Love this Stage

A few things Mitchell is doing right now:

1. Every book we look at he relates to people in our family.  Last night there were three dolphins, "mommy, daddy, mitchell!" Sometimes it is "Ben, Mitchell, Emily."

2. The kids are possessive to him.  Throughout the day he will ask, "Where is my Annie?"  If someone is missing (ie Scouts, practice, friend's house), he notices and asks where 'my ____' is.

3.  When I say no, he will burst into fake crying, "I want mine daddy."  The tears are cleared up about 90 seconds later when I say yes to another question.

4. When Mitchell has any impolite behaviors, we say, "Excuse you."  Now, when he passes gas, he will look at someone else in the room and say, "Excuse you!"  It's the funniest thing. 

5. He has started asking to have friends over to play.  There is a little girl in particular that they have a love/tolerate relationship.  She will now accept his hugs with a, "But not too tight Mitchell!"  Last time she was here, we went on a little hunt to find the neighbor's cat, traipsing through Miss Linda's really cool backyard looking for Jake.  I think he wants to do that again!

Love this little guy - can't believe what a joy and a blessing he has been to our family!!!

The Beginnings of Spring Break

Sunday Dress-ups.  The kids did a great job showing off their Sunday clothes for Grandma Maas!  So glad because I never have time to take pictures of their outfits!

I had a meeting after church, so Andy set everyone to egg dying while I was gone.

Mitchell was quite intrigued by the process...3 dozens eggs all beautiful!

Why we don't typically get visitors until May!!!

More pictures from the McKinley Musem - the kids love it here!

Mitchell could have played here all day, if only those other kids didn't keep messing up his trains!  Sadly, each time we get to here, we are all hungry and tired and ready to go.  One day I will have to bring Mitchell by himself to play!

The typical 3 generation pose...complete with electronics!

Love the heated pool while there is snow on the ground!  We made great use of the hotel pool and planned our days around when we could swim! Thanks for coming Gma and Gpa Maas!  We had a great time!

Talents Shows, Egggs, and Grandparents

We had a Talent Show at church.  The kids had a one-minute time limit.  Ben showed off some artwork he did for Scouts.  Emily did one cartwheel.  She was so fast, I didn't even get a picture!

Annie did some jump roping - then we all enjoyed pizza!

Saturday morning found Andy, the boys, and the grandparents at a local Easter egg hunt - Mitchell loved the bunny!  I took the girls to a birthday party.

Teaching Grandpa our new favorite game - Spot It!

Saturday night curlers...

Two days after curlers...Annie has some awesome body!  We went to the McKinley Museum and had so much fun playing in the new Imagination Station Area!

Trying to get four kiddos in a tornado - NEVER works!



Playing at the park with Grandma while the boys practice baseball!

More games - Guess Who? this time.  Emily is giving Grandpa clues on how to play the game.  He is such a good sport!!!