Park Classes

I am having fun taking my babies to the preschool classes at the Metro Parks. This is a series of photos of the Windy Ride at Sharon Woods on Good Friday. I scheduled the ride thinking about what a beautiful Spring ride it would be around the park. But I forgot that I live in Ohio. So that Spring day turned out to be windy and raining with a high of 48 degrees. On a good note, Craig was able to come. He saved me. I don't handle to cold well, and I don't think I would have lasted through the ride and crafts with both babies by myself.

Calvin and I ran to the car when I could no longer stand the cold, and Craig stayed behind to help Ebie finish her wind socket. I think Craig enjoyed himself, and I think Ebie had a good time too. You can always tell how much fun a kid has by how messy they are.

By the looks of her, she had a blast.

Miss Evelynn and Snow

Miss Evelynn was not as excited to be out in the snow as her brother. I couldn't get her off of the porch for the first 15 minutes that we were out there. She was perfectly happy watching. Well, not perfectly.

When I did get her off, all she did was whine...the whole time. She treated the snow like it was an alien, or some disgusting matter. She whined and flapped her arms if some touched her cheek. She whined and tried to brush it off of her gloves. When she walked around, she whined and said "stuck" over and over. Sigh.

Evelynn fell down once and didn't try to get up on her own. No, she whined and yelled "stuck"! I walked over to help her, but not before I snapped a few pictures of the damsel in distress.

Evelynn + Snow = Whining. Well, at least she looks cute while doing it!

Marker Monsters

Craig and I were trying to get the house cleaned up, so we gave the babies some markers to color with. We gave them paper too, but they didn't really use it as you can see. Evie's markers were meant for babies so it came right off.

Calvin's however, I found out were not washable. I'm so glad he only really tattooed his torso because they were still there over a week later.

Deuteronomy 8:7-1o - Just as God promised the land of Canaan to the Israelites, the new heavens and earth are our Promised Land. Israel was kept alive in the desert by His kindness and so too anything we have is due to His kindness. God deserves our gratitude and thanks for ALL things He has given.

A Post Just For Grandma Nickoloff

Chubby Pink Face

After dinner, I pulled the bench from the dining room table over to the window so I could read by natural light. I don't know why I wanted to read there, just an urge for some reason. Craig and our babies were in the other room watching some strange kids movie that Craig had found on Netflix. Normally, I would've sat in with them, wanting to just spend time with them, but this time I wanted to read. I was grateful to Craig for letting me spend a while with myself. Completely absorbed in the story, I didn't notice Evelynn waddle up. By the time I did realize she was there she was already smacking my arm and yelling "Ma!" I looked down at her and my heart melted.
Her chubby little face was still covered in sauce and grease from the pizza we had for dinner. The light from the setting sun shone in the window and illuminated her shiny face in pink light. When she moved the shine showed every little curve on her face. She looked beautiful... young... dependent. I was overcome by the feeling of my responsibility to guide this little one in life, to be an example to her of what a Godly woman should be.
I know you're thinking, "Whoa, all this from a little grease and sunshine?" But it's true. I put down my book and cradled her. Does God really think I can do this?

Alum Creek

Yesterday, I took my babies to Alum Creek Reservoir. I didn't think we would be there long. I thought my babies would both hate the water and be bored with the sand. Just had a feeling. It turned out to be wrong. Calvin LOVED the water, and Evie even warmed up to it after a while. And we had fun building "Sand Castles in the Sand". =)

After a few hours Calvin was still going strong. Evie however, decided she had had enough fun and climbed up into the stroller and sat there for a good 20 minutes just watching Calvin and I run around.

The reservoir even had a little playground, so we took a break from the beach and played up there for a while.

Evie's Picture...

Every little one needs a picture sleeping with their daddy, here's Evie's.

A Picture of My Heart

Yes, I know this picture is not cute. How can such a pretty little girl look so... disturbing? But it has a story with it. Craig gave Evie her own bowl of ice cream to eat because we were busy doing other things. This was the end result. But before she made herself look like a monster she was trying to actually eat the ice cream. It wasn't going very well because she doesn't know how to use a spoon for anything other than dipping right now, so I would periodically stop and try to help her get a little bit in her mouth. I would have to pry the spoon from her fingers and yell over her that I was trying to help her as she screamed bloody murder. Doesn't she trust her own mother enough to know that I would never be trying to hurt her in any way? Hhmm... I thought. Did I just get a glimpse of my own heart?

