Fun in Ham Lake?

A bit of a staycation during Spring Break this year.  We decided to take the family to a hotel and enjoy the swimming pool, cable TV, dinner on the floor, and some quality family time.  We had a blast, not much sleep, but a BLAST!

This should definitely get easier as the kids get older, Nora fell out of bed, Ian woke twice--requiring he and Daddy to spend two hours in the hotel lobby, Sam couldn't sleep unless his body was somehow draped over me.  But we had fun making memories...

Spring has sprung!

Spring has come, unusually fast and early for Minnesota, and it has been great to get outside.  It correlated perfectly with spring break this year, so we got the trampoline set up (for the very first time), and have enjoyed playing outside.

A Blessing...

Today our 4th kiddo was dedicated.  Ian Pahl we want you to grow in love for our Savior.  You didn't feel well today and slept through the party, Mommy had to open your gifts without you.

All About NORA!

Our sweet Nora has turned 5.  We celebrated with TWO dolphin birthday parties.  On March 1st she invited a few friends to help her celebrate, she was the perfect hostess and surprised me and her grandmas with her sweet introductions, she was in her element.  My little social butterfly...

A few days later her family gathered around to celebrate once again.  She had to share the spotlight (see other March 4th post) today but took it all in stride.

Nora is a girl with a BIG heart.  She covers those around her with love and feels very deeply (especially for a 5 year old).  Nora has a great imagination and can keep herself busy but she also loves to put on shows.  She loves creating, and is quite a talented artist.  She loves to be outside and is pretty fearless--she learned to ride her bike without training wheels last summer.

So best!

You hear those stories about the moms that are able to convince each of their kids that each one of them is secretly her favorite.  I so want my kids to know that they are my favorite, each for the own unique gift they are.  Sam ran into my arms yesterday and said, "I'm your so best mama"  and I loved it.  Sam you are my so best!

(so are you Riley, Nora, and Ian)

Don't see me

You have to love a  two year old's logic, when Sam wants to do something he knows he shouldn't he'll come up to me and say "Mom, don't see me" and then proceed to do what he knows is forbidden.  Today already he has come up to me twice, once right before he grabbed his beloved paci (which is for bedtime use only) and then again at lunch right before he dipped his finger into his ketchup.  If only all kids did this every time they were about to do something they shouldn't!!

Quotables

We were out to eat at Acapulco, we had talked about how it was a Mexican restaurant.  When Nora went to use the bathroom the paper towels came out automatically, but unlike most places you didn't just get a small sheet of paper towel, instead a LONG piece of paper towel came out.  Nora simply stated, "Wow those Mexicans must really like paper towels!"