Spring is here. We’re loving the warmer weather and everything in bloom. But, there’s also… the rain. I am fine with the rain Monday-Friday, but on weekends, I really appreciate nice weather so we can be outside.

Last Saturday, it poured rain all morning, but the kids still found a way to keep busy, by making a little reading nook on our stairs.

Our dog Josie is terrified of thunderstorms, but she decided that the kids would keep her safe.

I love these moments, when I find them enjoying each others’ company and just co-existing peacefully with Curious George and a few blankets.

Lena got a hair cut. She chose to keep it long, but add bangs.

She’s very happy with her choice.

I love her confidence. She’s not a bold person or the stand out in the crowd type, but she has a certain self-assurance that I adore.

All self portraits come with a heart on them, because she loves people. Everyone in the whole wide world. This day, it was her mission to let every tree at the park know that she loves them.

Sometimes, she reminds me that the world is a little bit more beautiful and people a little bit more lovely than I think of them. 

Yes, I love her haircut, but even more, I love her heart.

Two weekends ago, it was Kite Fest. Last weekend, it was Tulip Fest in Wamego, KS. A bit of a drive for us, but definitely worth it.

Wamego has this lovely Dutch windmill.

So, so much to do at Tulip Fest.

Reed asked to do the rock climbing wall and I wasn’t too sure how it would go. Lena decided to join him.

Side by side and they were really moving, until Reed decided that he could do no more. I think Lena felt discouraged when she saw him quitting and decided she was done, too.

We replenished on the healthiest food we could find.

And, Reed gave the climbing wall another shot. We really encouraged Lena to give it another go, too, but she wasn’t up for it.

Reed was doing really well, until he got to just a few feet from the top. He looked at me, ready to give up again, but I told him he could do it. I started telling him which hands and feet to move next and soon, he hit the buzzer at the top.

I was very proud of him for persevering, believing in himself and listening to my directions.

It was such a nice night that we even hung out after Tulip Fest wrapped up and played at the playground.

And, a little hike finished off our wonderful day.

We kicked off our Easter festivities on Good Friday with egg-dying. We went for simple red eggs again, using onion peels like we did two years ago. It’s very easy to do and not messy. And Russian/Ukrainian. We talked about eggs symbolizing the life that only Jesus can give us and red for his blood.

I’ve had lots of people ask me about these since we posted them on instagram. It’s just yellow onion peels + white vinegar. And they are a bright crimson red when wet and dry to a brick red. Here’s the recipe we use.

We watched a couple of “What’s in the Bible?” videos on Friday and Saturday. They explain topics with lots of kid-friendly detail.

On Sunday, we went to church. That was about the extent of our Jesus-centered holiday.

For the afternoon, we went out and flew kites. It had nothing to do with Easter, but the Overland Park Arboretum was having Kite Fest. My sister had sent them some kites and this seemed like the opportunity to use them.

I don’t think kites have any less to do with the resurrection of Jesus than Easter eggs and bunnies and candy do, so I won’t feel bad.

Reed told me that he needed no assistance learning to fly his kite. I sort of laughed, but he really did figure it out himself. He did ask me for help getting it up a few times, but he also did a fine job by himself. I was impressed.

Gus needed more help than we could offer him.

Aaron helped Lena get hers in the air and together, they had some success.

Reed is becoming quite the gracious older brother, pushing Gus on swings, helping him on/off the trampoline, and… letting him hold his beloved kite.

I’m thankful for his patience with his pesky little brother.

The arboretum actually has a kids’ garden and it contains some “dinosaur bones”, a large section of trains, play houses, trucks to play with– lots and lots to do.

It was a relaxed holiday, and that’s how I like them. 🙂