How many times has God had to pry things out of my hands as I screamed bloody murder? Don't I trust my Creator and Heavenly Father enough to give Him control, even if at the time, it looks like He is just trying to steal my ice cream?

I'm Back.

Back from an unintentional break from the blog. Thank you to those who inquired about my break. I am glad you enjoy reading my blog. Here are some of the pictures I took of Evelynn over my break. These will count as her one year pictures.

These are just a few of the tasty photos grandparents should expect to get a copy of at some point.

An Upside-Down Kind of Day.

Things are kind of topsy-turvy around here.

Fountains At Easton

The days are hot here in Columbus, so Craig and I decided to take the babies to Easton to cool off in the fountains. Calvin wasn't interested. Partly because he is a two-year-old old man, and partly because there were miniature trains set up close by.

Evie enjoyed the water. She also enjoyed meeting all the other little ones, and watching them run through the fountains too.

She was very proud of herself for being able to walk only holding on to one of my hands.

Evelynn's Birthday Party

We had fun celebrating Evie's first birthday with family and friends (Not pictured because I didn't ask their permission to use pictures I have of them. Attention family and friends: if you don't mind me using your picture on my blog please let me know!)

There were some good ones of our family though.

I like this one.

Getting Ready.

I made pierogies from scratch for the first time for Evelynn's birthday party. Craig's Grandma Nickoloff gave me her very old recipe. It was easier and harder than I thought it was going to be. And I think they needed salt. It won't be the last time I make them. I plan on perfecting the recipe to our families tastes. Here is the recipe for anyone interested. Add whatever seasoning your family likes.

Pierogi

2 cups flour
2 eggs
2 Tbl. sour cream
1/2 cup milk
Mashed Potatoes

Combine flour, eggs, sour cream and milk; knead until dough is soft and pliable. Roll out to desired thickness on a floured surface. Cut into rounds with a glass or cutter. Place a heaping teaspoonful of filling (in this case mashed potatoes) to one side of the dough, fold over and seal edges. Drop pierogi in boiling water, and cook until they rise to the top, remove carefully.

Craig likes to saute them with butter and onions and sprinkle them with cinnamon. Sounds weird but it is so good!

This is what Evie was doing while I was making pierogies and trying to clean up for her party. Tearing stuff out. But it kept her occupied. It's funny how I had to let her undo something so I could get something else done.

Anger, Rage, Revenge

Evelynn has gotten to the point where she knows what she wants, and is not easily distracted from it anymore.

And when she doesn't get what she wants she lets you know about it, and even punishes you for the wrong.

...a woman scorned.

I Can't Help It!

I heard little Miss Evelynn wake up in what was supposed to be the middle of her nap yesterday. Running up the stairs in order to pick her up before she woke her brother up too, I vowed I would nurse her and get her back to sleep so I could go out and plant my Morning Glories without the help of little hands. She nursed. And as she was laying there in my arms, with her eyes closed, looking all cute, I heard that little voice in my head telling me to kiss her chubby little cheeks. "No", I argued, "she'll wake up." "No she won't", it said, "Look how chubby and soft her cheeks are". My lips puckered. I sat there for a few seconds more trying to fight the urge. Finally, I couldn't fight it anymore. I kissed her. She woke up. It was definitely worth it. If she weren't so dang tasty...

My Family: Part 3

This is my beautiful baby girl, Evelynn. I love her. She is a sassy little princess. I told my mom when I was pregnant with her that if she was a girl I was not going to make her all frilly. Big laugh. The first place I went after coming home from the hospital was out to buy her bows for her hair. And I think she has had a bow in her hair ever since.

Craig says he is already deciding what kind of gun to buy because of this one. She can be so sweet, but sassy too. And she KNOWS things. Things Calvin doesn't get even know. She knows how to draw an audience and keep them. She knows how to be bad and make you feel as if you should be giving her sympathy if she cries. She also knows how to cheer you up if you are down. The honey can light up any room, and make even the grumpiest people smile.

Evie loves to be at my ankles, trying to climb up my legs. She wants to do whatever Calvin is doing, which he hates (it starts). And she loves making faces with her Daddy.

I pray that she will grow up to be a great woman of God, and as faithful as I know she will be strong. I pray that she will not remember a day when she didn't love her Savior.