Video Memories - Dance Recital & Baseball

Check out our video below from the girls' first dance recital and a few shots from Dylan's T-Ball this past weekend. (Baseball not T-Ball, according to Dylan). There were 12 cute little girls total on their dance squad and I believe L & T are the youngest since most of their fellow dancers are either already in Kindergarten or 1st grade. They held their own pretty good and weren't scared at all on stage in front of a high school auditorium jam packed full of people (they are on the far right: L in front row, T behind her). We are so proud of them AND of Dylan in his glory on the baseball field. He loves to "spank the ball" and does a pretty good job catching balls at 1st base too. Too bad Dad didn't videotape his grand slam! Such little people; such BIG dreams :)

Dance Recital & Baseball Wknd

We just survived an action-packed weekend of baseball, dance recitals and celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. Thankfully, we had family in town and it was SO nice to share time with my mom (Grandma Good), my Aunt Helen and her grandaughter Eastyn, and my Aunt Mac. LTD had a blast playing and biking with their cousin Eastyn and thoroughly enjoyed the slumber party 2 nights in a row. Thanks again Mom and Aunties for making the drive for such a short amount of time - we love you!!

Dylan was beaming from ear to ear because he got to show off his baseball skills to Grandma on Saturday morning. Later that day, Dave and I were pleasantly rewarded with complimentary childcare so we could go out and celebrate our 6th wedding anniverary which was nice and relaxing.

Sunday was a big day.......two dance recitals; one at noon and one at 5:30pm. Grandma Good and our neighbor Sandy joined us for the first show and it was FANTASTIC! I had no clue they had that many dancers (700) at the dance academy and SO much talent - WOW!! We all loved it, including Dylan and Dad! In fact, Dylan saw a tap performance with about 12 little girls appx age 5 and 1 little boy about the same age. The little boy got to show off some fancy dance moves, lift several of the girls up, twirl them around and give them all high fives; he was the "star" of that particular dance. Dylan liked it alot and said "I wanna be in dance so I can lift the girls; I am strong ya know!" He also saw some hip-hop boy dancers and he was all over that asking "when do I get to start?" Dad especially liked the "Dads & Dolls" performances and said he would really like to do that with our girls; he could easily see himself sporting the KISS, Elvis and Beatles costumes and shaking it with L & T. And of course, the girls had a blast and were absolutely adorable. SO, here we are with a family of wanna-be dancers! (less one mom; I don't think my tap shoes or leotards/tights will fit anymore :) Seriously, I think I will just stick with the cheerleader role. We will make sure to post a video of the girls dance once we get it downloaded but for now, here are a few snapshots from the weekend.

Wanna see me hit a home run?

Ready for the ball on 1st

Here I go - SMACK!

Swinging after baseball

Push me higher, Grandma!

HIGHER!

6 years of bliss

Ready for the Recital

Dylan wanted something in his hair too

Two peas in a pod

Lollipop Girls

HI!

Posing with Eastyn

Post-show with Grandma & their roses

One proud mom; two tired little dancers

One more try.......

Camp Clark Conversations

This is WAY past due!! I know so because my little notepad sheets on which we write LTD's hysterical comments & conversations are piling up and taking over my office. So it's about time to share them once again.

CAMP CLARK

Preschool Field Trip to Como Zoo

One of LTD's BSF teachers (they have two total) pulled me aside about a month ago after class and said to me "did you know it is such a joy to have your children in class? Their kind hearts are a reflection of your mothering and that Jesus is alive in your home; great job, mom!" (Dad is a BIG influence too :)

About a week or so later, their other teacher grabbed me after class to share a quick, uplifting story about Dylan (which she just shared today on our last day with the entire BSF group). They were talking to 4 & 5 yr olds about death and that believers in Jesus will get to go to Heaven and how perfect it will be. Dylan was just shaking with delight with a big smile and shouted out to the group of children "I just can't WAIT to get to Heaven!" (I think we'll keep him on loan for quite a while longer if that's ok God?)

LINDSEY

"Lollipop" Dance Photo

To Taylor while cuddling in bed with mom one morning, "Taylor, come see the horizon with me.....it's GORGEOUS!"

"Aaaahhh Dylan, isn't that the cutest thing I ever saw." (when he pretended to feed his stuffed kitty and kissed him)

Dad tells her that her little bubble butt is not quite fitting into her shorts (from last summer) and she says "Oh, I know, that happens all the time."

"Mom, I love you so much, I love you to Heaven and back - that's ALOT ALOT!"

Dylan yells out, "hey, there's a Smart Car!" Lindsey looks at the car and slightly rolls her eyes and says "well, it's not THAT Smart" (guess who's been listening to Dad?)

"DYLAN! This little lady isn't in the cart yet! (as she was trying to get in our cart out shopping while Dylan was eager to push it)

As we are on a Sunday drive around the time the ice was almost melted off the lake, Dave points at the lake and says "oh look, there's an island of ice out there". Lindsey corrected him "NO, it's a GRASS island." (Lindsey was right)

"Taylor, it sounds like you are whining this morning. Is somebody a little grumpy?"

