorite movie to watch over and over is "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"  She always asks to watch "WaWas"  Dad helped her name the dog "Ramone"  You should hear her say it though, it's so funny because it's this low growling, almost creepy sound.  She also go to choose a balloon.  Dang, for $1, those things last FOREVER!!!  That thing is still flying high 5 days later!

We are SO happy that spring is here!  The kids spend every single day outside playing as much as they can!!  The neighbor kids are always knocking on our door to see if Noah and Tayton can play.  Sometimes I have to tell them no because it's nap time or we're just getting ready to leave and you should see those kids little faces.  They stand there looking at me with the saddest looks in their eyes. . . . and after just looking at me for a few seconds, they ask when will the kids be able to play.  I normally give in and say, fine, they can come play for 10 minutes before we have to leave.  That or when nap time is over, Noah and Tayton then get ready and go knock on their door.  We love living in this neighborhood where there are so many little kids to play with and they get along so well.  Jon had the opportunity to take the kids to the park too.  After a winter like this one, we're so glad to be out and about again!!  Doesn't get any better than these nice spring days where it's 60+ degrees outside. This is the perfect time of year, before the heat sets in and then I can't stand it!!  I've put away the winter coats and the boots!!!  YEAH!!

The kids like to help out so much, that we've even bought them little rakes and shovels so they can help me work out in the yard this year.  Lots of fun for everyone and hopefully teach them the value of work.  

Jon's still just working weekends, so today, he got home at about 9 a.m., just long enough to have breakfast with us, then off to bed he went.  When we woke up, I wanted to do a little something special because I knew he was going back to work really soon.  So we had a picnic dinner downstairs while we watched "Wreck-It Ralph"  Very cute show by the way!  It worked out great because we just had time to have dinner and finish the show before Jon had to leave again.  Not exactly special, but it was so fun for the kids and they ate ALL their dinner, for the first time EVER, without bribing, coaxing or fighting.  It was a great night.  

I currently teach the 4-5 year olds in Primary.  There are good days when the kids listen and get what I'm trying to teach them.  There are great days when  mom calls you up and tells you that you're doing a good job because her son came home and could tell them all about the story of Joseph Smith and the first vision.  Then there are those days that aren't so great where I have to move in opening exercising 3 times to keep one little boy from spitting on another and then again to keep the little girl from sitting on and constantly hugging the girl next to her.  There are even days when the little buggers are fond of licking each other.  Those are the days when I'm so grateful for the Noah and his quiet little personality.  He's content to sit and listen and keep to himself.   He doesn't participate much, but I hope and pray that while he's sitting quietly, observing, that he's soaking up the spirit around him and the things his teachers, including me, have to say.  For the past few months, I've spent some of my day every Saturday preparing a lesson for these little people.  It's fun for me because I'm always looking for ways to involve the kids and keep them interested because those little lessons they give me are really meant for 7-8 year olds who can read and have longer attention spans.  Wish me luck.  I pray that Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he called me to that position because I really want to make a difference to these little ones!