Spring Break Fun

This week has been Spring Break for the girls and we have really enjoyed having the week at home together.  On Monday I took all three kids with me to the grocery store and let Handley pick out a treat.  She picked Gushers (juice filled fruit snacks) and I don't know that she'd ever had them before.  Later in the day while she was eating some this was the conversation we had...

Handley: I'm having so much fun on Spring Break.
Me:  Awe, are you happy we are all home together this week?
Handley: No, I just really like eating Gushers.

HA!  I'm so glad it's the little things that gets her excited. :-)

On Tuesday our playgroup has an Easter party.  The kids all looked so cute in their Easter wear and had so much fun finding eggs, getting their faces painted, doing "squirt bottle painting" and eating some yummy treats.

Today we met our friends Erica, Grace and Bonnie at a new indoor play place called Catch Air.  There were tons of fun things for the kids to do including a light up dance floor, bounce houses, ball pits, and giant tunnel/slide system.

This evening before dinner we were outside playing and Hudson got to have his first ride in the Cadi!

He wasn't quite sure at first and was most interested in playing with the radio buttons, but then quickly discovered riding around was tons of fun.

Homecoming surprise

On Saturday afternoon, after Handley's soccer game where she discovered her calling as a goalie (more on that another day), I loaded everyone up and made our way to the airport.  Robby had been gone for 8 days on a helicopter ski trip to Canada and we were so excited about his arrival back home.  He thought we were going to be outside, circling in the car until he got his bags and got outside to us.  We had a big surprise planned for him though.  We were inside waiting and had positioned ourselves at the top of the escalators, along with the other people who were eagerly awaiting their loved ones arrivals.  The girls held the signs they had made and waited.  And waited. And waited.  It ended up being 30 minutes, but it felt like an eternity to the girls, especially Harper.  She must have asked me 100 times when Daddy would be here and eventually she stopped asking and just started announcing loudly that, "Daddy is taking SO long."  Thankfully the people around us were amused rather than annoyed by her.  They were not the only kids with signs, but I guess the bright orange and the constant questioning from Harper got us a lot of attention.  Lots of people asked how long he'd been gone and I had to explain to them that he hadn't been off at war or any thing, just on a ski trip.  They still thought the girls were cute with their signs though and one lady even asked to take their picture. Ha!

When we finally spotted him coming off the escalator they squealed with excitement and I could tell he was really surprised.  The people standing around us told Robby his arrival was highly anticipated by the girls. :-)

After getting his bags and getting to the car we got to hear all about the amazing time he had on his trip.  Basically he was at a remote, all-inclusive, resort/lodge and every day he went with a small group and a guide as a helicopter took them up and dropped them off on a top of a mountain.  Then, according to Robby, they skied down what was the most amazing conditions he has ever skied.  He said the trip was unbelievable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I say next time I'll go on a trip and he can have another once-in-a-lifetime experience as he keeps all three kids by himself.  For 8 days.  Just kidding.  Kinda. :-) In all honestly though, the kids were great all week and we stayed busy so the time he was gone really did pass by quickly.

You'd think after such a big trip he'd be anxious to get home.  Not for this family on the go, though.  We had the car loaded down and made our way from the airport to the lake house.  We spent the night there last night and today got to take the inaugural ride in our new boat!  The girls didn't quite understand why we couldn't go swimming, but by afternoon it might have felt good to jump in.  We did get to ride over to Tiki Hut and have lunch, so it was a fun day.  We're so excited for summer though and can't wait to get back up there.  

Handley's Easter Party

Today was Handley's school Easter party.  I had arranged for my friend, Sheila, to watch Harper and Hudson so that I could really help out with the egg hunt and the party for her class.  All of the Pre-K classes had their egg hunt on the baseball field across from the church.  There weren't really any places to "hide" the eggs, but there sure were lots of them tossed around on the grass.

All 60 kids lined up with their baskets against the fence and as soon as they got the go ahead, they all took off running.  It didn't take long for all of the eggs to be collected.

