A Touch of Easter

Music

Easter is quickly approaching.  It's approaching just a bit too quickly.  It seems with every holiday... every single holiday... I feel the same way.  I'm prepared, I'm organized, dresses are ironed and hanging, shoes are lined up, house is decorated, I always, always, always wish I had 'just one more week' now that the 'work' is done to just enjoy the holiday.  I always feel that way.  But I suppose that's the way that it is... rush to get ready should be the enjoyment... so I will. 

Abigail made herself a little Easter Bunny countdown all by herself.  She's super excited. 

Just a few pictures from around our home this Easter.  Actually there are a lot of pictures but I really didn't even take pictures of everything.  I love to decorate for spring and Easter.  All of those light colors.  I adore pastels. 

Bronze ducks from China in the girls bathroom.



Anna's reading chair



As soon as I heard, "it's a girl" I knew that baby Abigail would have a bunny theme for her bedroom. So her bedroom is always ready for Easter. All year round!



Made by my grandma... it's the sentimental decorations that we love the best, right?



From my Mom years ago...



Reading bunny given by a mom when Abigail was born. (I had her now grown up and teacher himself son when he was in third grade... he was in my very first every class)



I started a golden book collection when Abigail was born. Oh how I love those old fashioned books. And we have a few bunny ones.











In my entry way I have a little hutch. This teacup belonged to my grandma. Love the sweet smelling sachet inside.









Dated "1974" from my other grandma to my brother. I was one in 1974.. a treasure for sure!



Yes, another grandma teacup



A watering can painted by my dad



Family room











Little tea table... and yes there's a pile of homemade chocolate chip cookies in there now. I hate it empty!



I finally changed my winter pictures out for spring ones.



From when I was a little girl



And a little bathroom shelf.



Phew! That was a lot of pictures. I feel like I ran out of time this year. I'd browse some stores for a few new treasures if there was just one more week... oh there I go again!

One more day of school. We have Friday off of course. Looking forward to a special weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Sidewalk Chalk and Snow

First, of course, a little music for you...



All across the country (well at least here in New England) we are waiting for Spring. I'm sure she'll make a grand entrance after this long winter.



Abigail has been asking to play outside every day. So I bundle her up (me too) and we've started to bring a few outside toys into our mudroom. So far just a basket of sidewalk chalk. But yes, there's snow on the ground so we didn't last too long. Just a bit of fresh air feels good.



It's Holy Week and were are loving it. A bit a quiet week around here. I'm going to go to a few of the Holy Week services that our church has instead of going crazy doing a bunch of Easter crafts with my girls. I'm feeling a call to reflection and peace this week.

The girls are feeling a bit of spring fever despite the weather. Cold and flurries today and yesterday. Abigail is very concerned about the Easter Bunny getting confused on Easter morning. Excuse the bed head, the daddy in the background with loud pots and pans as he flips pancakes in their favorite shapes. I love that she's this little.

Here it is... a goofy video! 

And in my fourth grade Religious Education class we made Paschal candles. They did and amazing job. (I only had my cell phone) They carved the design in the wax with a dull pencil and then painted it red. I love how it soaked into their etchings.


(please excuse the cell phone pictures)

Just Another Day Managing a Cronic Disease

We were HERE again today.  I wrote about it back here.  Today... I'm not up for a new rewrite.  I've lost count on how many times I watched her get an IV, been put to sleep, wake up from an endoscopy, and take her home with a bad report.  I'm down and it just stinks I tell you. 

But there were a few good things from today. 

We got the BEST nurses today.  Her IV nurse was the one I pray for on my drive in.  She's quick with that needle and gets it in on the first try.  And oh that recovery nurse... new to us although usually I know everyone by now. She was so sweet.  She let us take our time waking up Abigail.  And she was slow and sympathetic to Abigail when she had to pull of those too sticky heart monitor stickers.  But that anesthesiologist... she was too young, no kids yet for sure, too quick, no warmth and that diamond on her hand... I'm surprised she could hold up her hand. 



And my BRAVE girl.  So brave she barely cries.  Just some silent tears down her face when her IV goes in even though kids all around her scream when it's their turn. 



But of course we want a good report; want this to end.  But we smile and take one day in day surgery at a time.  That's all we know to do.  Because she teaches us to be brave, to be strong, to know that "it's no big deal."  Oh how we love our little girl. 

More about Eosinophilic Esophogitis

back here

and here

and here...

and here

Sisters Who Play Together Stay Together

Their theme sister song



My girls are inseparable.  There is no need for play dates around here.  They have each other and they are best friends.  Yes, and like best friends they have their moments... but usually Abigail wines, Anna gives in and happily they go on. 

Anna has had a lot of extra work around here lately.  Like her "Plan a Day Trip to NYC" research project along with extra math we make her do, practice viola, and the fact that we can not get her nose out of Harry Potter has given Abigail a bit of extra time on her hands.







At first she didn't know what to do.  She wandered, she followed, she waited.  And then she found out that writing letters to me, her teacher, her sister, her best friend from church was where it's at. 



Kindergarten surely has changed this girl.  She is a confident writer; listening to all of the sounds in her words and writing them down.  She now has spaces (mostly) between her words, and I can read it without a problem (most times)  Don't ya just love the millions of hearts? 



But at the end of the day when she just doesn't get enough Anna time she falls apart.  Like tonight after Anna was finally all done with her work and I told Anna to close Harry Potter for the seventh time she asked her sister to snuggle in her bed with her under the covers. 



They need each other and I'm grateful, so very grateful that they have each other.  Best friends to the end. 

Creamy Raspberry Smoothie

This is not one of those protein powder healthy smoothies.  This is dessert.  And oh so good.  From one of my Spring cookbooks that I'm lovin right now with all of the snow all over the ground. 



1 pt fresh raspberries
1 1/4 c unsweetened white grape juice
1 1/2 c raspberry sherbet
1/4 c water
1 T lemon juice
10 ice cubes
fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Place raspberries and grape juice in blender and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture. Add sherbet, water, and lemon juice in blender; cover and process until smooth. Add ice cubes; process until frothy. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and serve immediately. Makes 3 cups.

No Signs of Spring

Spring music for ya...



Well spring is tomorrow and we woke up to a storm. Snow and a two hour school delay. Followed by freezing rain and more snow.




(look like he wants to come in)

But the perfect opportunity to cozy up with another cup of tea in front of the fireplace tonight with Scott. So I don't mind really.


And this snow will not keep me from having a little spring in my kitchen. And all around my house.


(cooking from this cookbook starting today... snow and all!)



The birds sure are happy from my view out of the family room.






There is no group viola class this afternoon so we'll have a much needed school night with no extra activities. Italian soup from my spring cookbook and a nice loaf of bread is just what the weatherman ordered.


(do you love my new little egg cups for Anna's soft boiled eggs?  Only .50 each)



One of the best parts of living in New England is looking forward to spring.  We sure are around here!