Spring Break Week

We decided to do more of a "stay-cation" than a vacation for Spring Break.  One might think that would be nice and relaxing, but man am I exhausted!!  The kids and I had a great week together though.  Daddy even came along to play one day.

The break started by supporting mommy in her 5K race.  Mommy had been excited about running her first race in a long while, and of course the weather was not ideal.  That might be the biggest understatement ever.  The weather was horrible.  Horrible, wet rain.  But Tom and the kids came along to cheer me on.  And once the race started, it was a fun run.  I even posted an awesome time!!

The rains continued throughout the day and we watched the stream behind the house evolve into a raging torrent.  Wow.  It was pretty impressive.  A bit before dusk the rains broke for a while and the kids and I went down to investigate the waters.

On Monday, Tom took the day off and we took our first trip with our new King's Dominion season passes.  Some good friends joined us, and we spent the day dashing from ride to ride.  Erin just barely hit the 48" mark so was able to ride most of those rides she's always asked me to ride.  Her first foray into daredevil rides -- an upside-down boat ride.  What was I thinking letting her get on that.  But she loved it, and begged to ride it again before we left.  She and her friend also tried out one of the older steel roller coasters that had 2 loop-d-loops.  I believe the number of trips on that one totaled 4.  Jeffrey doesn't quite have Erin's desire to fly and flip upside-down so he stuck to some calmer rides (even though he could ride everything she does).  He has a favorite ride that is a bobsled coaster.  It's a very cool ride too.  It was an awesome, and exhausting day!!  Can't wait to go back.

That's Tom and Jeff in the Last Car

Mom!  You Are Nuts!!

Tuesday, Jeffrey got to spend the day with a good friend from pre-school.  We've been trying to get the boys together for a while and Spring Break worked out.  Erin and I got her hair cut, did some birthday shopping for Jeffrey, had lunch out and hit the grocery store.  She was a big helper and we had a great time together.

Wednesday we decided to go to the gym and use the swimming pool.  Both kids had an awesome time splashing around and practicing their dives (and a few swim strokes).  On the way home we stopped off for a special ice cream treat.

Thursday morning, mom had soccer and the kids came along.  I packed the bikes so they could ride around the parking lot.  Then we joined some friends for a picnic by the river.  There's a great bike path by the river and the kids LOVE to ride there.  Unfortunately, the recent storms have washed an amazing amount of sand onto the path making it impossible for young riders to navigate.  We still got to play on the playground and sit by the river.

Friday turned out to be rainy and cool, so we headed back to the gym and then out to catch a movie.  We caught the new Rio movie (in 3D of course).  It was definitely cute, but I'm not sure if it was quite $50 cute.  I mean seriously, that's the price of one day's ticket to King's Dominion for 1 person.  Still, hearing their giggles and laughter are definitely worth it.

Saturday was pretty low key.  Erin came with mom to a make-up soccer game.  She made a new friend and planned out a fort in the woods.  Tom and Jeffrey stayed home and played Wii, baked cookie-pops and hung out.

Today is the last day of break.  I'm thinking that I'm really glad it is.  Because I need a break from their break.

Flower Power

I Love My Sister

It was in the 80's yesterday so I took advantage and snapped a few photos of the kids with the daffodils.  My tulips aren't blooming yet, but I'm afraid that by the time they do, the daffodils will be done.  So here are some shots of the kids sitting with the daffodils.  They've grown over the years huh?

The Sun Is Too Bright So I'm Only Going To Look At The Flowers

Our First Year of Daffodils -- 2006

Smiling Eyes

Goofy Boy

OK, I'll Smile For One Shot

The Shark

Erin wrote a story about "The Shark" for her word study homework last week.  It was just so cute, I had to post it.  Not only that, but her handwriting is starting to get neater when she takes her time.  She had to use her word study words which focused on "R" sounds in words (fair, fare, shark).

The Shark

Once upon a time there was a shark.  The shark has very sharp teeth.  He wants to go to the fair in the square.  What will he wear?  On the way to the fair he met a bear covered in dark hair.  The bear said if you want to get past you have to pay a fare.  The shark was bare and had no fare.  The shark has a trick!  When the bear fell asleep in his chair the shark would sneak past the bear.  Then he can run to the fair.