Last Monday, Clark took his first step. There's a part of me that wants to push him back down (he is my baby, after all), but there's another part that just can't help but encourage it. There is something so thrilling about those first toddling steps. I just want to see them again and again.
If you had asked me three months ago if I thought he would be my earliest walker, I would have adamantly told you no. But turns out . . . he's the earliest. (I checked my kids' baby calendars, and they do not lie.)
That baby is full of surprises. And he does things on his own terms. For weeks, I was trying to teach him how to clap, and he just acted bored. Then early one morning, I woke up and who was lying in the middle of the bed clapping over and over again like it was no big deal? Clark. What a stinker.
In other news, we spent Friday and Saturday at Mike's family's cabin with some of our dearest friends. Mike sent the kids across the stream on a zip line, we squished roasted marshmallows between soft gingersnaps (a definite upgrade from graham crackers), and we basked in the warm spring sunshine.
Then on Saturday evening, I attended the women's session of General Conference with my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and niece. It was so fantastic to be surrounded by other girls and women who are trying to pattern their lives after the Savior's--just like I am. I am looking forward to the rest of the sessions this coming Saturday and Sunday.
Spring break begins this week, and I'd like to think of something fun to do, but I'm also just so excited to have Aaron home with us during the day that I think we'll just do a lot of playing and relaxing and reading (we're almost done with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz--it's been a big hit).
Speaking of books, I'm still slogging my way through Middlemarch (unfortunately, it does feel like a slog about half the time, and so I seem to listen to it in spurts). I just started The Penderwicks in Spring, and as soon as I read the names of those four sisters (Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty) I had this comforting feeling of coming home. The other book I'm excited about is Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin. The Happiness Project and Happier at Home are two of my favorite books, and so when her latest book was released, I did something I rarely do: I bought it. I'm kind of a stickler for only purchasing books I've already read because I only want to fill our home with books we love. But I made an exception this time because I don't have to read it to know I will love it. (Also, my friend just alerted me to the brand-new Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast--just what I needed, another podcast to listen to (is it any wonder I can't get through Middlemarch?!))
I'm also looking for ways to make this Easter season more meaningful for my kids. We do so much to lead up to Christmas, and I would love it if Easter had a similar feeling of anticipation attached to it. Of course we dye Easter eggs and do Easter baskets (and they're from us, not the Easter bunny), but I want to do daily things that will help them feel the wonder and magnificence of the Resurrection. If you have any great ideas, I'd love to hear them!
And finally, today's your lucky day: hot off the presses is Sunlit Pages' companion instagram account. Here I'll be sharing our favorite picture books, library finds, and what I'm currently reading (or finishing--stay tuned for the momentous completion of Middlemarch). Plus, whatever else I feel like sharing. I hope you'll follow along.
Little Clark is so cute! Man those eyes would be hard to say no too! :)
ReplyDeleteFor Easter--have you heard of Resurrection eggs? We do it as an FHE lesson, but you could do it a few at a time leading up to Easter, too. Basically, you have a dozen plastic Easter eggs, each with something inside representing a moment of Jesus' last days on earth. The last one is empty, to represent the empty tomb.
Anyway, I would be happy to email you the one I use (with scriptures too), if you're interested.
I remember someone did Resurrection eggs for sharing time a couple of years ago, but I've never done it with just my kids. I'd love to, so if you don't mind emailing me the one you use, I'd appreciate it! sunlitpages {at} gmail {dot} com
DeleteI just read a blog about how one family celebrates Easter Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter. She has some really great ideas. Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mercyrivermusic.com/2015/03/how-to-celebrate-easter-holy-week/
Thanks so much, Stephanie! That looks like exactly the kind of thing I was looking for!
DeleteFor Easter: I just listened to a Podcast last night and this was the topic. I also want to celebrate Easter and Holy Week with my kids in a more meaningful way. I think my kids are still a bit too young, but next year I'll be purchasing the e-book A Sense of the Resurrection from the Oh Amanda website. You can find it here: http://ohamanda.com/a-sense-of-the-resurrection-an-easter-experience-for-families/
ReplyDeleteI've heard it's fantastic!
This year I opted for the Holy Week in Handprints by Catholic Icing which is also an e-book ($4.00 to download) and has a craft to do each day for Holy Week leading up to Easter. I'm not sure how old your kids are, but this set of activities are more age appropriate for my little ones. Happy Easter!