Easter etc

So, first of all, Rob got a new baby this week. If you can call a rusty old saw a baby. He is very excited. He got it free on Craig's list and his Dad was super nice and came up helped sand the rust off and help Rob get it in good working order (it didn't work when we first got it).We had an Elder's Quorum campout on Friday. I was hesitant to want to go at first, worried about the weather, but the kids had so much fun with all the other kids there.It was too bad that after telling everyone what good campers my kids were, each one of them woke up screaming uncontrollably (in turn of course) and all five of us ended up in the same two person sleeping bag! Then I heard a car alarm go off. Rob asked if it was ours and I realized that I was sleeping on my keys. So, I tried really hard to turn it off, then, as ours turned on, I realized that it was someone else's alarm that I had heard in the first place! So, I tried desperately to turn it off! What a night. We woke up all the campers at least 4 times! So, warning to all who might camp with the Frenches!!


On Saturday Rob completed this lego ship he had gotten from his Grandma Webster. He was so proud! I love it when he does projects like this. It teaches him to follow directions and create things, and he is so proud of himself afterwards.
That night we colored some eggs. Austin decided that the colored water tasted really good, as he would put some in his mouth and say "yummy!" Silly kid.
We read the story of the last few days of Christ's life and the resurrection before the kids went to bed. The next morning was all smiles.One of the presents Robert got was a mini golf set. I was surprized, but he loved it! He played with it a ton this morning. Unfortunately Austin got a bat and ball for his and was frustrated because he wanted to get his ball into Robert's golf hole.Isabelle loved the dresses and had to put her make up on right away!The Easter Bunny even knew where to find Mima and Papa.Rob told me, "All I need is this paddle ball game."
With the candy, every Easter I have to put on my malt ball lipstick.We tried to take a family photo. It was hard. I tried to match all the boys this year with their lime green.The kids sure love their grandparents, and we were so lucky to have them here this year:)Isabelle got some butterfly stickers in her basket. She ended up putting the stickers all over the place. Then she would move them and stick them someplace else!We had a yummy dinner.Then sent the kids on an egg hunt.A few weeks ago when I pulled out our Easter decorations, Robert found my bag of plastic eggs. Then, he and Isabelle hid them all over the house. We found them in the bathroom drawers, under beds and in closets. If we ever found one, Robert would take it and hide it somewhere else. It was so cute!
So today, after the kids did the hunt we set up for them downstairs, we told them to get the eggs that they had hid upstairs. But Robert said, "No Mom, the eggs upstairs are for the adults to do an egg hunt!" So, Rob, Bob, Nan, and I got our baskets and started searching.
At the end Robert said, "Mom, I am sorry to tell you, but there is no candy in your eggs." What a thoughtful little guy he is to put an egg hunt on for us.

We topped off the night with individual trifles. We had a fun Easter!

Ok, just one more note. Last week I had the kids bring their scriptures to church so they can get a sticker in Primary. The kids were so excited to be able to have their own scriptures there. Later that night Robert told me that for his reading time he wanted to read from the scriptures. He told me that in his primary class he was never called on to read from the scriptures, although the other kids were, and he never felt like he could. But, when we brought our scriptures on Sunday, he opened them up and read some on his own for the first time. I guess it really does make a difference just to have the kids bring them to church.
We read a whole page from the Pearl of Great Price. It almost made me cry that he was so excited to read the scriptures, and that his confidence took a huge leap.

Also, today we watched General Conference. I have been so upset about what has been going on in our country lately (if you are too, check out my new link to the 9-12 club). I feel like the Authorities of the church were talking to me when they spoke on not having fear, just faith. I love conference and having a Prophet and apostles.

Belly's 4th b-day, Robert's broken arm

This is my sweet, now four year old Bella. I am so grateful for her. She is always so willing to share and give of what she has. She has a sweet temperament and loves to be with other people. She is so fun to be around. She loves to sing and dance. She is always the little princess in all that she does. I love having such a girly girl!


So, last Saturday I threw Isabelle her 4th birthday party. We did a princess tea party.We did cupcakes with princesses on them instead of a cake.Isabelle said that her favorite part of the party was taking the princess off the top and dipping her into the frosting!Rob found the cutest font that made a little Cinderella at the beginning of each girl's name and we had a name tag for each girl. I also gave them a sparkly ring in their napkin holder.It was very important to Isabelle that we had dancing at the party.
I got all the girls spring hats for the party. I had them choose what ribbon they wanted on their hat, what flowers, and where they wanted to put them. Then I glued them to their hats for them.For lunch, I made sandwiches in the shapes of flowers, butterflys, and bunnies. I made fruit kabobs with a bunny shaped marshmallow at the end for each girl. We also had pink lemonade in fancy plastic glasses!Robert and Austy came. Robert wanted to be "The Hulk" for Bella's party. We played some musical chairs, opened presents and all the girls had a lot of fun!Bella got this Horton game from one of her friends and we had fun playing that.Monday was Bella's actual birthday, so that is when we gave her our presents. She gave us a great response! This was her favorite gift, the dress! (If she could wear a dress every day she would! So, we got her an every day, dress).Here is a taste of springtime at our house. Rob even mowed the lawn for the first time this year. I love the spring!For spring break we went 4 wheeling and yurt camping with some friends. Within our first hour of arrival, Rob took a tumble down a switchback with Robert on his quad and Robert got a broken arm! (just a buckle fracture that didn't break all the way through) So understandably, Robert wanted no more of that for the rest of the trip! So, the next day I went with the Hornbergers to a discovery museum with all the kids, and they all loved it!:)We also did tame activities like collecting sea shells. Austin just liked to play in the sand.Isabelle had tons of fun with her new friend Ethan.She also didn't like it when people went tame on the sand rail. When she got off the second time she had a glum look on her face. When asked about it she said, "That was boring!" She likes the wild and crazy ride!!After camping we went straight to Mima and Papa's to watch Conference with them. They had Isabelle present opening time there too:)

