SPRING BREAK/BOWLING

We have a hard time bowling here in Erie.

The first time we tried to go, we realized that every bowling alley has leagues every night.  Open bowling isn't open until we are all tucked in our beds.

The second time we went during the afternoon.  We got yelled at.  Specifically I got yelled at.  For something silly, like swinging Lew around after he did something great.  We were the only ones there.  

The third time. This time.  We drove to the address and couldn't see it.  We drove back and forth a few times.... still couldn't see the bowling alley.  Finally we called and spotted it right before driving off for the last time.  Should it really be that hard to find?!  

But, once we got inside we had so much fun.  

Lew danced the whole time.  He was having the time of his life.  He would clap and cheer for everyone.  He wanted to carry the ball up all by himself.... it was so heavy for him that he would spin and swing and I just had to sit back and pray that he didn't drop it on his toes.  

T learned to hold it with one hand.  He was very proud of himself.

D held strong and came in first.  It is tough when your competition gets to have bumpers!

I on the other hand held strong and defended my spot in last place!

It is tough work I tell you but somebody has to do it.  

Also photos curtesy of Lewis Barnley Packer.  I love love that Lew is into taking pictures.  He will grab the camera all by himself and take some great candid shots.  They really do showcase all of our personalities.  Which is always fun to see......

SPRING BREAK/GOGGLES

Because who doesn't see a pair of googles when they are looking at an egg carton?!?!
The perfect indoor activity for two little boys.
Especially when they come with super powers and make you look as great as this!

SPRING BREAK/MAKING SHIRTS

Thomas had this fabulous idea of making his own shirt.
Lew of course wanted to join in.
With the weather being mostly cold (it even snowed one day) we thought this indoor project would be perfect.
We went to the store and picked out shirts and decorating materials.

T wanted a white shirt and to color his with marker.  He comes up with very creative ideas.  It started as an army themed shirt and then became a cool design.  I love how he sticks out his tongue when he concentrates!

Lew chose a blue shirt and wanted to use puff paints!  Orange and green to be exact.  He also wanted a P... so I helped with that.  I loved his hands squeezing the paints and the concentration on his sweet face.

Sometimes it is hard for me as a mom to give up control and let them do whatever they want.  
It is my own personal struggle.  Especially if I know money was spent and they will be wearing it....
With that being said...... WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!   They both came up with great ideas and were SO SO SO EXCITED to be doing their own thing.  NO rules.  Just creative fun!

EASTER EGG FHE

YAY for spring and EASTER!
We have had fabulous weather over the weekend and then not so fabulous weather during this week.  Which is unfortunate because it is Spring Break.
Lets just say we went to bed on Monday night with the windows open listening to the rain.  It was warm and amazing.  I love love love the sound of rain.
We had to close the window in the middle of the night because we were getting a snowstorm and the weather had dropped 40 degrees....  Not so warm or amazing!

With that being said... We are still enjoying ourselves during Spring Break and have been having fun doing some things to prepare for EASTER this weekend.
We had our good friends come to Family Home Evening and we dyed Easter eggs!!! So fun.
I love the bright colors.
I love the excitement that the kids feel.
I love how some people are adventurous and others stick to the solid colors.
I love good friends.  Ones that you can talk to forever and the kids play so well together.
I love having the missionaries in our home.
I love Easter.
I love that I get to celebrate my Savior Jesus Christ.
I love fun traditions that create memories.
I don't love that I spilled dye on my table and rug.  The table is tinted slightly pink.  Our house is definitely lived in and enjoyed!  Because of nights like this one... where we laughed together, created, showed love, felt the spirit, learned new things, shared friendships and grew together as a family!
I take that back.  I will forever look at the pink stain on my table and remember this night!  I don't dislike it as much as I did before!
How can I after I see these sweet smiling completely joyful faces!

CONFERENCE

It is our tradition to get donuts from Fuhrmans for General Conference.

They make their own fresh pressed apple cider.  

You can watch them press the apples.  Pretty cool.

They have great donuts.  

Local service.  We love them.  

We love donuts!

Even if Lew doesn't look like it in this picture.  

This is just a phase he is going through.  He is all about making faces...this

one just looks as if he is angry at life.  Put a donut in his mouth and everything changes!

We also had fruit kebabs.  Cider.  And chocolate milk.  

Friends came.  We played pass the pigs.  Spot it.  Our new favorites!  

WE LOVE CONFERENCE weekend!!!!!!

Soccer

T is playing soccer at the Y.
He is on a team that is ages 4-5.
He is a head taller than most of his teammates!
He frequently says, I don't dare kick the ball as hard as I can because I don't want to hurt the little kids.  He kicked a ball and it hit a girl in the face.  He felt bad.  We told him that is part of the game.