At prayer time before bed, I asked who Lindsey wanted to pray for tonight and she smiled "I want to pray for Jesus. He died for our sins so we can all live in Heaven together. I love him SO much!" ( AMEN)

"It's all good!" (one morning when I woke up and all their beds were made already)

"I'm hotter than a pistol" (Oops, she got that one from me)

At bedtime one night "Mommy, I will always love you but won't always be able to see you." I asked what she meant and she said "I hope you will be a grandma someday but if not, I will always love you." (of course, the tears welled up)

"Oh sweetie, grab your blankie and come cuddle." (to Taylor one morning)

"I want to pray for all the children in wheelchairs cuz they need help and can't always walk."

TAYLOR

Lollipop Dancer #2

"Mommy, I'm hungry. May I have a snack please? You want me to grow, don't you?"

Dad said he needs a haircut and Taylor says "why? cuz you got BIG hair?" (aka helmet head)

"Mom, come look!! Triplets!! (as she shows me 3 baby turds in the toilet)

At dinner one night, she said "I'm full". I ask her to finish her wheat bun and she says "I don't want to get gas."

At bathtime "Daddy, can't you listen to me? I just HAVE to have my little mermaid, PLEASE."

"But mom, I like taking gerbil pieces off my eggs" (as she eats her eggs with her fingers one morning, one little piece at a time)

"Quit your whining, Lindsey. No crybabies allowed!"

"When Grandma comes to watch me dance, I'm gonna smile so much my cheecks will turn red."

"Grandma's going to be SO happy to see us!"

"Fantastic hit, slugger!" (To Dylan as he smacks a baseball)

"I just HAVE to keep my child safe!" (out biking with her baby doll strapped in the doll seat)

"Aren't I beautiful? I'm a princess indeed!" (while playing dress-up)

"Can we pray for that person in the ambulance?" (as an ambulance whizzes by us)

DYLAN
Fascinated with BUGS!

"Where's the fire, woman!" (as a minivan speeds by us on the highway)

"Who wants to see me play basketball? (the girls shout "I do").....OK, grab your pom poms!"

"Taylor, did you see that hit? (as he smacks a baseball across the street)....it was AMAZING!"

"I have GREAT eyes. I can see North Dakota from here!"

"It's not T-Ball, it's BASEBALL!" (anytime I say the word T-ball for his games)

"Is Dad speeding?" (Dave is ahead of us on the highway in his Vette; we are in hot pursuit in the minivan). I respond "it looks like he might be." Dylan says "Aaahhh, I wish I were Dad."

"I go so fast on my bike, I squeal out!"

After dinner one night I tell them we are going to head "straight" upstairs for a bath. Dylan jokes "aren't we going to run into the table?"

"Mom, I have a new rule for our house.....nobody can pick us up and throw us off the deck, ok?" (Uh, ok.....unless I have a bad day :)

"Did you know bats eat mosquitos? I LOVE bats. Can we get one - I'll take care of him." (not in this lifetime)

After eating a large meal, Dylan lifted up his shirt showing his belly and said "Am I a daddy now?"

While driving across the Minnesota River which was really high, he shouts out "Hey, I know, it's the Minnesota OCEAN!"

"Did you see me spank the ball?" (after he hits the golf ball with his new club)

"Did you know that God's love is bigger than the WHOLE world? Isn't that AMAZING!"

"Lindsey and Taylor......you look beautiful today! But what's THAT on your eyes? (as we head out the door for dress rehearsal for their dance recital. The girls were are all dolled up with make-up per the recital instructions)

Preschool Spring Program

Last week, Dave and I got to see our little ones shine along with their preschool friends in their Spring Program. They sang 7 songs and recited the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". Their teachers are amazing and do such an incredible job guiding and leading these junior disciples of Jesus. We are so grateful for our school, their teachers, the other 11 children and parents we have formed friendships with, and most of all, JESUS and his love for all of us. Only a a few weeks left and how sad it will be for LTD. At least they will get to see most of their classmates at Vacation Bible School in June. Here are some photos from the performance as well as a brief video at the end of this post. Enjoy!

Getting ready to sing

Itching to shine

Hello there!

My Jesus Loves Me

O-O-O, Obedient

5 Little Monkeys (Dylan is Mr. Alligator)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Thank you, Lord for making me

Chomp, Chomp, Chomp!

Lindsey receiving her Preschool Certificate

Taylor's turn

Dylan's turn

They love Mr. Gorilla

Lindsey and Mr. Alligator

Goofing around after the show

Short video of their performance

Perfect Day!

With all the winds, rain, cold and downright yucky weather we have had lately, yesterday was such a "breath of fresh air", literally.

Dave and the kiddos surprised me with breakfast in bed along with fresh flowers, thougtful cards and my favorite chocolates (which I agreed to share just a few pieces). After an inspiring morning of Sunday School and worship, they treated me to a tasty lunch at one of our favorite family restaurants (IHOP) and the management gave all moms a beautiful long-stem rose. Nice touch. When we got home, we packed up a picnic and our bikes and headed over to Cleary Lake Regional Park for a family bike ride. Our neighbors joined us too and it was so nice to have great company, the sun on our faces and the fresh air blowing through our hair.

