Thankful List ~ April 2014

April Thankful List

*  Thankful for warm weather and spring flowers.  We were able to play outside a lot this month.  In addition to re-mulching our flowerbeds, we built a patio, and my kids continually picked their momma flowers (always so sweet).  We also were able to start visiting some of our favorite parks again.  Josiah has changed so much since last fall and is such a champ on the playgrounds.
*  We had a family night out for Raleigh’s First Fridays.  The kids stayed up way to late but we had a blast walking downtown, watching entertainers, eating at a Mexican restaurant and then grabbing a doughnut at Krispy Kreme.
*  We are thankful for Ben and Jerry’s free ice cream cone day!
NCSU had their annual Farm Days this month and yet again I’m thankful for opportunities in Raleigh for experiential learning.  My kids love “field trips.”  We were also able to go to a “What is Spring?” class at a local community center.  The kids had story time, they made a craft and they planted seeds.  Awesome!

*  Josiah started pretending with action figures this month.  He loves his Woody and Buzz Lightyear.  He played with them for over an hour in his room one day.  In addition, my Aunt April gave him a set of Pixar Planes action figures.  he has played with them more than I can begin to describe and I’m pretty sure they have flown and landed around every inch of our house.
*  I’m thankful for Pinterest and all the great ideas that I was able to get from it for both Easter and Addilyn’s birthday party, not to mention new healthy recipes since I was bored with our usual menu.
*  I’m thankful for our church, Treasuring Christ Church, who is not just another building in the city, but a body of believers trying to impact a community for God’s glory.  This month we had a service day, an Easter Festival, and a BBQ and Baptism fellowship.
*  I’m thankful for our risen Savior Jesus Christ.  We had the joy of celebrating Easter this month and I LOVED reflecting about the death and resurrection with my kids, husband, and bible study girls.  Our church does a phenomenal job with its Maundy Thursday service.  It’s my favorite event we do all year and, as expected, it was amazing.
*  The YMCA yet again makes it on my list of things I’m thankful for.  This month they had an Easter festival with food, crafts, an egg hunt, and bounce houses.  My kids had a blast and it was completely free!
*  Addilyn’s fourth birthday was this month.  I can’t even believe it. We are SO very thankful for our precious daughter.  She is intelligent, independent, tenderhearted, and beautiful. I pray the Lord will capture her heart and she will continue to grow in grace for many, many years to come. We celebrated with a Princess Party. She looked amazing in her new dress, shoes, gloves, and crown. Although it rained, I think everyone had a fabulous time.  I’m thankful I was able to make a castle cake that Addi was so excited about!

*  I’m thankful for cardboard boxes. We made a castle from tape and cardboard boxes.  The kids played in it for almost a week.  They imagined it as a castle, a fort, a house, a circus, a jungle, and even used it as a tent for camping.  They also got creative and colored it and decorated it with stickers.  Hours of free fun this month!
*  I’m thankful that the Lord has finally directed us to choose Classical Conversations as the best option for preschool for Addilyn.  We think we have found a good fit and I’m excited to learn and grow alongside my kids in this new adventure.