Field Trip to Dallas Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum was the final First grade field trip of the year, and I got to chaperone.  Yep.  Another bus ride with 80 first graders.  It actually wasn't so bad...just hot because the AC wasn't working.  Lovely.  I actually really enjoy going on field trips though, because Ethan is so thrilled that I am on the school bus with him!   Here he is on the bus with his buddy, Sean. 

I was in charge of a small group of 4 for the day and they were all darling.  

The Arboretum was beautiful!  We had missed all the spring tulips and daffodils because it was already April, but there were still so many incredible flowers and colors.  

There was also an art expedition on display all over to add to the beauty and uniqueness of the grounds.  These designs were made of glass and they were so cool!  

Ethan loved the little Pioneer village.  

We stopped and had a picnic lunch halfway through the trip with friends from his class.  

I love these trees.  

It was a great day with my little first grader.  

My Pretty Gilli

Gillian was all dressed up on her way to a piano recital when I saw this gorgeous spot for a picture.  Turned out beautiful, hey?    

A few nights prior to this, I had come home late from a church meeting and was so touched to find this note on my counter with all the lunches made for the next day.  

I love my Gilli girl.  

Easter

Saturday night, before Easter Sunday, we always spend the evening coloring eggs as a family.  The kids love it and we always have a lot of fun.  Don really got adventurous this year and tried some silk dying from some of his old silk ties.  They turned out really cool!  I think we will find some more silk ties at Thrift stores and do it again next year.  

Pretty amazing how that pattern just transferred to the egg, huh?  And it's really easy, too.  

Before bed, Ryan and Ethan made sure to leave out a little snack for the Easter Bunny.  They each wrote him a note, too.  Cute kids.  

Ryan let the boys sleep in her room so they could wake up to their Easter baskets together.  Don actually heard them at 1:00 in the morning looking through their baskets and made them go back to bed!  They were obviously a little excited.  

The big girls wouldn't let me take any pics of them first thing in the morning.  Teenagers.

After church we had a few families (the Piersons and Hainlines) over for a nice Easter dinner.  It's always sad to be so far from any family on Holidays, but good friends always make up for it.  I made a big honey baked ham, funeral potatoes and rolls.  Our friends brought drinks, salad, and the dessert.  It was quite the feast and so much fun to be with friends.  We always have a lot of fun setting and decorating the tables.   Too bad I didn't get any pictures after everyone got there.  

Easter Sunday has always been a special day, but it's even more special now that I have a sister on the other side of the veil.  The hope and peace of the Resurrection brings me so much comfort.  I am so grateful to know that my Savior, Jesus Christ lives and that we will all be resurrected, and can be together with our loved ones again!