Quarantine Holiday: Easter!

Our fifth holiday of Quarantine: Easter!

I postponed our calendar Easter because we had Mardi Gras planned, but that didn't stop us from buying chocolate bunnies and such. I woke the kiddos bright and early, had them get dressed, and gave them their baskets before sending them outside to hunt eggs before the chocolate melted. Zac managed to cut the grass first thing in the morning so Cole wouldn't struggle in his search. I boiled some eggs for them to dye, which we used as deviled eggs for Easter dinner, along with yams and green bean casserole. For dessert, a carrot cake... and basically all the Easter candy.

Next week: Independence Day!

Quarantine Holiday: St. Patrick's Day!

Our fourth holiday of Quarantine: St. Patrick's Day!

I cooked an Irish stew with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic over rice. For dessert, homemade butterscotch blondies. There wasn't anything spectacular about watching a St. Patrick's parade on YouTube, so we listened to Celtic folk music and wore green.

Next week: Easter!

Quarantine Holiday: Mardi Gras!

Our third holiday of Quarantine: Mardi Gras! For a quick king cake, I unrolled, braided, and baked two cans of cinnamon rolls, topped with the cream cheese frosting, and sprinkled with purple, green, and yellow sugars. I even tucked a baby inside one of the edges. Leah was lucky enough to find it.

I had ordered some foam sheets from Hobby Lobby, so I drew up some templates of masks and a fleur de lis for cutouts. Leah and Elias painted a shoe box and we made a float. It was fun, even Zac joined in with the float.

Next week: St. Patrick's Day!

National Siblings Day

It's national siblings day! We had a bit of cold weather, so it was exciting to get on our bikes and enjoy it. All the kiddos got their sweaters on and we embraced the fresh air. About a week ago, Cole spiked a fever of 103, which had us super worried. He wasn't eating, wouldn't sleep, and wouldn't keep his hands out his mouth. I couldn't bring his fever below 100, so Zac took him to the clinic and they found early signs of an ear infection in both ears. He's better now, but still taking his antibiotic. I'm just glad he's feeling better. His appetite is back and he's sleeping at night again.

It's sad that we won't be able to get any more pictures of us together. This was from November 2015, I think around Thanksgiving. This was the last one of all of us.

1. Who's the smartest academically? Meredith.
2. Who's the most spoiled? Probably me.
3. Who's the most sensitive? Me.
4. Who has the worst temper? I'm gonna say Karen.
5. Who's the most social? Tie between Meredith and Carlton.
6. Who's the most stubborn? That was Emily.
7. Who is Mom's favorite? Meredith.
8. Who is most likely to fight someone? Emily.
9. Best cook? Meredith.
10. Most clothes and shoes? Meredith.
11. Who was the bad kid? Emily.
12. Who has the biggest heart? Me.
13. Who's the quiet one? Me.
14. Worst driver? Meredith.
15. Who was born first? Karen for Dad, Meredith for Mom.
16. Who is the youngest? Emily was.
17. Who has the best hair? Meredith.
18. Who is the loudest? Karen.
19. Most expensive taste in buying things? Meredith.
20. Most likely to get arrested? Emily.
21. Who was the cutest kid? Emily.
22. Who's funniest? Carlton.
23. Who is Dad's favorite? Me.

Quarantine Holiday: Valentine's Day

Our second holiday of Quarantine: Valentine's Day! I ordered some strawberry Rice Krispy cereal  for Rice Krispy treats that Jac shaped into hearts. I also made two cherry pies (because red), and Zac and I enjoyed a romantic dinner-breakfast-food of waffles and white chocolate glazed strawberries with hash brown casserole. Coincidentally, the LOVE frame I ordered arrived just in time. The big kids made Valentine cards and helped the boys make theirs.

Next week: Mardi Gras!

And in case the pics are too small, these are the ones in the frames.