 He love, LOVE, LOVES playing.
He stands in ready position at all times.
He loves his shoes.  They make him do everything more amazing than if he didn't have them on!
He is fun to watch.  At first he stayed away from the pack in his position.  We were proud.  Then we told him nobody was going to kick to him and just to go and get it.   He is now part of the pack.
He has scored a few goals.  Saved a few goals.
He loves approval from his dad and looks at him constantly for a thumbs up.
He is on the burnt orange team.  How did we get so lucky!?
He pulls his shorts up pretty high and tucks in his baggy shirt.  Wow.  That is all I can say.  We have tried a compromise that his shorts have to be at his belly button and no higher.  He leaves the house looking like that.... and by the end of the game they are hiked up.
He loves playing and has the best time ever.  That makes it fun and so worth it.  It is fun as a parent to see him learning and growing.

CREATIVITY

Thomas Andrew is so creative.  
He goes through SO much tape and paper.  SO FAST.
It melts my heart.
When he was young I would come up with project after project to help him find his creative side.  He never was interested.
Last week on the way home from school we talked about making a lemonade stand.  He wants to make some money!
Once we got home he disappeared into the basement while I worked on dinner.  I heard him going in and out the garage door and then he called to me.  I came to see what he had come up with.

He had colored a bunch of "Nit Pikchrs" Knight Pictures and taped them to the back of the car.  He also made a sign to let people know what he was trying to sell.  He also made a hat to wear on top of his head.  A true business man I tell you.
HE WAS SO PROUD of himself.
So was I.
He waited outside in the COLD for 2 hours.
We live in a cul-de-sac.   Not one person drove through.  Until Big Daddy came home from work with a dollar in his wallet.  Thomas got a boost of confidence and was able to get another dollar from his mom and brother.  That is 3 dollars my friends.
A true business man!  A creative one.... that maybe needs to work on supplying what is in demand!

He has a few other creations that he has come up with!  All out of paper.
A hulk Hogan wrestling outfit.  Mustache.  Eyebrows.  Muscles.  Belt.  Headband.  Wristbands.  Bottoms and all.

Wrestling is definitely on the boys brains....
It is very common for the boys to start wrestling after dinner and it isn't long before shirts are thrown off and then they are stripped down to nothing but their big boy undies!
It is hard work being so muscly I tell you!
Thomas came up with these outfits for the boys one night before a monster wrestling match.  They each took turns running up the stairs as Daniel introduced their names.  Thomas: Hulk Hogan.  Lew: Macho man.  I absolutely LOVE this little photo shoot.  It definitely shows each of the boys personalities.  

Lew Riding a Bike

A few weeks ago Big D decided to take off Lew's training wheels on his bike.
Lew is way way wild on his bike and loves riding it!
They worked on it on Friday night and then again on Saturday.
Friday night was a little bit frustrating.
Lewis when he feels uncomfortable with something or overwhelmed with it, he gets super super silly.
He thought it was so funny to look back at Daniel the whole time.
Daniel was a rockstar dad and stayed calm and supportive the whole time.  Thomas was super encouraging and cheered him on the whole time.  He has the cutest little whoop!

Saturday Lew was a little more confident and decided to trust his dad and not goof around.
He got down to business and despite the cold temperatures he worked hard and figured it out.
It didn't take long once he watched where he was going!

Lewis is 3 years old and learned to ride his bike with no training wheels.
Lewis is 3 years old and is so so silly.  It is funny most of the time, unless he is trying to get out of something.
Lewis is 3 years old and loves his dad.  Everyday when Big D calls during lunch time he asks to talk to Lew.  At the end of the conversation Lew says, "I love you so much!"
Lewis is 3 years old and loves his mom.  He climbs into bed with her every morning (if not a few times at night)  he touches his cheeks to hers and rests his sweet chubby hand on her other cheek.  They have to touch at all times.  It is very sweet until her back starts to ache and he accidentally drinks too much water before bed.... if you know what I mean.
Lewis is 3 years old and loves his older brother.  He follows him everywhere and asks, "when is it time to pick Thomas up?"  from school,  as we are driving home from dropping him off for the day.
Lewis is 3 years old and went to the dentist for the first time.  Rockstar.  No fear.  No cavities.
Lewis is 3 years old and loves to read stories and snuggle.
Lewis is 3 years old and loves all things boy.  Cars.  Planes.  Balls.  Superheroes.  Trains.  Swords.  Shields.  Wrestling.  He thinks it is so funny to say potty words.  Do they ever outgrow that?
Lewis is 3 years old and loves to make silly faces whenever we pull the camera out.
Lewis is 3 years old and loves to make cookies and eat sweets.