Drawing the Line

Today I told the kids that they were sitting too close to the TV. Sometimes I can be so unreasonable.

Jesus Said Love Everyone

I adore these kids:


Which is why it bothers me so much when they're mean to each other. I've tried to get creative in punishing them for fighting, when I suddenly remembered stories my dad used to tell us. He said that Grandpa Rice used to make him and whichever sibling sit in the middle of the room, holding hands, perhaps singing "Love at Home," even with company over. Well, Will and Anna don't know "Love at Home" right now, but nursery has taught them "Jesus Said Love Everyone." That produced this treasure:

And this:
And later, Will decided that the baby dolls were fighting. He made them hold hands, and he sang to them.

Hopefully this will all result in more sweet scenes like this:

Weekend with Cousins

We got to play with Dallin, Sophie, and Baby Violet all weekend while Ethan and Lindsay were out of town. Here is how we spent our time.

Reading books

Playing games

Making cookies

Nerf gun war (naturally)

Relaxing before bedtime

More games

Singing to Baby Violet ("Ring Around the Rosey," specifically)

Things we forgot to catch on camera: Playing outside on the swing set, drawing pictures with sidewalk chalk, tackling/wrestling Daddy (Uncle Larkin), Will and Anna calling Daddy "Uncle Larkin," lots of snuggling Sweet Violet, making silly faces at Violet to help her smile, playing Wii Fit and watching Dallin and Sophie break our long-standing records, etc.

We had a blast with all the kids! Poor Will and Anna's hearts were broken when Ethan and Lindsay came to pick up their kids. They still call our guest bedroom "Dallin and Sophie's room." I think we're going to have to take advantage of Larkin's summer vacation to have lots more sleepovers. Who else wants to join us?

Playing Catch-up

I wanted to post about Easter . . .

but I forgot. (We enjoyed Easter dinner with Ethan and Lindsay and family, and the twins had a mini-egg in the backyard.) Then I wanted to blog about fun things that we've done as a family . . .

but I forgot. Then I wanted to blog about funny things the twins have come up with. . .

(Hinting for a "cupcake")


(Constantly wishing me a "Happy Birthday" - my birthday was in January)


(Just a cowboy riding his . . . horse?)

but I forgot. It's been a busy month.

Backyard Fun

We have come to LOVE having a backyard! Once we moved in, we started mentally making plans for its improvement. Now that it's spring, we're putting those plans to action.

Plan #1: A Garden

Helping Daddy dig up the sod

Keeping Daddy hydrated

The finished product!

Plan #2: Swing Set

Enjoying the new playground

Plan #3: Make Amazing Memories

We're just getting started with plan #3, but we're off to a great start!

Remember the Alamo!

We took the kids to San Antonio for a few days during Larkin's spring break. We wanted a vacation, and we're excited that we are close enough to new cities now that we can explore when a break is needed.

After stopping in Luling for some of the best BBQ in Texas, we drove straight to the Alamo, followed by a jaunt along the Riverwalk. The Alamo was busy and the twins were ready to run around after four hours in the car, so we didn't get many pictures there. We tried to take the twins swimming at our hotel's pool after that, but the water was FRIGID! Anna jumped in and out a few times, but Will would barely dip his feet in. Larkin and I were numb and fearing hypothermia after a while, so the swimming adventure didn't last long. It was raining the next morning, and all of our planned activities were outside. So we took our time getting ready and then headed over to the Japanese Tea Garden after the rain subsided. After the twins' nap, we tried the Witte Museum (but ducked out after learning the wait to get in was THREE HOURS LONG) and ended up at a playground which the kids enjoyed much more anyway. The next day we went to Enchanted Springs Ranch - the best part of the trip. We hit Luling once more on the way back to Houston and then reached home safely. It wasn't a long or busy trip, but it was wonderful!

I've posted pictures at the Le Sueur family website, so I'm not going to repost them here. I will, however, post the one video we took: Will playing horseshoes at the ranch. I tried to get him to swing underhand (fearing the repercussions of him tossing horseshoes overhand at his full strength), and he sort of got the hang of it. . .

Trip summary: Two thumbs up!

Now I Know My ABCs

Thanks to several readings of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Will and Anna are learning the alphabet! Will has it down fairly well. (I started recording after he had started singing.)

Anna may not have all the letters, but she does have the most important part - recognizing her audience after her performance.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Love these kids!