Spring Break and Easter

I have the night off tonight!  Mark has tomorrow off for Good Friday, so he put the tent up outside and the kids are having "Daddy Night".  So I am listening to music on Lala, and blog surfing.  Ahh...I love having nothing to do!   Oh sure,  I could be cleaning or something else equally important...but it just feels really good to do nothing sometimes!!!  It really has been a great week.  We kicked off his spring break last Friday night with James' first baseball game of the season.  There were inflatable games, and a parade, tons of fun.  We spent all day Saturday at home working on a family project...we are making our own dining room table.  It's gorgeous if I do say so myself.  Hope to post pics soon!  Mark is so talented.  Just saying.  And on Sunday after church we celebrated my niece's 1st birthday with a fun party with family.  We are on spring break this week, and each day has been gorgeous 75-80 degrees and sunshiny with no clouds in sight.  The kids and I have enjoyed our time outdoors.  James is starting to get really good at riding his bike successfully without his training wheels.  Bella loves her little bike too.  It is so fun to watch them race.  James will humor her and wait for her to cross the "finish line" and let her think she wins...but not always!  That boy loves to speed!

Even though technically we are on spring break, we have been doing a few things to focus on the meaning of Easter.    One of the things we have been doing are neat short lessons from CTA, free downloads from their website here...  http://image.ctainc.com/ctainc/Images/art/POCXDF.pdf/        It is called The Power of the Cross Magnet.  It's a really cute puzzle that the kids can play with on the fridge, or a cookie sheet as you do the devotions.  Each piece teaches about one of Jesus' names, and tells a part of the Easter story.    

Another cool thing I just got today is a listening CD and a brand new Jesus Storybook Bible from Zonderkidz. Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago, and read by David Suchet. Find out more at http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com  (Thanks mom for the wonderful Easter present!)  If you are looking for a new bible for your kids, I really do recommend it.  It is so awesome how it weaves every story into the big picture that God has a plan to save and redeem His people, and that it's through His Son!  

One of the things we do each night, is a devotion with Mark leading it, then afterwards we turn on the CD player and let the kids listen to Christian stories/Bible readings as they fall asleep.  So, I am excited to start this CD from the Jesus Storybook right before Easter.  Watch and listen to the story of the Resurrection :

Okay, and I know that it's Easter time...but check out this great post over at We are THAT family It is an awesome idea for Christmas! Never too early to be thinking of others!!! I love her blog~check out her other great posts too!!!