1st Annual Mud Day at GEP!!

Mud! Mud! Glorious mud!

Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.

So follow me, follow, Down to the hollow,

And there let us wallow In glorious mud.
-Robert Winthrop

She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn't take them along. ~Margaret Culkin Banning

Dear World:

My son starts school very soon.
It's going to be strange and new to him for a while.
And I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost.
He's been boss of the backyard.
I have always been around to repair his wounds, and to soothe his feelings.
But now-things are going to be different.
In a few months, he's going to walk down the front steps,
wave his hand and start on his great adventure
that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand
and teach him the things he will have to know.
Teach him-but gently, if you can.
Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader;
that for every enemy there is a friend.
Teach him the wonders of books.
Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.
Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder,but never to put a price on his heart and soul.Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...
and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.
Teach him gently, World, but don't coddle him,
because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order, World, but see what you can do.
He's such a nice little fellow....

Author Unknown

Everything happens for a reason, what’s supposed to happen will happen.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become.


You never know who these people may be; your roommate, your neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.


And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never have realized your potential, strength, will power of heart.


Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments or true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of the soul. Without these small tests,if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smooth paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.


The people you meet who affect your life and successes and downfalls you experience, they are the ones who create who you are. Even the bad experience can be learned from...Those lessons are the hardest and probably the most important ones.


If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart...forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you,but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.


Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen, let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. You can make of your life anything you wish.Create your own life and then go out and live it.


~~ Author Unknown ~~

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly."

I know we have done it once before....but growing your own butterflies is so much fun! We think we are going to try an ant farm or some ladybug larvae next. Stay posted to see what other bugs we bring into our house next! Check out all our cool pictures!

This is how they looked when they first arrived!
Starting to make their silk

Hanging in the chrysalis.

Kaci and Missy Prissy checking out the first butterfly

Bailey getting a closer look too!

The first butterfly to get a taste of our sugar water and flower mixture!

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Birthday, Billy!

Today is Uncle Billy's birthday!

So we will dedicate today's post to him!

Hope it is a great one. This past weekend Billy, Linda and Margaret came down for a visit and got to see our house for the first time. It was a beautiful day and the kids were so happy to have them around. We went and ate lunch at Rudinos, did a little shopping, played the Wii and blew bubbles outside! - and we couldn't let the day end without taking Uncle Billy's picture in the birthday hat! (you know it is tradition!) Linda also surprised the kiddos with Easter basket filled with m&m's and the most beautiful Peek a Boo eggs you have ever seen! Before MaMa passed -she had started these 2 eggs and Linda took the time to finish them. Together they made a beautiful craft. We will treasure them always!

Kaci and Aunt Linda

Uncle Billy and his favorite nephew, Clint.

Bailey and Uncle Billy playing football at Rudinos!

Bailey's beautiful egg

Kaci's beautiful egg
(The pictures just don't do them justice!)

You never know when you're making a memory. - Rickie Lee Jones

On Thursday, April 16th, Bailey's class had their field trip to Petsmart which was followed by a picnic in the park. It was such a special day - and because I was out of town.....Daddy got to go on the field trip with him!

How AWESOME is that?

Each class received a full tour of the store. They got to see the grooming area, some cats, rats, and even got to feed and catch/release their own fish from the tank! Mrs. Heather (Bailey's teacher) even bought them a new class pet. It is a beta fish. I don't think it has a name yet....but we will let you know when it has been decided on. Clint and Bailey picked

out a special toy that they bought for Reagan.

After the tour- the next stop was Burger King and then the park!

It was forecast to rain, but it turned out to be a beautiful day for everyone.

Everyday new memories are made and these will be great ones!Mrs. Heather's class!

In Loving Memory of my Aunt Theresa Felchak

God looked around His garden

And found an empty place.

He then loooked down upon the earth

And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb,

So He closed your weary eyelids

And whispered "Peace be to Thine".

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn't go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

Princess Missy Turns One!!

We can't break tradition!

The party hat Kaci made for her

Eating her tuna dinner with the kids!

Bailey making a wish

Kaci making a wish

Princess Missy's Ice cream!

Today is Missy Prissy's birthday....or as Kaci calls her....Princess Missy! We got her back in October- She has proven herself to be a wonderful cat. We are happy to have her as part of our family. We celebrated tonight with fish sticks, macaroni and cheese and peas! She had a tuna Sheba dinner that we picked out special! Kaci and Bailey bought her some toy mice and Kaci even made her a special party hat! After dinner we gave Missy some ice cream in a Shamu dish (but she was too full from all of her tuna) The kids each got to make a greeting cake and blow out their candle. Neither of them would tell me their wish.....because...if they do...it won't come true! We also took a picture of Missy in the famous birthday cake hat! No one has a birthday in the Borchgardt family without wearing it...Just ask Reagan. (or look at her picture back in February on the blog!)

"I believe that Easter is the MOST important holiday of all!"

I believe that Easter is the most important Christian holiday, as well as the longest of the special seasons of the Church

So even though Easter day is over....we can still celebrate the season, right? While shopping at Target today we found this great Ginger Bunny house on the clearance aisle. We just couldn't pass it up! It was lots of fun to decorate and we even had a few bites of candy and a few licks of the icing while we were at it! I think the finshed product turned out beautiful!

"Are bluebonnets and forget me nots related, do you think? Their color is much the same."

The Bluebonnet Festival was a lot of fun!

Would have been more fun if the weather would have been nicer.

It was so cold and windy. We stayed to watch the parade and rode a few rides....

then we had to head home so we could warm up!

Waiting for the parade
Watching the parade

PaPa and Grandma Dee

Having fun!

Race Car Bailey

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said...

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.

Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

The Stations of the Cross are a Catholic custom of Lent that commemorates the passion of Jesus on Good Friday. Today we participated in walking the stations of the cross at church.

If you get melted chocolate on your hands, you are eating too slowly!

Checking to see if the flashlights work....
Yup! They do!

Kaci and Jenna

Checking his loot

Birdnest Toast!

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Last night was the Annual Flashlight
Easter Egg Hunt at Old Settlers Park.
The kids loved it last year and I think it was a hit this year too! It is our third hunt this year....and counting!! First we hit McDonalds to build up our energy and strength- and then we headed out to the park. Bailey saw his friend, Zane and Kaci ran in to her Girl Scout buddy, Alyssa and her little sister, Jenna. Jenna really liked Kaci and wouldn't let go of her hand until the hunt started. They got lots of candy, a bouncy ball, and a coupon for bowling!

I think the hunt was a success!
This morning Bailey taught me how to make bird nest toast. They made it at school and I think it is his new breakfast favorite! Very easy to make...you just make a hole in the middle of your bread and scramble an egg inside while you toast the bread in the skillet! Excellent!

"You know children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers." John J. Plomp