The kiddos opened their baskets. No candy. Cuz if you know me, candy isn’t a forbidden fruit at our place so they could care less about it!

After church we headed over to the Irvine Spectrum for lunch (FYI Wahoo’s isn’t open Easter). Cora Jane would have fallen in the fountain if Daddy hadn’t caught her in time. After naps we headed on over to my parents’ house for some smoked tri-tip and loads of other homemade delights. The kiddos only ate candy (moms were off duty) and played with the cars and in the sandbox…

Some out takes of our annual Jesus is Alive picture..

The kiddos did the egg hunt thing…

And the posing thing…

In our neck of the woods adults get an egg hunt too. Why are these lovely ladies brawling for an egg?
Because in the adult hunt the eggs are filled with candy and/or cash-o-la. One lucky egg has the grand prize…

Family…

More Wordless Wednesdays here.

Make this surprise chick in a jiffy!

You’ll need…1. Hot glue feathers around the back of the egg

2. Wad up the tissue paper and hot glue to the bottom of the egg for weight

3. Hot glue feathers to cover tissue (lots and lots)

4. Use a tiny bead of hot glue to attach a “beek”

Have some F-U-N…

Eli loves to trick us with his surprise chick. I can see that he will have loads of fun “tricking” family members with it at tomorrows’ Easter festivities!

Happy Easter folks!Sending blessings and joy on the most important holiday of the year!!

Fun, Fast & Easy
My favorite words for a craft!
You’ll need…1. Paint the plastic eggs with Mod Podge so you have a nice sticky base (great for kids to do… messy). Extra points if you get Mod Podge on your face! This coat doesn’t need to dry before starting the next step 🙂 2. Cut paper into thin strips (about 1/4″) of different lengths.
3. Dip paper into water
4. Stick paper on egg
5. Paint with Mod Podge (The more the better… in between every layer or overlapping strips)
Takes about 20 minutes to dry…

Another Fun, Fast, Easy craft posted after lunch! Going to Rubio’s…. mmmmmmmmm….

Did you know April is Autism Awareness Month?
Now you do!
Consider yourself aware!! (after reading this post, of course)
I have a huge heart for families who face the struggles of autism everyday. Eli’s Lids has always donated 10% of our profits to a great autism charity, ACT Today!
Through the awesome wonders of Twitter I was introduced to Autism Momma, in real life Julee, and she agreed to do a little interview with me to help spread the word about autism…
When did your journey with Autism begin?
I’m not sure, haha. Alex is my oldest, and I always realized that he was “high-maintenance.” I guess my journey began when he was 4. I said, “Mommy doesn’t know what to do when you’re angry.” He got right in my face and yelled, “I’m not angry!” It was then I realized we needed help. He was diagnosed right after his 5th birthday.
Tell me a bit about Autism Momma?
My mission is: Helping Parents Help Themselves
After the diagnosis, I felt more empowered. I set out to find what I could to help make our lives easier. I could find suggestions for what might help, but no actual products, activities, or tools that were within any sort of reasonable price range. Since then, I’ve been collecting and testing what works. Autism Momma will offer tons of ideas, activities, and tools—at a price that won’t break parents’ wallets. These parents already shell out a lot of money for therapy and other support tools that are not covered by insurance. Also, all kids are different; and all ASD kids are different. They need lots of ideas to try.
What is one of the most useful products you sell in Autism Momma store for other autism families?
I love my growing little store, and the sensory exploration and writing kits I offer are excellent. I do love the Lycra Play Sac. Alex plays in his a lot.
My biggest contribution will come with the launch of my website: http://www.autismmomma.com/. I will offer activities to try with kids, checklists, planning materials, document templates (like writing letters to the school), and product recommendations to use everyday. I’ll focus on several areas: sensory, behavior, hygiene, social skills, time management, school support, and even “care for the caregiver” which is often neglected.
How can moms teach their kiddos to relate with autism kiddos?
Take a little time to learn about the disability and some characteristics of kids with autism and help your kids develop tolerance. Then your kids can accept and help kids with autism learn how to play and be social (mentors and models are an ideal way to improve). This also helps “neurotypical” children become leaders and good examples. I tell my 5-year-old that he needs to help his older brother learn to be social. I seriously consider it his path in life—as a sibling of a brother with autism.
What are the top 3 things you would want other moms to know about autism kids and families?
1. Moms and dads of these exceptional children do their best to juggle love, gratitude, stress, embarrassment, pride, disappointment, discipline, disability, and hope. The behaviors their children show are most often NOT a result of bad parenting skills.
2. Kids with autism want to fit in. Introversion and isolation are NOT traits of autism. They are often the psychological result of not fitting in. Try to develop extra patience for these kids, and let them into your social circle.
3. Autism is an open-ended disability. Don’t place limits on what these kids can learn, do, or achieve. They can continually improve socially as well as other areas.

About Autism Momma: Julee Adams is a mother of three little boys. Her oldest son has high-functioning autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She spreads her time between momhood and work; hoping someday her work will help the many parents and caregivers dealing with autism. She spent over 16 years in the training industry, creating self-help courses. Now it’s time for her to use her experience helping these special families make life easier for themselves.

In-N-Out Burger you have my heart… Finally used Picnik to edit a photo per the suggestion of a fellow OC blogger Suz at Alive in Wonderland.
Love it!
In honor of Autism Awareness Month click back over tomorrow!
More Wordless Wednesday awesomeness here and here.

We are a walking billboard for Hurley! That’s right folks we are wearing Hurley head to toe…

Why, you ask?

(Not sure of the times but they are usually about 8-3pm)Even my tosies were adorned in these great Hurley Ballet flats ($5 at last year’s sale!).

It was a cold and stormy night… OK it was just sprinkling.. but I was freezing. Lo and behold I found Cora’s Tomboy Rock ‘n Roll Lid (on sale for $9.95!!!) in my diaper bag.
Would this tiny Lid fit my head?
YES!
My head was toasty roasty 🙂
We met up with the Posse at the Happiest Place on Earth… Notice all the kiddos are wearing Lids 🙂The Lid fit great because I didn’t roll up the bottom…
A few other fun pix at the Woodall Blog…