Little Miss Know-it-alls

Lord love it!

I seriously can’t believe that my Jaybird will be six on Sunday! We had a great Kindergarten year and are headed to first grade! This was the first day of Kindergarten…

And this was the last….

This whole thing goes way too fast!

Why can’t I become addicted to exercise like this?

I know that I’m like 4 years late growing fond of the Sudoku puzzle, but I am pretty excited to have something new to exercise my mind – Solitaire just wasn’t cutting it anymore 🙂

Les and I are the two Know-it-alls that watch American Idol. We are complete nerds about the whole thing. I was laughing so hard about how passionate people were about the results last night. Adam and Kris will be in the finals, and Danny was voted off. People were cracking me up on Facebook last night declaring , “they will never watch Idol again!’ Come on people!! One name…Daughtry! I think it is safe to say that Danny will get a record deal.I liked him too, but Adam’s talent is freaky. I like him the best when he sings slow songs. He is clearly the best….He won the first time he put on that suit and sang a ballad.

Kris has also come a long way. I was taken by him when he sang “She Works Hard for the Money”-it was great! 

 It was just an amazing season all around, and I really do not care who wins. The top 5 were all amazing and very deserving. And B, PLEASE do not watch it and spoil the results before I get to see it…..

Well, it is that time of year, and we are knee deep in baseball! Jay is playing his first year of coach pitch, and it is quite intense. We are blessed to have the same coach as we did last year.  He drafted Jay this year, and we were thrilled. Jay is on the pitcher’s mound and loving every minute of it! He even hit his first homerun on Monday night! We are having a winning season with a 4 and 1 record. It is so much fun watching our little man getting to do something that he loves so much! Go Rangers!

Couldn’t help but post these hilarious pics of our little ones dressing up!!! Ivy always finds a way to dress herself, her brother, or her friends!!! I never know what Ivy will come down the stairs wearing!!  She has my permission to wear what she wants as long as we aren’t going anywhere!!! Enjoy!

Meet  Arkim, James, Markavious and Casey! Every Friday and Tuesday I tutor at the middle school where I used to teach.  I have nearly 25 kids each day, but these guys have stolen my heart over the past few years. I have had Markavious(purple shirt) for three years and have basically taught him how to read. He is an absolute joy and has overcome so much in his life.  He always has a smile on his face and works very hard even though nothing comes easily for him. Love him!! I have been studying for the driving test with him, and we are just crossing our fingers that the third time is a charm! Arkim (far left) has been with me for two years and has really made a turnaround this year. He is one of the funniest kids I have ever met. He really could be famous one day. I told him that I expect a big fat check in the mail when that day arrives. I also told him that in the event that he might win an Oscar one day,  I expect a shout out in his acceptance speech.  I am serious about this. There is never a dull moment when Arkim is in the room…Then we have our resident redneck, Casey. He bears this title proudly. I am pretty sure I do not have to point him out.  He has convinced himself that he is a ladies man, and he loves his belt buckle….Then we have Sweet baby James in the back, I call him sweet baby James or Tiny….He has a 10th grade Reading level, but Math is not his friend. He is very kind and is the tallest 13 year old I have ever taught besides Cornelius Carter…I am not sure why he looks the same height as the others in this picture, but Markavious and Arkim are 16 so maybe that is why…Anyway, these guys make me want to go to work each week, and I will truly miss them next year. Wish them luck next year in “the big school”!!

We had an insanely busy Easter weekend! I am pretty sure we could not have fit one more thing into our schedule. My friend Lauren was also in town until Saturday morning! She was so sick so there are no pictures to show… Next year we will try and tone it down. I was not feeling well after church on Sunday and did not get any family pictures…Oh well… Here are some pictures of the craziness.

Dying Eggs on Friday with cousins

Dying Eggs again on Saturday night with family

More eggs Daddy!!

Baskets!

Church Celebration

Pictures with cousins

Oh and somewhere in between all of that, we fit in a soccer game, an egg hunt, and baseball practice…Madness!!

Dying Easter Eggs (B), originally uploaded by betsyvincent.

Headed out to mawmaw and pawpaw’s to dye some Easter Eggs

Well, Easter is quickly approaching and I cannot wait. There is always something refreshing about Resurrection Sunday and spending time reflecting on the sacrifice made for us. If you have not seen the Passion of Christ, now is a good time to rent it. I can not imagine the amount of suffering Christ endured on our behalf. It grieves me to know that He did that for me and I still continue to sin and not give glory to Him on a daily basis. I’m not one to ponder many “spiritual” things “out loud” but I have felt the need to put it into perspective this year as my dearest Ivy has been asking a lot of questions about Jesus.
Several weeks ago I found a drawing in her take home folder with a picture of a cross and Jesus on it.

I asked her what it was and she simply answered “It’s Jesus on the Cross, Mom!” We went into a discussion on why Jesus died on the cross and she has asked many questions since then. I am thrilled about her curiosity and overjoyed when she asks questions and answers the ones I have for her. Such innocence and trust she has in our discussions!

We had the opportunity to see a mini “Passion Play” at out church this past weekend and I was glad that Ivy was able to sit and watch with us. She asked more questions during the performance, especially when they arrested, beat, and hung Jesus on the cross. She had covered her eyes through alot of it but was brave enough to look at him hanging on the cross. At times I felt I needed to get up and take her outside but I felt a peace in my heart when she held my hand and asked to stay.
Although she didn’t ask any more questions since the performance I am going to share the Easter Story again on “Easter Eve” with a cookie recipe that my Mother-in-Law had given me. It’s a little lengthy but it has a great message and since Ivy loves to cook I thought what a better way to teach her than with something she enjoys!!   So here’s the recipe and story if you  want to share it with your little ones!!
EASTER STORY COOKIES:

1 c whole pecans

1 tsp vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

Ziploc bag

Wooden Spoon

Tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees first.  Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat them with wooden spoons to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, they gave him vinegar to drink.  Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.  Read John 10: 10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin.  Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add 1 cup sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.  Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn the oven off.  Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.  Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go to bed!  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus’ foolowers were sad when the tomb was sealed.  Read John 26:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matthew 28:1-9.  Jesus is Alive!!!

I hope this lenghty recipe doesn’t scare you away!  I can’t wait to share it with my little ones!!!  Have a Blesses Easter!