It was nothing less than a miracle...

in Philadelphia! (Sometimes Brite Music songs pop into my head...sorry.) This week Kassie and I went on a whirlwind trip to Philly with her elementary school. During the five hour tour we took in: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' home, Christ Church Burial Ground and Franklin Square.

Left to right: Jessie, Kassie, and Carla: our field trip group marveling at the Liberty Bell.
Okay, not really.

Here's the whole class at Betsy Ross' home. Doesn't Mr. Hennaut look like he's having the time of his life?

Kassie and Carla are trying to make their way through the class to toss a penny onto Benjamin Franklin's grave site. Apparently, that's how you honor the man known for saying "a penny saved is a penny earned." Too bad for his Quaker friends (who collect all of the pennies) that he didn't say the same thing about a dollar. They'd really be pulling in the cash!

I think that Kassie and most of her friends had a good time; however, I think that there were few upset when we had to evacuate Independence Hall for a fire alarm during the ranger's fifteen minute lecture prior to entering the room. Kids that age can only take so much history in one day before you lose them completely!

Mommy's Little Helper

This morning I decided that it was time to start making the peanut butter Easter eggs that we all love at our house. Little did I know how much Anna was going to enjoy the project! She unwrapped the butter and threw it in the bowl, dumped ingredients in, and helped scoop the PB out of the jar and into the measuring cup. We made three batches of eggs...each time I turned off the mixer, I'd hear a sweet little voice say, "Taste?" Of course, it goes without saying that Anna ate way more peanut butter egg than any 22-month-old ever needs in one day!

Alexis turned 5!

Alexis turned 5 on Thursday and ushered in the big day with a mild case of the stomach flu! Since we had no big plans for the day (I was thinking of taking her to the zoo but she didn't know so it wasn't a big let-down) she spent most of the day lounging...with a few fun surprises.

First, as a big surprise, "the flower man" delivered a fun basket full of beautiful flowers
and a cuddly teddy bear that Mimi and Papa had sent her. It took her a bit to understand
how the whole flower delivery thing works and how Mimi and Papa could deliver
flowers from another state.

Another surprise? Nana and Pappy called and said that they couldn't make it for the party on Saturday so they were on the way to deliver a birthday gift for these birthday girl. They shared her requested birthday dinner of sloppy joes and pierogies and brought her a beautiful new dress and this hand tied princess blanket.

Finally, the big day arrived...Saturday...Party day!
Lexi requested a Princess Party several months ago. (My kids start planning their birthday parties the day after their birthday!) This is her princess castle cake just as requested-- strawberry cake with pink and purple icing.

First off, everybody decorated their own tiaras (or in Mitchell's case visor.) What would a party be without Isabelle? Kate's around here somewhere...

Kayla showed up a little later to round out the bunch...Ariel, Cinderella and Snow White.
(Kassie was dressed as Belle and Mitchell as...Mitchell with gloves and a hat.)
The girls had fun with "Kiss the Frog Prince," "The Princess and the Pea" game, making tiaras and necklaces and eating the castle. What a fun time for all (under the age of 6.)
Luckily for me and Matt, Anna slept through the whole party!

January fun.

Now that Selena has educated me in how to use this site, I'm going to post some pictures of our trip to Florida. We spent eight beautiful days in sunny Florida in early January. I ran the Disney Half-marathon (2hours 30seconds) with Laura while we were there. The kids are had a blast as always and are already plotting and planning their next trip!