The Smith Family Adventures

Uncle Scott has been itching to take Elias out trout fishing since before he was born. Elias did go on the boat with the boys once at Hagg Lake, but no fish were caught. Uncle Scott has been scheming for awhile to get us out trout fishing again. The weather cooperated very nicely this evening so we picked up Daddy at the train station, and headed out with a picnic to meet Uncle Scott, Auntie Kristy, Ama and Baba at Commonwealth Lake Park.

Elias was very excited to fish. He needs a little work on his technique. He didn’t seem to understand that he needs to keep the pole tip up or that you can’t just walk around with the pole…but you know…minor details. He enjoyed it very much.

We took a break for our picnic dinner, during which the fish started biting. Uncle Scott got the first catch. He let Simon touch it before he released it back in the lake. I snapped the picture just a moment too soon, but Simon did touch the fish.

Then Simon decided he wanted to try out this fishing thing.

Then, Elias caught his first fish! He reeled it in almost all by himself.

Here you can see the fish still in the water, but Elias almost has it all the way in.

Here is Uncle Scott with the pliers trying to disconnect the fish so we can release it. Elias was a little traumatized by the fish flopping. He pretty much threw down the pole and grabbed for Baba for dear life.

Elias’ picture with his first fish…he pretty much didn’t want anything to do with it. He just wanted it to go back in the “pool.”

But once it was back in the lake, Elias was super excited! This picture says it all:

He was excited for awhile after that:

Then he wanted to try again!

On the way home he said, “I just want to be fishing.” and “My favorite part was catching the fish.” Uncle Scott has a lot of work to do if he wants a fishing buddy…but I think we’re off to a good start.

A few weeks ago, I helped Elias plant some seeds. He chose many different variety of fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. We’ve been having fun watching them sprout. I have to say I am very pleased that most of the seeds actually worked! There are a few that didn’t (green beans and coleus) but for the most part, we have actual plants growing! Who would have thought? We’ve looked at how different they all are already.

Some of the seedlings were getting a bit large for their containers, and the tray didn’t drain rain water well at all so I thought it was time to transplant them into larger pots. Today while Simon was napping, Nathan Elias and I decided to get outside to do some work.

First, Elias filled all the pots with dirt. Then, he helped Nathan clean the grill while I weeded and finished getting things ready.

Then we started transplanting the little sprouts. Elias did have fun moving a couple of the plants.

But he was mostly interested in the part where he got to mark the containers with a sharpie so we would know what they are:

Here are our carrots. We moved these into one of our big raised beds along with the brocolli. The rest are in pots for now until we figure out what is actually going to produce and what is going to need a bigger area.

Elias was excited about the project.

Here are our finished pots! Some of them look so small in the big pots. I hope I didn’t move them too soon. I really have no idea what I am doing….

Elias wanted to take a picture of one of the pumpkin sprouts.

So far so good! I really hope some of these actually produce things we can eat!

Our Easter was filled with fun family traditions! What did we start with? Easter egg dying on Saturday afternoon!

Elias really enjoyed it this time. He chose solid colors and decorated them with stickers.

What did Simon do during all of this? Empty as many kitchen drawers as he could, and bang on the floor with the items!

Our Easter was a little odd, though, too. Saturday night we dropped the boys off at my parents’ house after dinner. Nathan and I played in the handbell choir at church at all of the services, and had to be there too early for two semi-sick little boys. My parents offered to let them have a sleepover, and drop them off to us at a more reasonable time in the morning.

Elias is an old pro at sleepovers, but it was Simon’s first time. I must admit I cried a little bit. But the boys did fine as I knew they would. My parents brought them dressed in their cute Easter outfits. Simon went happily down to the nursery, and Elias came to service with us. After the first service was over, we went outside for the Easter egg hunt. I wasn’t sure how they would do with it, but they both enjoyed it! Simon and Elias both found an egg right away. Simon proceeded to pick it up and put it back in the grass over and over again. Elias put his one egg in his basket and then followed Simon around the rest of the time. So they both only got one egg, but it was the experience that counted.

After the hunt we traded some time taking family pictures with another family. It is always fun to have one of the whole gang!

Then we went back inside for a bit before the next service. Simon again went to the nursery, and Elias came to church with us until Ama and Baba came back to get them. Simon needed a nap and Elias needed some play time.

After service, we went to my parents’ house to pick up the boys. Before we left, Ama and Baba had some Easter baskets and an egg hunt for them. Simon had just woken up from his nap so he didn’t really know what was going on at first.

But he perked up a bit after tasting a bit of chocolate. He had never had quite so much chocolate before. He drooled chocolate brown mess all over his shirt!

Elias was happy to dig right in.

He was excited about each item, and held it up for me to take a picture. He even wanted me to take a picture of each piece of grass….I humored him a few times because it was pretty cute, but we didn’t have all day!

Look at this handsome man I am married to….

Then it was egg hunt time. Simon bit his basket in anticipation.

They boys had fun finding eggs again. Here they are going after the same one. A brotherly rivalry.

Simon enjoyed playing with the eggs for a bit.

But he got bored while Elias was opening them all up. Coasters are so much more interesting.

After this we decided to go home for a few hours. We were very thankful my parents helped us out so much! When we arrived at home, we had some Easter things for the boys ourselves! So we did the whole charade again. I started to feel like it was too much. Poor Simon did too.

But Elias was happy to continue the festivities. He found some eggs. Simon helped find a few, but mostly just wanted to put them in Elias’ basket. Elias was fine with that.

They enjoyed looking at their Easter baskets from us. Elias again wanted to hold everything up for a picture….but he wouldn’t look at me. Oh well.

I felt relieved when we were all finished. Nathan took the boys outside for a bit to play with some new bubbles. I got some alone time to bake some cookies, and clean the kitchen. Whoopeeee! We settled in together to read the resurrection story, and then it was about time to go out again.

We went to dinner at my aunt and uncle’s house, ate some delicious food, and had some more quality time with family. It was a good way to end the day, but the boys were toast, and frankly, so was I!

Alleluia! The Lord is risen!