Disco Party

We celebrated Trinity's birthday for the 5th time this past weekend with a few friends. Since she loves to dance and sing we thought she would love Baby Loves Disco. If you have never heard of this, you should. Basically, it is a mom&pop operation that rents venues across the nation and hires a dj who spins your fav 70's tunes, fires up the bubble machines, provides scarves, shakers, books, pillow, tents and anything else you need for your kid to have a rocking time.

I learned a lot about Trinity and her friends from this party. Let me start by explaining the hysterics Trinity was in by simply walking into the club. (I digress: It is very strange walking into a bar filled with kids. It was hosted by Club Metro which I have frequented many times for live shows. Very strange to disco dance with my toddler the same place I was smashed up against the stage years earlier at a Tripping Daisy's concert.) So, Trinity was so upset to be there. The loud music and an abundance of children must have freaked her out. A half hour later she was doing the jungle boogie. So, much like her mama, she needs to ease her way into a new situation. Once comfortable, the fun is unstoppable.

Caitlin is a clubber! She was running and skidding across the floor.

Emma and Jack go with the flow. Kudos to Emma (and mama Jill) for winning the dance contest. Jack has some very interesting moves. I think he was bringing back the robot.
Abby gets the award for cinematography. She had some slick moves as well.

1/2 Birthday

We celebrated Everett's 6th month birthday on March 26th. We had dinner with friends and I made him a little 1/2 cake for him. We had to hold him back from face-planting himself in it.



He went to the dr. today for his 6th month check-up. Our big boy is:

18lbs, 11 ounces: 80th percentile
28-1/2 inches: off the charts or 97th - 99th percentile

Trinity had her 3 year check-up as well:

34lbs: 80th percentile
38-1/2 inches: 75th percentile

Easter

The Occasion:
Jesus has Risen!
(Trinity's 3rd birthday...minor in comparison)

The Presentation:

The Menu:

appetizers: grilled artichoke bruscetta, asiago cheese and artichoke dip, veggies, meatballs & salmon
21# turkey, 8# Polish sausage, 6# ham
sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato salad
sweet potato casserole with candied pecans, green bean casserole
roasted carrots, butternut and yellow squash with olive oil and parsley
cranberry sauce with tangerines and serrano chiles
biscuits and rye bread
birthday cake

Our 30 guests:

The cake:
The cake being enjoyed:
The hunt:
The Happiness:

The Love:
The Cuddles:
The Family:

Coloring Eggs

This was our first year doing it as Trinity is finally old enough. She had fabulous technique. We have completing caved in regard to Disney princesses. Once I was adverse and now it has taken over the house. As you can see, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, etc. graced our eggs. Trinity thinks she really is a princess. Who can argue with her???? As my friend puts it, her Creator / Father is the King of Kings which technically makes her a princess.

Celebrating a Warm Day

On the 13th, the temperature was in the 50's. Nice! Since we knew it wouldn't last long, we spent 3 hours at the park. Trinity burned so much energy, it was beautiful.

She has grown so much since we last went to park which was probably early fall / late summer. She used to be pretty timid in trying new things. Now she zooms down the slide and in one motion flies off the end and runs back to the top.

She has also socially grown. She is now at an age where she is making friends on her own. She asks kids what their names are and if they want to play. It is so darling. Kids just gravitate to her sweet personality.

Everett too enjoyed his first trip to the park (in Chicago). He spent a lot of time on the swing. He would probably sleep there if I let him. His highlight was Trinity pushing him on the swing and eating lunch in the park.

On the way home we participated in our park tradition which involves stopping for a smoothie. Lucky for me, Trinity shares.

Hee Haw

Friends

I love snapping happy kids.

Mamahood

Being a mom, you do some crazy things. For example, several weeks ago I hung up the phone by putting it in the fridge. Last week, I gave Everett a bath without taking his socks off. Talking to myself is a minor change in my behavior. I am happy, and thankful, I haven't left the kid on the roof while driving.

Nature Museum

I guess with the cold weather in Chicago the smartest thing to do is hit the museum circuit. This time Beth and I took the 4 kids to the Nature Museum. Highlights were the butterfly haven and the "gated in so your kids can't get out" hands-on habitat.

Spencer contemplating...

in the hands-on habitat

naked baby

We took advantage of some natural lighting and the itch to dust off my camera...

Working Off That Baby Fat

Everett is starting to roll and become more and more mobile. Trinity was the only one to see the first roll. Thankfully, he didn't roll off the bed. I was able to catch some action shots.

Bouncy

Everett is quite happy to get off the floor and into Trinity's old "office."

Matthew 14

I have been meditating, stewing and focusing on this chapter in the bible for several weeks now. It is one of my favorite stories in the bible and it keeps coming back to me in various situations. The story of Jesus walking on water, and Peter getting out to meet Him, has been preached to me several times in the past year. In fact, my step mom appropriately gifted me a book called "If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out Of the Boat." The last month has been no exception as God tapped me on the shoulder and whispered "Hey Leslie, how is that boat looking? What are you focusing on?"
When I brought this up to Eddie he said, “You are kidding me!” “Leslie, that is so weird because I just heard this story on the radio 5 minutes ago and it has been brought up several times this week!” hmmmmmm…
I have yet to do a post that reflects my spiritual journey or what God has me working on right now. However, in this case, He has insisted upon me writing this out for those to read. Hopefully someone will benefit from it.
Let me give you some context: On this day, Jesus was tired, exhausted and wanted some alone time with God the Father. As He was about to retreat off in prayer, a crowd followed Him. Instead of being irritated or resentful (as I probably would have been) He saw their eagerness and need for Him. Putting aside His own plan, He healed them, taught them and loved them. He fed 5,000 people (excluding women and children) with a couple fish and loaves of bread. Tired and weary, He told his disciples to get into a boat and row out in the lake. He then would go and spend some time with Dad. As He prayed well into the night He looked up and saw His disciples struggling in the boat in the middle of a crazy storm. With no sleep, He joined them on the lake.
Here is where I have some reflection time:
The disciples fear for their lives, they could easily drown and here comes Jesus walking on water towards them. They know Him very well and believe Him to be God’s Son so you would think seeing Him would be a relief. Yet, no, they freak and become even more scared thinking He is a ghost.
Jesus is there to help, to meet them in a pretty awful circumstance and they are scared. So, I think, in the middle of my life circumstances, my rocky, tipping boat, what do I fear? Do I fear Jesus meeting me exactly where I am and try to handle it myself to no avail. Probably! Why is that?? I fight with my nature and my heart so often.
Peter gets out of the boat with great faith and starts walking towards Jesus. Yeah, Peter! Then, he focuses on the storm again, instead of Jesus, and starts to sink. Yep, sounds familiar to me Pete. However, Peter faltered but did not fail, He called out to the Lord for help. That is such a great example to me. In addition, Peter got back in the boat…no one starting high-fiving or saying “way to go!” “We saw you walking on water man, that was great!” Nope, they bowed their heads and worshipped.
So I think to myself: Do I fear to get out of the boat? Do I fear asking God to meet me where I am? Is Jesus sufficient for me in every situation?