Getting ready

We took advantage of a dry day, finally, and headed out to the garden this morning.  On our way out, we noticed this little lady getting ready for her babies soon.  She's a rather antsy one and will fly off if we get too close.  I'm excited for the babies so the kids can see the little birds.  I just hope it finally warms up here soon.

With only 3 more weekends (after this one) until my surgery, I'm getting a bit concerned about getting the garden ready. I know I will be limited in how much I can do later, so now is the time to get to work...even with this wet soil!  So, the pressure is on to have some nice dry weather to get some of these veggies in the ground.  Today it was a family event. We cleaned out under the deck and went for the garden after that.  Tommy had put some grass clippings down last year and recently put some extra straw as the top layer.  When I pulled it back, Jack was in heaven.  WORMS everywhere!  His little yellow bucket must have 50-75 of the biggest worms I have ever seen.  Caroline would help point them out for him, but wasn't quite brave enough to pick them up.  It definitely kept them good and busy.

Doesn't look like much yet!

Jack showing off his worm collection.  And yes, it is almost May and we are bundled up outside!

All boy!

Caroline not even tempted to touch.

Such a big helper.

On a worm hunt

Easter Weekend

Some highlights from our Easter weekend.  Saturday was super rainy, so it was a great day to dye eggs.  This was the first year we have really done it.  Jack was a great helper and was really careful with the dye.  Caroline had fun decorating and accidentally cracking them.  I think next year she'll really get into it.

Easter morning, we headed to Lexington after checking out what the Easter bunny left.  Jack told me, "Mom, the Easter bunny came to visit, but it's really just a person dressed up."  Smart kid.  Caroline really liked the fact that she got some of her OWN hotwheels.  Jack was trying to make a deal and switch with her though!

Lexington is where Jack and Linda live.  I think Linda is Tommy's 2nd or 3rd cousin, but it is so nice that they include us in on Easter.  Lexington isn't a far drive and the Smiths are so sweet to us!  The kids had a fun time with the egg hunt.  The rain held off for them to fill up their baskets.  All this candy is going to come in handy for potty training Caroline this summer.

As a side note...anyone know any good recipes that freeze well?  I've got a good one for lasagna and chicken pot pie.  I'm having some surgery in May and am going to be out of commission for a bit.  Would be nice to fill the freezer with meals in preparation! 

Spring Break

Sadly enough, tonight is the last night of our spring break.  The kids and I had a great time slipping away from a strict routine for the week.  We are catching sight of summer break!  I definitely see that some structure and routine is going to be needed for summer though.  Jack is so full of energy!  It is amazing how sweet the kids can be together.  We'll find them sitting together on Jack's bed reading books and just talking to each other.  The next moment, complete chaos erupts as one takes something from the other, etc, etc.

Anyways, here are the highlights in pictures.

We finally got to check out the new penguin exhibit at the aquarium.  Caroline loved it.

Fun running around Newport on the Levee.  It rained Monday and Tuesday of break, so we were glad to have this weather on Wednesday.

Being cheesy for me

Caroline is so independent now.  This little backpack/leash is great.  I can let her explore even when things get crowded.

One night after dinner we went to feed the ducks.

Tommy had to chase this goose off several times.  It was MEAN and hissed!

Such sweet moments

This is the smile I get now when I ask Jack to say "cheese"

Jack is so protective of "his Caroline" now.  He was afraid she was too close to the water.

Throwing crackers

Caroline really liked to yell at the ducks too.  Here she is letting them have it.

Love that she's getting some hair now!

My sweet family

My turn to actually get a picture!

Friday we hit the zoo.  Love zoo bloom time!

Here Caroline is yelling at the alligators.  Something about animals makes her yell!

Making sure she sees it all!

What a fun day!

I've got a few more pictures to load and a few more things to update about.  Can't wait for our summer break!

Cousins

My sister, Elaine, and her daughter, Sarah Beth, came to visit us this weekend.  What fun we had.  It was so neat to watch the kids play together.  Sarah Beth is 9 months old.  She was in for some excitement with Jack and Caroline.  I think Elaine was worried about what she might learn from them.  It was so sweet to watch them interact.  I think there's going to be some trouble in the air as the girls get older and play together more.  Also exciting, Elaine and I got to do some sewing.  We knew we were getting older when we were excited to go to a consignment sale one night of the weekend and start a sewing project the next.  She helped me sew the black dress and then I was able to make the other one today.  Can't wait for some warmer weather!

fixing our dress straps

love this fabric

a sewing project is never complete without a trip to Hobby Lobby

She was so proud to wear it!

Elaine, Caroline and Sarah Beth

She loved Caroline's sunglasses

sweet cousins

Showing them the Levee.  Who would have thought there would be a two hour wait for the aquarium...even with a season pass!

A photo shoot with these 3 was more challenging than we thought!

Jack really liked SB

She's getting so big.  

Our fun company for the weekend!

Love Jack's half smile...like "come on mom!"

Here comes the real Jack

I guess this is why his teacher mentioned "good sense of humor" on his last report card.   I can only image the show he puts on for his friends!

Caroline not sure about SB checking out her buttons.

We had a great time and made some wonderful memories.  Thanks for the great trip girls.  We can't wait to see you again.  Jack's already asking where you went!