Fancy and 4!

Friday's Breakfast in Bed

If only it really worked- oh well! a momma can dream- ha!

A new Earnest book

Posing before her posh party

She had big ideas about this cake

Lily Grace and good friend Claire, her first party guest to arrive

Too cute!

Getting crafty Fancy Nancy style

Making sure all 4 candles get lit

Fancy Nancy loves parfaits and so does Fancy Lily

Birthday Morning! She's 4!

A baby that coos and cries.

The shirt and smile say it all.

We are having quite the "Fancy" weekend around here. Lily Grace turns 4 today and we have spent the weekend celebrating, in true Fancy Nancy style. If you don't know Fancy Nancy, just ask Lily Grace and she can tell you all about her. Last year for her 3rd birthday, Lily Grace received her first Fancy Nancy book and has loved her stories ever since. This years birthday theme, you guessed it, none other than a Fancy Nancy Tea Soiree. (that's a fancy word for party darling. :-)

Before Saturday's party, Lily Grace first enjoyed her annual breakfast in bed. This year she had strawberries and flower shaped pancakes with sprinkles. She also got to open two of her gifts from Gran. She got her very own iron and ironing board, just like mommy. She has had the best time ironing everything from paper to doll clothes. Thanks Gran!!

Saturday morning brought with it another wake up gift and party preparations (ok and the biggest storm we have had this year along with a severe case of stress on my part- ha! but all turned out well, power stayed on and the sun did come out). This time, a book from her Great Grandmother, Honey. It's the last book in this series of Earnest books that Honey has been sending her. Thanks Honey!!

Her party was just precious. The kids looked so cute dressed in all of their fancy accessories. Lily Grace greeted each guest at the door with, "Welcome to my party darling." Fancy Nancy would have been so proud. Her guest also enjoyed a Fancy Nancy story, a fun craft and a game of pin the tail on Frenchey. (Fancy Nancy's posh puppy) They were all so cute sipping punch from their teacups. I must say, I found myself a bit emotional when she blew out the candles. It's hard not to be. Our baby is growing up and it's all happening so fast. We cherish each and every moment with her.

That brings me to today, the actual "big day." Lily Grace woke to gifts from mommy and daddy. Her big wish this year was for a baby doll that coos and cries along with some doll clothes. Her wish was filled and she has been busy playing with "Baby Lila" most of the day. She wore her 4 birthday shirt to church and got many well wishes. This afternoon we did our yearly birthday hand print. I love having her had molded in these little tins. I like going back to see the first one and how she is growing.

Lily Grace, you are and always will be our blessing from above. Mommy and Daddy love you so very much. Happy, Happy birthday "darling." :-)

Sleeping with the Crickets

She knew exactly what to do with these poles and got busy.

Roasting marshmallows

All Smiles

Tucked in their tent for the night

And here they are at 6:15 am Sunday morning

Matt is a wonderful dad. He's always embraced any activity to share special time with Lily Grace. He's never worried about how he looks, how tired he is or how involved the activity may be, he just knows it means special time and memories with his little girl. Dancing, dress up, playing Chutes and Ladders (until they both win), reading and of course date night are among some of the special activities they share. So, when Lily Grace recently took an interest in camping and asked daddy to take her, of course he was all in. Matt lucked up with this one. Camping is something he enjoys and grew up doing so he was all to eager to share it with Lily Grace.

Their first order of business was to gather supplies. They shopped and found the perfect tent (according to Matt) and all the necessary items like sleeping bags and a lantern. They started preparing for this several weeks ago and have been waiting on the weather to cooperate. They didn't have to waste time debating on where to camp, one nervous mommy provided the answer, our backyard.

Yesterday, the big day arrived. They set up camp and after having practiced setting up the tent in our living room (yes, you read that right) upon it's arrival, Lily Grace seemed pretty knowledgeable when it came to helping daddy out.

My contribution to their adventure was a "rugged" dinner, black bean soup and I did the dishes, no creek necessary.

After dinner, they built a campfire and roasted S'mores. She thought it was the greatest thing. I personally thought it was a waste of a good Hershey bar. HA!

After roasting marshmallows, it was inside for a quick bath. (There are limits on roughing it when you have church the next morning so...)

Matt and I wavered back and forth all week on whether or not she would sleep out there the entire night. And after her bath and returning to the tent, there was no doubt about it her making it. She was so excited and wore the biggest smile. They only popped in once to go potty and during that time, I got to hear all about sleeping outside and hearing the crickets and the lesson that daddy gave on how crickets go about making that sound. Around 9:00 pm I received a text from Matt and a picture of our little camper fast asleep.

This morning, she informed me that they didn't make it to playing cards, or reading all 20 books she had taken out there so they would do that tonight. Too funny! Matt immediately reminded her that tomorrow was a work day and they would be sleeping inside tonight. I think it's safe to say, that while camping with his little girl for the first times was the best time he's ever had camping, I don't think it was the most comfortable and not as much so as when he did it as a boy. HA! HA!

Happy Easter! He has Risen!

A few goodies from the Easter Bunny.

Very excited to remove the tape from the oven where we left our Resurrection Cookies.

A peek inside and of course...

the much awaited taste.

What a beautiful day! Jesus Christ has indeed risen! "But the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised as He said...." Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter and peace be yours, today and always.

Resurrection Cookies

On Saturday, Lily Grace and I made Resurection Cookies. I've had this recipe for years. It was given to me back when I was teaching school and it was pretty special to share it for the first time with my own little girl. It is a very simple but meaningful recipe and one that I can promise you will be a part of our Easter family tradition for years to come. This recipe does a great job of explaining the Easter story. Here is the one I used, but you can find several others on the internet as well. I've posted it below in case you would like to share this special activity with your little ones.

To Be Made the Evening Before Easter

1c. whole pecans, 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch of salt, 1 c. sugar, zipper baggie, wood spoon and Bible

Preheat your oven to 30o BEFORE BEGINNING

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon 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 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given 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.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Read Ps. 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 Matt. 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 Matt.27:65-66.

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 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 and Luke 23:27

(Teachers Network)

The Cross

I remember a couple of years ago, sitting in church and as the cross was being carried up to the alter, Lily Grace shouts, "Hey, the plus sign!" Today, is quite different. This Easter season, the cross has come to mean so much more to her. More than the Easter Bunny, or dying eggs, she is really interested in the cross and loves to discuss it's meaning and what it represents. This weekend we spent some special time making our own "stained glass" cross. We grated some crayons, laid the shavings between two pieces of wax paper and then added some heat. Lily Grace then cut out the cross and we hung it with ribbon by our kitchen table. It's quite cute and is a wonderful reminder of how our little girl's love for the Lord is growing.

I pray that she continue to grow in her love for Him. I pray to be a good example of living for Christ. It's hard sometimes. Do you remember when you were little and you didn't doubt or question, you just loved the Lord with all your heart? It's so easy to get wrapped up in day to day life that we sometimes seem to live more for the next task at hand, appointment or opinion of us, rather than just focusing on God's plan for us. He doesn't ask anything terribly hard of us if you think about it. He asks some of the same things that we ask of our own children, things like loving him, making good choices and to think of others. We forget God in the small moments, like in traffic or other trivial times that may tests our patience. I know that I do. I often times give much more attention to the external things of life rather than on prayer and yes, maybe even focusing on things like the cross and truly embracing and remembering how much God really does love me. And I know that in order to continue to foster that love that my daughter has for the Lord, I must be that example myself.

"Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15