Butterflies, Waterfalls and Fish- oh my!

There's a cool place near us... eco-friendly... cafe and a butterfly house!

Our church "family-with-young-uns" group went together yesterday morning.

Imagine a huge greenhouse, filled with lush tropical plants, benches, beautiful orchids and small but melodic waterfalls...

oh, and about 8 toddlers and preschoolers running down paths, climbing into gardens, and shrieking with joy when they see anything (but missing most of the actual butterflies that flutter above their heads). Relaxing, eh?

Actually, it was a LOT of fun (hee hee). And there were moments without the yelling or throwing rocks or chasing kids... and 2 other parents remarked how this would be the perfect place to escape with a book or for a nap! Hmmm... add a butterfly greenhouse to my dream home plans!

New neighbor?

Hmm... guess we know what Kaden will be doing ALL DAY LONG!

The cat just stares at him. Like cats do.

Before you think about it, you should know that our condo doesn't allow pets.

AND I'm allergic. So is Nana. Kaden might be. I'm just saying.

But, on the off hand chance my husband doesn't read this...

what do you feed outside-might-be-stray-cats?

And if my husband does read this, he'd like to know how you tell it's a stray,

and how you get it to go back home?

Soccer Shirt, part 2

We do have a video of Kaden opening his mailed giftie. But I took it down once I realized it had our address pretty visible (whoops)! Send me an email if you want to get the direct link :)

In the meantime, keep these photos in mind, since the ending of the video wasn't encouraging. He actually didn't want to wear *any* shirt that day. But today was a different story....

Kade proudly refers to his "soccer shirt" and points at it.

Never on video, though.

Thanks, Uncle Steve!

Happy Earth Day!

from the lil' treehugger friends!

Our Garden

what a great day!

inspecting eggplant flowers

but Nana, I want to eat blueberries NOW...

our little garden

and 'cado tree!

Photos per Uncle Steve's request...

A chap and his cap

April! Opening day! Baseball season!

Break out the toddler baseball set...

Don't forget the old-style baseball cap!

Classic, eh?

Hmm, this is how they do it...

Ma, my ball isn't moving?!


After practice, we headed to the church field for some more playing
and a bit of a picnic too.

He didn't want to wear his hat,
until after we got home and he had a shower.
Then: Hat, Mama? Hat?


Yes, some days are easier with a cap!

Loo-ya!

HappEEEEE'ster!

Kaden had his first "egg scramble" at a local church.

The eggs were spread out all over the ground, the bell rang and

all the other kids took off running.

Kaden and his friend looked at each other.

Then he looked at us.

Then at the other kids now-filled-baskets.

Then in his own-empty-basket.

Then back at us.

Fun times.

At our house, he got the concept a little quicker,

and enjoyed finding eggs and candy and small gifts:

LOOK!

Oooh!



Wow!


And on the way to church, we practiced shouting "Alleluia".
Which came out at "loo-ya"
At the top of his lungs.
All day long.

!

Fun times, indeed.
!



Click here for a link to the egg hunt at Nana's house:

You'll see he picked up the idea quite nicely,
but is still easily distracted by his excited friend!

!!!!!!!


Happy Easter x7, my friends.

May your lives be filled with JOY and PEACE.

Goodnight

He's sleeping now. A few minutes ago, I tucked him in with our usual ritual: a kiss on the forehead, traced over by the sign of the cross. I'm hoping that God's perfection will cover my imperfections as a parent... and praying that he has a safe and healthy night.

...

It's ironic, that prayer on this night. This is the day most Christians remember the Son of God suffering, dying. I stare at Kaden's sleeping face, thinking about all the nights I've come to watch him breathe, to reassure myself that he's fine. I wonder how often Mary did the same.

...

Deep down, I know that our faith in God won't necessarily prevent any suffering or sickness or death. Today that reality is all around me, daring me to just look at his own Son, the one who "couldn't save himself" and whom God didn't save from this destruction. I know, in my head and my heart, that the cross is a symbol not of God's protection, but of God's *presence* with us. Whatever life brings, whatever sorrow comes unbidden and unwelcome, whatever awful things that I can't even bear to think about happening... we are not alone.

...

There are nights Kaden wakes crying, always desperately, always in what seems to be the darkest hour of the night. I am continually surprised that my simply holding him quiets the storm inside so completely that he is able to drop back into a deep sleep within minutes.

...

On those nights- on this night- having Someone around is enough.

...