Grace is 6!

Hard to believe another year has gone by...and now Grace is 6!

She has really blossomed into a sweet, goofy, kind-hearted, joyful girl this past year. She is always out to make others feel special and loved. Whether is by giving lots of hugs and kisses, putting toothpaste on someones toothbrush, or writing a letter of love, she is full of ways to show kindness.

Jason and I are so very thankful for God's gift of a girl to us. Having one of each has been a blessing and we are soaking up all these wonderful memories with them at this age.

Grace's birthday took a turn when we got a call early Wednesday morning stating that there was a small fire at the school and it was cancelled for the day for cleanup. At first I thought she would be disappointed by not being with her friends, then when I told her she would spend the day with me at work she was so excited! Jackson went with Jason and enjoyed a fun day of P.E. and playing outside with the big kids. It was an unexpected special day for the both of them.

After school we went to see Rio 2 and by Grace's choice, Chili's for dinner.

Present time!

A bag that my mom made for Grace

Grace loves water, just like Jason. So the perfect gift for her is a Camelbak for kids. She loves it!

Of course we had to decorate the downstairs and her room!

Eating off of the famous "I am special today" plate from my childhood.

I made Grace a cookie cake to take to her class. (Thankfully is was still good on Thursday.) She was so excited to share her special treat with her friends.

Grace decorated a crown and her friends helped her out to make it extra colorful.

Grace and her best friend, Jenna

The tradition in Mrs. Cortez's class is to take the first bite of your birthday cake without hands. She had a hard time, but with Jason's help she was able to get a good bite with frosting over her face. It was very funny!

We had a special day celebrating with her and will always remember these special times spend with our 6 year old. She is a beam of sunshine in our lives!

It Happened...

I knew our days were numbered, but that doesn't mean I was ready for it. We woke up Easter morning to Jackson telling us he found his Easter basket. He was so excited! Grace was still sleeping, but not for long. Jackson woke her up and she ran around the house to find where it was hidden. After it was found, she came into our room and asked, "Did you hide the Easter basket, Mommy and Daddy?" I was silent for a few seconds until these words came out of her mouth, "Be honest." I have always answered that question with what they believed and left it at that. Well when those words were said, it was time to confess. I told her yes we were and we love watching the joy you have when you see the gifts you have been given. It didn't seem to phase her very much. She just went on her way and proceeded to tell Jackson. Jackson's reaction was a little different. He looked at me with a dazed look and said, "Really, you are?" I knew his reaction was going to be very different. Jackson is a sensitive boy who has a huge imagination. I know there were times he thought about the Easter Bunny and pictured him hopping around our house leaving the gifts. The next question he asked was one that I knew would come shortly after (Grace was not in the room). He asked if Santa was real. Of course, I told him that we were and Santa is a part of the magic of Christmas. I found a letter a while back that I am going to print out and give to him. It goes like this:
You asked a really good question, "Are Mom and Dad really Santa?" We know that you want to know the answer, and we had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. We are not Santa. There is no one, single Santa.
We are the people that fill your stocking and choose and wrap the presents under the tree-just as our parents did for us. their parents did for them, and you will do for your kids someday.
This could never make any of us Santa, though. Santa is lots and lots of people who keep the spirit of Christmas alive. He lives in our heart-not at the North Pole. Santa is the magic and love and spirit of giving to others. What he does is teach children to believe in something they can't see or touch. Throughout your life you will need this capacity to believe; in yourself, in your family, in your friends, and in God.
I know this may make you sad to lose some of the magic you once believed now that you know the secret-but the truth is that you now just know a different kind of secret and I hope you never forget that Santa is love, magic and happiness.
I do ask of you to help me keep Santa alive for your little sister, cousins, and friends who still believe in him as a person. A child has to be ready to understand this kind of secret and magic and now that you know you can help me continue on this tradition for our family and other families. Just as you found joy in believing in Santa as a person I can assure you that you will have the same feeling in watching others believe in that magic.
I plan on sharing this letter with Jackson in hopes that he understands the new "secret" that he found out.
We have told him not to tell Grace or even give any hints. I know it is hard for him, but it is part of him growing up and maturing in this way. It is important that we keep the magic alive in her for the time being.
Every once in a while Jackson will look at me with that sweet little grin. I know exactly what he is thinking...and I wink at him and say, "Shhh."

Easter Day

The kids couldn't wait to get their Easter baskets this morning. It's fun to see the excitement they have when they are opening all the treats. This year they got a water bottle, bug box, goggles and gum. Other than a chocolate bunny I didn't put any candy in the eggs. This time around I put coupons good for things like: movie of their choice, 15 minutes of wrestle time with Daddy, dessert of their choice, stay up past bedtime, and you pick the restaurant for dinner. It was fun to give them something they can redeem instead of candy they don't need (they got plenty elsewhere!).

It is fun to have the baskets, but what we love it to talk about the real reason we have Easter. The kids love to sing the songs about His resurrection!

 Family photo op after the church service.

 Grace and her best friend Jenna.

 After church we had lunch with our friends the Sechrists'. We intended on going to the Officer's Club, but then decided on Macaroni Grill. Blake and Rebecca are good friends with the manager, so he treated us well with a yummy display of food.

 After lunch we took the kids to the park for an Easter Egg hunt. Yet again...more candy! 

They loved it!

 We are truly blessed with some amazing neighbors. When we got home from church the neighbors on the right put lilacs and candy on the porch for the kids.

 And then the neighbors on the left of us made us and Osterlamm (Easter cake in the shape of a lamb) with some chocolates. (Yet again...more candy.)

We had a wonderful day filled with lots of great memories that we made. He is risen!

Baseball Season is On!

Baseball season opened today with a parade and ceremony and then with both games a few hours after. We have been 3 other times with just AJ on a team, but this is the first time with both the kiddos playing. They were both so excited to wear their uniforms. AJ is on the River Cats and Grace is on The Storm.

Grace's first game went very well! She was nervous, as was expected, but far exceeded her expectations. She hit off the tee very well and even caught a throw to her while she was playing first base. The smile on her face was priceless.

AJ is just a little natural with baseball. I am sure it helps that he loves the game and cheers his teammates on throughout game time. He hits like a little slugger way into the out field.

He caught a fly ball from the batter...definitely the play of the game. Jason is coaching along with two others for AJ's team and he absolutely loves it. Seeing him out there with the kids it is evident he loves coaching them and cheering them on.

Everett and Jenna are good friends of AJ and Grace. 

Day one of baseball was so much fun! We look forward to the next 7 weeks of practices and games before summer vacation.

Grace's 6 Year (Pre) Birthday Celebrations

For Grace's birthday we kept it simple and she invited a few friends over to celebrate. Callia and Jenna are good friends of Grace from school. Trinity and Everett, Jenna's siblings and Jackson's friend, came over to join in the fun. They had fun dying Easter eggs and decorating cupcakes.

They all had a great time and loved being able to enjoy the beautiful spring weather we had that day!

Kinder Easter Celebrations

Grace's kindergarten class had an Easter Party/Hunt with at the park. We had a picnic, enjoyed some play time, an egg hunt and a sack race. All of the kids had so much fun!