Spring Break

For a variety a reasons, including a major home remodeling project, Brad and I decided to split up for Spring Break like we did last year. The boys were really looking forward to another ski trip in Utah and so off they went.

I was really excited for them have their 2nd annual "mancation" as Spencer calls it.

The boys faired well with lots of space, and plenty of books and snacks. They even managed without the DVD player (nearly unheard of these days).

This is what Brad got to look at for 16 hours straight. Fortunately, he doesn't mind driving long distances- especially when he's traveling without the whiners (which may include include me, Lucy, or Ruby).

The kids got to spend lots of time with cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

And, Utah trips wouldn't be complete without visits to dear friends/relatives.

Brad said I would have been proud of how he layed the kids' clothes out the night before.

All the kids went to a Mexican restaurant with Nana and parents one evening.

I regret missing out on some good talk time with my sisters.

The boys helped Nana get some of her school stuff organized and then went to work with her for a day and helped out in the classroom.

My sister Jenny took the kids to Logan to visit with Amie and her kids.

One of Amie's girls is raising chickens, so the kids were able to gather eggs and play with the baby chicks.

They planned on visiting my Grandma, but she had fallen the day before and was in the hospital. But, they were able to go to her house and swing from the willow tree.

Brad was able to go to the temple and drive by our first home to take a picture.

Here's Nana returning home from teaching.

I think it's safe to say the kids were thoroughly worn out having fun that they couldn't even make it to bed. They just plopped down in the favorite green chairs at Nana's and fell asleep.

To top things off, Grandpa Doug was in town and made a surprise visit, which the boys' appreciated. I love it when my children can spend time with our extended family and gain a little more perspective on who they are and feel a sense of belonging to something bigger.

She's got teeth

Ruby is changing a lot. She finally figured out how to roll over and is trying to master crawling. It's so fun to watch her learn new things.

She has two teeth on the bottom and one just popped out on top. The teething thing has been a problem as far as naps go. Sometimes she won't take a nap all day and just wants to be held.

I remember the other kids going through days like that and thinking "is this going to last forever? How will I ever get anything done?"

Those thoughts have run through my mind with Ruby lately, but I know it will end and am trying to "enjoy the journey."

"Enjoy the journey" has been one of my mottos since Brad and I got married. I really love the idea of it, but struggle when the journey takes a turn that isn't much fun.

I'm constantly telling myself to "enjoy the journey" with my children and the different phases they go through. I know they will be gone before I know it and want to be able to say, "we enjoyed the journey"- ups, downs, twists, turns and all.

Back to Ruby. She LOVES putting her fingers in peoples mouths and getting them chomped on. It makes her laugh and laugh. I know it's not that sanitary. But, her belly laughs are so irresistible I can't refuse.

Saturday

Saturday was a work day. Charlie has been asking me since Spring break if he could paint. So, I took him up on it. While Brad and the boys were in Utah, Lucy and I did most of the family room, except for this wall. So, the kids were tickled pink to be able to go to work.

I don't mind prepping and cleanup, but all the rolling gets to me. So after these two went at it, Brad finished up with the final coat. It's so nice to feel like we're actually finishing a project.

Science Fair

Friday afternoon, I pulled Sawyer out of school a little early so we could head to the Kansas City Science Fair. He was the only person who entered from his school and we needed to go and pick up his project. I loved going with him and seeing what a great job he did on his display board. And, he was happy to see he’d gotten a silver ribbon.

There were hundreds of projects set up all over Union Station. We walked around for a few minutes and took pictures, but Sawyer said "Mom, I think these projects are kind of interesting, but not enough to walk around and read all about them."

Secretly, I agreed. My brain just really isn't wired that way. I can appreciate the effort gone into the whole affair, but don't want to spend a ton of time there. I have a hard time at museums of any sort. I really like the idea of preserving information, but sometimes get bored reading all about it.

Maybe it's that I really don't feel I can stand in one place and read stuff when I've got kids running to and fro. Or, maybe there is so much information that I get overstimulated and start feeling bugged out.

Whatever, Sawyer was anxious to leave and get a hamburger, so that’s what we did.

Guess who's 8?

Sweet Charlie just turned eight! We had friends staying with us on his birthday, so they celebrated with us, which made it even more fun for him. We relit a tradition started with Spencer where we put one letter of his name on individual grocery bags and then write something nice about him that starts with that letter. Before he opens the present, we read all the nice things people wrote and then he guesses his present.

Charlie started working on the bags when he got up in the morning and the anticipation built all day. In each bag, he got a present that started with that letter.

C- cold cereal (Fruit Loops)

H- helmet and bat for baseball

A- a gift from grandma/pa (art stuff that he loved & a CTR pillowcase)

R- roller blades (he asked for Sawyer's old ones)

L- lollipop (oreos dipped in chocolate)

I- individually wrapped Reese's peanut butter cups

E- Extra gum

Charlie is so much fun to have in our family. Here are eight things I love about him:

1. He has a good sense of humor

2. Is a natural athlete and always up for doing something active

3. Always gives me a hug and kiss good night and wants one back

4. Is a good friend

5. Takes good care of Ruby

6. Loves little kids

7. He's honest

8. A great reader

He chose pizza for dinner and we made chocolate dipped lollipops to stick in our ice cream for dessert.

When Charlie was born, we were living in Ann Arbor Michigan. I swam through my whole pregnancy and was swimming two hours before he was born. I always joke with him that he could have been born in the swimming pool. We bought our lovely minivan shortly after Charlie was born, since we had three kids in car seats and were crammed in a sedan. Eight years later, we're still driving the minivan. Where has the time gone?

We love you Charlie!