Happy Easter from the Mackeys!

We had a great Easter weekend.  We started by coloring Easter eggs on Saturday evening, hunting for Easter baskets and eggs on Sunday morning that the Easter Bunny had hidden, attending an early church service, and then spending the day at my Aunt and Uncle's on the Farm.  It was a great time with family - the kids really enjoy that time with their cousins!  My Aunt does a great job hosting - I am so impressed with how she whips up a meal for 20 of us without breaking a sweat.  It's always delicious and goes off without a hitch.

Coloring Easter eggs:

With their finished eggs:

Easter morning, with their baskets:

Evan and his boys:

Me and the boys:

I don't know what I was doing with my left arm, but I clearly look like I am trying to contort into some strange position:

Carter's turn with the camera:

Our group at Auntie and Uncle Rich's:

The kids heading out on the farm for their Easter egg hunt:

Carter with his stash:

Goofball:

Opening his birthday gifts from Auntie and Uncle Rich:

Cupcakes with his cousins:

Singing Happy Birthday to Carter:

Carter's Birthday

Carter turned 7 yesterday.  He celebrated at school with cupcakes in his classroom, with our family last night, and with his friends today.  Lucky kiddo to get 3 celebrations! :)

I set out his gifts when he was in school.  He finally got to open the Lego set Kyle put together for him a couple of months ago!  He LOVED it!

Grandma, Grandpa, and I were the "mystery" guest readers in Carter's classroom at the end of the school day.  He was so surprised and excited to see us, especially his buddy, Grandpa!

Grandma, Grandpa, and the birthday boy.  We received a beach ball that his teacher had printed on the side: "We had a 'ball' listening to you read.  Thank you!" and each of the students in his class had signed.  Cute idea!  :)

All of the guest readers:

Carter with his stash after school.  He was so excited to see the Lego City Police Station and Minecraft tools.  After school, we went to our favorite ice cream place, Big Dipper.  Ryan had a soccer game and following that, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner.  Carter received a birthday crown and held up a strobe light while the restaurant sang happy birthday to him.  :)

Carter with his birthday cupcakes before we left for his party at Brunswick Zone today:

The boys getting instructions for laser tag:

Carter and Zach racing in Batman:

The boys played through $70 in the arcade very quickly.

Carter and his friends:  Caeden, Jack, Lukas, Griffin, Ryan, Charlie, Luke, and Zach:

Eating pizza after laser tag and the arcade games:

Opening gifts:

Minecraft was a huge hit!

He will wear this Kane mask all the time now (Kane is a favorite wrestler of his):

Singing Happy Birthday:

Blowing out the candles:

Cupcake toast to Carter!

Kyle's Birthday

Kyle celebrated his 15th birthday on Wednesday.  So hard to believe.  I swear the years go faster as the kids get older.  Next year, driver's license?  What!?!?!?!

Kyle and Carter, the birthday buddies, celebrating just 2 days apart:

Smiling when he realized he was opening the ice fishing rod he's been wanting:

Grandma and Carter:

Me and the birthday boy:

Kyle and his fishing cake:

Our boys:

Jewelry

I had an order that had to get out this weekend and then I wanted to take some time to work on a new project that I've been wanting to make for a few months.  I was pleased with how it turned out!

I didn't have any stars on hand, so I made this one freehand with some wire I ordered for another project:

Carter's Class Field Trip

I chaperoned Carter's class field trip yesterday to the Works Museum in Bloomington.  The kids had a great time exploring the museum and finding out what makes things work.  They learned about symmetry and reflections in their first station and then spent the remaining time exploring the large museum.  It was a very cool place for kids to learn hands-on.  

Working with the mirrors learning symmetry:

Carter's entire class (plus a few kids from another first grade class):

Learning about reflections:

Carter and his friend, Charlie, racing the wheel creations they made:

They both thought they won.  Win-win!  :)

Carter had so much fun with the wheel creations:

Carter and I as little people in front one of the funny mirrors:

Carter's class at the museum:

Carter took this picture of me on the way home.  Looks like I am about to doze off, not sure how that was possible with a bus full of first graders! :)

Carter and his teacher, Ms. Hallstrom - we just adore her!