The Easter Spoils

Ben and I decided that we can't continue to spoil the kids every time a holiday comes around. This year we coordinated gifts with GaGa (who was planning on sending gifts anyway) and got it down to this. We really want to be intentional about teaching the REAL meaning behind the holidays we celebrate, yet we don't want to take away the fun either! I think we did well hitting on a good balance this year. They loved their new things but didn't seem so overtaken by *stuff* to forget that what we are celebrating.

You'll see a little New York sprinkled in the spoils. My sister now lives on Manhattan Island and my Mom (GaGa) picked up some souvenirs for the kids while she was there visiting. Madelyn loved her snow globe and Greyson was trying to hit "homeruns" with his NY Yankees little ball and bat as soon as he saw it! Madelyn was also crazy about her new nail polish and and Greyson about his bubbles and shovel. (I hope he's ready to help pull sod up for a new strawberry patch!)

Then I just had to put this picture in to show Greyson's skills in levitation. Okay, maybe it's Ben skills in photography. Greyson was enjoying putting this ball on his shovel, popping it up in the air, and then trying to catch it back on the shovel again. He was pretty good at it too! I think we might have a little sportsman on our hands here...

Thank you, God, for sending your Son to die for us. Thank you for guiding us in bringing up *your* children. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercy.