Easter

On Easter morning, we blasted the Easter song by Keith Green and then I took the girls to church. They both had a lot of fun, dancing, singing and putting flowers on the church's wooden cross. They also had fun at Sunday school and made crafts and played.When we got home, Kris and I hid the Easter eggs that they girls dyed the day before. And then let the girls open their Easter bags. So Excited!They got candy, bunny ears, stickers, a bunny book, a frisbee and of course a chocolate bunny. (Thanks Skot for getting the chocolate bunnies!) Then they got to hunt of Easter eggs. They were so cute and helped each find them and laughed and had fun. We gave hints and laugh at the ones they found and the ones they walked right past.

They were so excited to eat them. Charis liked the white part and Momo liked the yellow. What a match they make. Story behind the eggs - before we dyed them. I dropped them into the sink when I was trying to pour the water off so they turned out a little weird. Oh well.

After peeled they looked cool. And Charis loved them and asked to eat one at every meal. Thanks Momo and Peter and Makiko for coming and visiting us! And we can not wait for Charis and Momo to start writing each other.

Gifts from Peter

Peter took everyone to a glass blowing studio (that is what he does in Japan) and made a few things for us. A beautiful vase for me.And cool pint glasses for the boys with imprints of bike tools.Thank you, Peter!

Momo's visit

Our friends from Japan, Momo, Peter, and Makiko came for a visit. We also got to spend some time with Makiko's parents and Peter's father and grandfather.They all got to come to the Wildflower Center and they got to hold by favorite moth that I grow in the insectary, the Cecropia moth. Makiko and her parents went back after a couple of days but Momo and Peter stayed with us for a few days. We went to the park, grilled lots of good food, watched a fun movie, did arts and crafts and celebrated Easter together. For snack one day, I cut up cucumbers and carrots. I have never seen two kids love their veggies so much and ask for seconds and thirds. We had so much fun, and the girls played great together! We even tried to have them sleep together, but that only worked after both were asleep and we moved them together.

New Things

Charis' new obsession is making castles out of sheets, blankets, flags and whatever else she can find.I also got her a soccer goal because she loves to play soccer. Now she has a T ball set and soccer ball and goal to play with in the back yard.But maybe someone other than me should teach her how to play. I was never very good at sports.

Lincoln logs

Our friends, JD and Brittany come over nearly every Friday night. Charis has learned JD's weakness - Lincoln logs. JD is an architect and loves Lincoln logs, so if Charis brings them out, he is very likely to sit and play with her.They are moving to Oklahoma soon and we will miss them. And not just for their Lincoln log building skills.

Rainy Day

Charis really wanted an umbrella for Christmas or her birthday and my mom got her an umbrella, raincoat and boots that match. She loves them!!! She wants to wear them all the time. So when it was rainy today she got so excited and ran to put them on. Thanks Mom!

Kite Festival

It's a family tradition. Every year, Kris, Charis and I go to the Kite festival.We all take turns flying our different kites. I, of course, got mine up the highest and for the longest. Then I let Charis fly it for a while.I also took Charis to all the festival stuff to look around. They have homemade kite contests and bouncing rooms. We looked around and then found this stand that was making "paintings" with clay. Charis loved it and got to make a few pages.The other Elkintons, Skot and Nut joined us to fly kites for a while. It was a great family fun day!

Joe and Evie

Our friend, Joe from Minnesota and his daughter Evie came to visit us. We were a little sad that they whole family could not make it but next time we will get everyone together. We had a lot of fun with Joe and Evie. The girls played so well together!We mostly just hung out outside whenever possible and ate a lot! We rode our bikes to Charis school and to the park a few times. Rode the Zilker park train. Set off fireworks. Played in the back yard, grilled and sat outside and talked while the girls played.Somehow I did not get very many pictures - I think we took most of them on Joe's camera and we forgot to download it before he left. Charis got sick on their last day here, it was sad to miss a day because we were trying to keep Evie from getting whatever Charis had. But we had a great time and were so glad they came. Thanks Joe and Evie!