Our Easter happenings

Easter morning started fairly early for the girls, up before 6:30am.  They saw their baskets and opened their eggs with their bible verses in them.  Caleb finally woke up around 7:00am and did the same.  Then it was a quick breakfast and out the door since church starts at 8:30am and isn't close by.  We dropped Madeline off at her class, and Patrick went with Caleb to his (Patrick is his teacher.)  Havi and I scooted over to the cafeteria to hang out for the next 90+ minutes.  I thought chocolate milk and a sugar cookie with sprinkles might make a good snack.  I often carry my Fujifilm camera with me because it's so compact and convenient to use.  So I propped it up on the table with the lens cap and set the timer to snap a few photos of me with my little girl.

We sat at a table by a window with the beautiful morning light streaming in.  After the service we went to the children's ministry to pick up Madeline.  We ran into our good friends Greg and Cheryl and their two kids.  Their son Connor is a year older than Caleb, and their daughter Kylie is a year younger than Madeline.  So our kids are not in the same classes.  They always play chase and run crazy wild while we chat after service.  I'm surprised we haven't had any major injuries yet. lol  Anyway, I snapped a quick photo in the parking lot before we left....in front of someone else's car. lol

Although it had been sprinkling on and off, I thought we could attempt a quick photo of the dumplings at a little park we pass on the way to/from church.

It took maybe twenty photos to get Havi to look, and then we called it done.  Once home, we got ready for the egg hunt.  Patrick hid the eggs in a few select rooms in the house (because of the rain.)  Some eggs had candy and some had money.

So after the one pose photo in the park deal, I determined to capture a few more shots of all three dumplings together at home.  

Our neighbors were in their driveway.  So the dumplings said hello.  And I know under their breaths, they were giggling watching the drama unfold as I attempted this mini photoshoot.  Their kids are in their 20s.  So no doubt they were thinking back to years past when they were in our shoes.

After Havi's nap, Patrick wanted to do some yard work.  He had to run to the store real quick for a few things.  Often when he leaves, Havi cries.  She has really grown attached to her Baba.

Caleb and Madeline helped rake our sea grape leaves.  Havi dug around in the dirt and poked at the leaves.  And Caleb loved giving the girls rides in the garden wagon.  It was such a nice, relaxing day.  I know most people don't do yard work on Easter.  And I don't know if we'll be making it a tradition.  But still, it was nice family time together.  The kids laughed and squealed all afternoon.  And the backyard is slowly getting a mini makeover.

How we celebrated 6 years with our precious Caleb

Back when we first bought our travel trailer, we thought it would be great fun to take Caleb camping to celebrate his Forever Family Day.  Well, the actual day fell on a Tuesday, but we still thought it would be great fun to go camping the weekend before.  My sister Deb came with her family Friday night.  We grilled steaks and ate s'mores by the campfire.  Then Andy whipped out his guitar for some campfire songs.  Well, maybe we sang preschool songs like Wheels on the Bus and such.  But we had a great time and lots of laughs nonetheless.

Saturday morning Caleb was supposed to have a tennis tournament, but the rain delayed it until Sunday.  Unfortunately we spent all Saturday morning in a holding pattern until the tournament was finally called for the day.  So we eventually went back to the campsite and hung out until the rain stopped.

When it finally let up, we went for a walk around the campsite.  I loved all the tall pine trees.  Our site felt so secluded.

We thought we'd take a look at all the wild flowers and shrubs.

And Caleb chatted a little with one of the boys he met.

Then it was time to head back and get dinner started.

We had fun roasting marshmallows....two nights in a row...woot woot!

Sunday was the tennis tournament.  Caleb played well, though he didn't win.  We're so proud of him for continuing to get out there and play kids who are much older than him and with a lot more experience.  He continues to improve each week.  After the tournament, we went back to the campsite to pack up the trailer and head home.

Well, fast forward to Tuesday, Caleb's Forever Family Day.  We took him and his sisters to the Magic Kingdom.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  Overcast skies gave way to partly cloudy, with a breeze and highs around 80.  Can we say awesome?!

After grabbing lunch, we headed to Tomorrow Land.  First, we picked up our Buzz Lightyear Fastpasses and then hit all the other rides in close proximity until it was time to head back to Buzz.  First up was the People Mover.

Then the Carousel of Progress, one of my faves.

Somebody was starting to get a wee bit sleepy.

We also did the Raceway.  Caleb was about 1 inch too short to ride alone.  He was a bit bummed but glad to know that next time he rides, he could very well be riding alone.

Then we headed over to Fantasy Land.  Patrick picked up Winnie-the-Pooh Fastpasses for us while we headed over to Dumbo.  Oh, I forgot to mention that I came down with a cold when we started camping and lost my voice.  So that was really fun....for about 5 days.  NOT!  Havi decided to throw a fit because she was so tired, and I had no voice to speak to her and no husband because he was getting Fastpasses.  So waiting in line for Dumbo was like a real winning moment that day.  Oh so much fun.

Anyway, after Dumbo, which Caleb got to ride alone, Patrick took Madeline on the Barnstormer because, as soon as we got off Dumbo and I put Havi in the stroller, she passed out.  The Barnstormer is Madeline's favorite ride.  She had a blast and raised her hands like everyone else, so she said.  Then Patrick watched Havi while I took the big dumplings on Winnie-the-Pooh.

I also took them on a quick spin on the Merry-Go-Round while Havi continued to nap.

And after a few quick snaps of the special boy with his mama and baba on his special day, it was time to head to the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney for dinner.  While the atmosphere was cute, the food was subpar and overpriced.  What a winning combination.  Even the kids weren't thrilled with their food.  That's saying something.  At least they enjoyed looking at the animals.  We later ventured over to the Lego store and let Caleb pick out a new Lego set for his special day.  He chose a Coast Guard ship.

It's hard to believe that it's been six years since we first scooped this precious boy up and held him in our arms.  That first day together is still so fresh in my mind.  He was such a little toddler, with his chubby face and eager smile and his sweet little Cantonese babble.  He has been such a joy to parent all these years.  He's got a heart of gold.  He's so compassionate and caring and tender hearted.  And he's also so dedicated and determined.  And an athlete he is, to the nth degree.  And so smart as well, a joy to homeschool.

Well, we love you like crazycakes, Caleb Tian. 

Happy Forever Family Day!!!!