making the best of a wet spring.

Our spring weather has been somewhat depressing this year. It's like winter is determined to stick around FOREVER so we've had some pretty wet, cold, gray, overall bleh days. We are all trying to make the best of it and really enjoy the sunshine when it makes an appearance. Family walks after dinner, playing in the back yard, riding bikes and walking home from school are pretty great for all of us and we've learned to take advantage of the sunny skies any chance we get. 

Now that it's light a littler later each night we sort of throw schedules out the window and play, play, play! I'm loving this March because we have a full month break from any extra curricular activities. I know spring soccer and flag football and starting soon so having every night open right now feels amazing!

 Carter participated in his 2nd annual science fair at school. I was so proud of how he researched what he wanted to do and really did the entire thing himself. I was there to guide him but he wrote out the entire scientific method and created his display board on his own. The participation among students this year was so big they had to divide the fair into 2 rooms and even had hands on exhibits for all the kids to try. Love his school and their encouragement for learning outside the classroom!

 On a particularly sunny (but cold) morning I headed out to the backyard for some spring cleaning. With the help of 2 little ones we managed to clean out the disgusting sandbox, scrub the deck and clean the patio table. Now we have to tackle the yard!

 Lucy got to have a special date night with Matt last weekend. Her first Daddy/Daughter dance! Matt was a good sport for getting dressed up and going to this event, since it wasn't his first choice for date night. But, Lucy loved her one-on-one time with him. Such a special night for her!

 If it's not raining I've been bundling Simon up so we can go for a morning run and play at the park when the big kids are at school. He doesn't always love sitting in the stroller for my long runs so this particular day we took a break halfway through and did a nature walk together. Once he spotted the ducks at the park it was pretty hard to convince him to leave! He could stare at ducks all day long.

 He's just getting so big but at such a fun age right now. Love this crazy kid.

 And on those particularly cold, wet days? We bake! Always love having Lucy's help in the kitchen, she's becoming quite the chef these days.

Now we just need more sunshine and warmer days to be outside all the time!!!

Read more...

a full life.

Less than 24 hours after coming home from Disneyland Matt turned around and headed back to the airport. For the past 5 years he's flown to D.C. every February for an annual work conference, one that he truly loves and looks forward to every year. The timing of returning home from an epic family vacation to not seeing him for a week wasn't my idea of fun, but we made it work. While he was attending formal receptions with free drinks and catered dinners I got to hang out with 3 cute kids and tried to make the best of our week back at home.

 We went to the park, played with sticks (why are boys so obsessed with sticks?!? We have a box in our garage solely for our stick collection), made little bunny sandwiches, baked cookies and got back into the normal school routine.

 Matt came home just in time for Carter's last basketball game of the season too. I'm not sure who was more sad about the season ending...Carter or Simon! I think Simon will really end up being the athlete of the family, or at least the biggest sports fan. He would rather watch sports highlights than cartoons, read sports books and usually has at least 1 type of ball in his hand around the house at any given time. He loved dribbling the ball with the big kids before and after games.

 Can we just pause for a moment and see how big these kids are getting? Carter looks about 10 and now that Simon had a recent haircut, his baby face is quickly fading.

 And then....we got sick. (well technically everyone but me got sick but I think it was just as much of a nightmare for me as it was for the 4 other people who were violently throwing up). I'll spare you the details but it really wasn't pretty. Simon was the first victim and then it was just a domino effect, taking everyone else in his path down with him. I don't really know how I survived the cleaning, disinfecting, laundry, fatigue and germs but we made it through and I pray we won't ever (ever!) have to deal with norovirus again.

 With health on our side it was back to fun activities. I'm really loving the experiences we've been able to give the kids lately, rather than toys or things that just get lost in piles. Watching them all try new things, go on fun adventures or just spend time together is really helping us all connect. Lucy is loving tennis and really improving each week. And both big kids went to a rock climbing class which was so fun too! Carter just flew up the wall like it was no big deal. I just love his fearless, courageous attitude! Lucy was brave and went higher than she thought she could go too!

 As spring slowly begins and the seasons change I'm hoping to do more of this. More book reading (Carter is flying through chapter books almost daily now!), outside play time, movie nights and family walks after dinner.  Happy Spring everyone!

Read more...

adventure time.

Our last day at the parks was spent at California Adventure. This was fun because none of us had ever been there so we didn't have many expectations, which meant we could just see where the day took us. The kids were surprisingly energized and ready to go. We opened and closed the park that day and they had such good attitudes the entire time! 

Lucy and Grandma matched on their final day!

 If you really were to zoom in on this picture I think you'd see the tired eyes from both Matt and I, but nothing a little coffee couldn't help. It was crowded that morning (SO crowded!) so we were pretty thankful for prepared snacks and an Ariel bubble wand to help pass the time as we waited to get through security.

 We started in A Bug's Life to let Simon ride anything he wanted. The big kids liked it too and the lines were pretty short, which is always a plus.

 Thinking this little ladybug ride would be a fun, gentle thing for Simon we all squeezed in tightly together. It didn't look too bad when we watched it move around while waiting in line but this little bug spun faster than any of us anticipated! It was crazy and had us all giggling with laughter the entire time!

 A Toy Story ride for the big kids while Simon napped and then another turn on a carousel later in the day. He could have ridden that thing all day if we let him.

 You can't go to Disneyland and not have Mickey ice cream ears for a treat. Unless your Carter and you choose the healthy, all fruit strawberry bar. ha!

 More character meet ups and then it was off to Cars land!

 Cars land was the best "land" we saw all week. You really felt like you were in Radiator Springs, it was done so well.

 After finishing all the rides we could squeeze in before the park closed we made the long walk back to our hotel and all just crashed. The next morning we frantically packed up our stuff and headed back home. It was such a great week and one that we didn't want to ever end.

Now....where should we go next?!?!?

Read more...