April update

Lots of little random things have been going on this month.

• I took my first digital SLR photography class at National Camera Exchange.  It's been fun learning how to better utilize my brand new fancy camera that Nathan got me for Christmas.  I am going to take one more lesson in May or June, because the first one was so useful.  I'm trying to practice as much as I can, but the kids only provide the opportunity for the action shots.  Need to work on a subject to figure out how to do the aperature setting shots for the close-up portraits.  I really need to figure out how to optimize the lighting.    I can vary it so much, but don't really know how to easily get to the right setting.  Frustrating.  Check out these three pictures all taken within 20 minutes of each other.

• Madeline completed her Sunday school classes for the year. It'll be interesting to go to our first mass with both Madeline and Henry there together.  Henry had been doing pretty well on his own, but Easter showed us how they tend to feed off each other, which does not create the best scenario for church. 
• We had a few fun Sundays where we went to church, went swimming at the pool, and then went out to lunch.  The first time was at McDonald's and then the second time was with Erik, Chelsea, cousin Max, and grandma.  That was a busy Sunday morning, but SO MUCH FUN.
• Nathan and I had a work weekend.... We sent the kids to grandma and grandpa's house, and then got to work.  We went minivan shopping.  We are likely to get either a used Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey - both seemed perfect for us.  So now we're just playing the waiting game until we find one that meets our goals - low mileage, clean history, good price point, good condition.  We aren't in any rush because we technically don't need it until August when the baby comes and we also don't want to rush into a car payment we don't need.  So, we'll keep you posted on our progress.  We also PAINTED.  Our family members always make fun of us because it seems like we are always painting.  But we painted the kids' bedrooms to accomodate the upcoming plans for the 3 kids in the 2 rooms.  (Madeline and Henry will share for ~1 year with a separate nursery, and then the 2 boys will eventually be in the bigger room and then Madeline will move into the nursery on her own.)  So we chose paint colors that would work for both room combos.
• Henry is making *slight* progress on potty training. It turns out that jelly beans from Easter are a great motivation.  He's been going off and on upon prompting and upon promise of jelly beans.  But we'll take this little bit of progress for whatever it is worth.
• We are going to Disney World!! We just booked a quick 4-night trip to Orlando.  We need to work out the details, but I think we'll go to the parks for 2 days and then have 1 day at the pool. It'll be great to have this mini-trip before the baby comes.
• We are planning Madeline's 5th birthday party for Memorial Day weekend.  We are also expecting Grandma Rita and Aunt Laura to come from out of town, so that should be fun. Nathan rented a giant pink princess castle inflatable for the kids to jump in.  Madeline requested a princess theme and a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake (that's my girl!)
• We are getting ready for a garage sale in early May!  I have ~13 bins of girl clothes to sell now that we know we don't need them with a baby boy on the way.  It'll feel good to clean out the storage room and to downsize just a bit before our family expands.  Proceeds are going to the Disney trip.  In the process of downsizing, I'm learning that Craig's List is a very useful website - we've sold 3 things for $400!   Kind of addicting.
• Speaking of garage sales, shopping season is starting!  Some of you may know that I am obsessed with garage sales and getting a good deal.  This is a big weekend for garage sales in Maple Grove, so I'm excited to shop this weekend!  I mainly get clothes and toys for the kids.
• We are enjoying spring!!  Minnesota has been ridiculously unseasonally warm.  The trees and flowers are in full bloom, and I am especially loving all of the flowering crab apple tree. I'm not-so-secretly trying to figure out how we can plant like 10 of these trees in our yard, but Nathan isn't so convinced it's a necessity.  Darn.  Maybe next year.
• With a warm spring, we're getting to our spring to do list much earlier than anticipated.  And with the baby coming later this summer, I'm finding myself to be a big pest to try to push things along as soon as possible (sorry, Nathan).  We have a big to do list.  Hopefully we'll get to as much of it as we can.  And if we don't, then oh well.  What do you do?

Sorry for the long update.  Hope you are all enjoying your spring as much as we are!