Spring Break Fun

We had all three kids for the first half of spring break, so I made sure we had plenty o' fun packed and ready to go.  The very first thing we did was put up a big fort, naturally. This is always a hit with the kids as they love dragging as much stuff as they can fit inside and making their own designated sleeping areas. And I can't even count how many bowls of popcorn they went through for movie night.

 

 

We also had casino night, a/k/a work on your math night without you knowing you're working on your math. ;) Sneaky mom move. Hi-five!  Now that the kids are fully versed on the game of 21, it's a nightly request.

 

 

Kendall finished out her last lesson of this session. She really progressed this session, and always with a big smile on her face.

 

 

Spring in Idaho is wildly unpredictable, so one day we woke up to snow, and the next we were at the park playing.

 

 

I finally had a solid block of time to finish out another year's full scrapbook album. Whew! On to the next.

 

And while I was doing that, the kids did some Easter crafting of their own.

 

 

Over break, it was also my mom's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!) I put together three different meats for street tacos (because who doesn't love street tacos??) and we had a great dinner/celebration for my mom.

 

 

 

 

We also discovered that night that a pair of ducks is using one of our front flower beds as a nesting spot for their unborn child. The cat and dog are mostly uninterested in the ducks and egg, so I'm fairly confident we will be able to monitor and watch this baby chick come into the world.

 

The second half of spring break was spent without kiddos, so we did a lot of "retail therapy", finalizing everything we need for our upcoming trip.

 

 

And then my Easter goobers returned home. :)

 

Weekend Recap - Where Did It Go???

I blinked and miss this weekend - so much for those relaxing, not one thing on the to-do list weekends like we've had for the last three or four. This weekend was jammed full of errands and fun, and I think I need another day off just to recoup!

 

Matt and I kicked off the weekend a little early by hitting The Book of Mormon. What.a.SHOW! I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard, or felt so "at home" with all of the inappropriateness. It is definitely not a show for those who don't possess thick skin, a sense of humor, or the desire to have a good time. It was by far the best show I have seen in a long time - thanks again, Mom and Dad!

 

  

During winter months, I try to cram in the indoor sports so no one goes stir-crazy, and for the kids to burn off energy. Kendall is currently doing gymnastics and more swimming lessons. While she does her lessons, Carter hangs at the basketball court and plays 3-on-3 games. It works out nicely!

 

 

 

 

 And since it's apparently spring in January/February, we are taking full advantage and hitting the fields early and often. We turned Saturday into a skills afternoon for Carter, just working at 75-80% and hitting all of the typical drills. It was a gorgeous afternoon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday was really meant to be another outside day, but we got cut short by the wind and rain, which just gave us more time to prep all of our Superbowl food!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a really low-key Superbowl this year, which worked out well since Kendall decided to come down with a nasty cough, which had her looking like this by half-time.

 

I had promised the kids we would have a dance party to Justin Timberlake's show, but it turned into just quietly singing along as Kendall was lying along my back, sawing logs. Poor kiddo needed some serious rest!

Easter Weekend

What an incredibly busy weekend for us! Friday night was the quiet before the storm, so we enjoyed dinner and a movie. As soon as Saturday hit, so did the madness. Carter had an early morning game, which didn't go so well (story of this season, for sure), so we quickly put that behind us with a packed weekend.

 

First thing's first - that giraffe finally had her baby! I've been watching this unfold since the beginning of February, so it's about damn time, April! The baby came out at 5'9" and 129 lbs. He looks like a toy! I just want to be locked in that stall so I can play with him all day. And since I can't have one of my own.......

 

We also got a lot done around the house, in preparation for some much bigger projects.  We got some patio globe lights and got those installed to the underside of our canopy. I'm not sure if this will be the final home for these lights, as the fire pit project is quickly approaching and the lights might be relocated to that area of the yard. Or maybe we can do both - no final decision has been made.

 

 

We also did more painting - because why not, right? The paint to the inside and outside of the house has definitely been the biggest project because it needs the most updating. Though we are 70% done with the inside, the entire exterior needs done. It just never ends with home-ownership, does it? ;)  This specific project was an accent wall in the entry way. There is a bathroom (which also needs updating) that shares the wall, which will be part of a larger project. It has a pocket door which has been a total thorn in my side since the day we moved in. I HATE that pocket door. It will be yanked and a sliding barn door will be added as a replacement. The flooring throughout the entryway and the entire dining room will also be yanked out and some light colored travertine will be the replacement. I can't stand that dark flooring, so I'm really looking forward to pulling that out and getting something lighter in those large spaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also spent some time over at Settlers Park relaxing in the sun while the kids played. This bipolar Idaho weather is really messing with me - I need a steady 83 degrees, please! No more wind, no more rain.

 

 

 

We also tackled a quick project that I've been meaning to do for about four years now. ;)  I made these little garden stones for what seems like everyone BUT me. So I put the kids' hands into the muck and made our own stones for the backyard flower beds. A few years too late, but hey, now I have their little handprints for myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Easter, of course. We didn't color any eggs this year because it really seems like such a waste. I never turn around and use the eggs, so we just stuck with the plastic, candy-filled ones the Easter Bunny brought.

 

And while we didn't see the Easter Bunny himself, I think he sent a little helper. :)  Our neighborhood is flooded with ducks right now, constantly in the front and back yards.