Green day, traps, and hair gone wrong

So, the kids were so excited for St. Patrick's day. Isabelle wanted to make a leprechan trap too, since Robert got to make one. So, I let she and Clara make one the day before St. Patrick's day.For St.Patrick's I served a green meal of green pizza (the dough, and meat (thanks to Robert)), green jello salad, and broccoli. Oh, and I colored the milk green too. The kids loved it:)
I have been so impressed with Austin lately. He is starting to accurately point out colors (like green and pink anyways). He will talk in full sentences sometimes. He has even engaged in some word play games. Today he said to me, "Mommy, you Sleeping Beauty". To which I replied, "Austin, you are Thomas the Train."
Austin-"No, you Thomas!" I just love this little guy! He is so fun! Also, after night after night of telling him to stop getting out of his bed, I am no longer giving him a nap, and lo and behold it is working! (Thanks Kim!)
Robert is doing so well in school. Before it would take a while to pass a reading level, and he is passing them one a week now! He seems so much more happy and confident:) He has friends at school and is learning to do so many things on his own (he poured his own milk this week). We are proud of this guy. Oh, and by the way, yes, we let our kids climb up on the counters if they are willing to do things for themselves!
So, Rob and I have talked about bleaching our hair together for a while. We thought it would be fun. We used to have hair as light as the kids and wanted to get the same shade. Boy did we go wrong! I am totally looking like a punk rock girl now! All I need is to dye the bottom of my hair black and it would complete the look huh! Oh well, I have decided to still go out in public with my fake hair, and just make fun of myself. So, now you can too!Lastly, we found a mouse in our house this week! It was just a little baby, I sure hope we don't find more!

New do, and leprechans

So, I have been trying to be good lately and I have been doing some Tae bo. My little Isabelle has been so cute about wanting to do tae bo with me. She has to get her "tae bo clothes" on too. Which usually consists of a swim suit, possibly a tu tu if she feels like it. Austin just likes to get under me and hug my legs. At least we can be together and interact, while I am still getting something done for me.Yes, Austin feels the need to put his Tae bo clothes on too.And, here are the kids getting in a good workout, on the bean bags.I also got a new haircut since my last post. I know it is not amazing here in my pic, but I really like it. I have so much more body, style, and it takes 90% less time to do! Gotta love it.When we first moved into our house I was sad that there weren't any flowers out front. So, last summer we planted a bunch of bulbs (the ground was so hard so it took forever!) But, we are finally seeing some of the fruit of our labors! Yeah for spring!For Robert's school he was suppose to make a Leprechan trap. He was so excited (it is cute because he totally believes in leprechauns and asked if he could keep one if he caught it!) So, I thought that I would post his trap.This is the inside. It reminds me of "I dream of Jeannie" because it has a little bed inside and a pillow.
I also want to mention what a character Robert has been lately. When I went to take the picture of him he said, "Hey mom, look, I can do mom and dad (in sign language)". Then when I went to take the picture he just did silly hands on his head to trick me! He is getting quite the sense of humor! He also has started to try to trick his Dad numerous times at the dinner table to see if he can take his food, cup etc. I wonder where he got that from.....
Ok, I just thought Austin looked cute here.

Easier week

So, it was nice to have an easier week this week, without two birthdays and an anniversary.

I decided to take a picture of Austin praying because I think it is SO cute how he does it.I love how he tucks his hands under his little chin, and he is so good about saying prayers (with our help) when he is not sneaking food in his mouth!

Also, at Robert's school this week, Beaches restaurant served a "Green Eggs and Ham breakfast to all of the first graders and their parents." It was so cute. All of the kids got these fun Dr. Seuss hats too.
Lastly, I have just been so grateful for the temple this week. I have been really upset lately about things going on in the government and the economy. Rob and I went to the temple on Friday and I couldn't believe the peace and contentment that I felt being there. The outside worries I had really did stay outside! (That's pretty hard to let go of my worries sometimes). I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It helps me feel so much peace!

1. Go to my documents/pictures.

2. Go to my 6th file folder.
3. Go to my 6th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 6 people to do the same

Ok, so this is not a recent picture. Alisa tagged me.

So, this is a picture of Austin from last summer. We went to a parade in Oregon somewhere and sat on the side and the kids ran after the candy thrown. Austin was definitely into it.

I now tag: Wendy, Sarah, Mom, Amy, Rachel and Lindsay.