Thai-ger by the Tail

I know my husband works hard. Even though he gives his time, his talents (and maybe his soul) to ExxonMobil there are some definite perks to his job.

After ten days in a Bangkok, I was sure my poor jet-lagged hubby was going to need some rest and relaxation. At least that's what I thought until I saw these pictures...

Yes. Mr. Safety is really holding the Tiger's tail.

And enjoying a fresh mango milk shake.

And wrestling a croc.
(Okay, that one's fake, but still pretty funny).

And hanging out with my favorite land animal.

I guess the old adage is true, "All work and no play makes Jamie a dull boy." I can't really fault him for having fun, but that doesn't mean I can't be a little jealous.

What's Your Problem?

"Why are you looking at me like that, Mother? Do you have a problem with something I'm doing?"

"Obviously you don't understand my sense of justice. This mess is what you deserve when you give root beer to Gavin and I get a lousy juice box."

"Had you just given me root beer in the first place, this never would have happened. See. Now everyone's happy."

Talk about a little girl who knows exactly what she wants!

April Showers

So it's been pouring for most of the day. You've never been in a thunderstorm till you've lived in Texas! Gavin's been bored out of his head, which equates to him becoming a wild-monkey-child.

Look closely. My windows aren't that dirty. You are actually seeing sheets of rain. Lake Wallace has returned, my backyard flooded in a matter of minutes.

To keep him entertained, we built ourselves a little rain fort. It's amazing how a blanket stretched over the couch can avert a major stir-crazy disaster.

Easter Ensemble

Fashion is not the most important part of Easter. But it is the most fun to photograph! Unless of course your child hates the camera. Was Gavin just being a butt, or was he showing his best side? I was trying so hard to get pictures of my kids, that I resulted in using myself as a backdrop. This is the best picture we got that actually has faces (not other random body parts). We actually got a couple of cute shots after the Easter Egg Hunt. I have about 300 eggs at my house, which equates to way too much candy.

Gavin also scored about $10 in his Easter basket. His Guggy loaded up 50 eggs with loose change!

Of all the things the Easter Bunny brought, my kids favorites were their new toothbrushes. Here's Laynie chewing on hers right before bed time. Don't you love the way her hair stands up without any elastics in it? I guess I used a bit much hair spray to get those piggies to stay put!

Time to Dye

I come from a family devoted to tradition. One of the things I haven't let die (even though my husband totally doesn't get it) is our annual Easter Egg Dye and Paint Night. I have so many great memories of time spent with my family sitting around the kitchen counter waiting for our eggs to turn the perfect Robin's Egg Blue or Spring Green, spilling dye (trying to hide it from Mom), and eating tons of deviled eggs and egg salad sandwiches. Dying the eggs was really a great excuse for us to sit (which we never did much of), laugh and talk. I don't remember which one of my siblings is the most perfect dyer, but I will never forget the time we spent together.

For the past couple of years I've invited my nieces and nephews to participate in our tradition. Gavin and Bay really enjoyed it this year, as I bought special glitter egg "paint" they could put on the already colored eggs.

Poor Busted Benz! He stuck on a few stickers on and plastered a little paint, but it's never fun to do anything artsy fartsy with your arm in a sling. He did have a fun time sitting on the firetruck...until he'll fell off.

Laynie and Brynn both had eggs with their names drawn on, but we didn't get any pictures of them participating. Laynie kept trying to grab the containers, and I couldn't manage the camera and her at the time.

I hope she won't mind. I can guarantee there will always be next year.

Little Hunters

My awesome sister-in-law, Elizabeth, put together a ward Easter Egg Hunt. It was a blast. Even Laynie participated!

We got to take our friend Hannah with us today. Her family has a new baby, and her mommy needed a little nap. Three kids under three can do that to you! Hannah was an angel and a great egg hunter!

Laynie wasn't so sure about "hunting" for Easter eggs, but she certainly knew what to do with them after she got one.

She loved to carry around her basket like a little purse. She already knows all about accessories!

Here she is showing off her prizes!

I'm Building a Birdie House!

We picked up a free bird house kit from Home Depot on Saturday, and Gavin and I played "Handy Manny" (or Bob the Builder, if that's your preference) and built it. He got to use the hammer, screwdriver and glue. It was really fun!

Some day we'll actually paint it and hang it somewhere.