Colesters

Pretty sure these pictures just express who Cole is. No other words are needed! :)

Our Boy on 2 Wheels

Jack, you did it!! You have learned a skill that you will take with you the rest of your life. You learned to ride your bike WITHOUT training wheels. At just under 4 1/2 years old might I add! :) Our neighbor told us to take off your training wheels and your pedals, so you could practice coasting and getting your balance. What a great idea! You did this for about 2 weeks, then you started to coasting down the front yard. That next day I told your dad to put your pedals on, and lets give this a try. After about 2 attempts down the front yard, you were pushing yourself off, and pedaling!!!!! After a few more tries we had you pedal to the street, and then daddy took you up to the high school parking lot where it was flat for your practice. You did it! By that afternoon you were riding in the street. The next morning you got right up and wanted to ride your bike some more. And a week later, you are a pro. You can get yourself started, stop, turn circles, and you have even tried to stand up while you ride. We are so proud of you and your new love of bike riding.

Here you are on your little red rocket bike! Cruisin' down the yard!

And now we are on to BIGGER and BETTER things! Trying out the bike grandpa found at church!

Not too shabby. Side note>>>>> later that evening Jack tore off down the street pedaling as fast as could on the bigger bike, not realizing that with bigger wheels, you go faster without having to pedal as hard. Getting a bit out of control, he took to the grass on the other side of the road and the police man was turning the corner, I am running like a crazy lady trying to catch him before he has an accident, but the fence caught him first. Thanks officer Dave for being so kind to Jack and giving him the sticker! It helped take his mind off losing it on his bike! Let's just say, big yellow is put away until Jack grows another inch or two! ;)

Mother's Day

This had to be one the best days! It truly was a wonderful weekend. Saturday started out by my mom and I going to do a little shopping while Chris took the boys shopping. We had about 4 hours of uninterrupted shopping time! It was great! We found AMAZING sales, and I got several new summer items to add to the wardrobe. It had a been a long time since we got to shop/hangout like that without trying to entertain children the whole. We even stopped for lunch out together! By that afternoon,the sun had come out and Chris took Jack up to the HS baseball game. Cole and I followed shortly after he woke up from his nap. We decided to go to church Saturday night as Chris had planned a special brunch for Sunday. :)

Jack, in all his glory, came running in Sunday morning with a present that he had been hiding in his room all day yesterday! I couldn't believe he didn't spill the beans. He was so excited to give it to me. I love his excitement as this stage! If only we all got that excited over little things, the world might be a little happier! :) Well, we had reservations at Cheesecake factory for brunch at 9:30 so we had a morning of leisure getting ready and heading out. I got to read my book, hang out with my favorite men, and enjoy the day. We window shopped a bit at the mall after breakfast then headed home to spend the afternoon outside. We spent the afternoon out by the garden. Chris, Dave and dad worked on that (and our sweet corn got planted) while the kids napped and played. I got to veg out in the lawn chair and read most of the afternoon while getting a little sun. It was prefect! I am blessed to be a mom, to have a wonderful mom, and have lots of great friends who are mom. Thanks to my boys for making feel so special.

Sins

Jack came running into the office tonight with a huge smile on his face and said, "Mom, lets pray for our sins, cause Jesus died on the cross." He gets it! My heart smiled tonight knowing my little guy is understanding what Jesus is all about. Love these kids!

Preschool Program

Tuesday was the last day for Jack's first year of WeeCare! It was a great way to introduce him going to "preschool". After he got it figured out that the teacher would let him go potty when he needed, getting him to go into his class easily was much better. Jack made some friends there, would always give me the ins and outs of who listened and who didn't, and was ALWAYS so excited when he would be the "wine, weader, for wunch!" At least that was before his L's got pronounced. Next year Jack and Cole with go to Wee Care. Really??? I can't believe Cole is big enough for that. Jack was so excited for his program. he has been singing his songs for weeks. And especially liked his jumping up and down song. HOWEVER....as you can tell by the pictures, Jack never sang one word, nor smiled the entire time he was up on stage. :) That's my boy!!! But when it was over, he came runnign down with smiles like he did just what he was supposed to do. I am grateful for the wonderful teachers who give up their Tuesdays to teach our children.

Easter Sunday

Sunday was a fairly relaxing day! Well, at least we weren't racing here and there, ok maybe a little to get to church, after that we could take our time. The weather again held out so we could be outdoors. After church, Chris and Jack headed out to the garden and got our potatoes in the ground. We have a rather large space, and far away from the walnut tree this year. Fingers crossed we get a good crop! After Cole and Tess woke up from their naps, grandpa Wayne took them on a JD ride while I hid the eggs around the back yard. Again, they had lots of fun finding all the eggs. The night before the boys got a new sandbox! They are going to have so much fun. Cole loves to play in the sandbox, and thankfully its located in the far corner of the yard, so by the time they run to the house, the sand is off their feet! :) We went to Grandma Marge and Grandpa Ronnie's for dinner. Our good friends the Cunnington's joined us this year as they don't have any family around. The kids had so much fun playing on all the riding toys. We brought our JD down, and Matt and Rachel brought both of theirs. So all the kids took turns and were driving them around all afternoon. Not to mention the endless golf cart rides!

Jack thinking he can sleep in the new sandbox. Easter baskets I made for the kids. Cole not wanting to take a picture. Even tickling his legs didn't get any laughs. The Diva! Jack and Gabe taking off again!

Hoppy Easter!!

What a beautiful weekend we ended up having for Easter! It was like God cleared the skies for 2 days just so we could enjoy the outdoors. This year Easter brought up many questions. Jack, being almost 4 1/2, was very curious about the cross and Jesus, and why the bad men were hurting him. It was AWESOME to see his interest peaked in this area. The last 2 weeks at church have been illustrated sermons and Jack opted to stay with us at "big" church instead of going to sunday school. He even got to pet the donkey that Jesus rode on! :) He was able to witness what really happened over that week. Passion for the Christ came on tv one night, and though we didn't let him continue to watch it as it gets pretty gruesome, he was glued to it. It makes me realized that no matter how old or how little we are, what Jesus did for us, is something we all want to be a part of. We ALL want that! Even at 4 years old, Jack wanted to know that. I pray that he will continue to have a thirst for that! I am ever so thankful of what my Jesus for us. And was once again reminded of the wonders of the cross!

We had a wonderful weekend. To kick things off the Koss' graciously opened up their home for our small group Easter brunch and egg hunt. 12 Adults and 11 (plus a half baked Sjogren :) kids made for very fun morning. We had a yummy brunch with lots good treats, then some fun cookie decorating while the dads hid the Easter eggs, then it was time for the hunt! It was so fun to see all the kiddos with their baskets tottin' around picking up eggs. It was fun to watch Cole this year able to participate in the hunt, and hold his own basket. Last year we just had to pose by an egg!

Yummy cookie time! Cole watching from a safe distance with his blankie. Sucking his thumb was enough participation for him. And they were off! Let the record show, no one knows who had the egg first!I think I found one...nope just grass! This is a tricky game!My boys
All the kiddos! How cute are they all dressed up!!And Cole has decided to take center stage. The girls!