The kiddos played on the playground and at the beach after the bike ride and then we headed over to the driving range for the guys to smack a few balls. Dylan had to get right in there too and he was AWESOME. He grabbed a club (that was much too tall for him), and smacked that ball, not just one or two times, but over and over again! He was SO proud and Dad told him we could go out and get him some clubs "sometime soon" that are more his size. Dylan responded, "OK, how about tomorrow morning right after breakfast? We can go to the park across the street and smack a few balls, ok?". Needless to say, Dad has an eager little fellow on his heels that is eager to golf, NOW :)

When we got home after dinner, Dave put the new super-charged, "duo batteries in series", into their Jeeps and took them across the street to let 'em rip. What this means is they are twice as fast as they were before - GREAT! I was talking on the phone with my mom and I saw a flash of something zoom by super fast across the street in the park; it was my children on their Jeeps! Dave was in high heaven and so were the kids. They were so fast that the motors got over-heated and now Dave has to install fans to keep the motor cooled off. This is what it's like living with a mechanical engineer :)

Bottom line, it was a PERFECT day. I hope every mom, grandma, aunt, Godmother, etc. had a wonderful day full of sweet surprises to let you know just how special and loved you really are.

Little Gifts from Big Hearts

One of the BIG benefits of being a mom is receiving all the adorable gifts from our children. What pride they have when they surprise us with their creative gems from the heart. Sometimes it brings the biggest smiles to our faces; sometimes tears (of joy). Regardless, it is living proof that God is at work all around us, even in the smallest of people. Below are drawings the kiddos made at school and their description of what's going on in their "masterpiece".

Lindsey's Masterpiece

"This is the hole that leads to the underground cave. And this is the zip line. And that's the butterfly. This is my mommy and that's me. And this is the ant kingdom. I like mom because she's going to put up a lemonade stand for us. I love her because she lets us play on the computer and reads to me."

Taylor's Masterpiece

"This is the purple river. And that's the grass. That's the ladybug. I love my mom because she lets me go biking around the river."

Dylan's Masterpiece

"Here's the hose squirting in the mud pile. It's a river mudpile. And I'm running to jump in the mudpile river. Cuz I have my clothes on. My nose is right here. My teeth are right there. I like when my mom listens to me and when she feeds me great food. I love her!"

Below is a photo of the mini flower pots they painted in school in which they carefully tucked in silk flowers and grass. Dave picked them up from school Wednesday and when I got home, they jumped out and yelled, "SURPRISE! WE LOVE YOU!" as they smiled so sweetly and proudly gave me their drawings and flower pots. They made my day!


Today they had their Spring Program at school and it was absolutely fabulous!! Their teachers did such an incredible job helping the children prepare for the program. All the children sang so nice and super loud for all the parents/grandparents. We will make sure to post a video of today after we get a chance to download it.

Happy Mother's Day to each and every woman who has been blessed with the gift of motherhood. I truly believe it is the most noble profession and the most important purpose to which we are called. God bless you!!

Springtime Sensations

Spring is in the air at Camp Clark. Our lilac bushes are in full bloom in a vibrant purple and they are amazingly fragrant!! LTD picked a big bouquet for me which is the centerpiece of the kitchen. When Grandma Clark was in town, she helped LTD start their own personal flower pots indoors to get them ready for the great outdoors once our evenings warm up a bit. They even planted a small pot for their mama :)

Lilacs in bloom, flowers in-process

Taylor's pot starting to bud (a little pot for mom too)
Dylan & Lindsey's pots growing fast

This weekend, we had a springtime family date at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis. The play was called "The Biggest Little House in the Forest" and it was SO sweet. LTD sat right up front along with other kiddos ages 1-6 and the countless belly laughs were absolutely priceless. It was a puppet-themed show using little animals which was right up the munchkins alley. They gave all the children animal slippers to wear upon entering the atrium and handed out crayons and animal color sheets for a little pre-show activity. LTD wasted no time getting started; they all LOVE to color!!

After the show, LTD enjoyed relaxing on the lush grounds of the theatre prior to going out to dinner with mom and dad. Afterwards, we paid an impromptu visit to some great friends who live just off Lake Calhoun and recently remodeled their home. LOVELY!! The adults had a great time reminiscing while all our children had a blast playing. We adore our Nodak friends and miss seeing them more frequently which we agreed to do more often this summer.

On Sunday, LTD sang with their Crosswalk Sunday School friends at the 10:45 service while mom (along with some other good friends) walked in the MS Walk for her dear friend and fellow triplet mom, Nicole. It was such beautiful day! Afterwards, Nik's parents hosted a grand gathering at their home and Dave & LTD joined us there along with AEK and RCMJ (their triplet buddies plus one). On the way home around 4pm, LTD fell fast alseep; they were wiped out. But they had smiles on their faces and are now ready for yet another action-packed week full of springtime activities. Aah, spring is in the air indeed!!!

Video Memories #6 (Jr. Teacher)

Early one morning before breakfast, Miss Lindsey decided to give Taylor a quick animal art lesson.