Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone!  This is my favorite time of year for so many reasons.  I love the Easter Holiday.  The sacrifice Our Father made for the forgiveness of our sins.  Everything feels fresh and new!  I love the Palm Sunday service and the Easter one, of course, but I also enjoy (doesn't seem like the right word, but I don't know how else to put it) going to the Maundy thursday and good Friday service.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, God, for sending your one and only begotten son to die for us on the cross that our sins might be washed away and we might be able to spend eternity with you in heaven! 

We celebrated with my parents a bit early last weekend.  It was a fun day, we flew kites and had an easter egg hunt!  Easter Sunday we will celebrate with the Mages family!  And of course, the Easter bunny will come to our house too!  Maybe the girls will get to see the bunny tomorrow.  If we do, I will try to post a pic then!!  Pics from Easter to come later! 

Swim Little Pike, Swim!

Practicing backfloat

Allison just completed her first round of swimming lessons...ever!  She was in the 3-5 yr old class, called Pike's, at the YMCA swimming lessons.  My sweet girl is not without fear though.  At first she was pretty excited to go.  She does love the water, but likes to be doing what SHE wants to in the water.  And that does not include putting her head under water.  I watched her practice different things in the water with the instructors and for the most part she did great.  But when it came time to jump in, most of the other kids were waving their arms in the air to go first, not my little guppy!!  There was another little boy who wouldn't do it the first day, I think that was part of what got the ball rolling, that first day she was doing whatever the other kids did, but he was right ahead of her in line and when he wouldn't jump in, she wouldn't either and we couldn't get her to the rest of the year.  She would only do it if the teacher held her hands the whole time.  So, we have a few things to work on this summer, putting her head under and being a little more comfortable with the water.  I have or had any premonitions that she would be a lifegaurd, I just want her to know how to swim and be comfortable in the water.  Looks like we have another reason to get to the pool and lake more often this year!!  :)  Pics at top are from last Sat., her last day and the ones below are from St. Patrick's day, my mom's camera, Grandma and Grandpa B. came to watch!

Blowing bubbles

Practicing side stroke.

Ashley trying to get Allie to jump in.