Easter Eggs!

I was on Pinterest a couple months ago and picked up the tip of a better way to cook your hard boiled eggs. Easter seemed like the best time to try it out, so I’ll share the steps with you.

In a preheated 325 degree oven, place your eggs in a muffin tin. Cook/bake for about 25-30 min. My oven needed the full 30 minutes, so time does vary.

Once those were done and cooling, the boys set out the cups and dye. A little teamwork and they were ready to go.

They drew on them with crayon first to make secret designs. Apparently both boys forgot about this from last year and were amazed by it…..I love kids!

Happy Easter everyone!

Christmas 2012

This year, we did things a little different. We shed most of  the lights, distractions and noise from our celebrations. Because I think we've lost sight of what Christmas is really all about. We are celebrating the coming of our King, in the from of a baby. A Savior for the world. We celebrate the fact that he GAVE everything, for us. Which is why we give at Christmas. We like to give of ourselves, what we can. Whether it's a toy airplane for your child, a new sweater for you grandma, or a pocket full of change for those in need. We give, like He gave.

So, after shedding almost all of  the "normal traditions", we started putting them back a little different. Taking time for the season to settle in,  we spent time talking about why we do things instead of looking up toys and filling out I want lists.

Instead of asking for toys, we asked of ourselves, what can we give? The boys have lots of good toys that they don't play with, so we are cleaning up the best, wrapping them and delivering them to a boy who might not get a Christmas. So Christmas eve, we delivered them right after Christmas Mass! It was a good feeling and the boys can't wait to do it again!

We also are spending time helping out others, like holding a door, saying, "thank you" to our cashier or anything to make a day brighter. Making cards for those we love and asking what can we do for you instead of what am I getting. *Now, we live in reality and sometimes, kids are just kids. So we aren't trying to restore all the love in the world, just one day at a time, lol!*

The boys colored and cut out our new tradition this year, a Jesse Tree. It follows the "family tree" of Jesus with stories of the bible ending with the birth of Christ. They caught me off guard when they were excited each night to read a new story! I love those boys...

We waited to put up the tree until the 23rd, putting it up as a family and learning why we put up a tree in the first place. It was a change from what we have done, but it's one of those good changes.

We had a visit from Grandma Donna and Ray, visited Nana and Popi, and are looking forward to seeing the rest of our family soon. Thanks for all the gifts, treats and time.

~ Three guys and the girl