Handley and two of her classmates spotted 3 eggs hiding on the fence after everything was over and they took off running to retrieve them.

After the hunt, we made our way back to the classroom where the kids had lunch, played games, and did an Easter egg craft.  Mrs. Mary Ann and Mrs. Tamika had given the kids these cute bunny masks.  Handley and her friend, Grace, were jumping around like they were bunnies.

Before heading home we made a quick stop by Mrs. Deborah's class to let Handley get a quick picture with the chicks, since she was wearing her chick dress today. :-)

Harper's Easter Party

Today was Harper's Easter party and egg hunt at school.  I was so excited about today, because I knew the little surprise that Mrs. Deborah had in store for the class.  Each year, she brings baby chicks to school for the Easter parties and I just knew that Harper would love them.

The kids did their egg hunt first and were surprisingly very calm.  They had fun collecting all the eggs though.  Harper had to stop with each one she picked up, shake it, and see if there was something inside before she continued to another one.

After the egg hunt the kids all got to hold the chicks.

Next it was time for pizza lunch, a craft and a game, but I didn't get one picture inside because I was too busy trying to keep Hudson happy.  Today was the third day in a row he didn't take a morning nap, so he wasn't really digging my plan to have him eat snacks in the stroller.

When we got home she had fun opening up each egg and checking out the candy and treats inside.  She was very sweet to share everything with Handley, who has her egg hunt tomorrow.

Blue Eyed Babies

Today the blue eyed babies got to hang out and have some fun.  Jen and I met at a park to walk and since Harper is off school on Tuesdays, she got to come along, too.  Harper normally loves walks, but the view of the playground had her wishing she was playing instead of sitting in the stroller.  She was good while we got our exercise and then loved getting some playtime.

It's is obvious that Parker adores Harper and they spent the entire time playing together and following each other around.  After the playground we made our way to McEntyre's (aka, The Bakery) for lunch to undo all the good we just did walking. :-)  

When we left, Parker and Hudson were so cute together.  They were leaning in towards one another to give hugs. It was so sweet.  Parker was also teaching Hudson how to give high-fives, which I'm sure he will be doing before long.

First Egg Hunt of the Year

Today the girls had tons of fun with Gigi and Papa.  They got to go to a spring-time festival that had games, face painting, inflatable bounce houses and slides, and a big egg hunt.  As soon as they got home Handley talked-a-mile a minute about everything they did.  Harper tried to get a word in, but had a hard time because Handley just didn't stop talking about all of the fun they had.  She was also excited to show me the four-leaf clover that she found at the park.  It was her very lucky day.  Gigi shared some pictures from the day and I was so happy that they had such a great day together.

Super Saturday!

A big thanks to Mimi for making their adorable kite outfits. You all know I love them matching. :-)

Today was a super Saturday!  It started off with everyone sleeping in (and by sleeping in, I mean no one was up before 7:30).  Then we ran a few errands and made our way to Northpoint Mall.  I wanted to check on something there and thought we would make a little outing out of it.  Gigi met us there and we let the girls look around the American Girl store.  It was SO crowded and pretty crazy in there, but the girls always have fun checking out the different outfits and accessories for the dolls.  Gigi even let them go on a mini shopping spree!  They each got a bathing suit (with matching flip-flops), sunglasses, and a cute summer outfit for their dolls.  Handley even got a pair of "waterproofs" for her doll that match her shoes. She was making me smile as we walked through the mall because she was so proud of her bag.

Next, we hit up the food court for lunch and the girls enjoyed dining at their very own, kid-sized table.

Then we rode the carousel and even Hudson got to ride.  I wasn't going to take him on because I didn't think he would care one way or the other, but Gigi convinced me to take him and I'm SO glad I did. He LOVED it. He was smiling and talking the whole time and kept doing this funny thing he does with his voice when he gets excited.

After our mall adventure we spent the afternoon at Gigi and Papa's house.  While everyone napped and rested I snuck out to do a little shopping alone (!!!).  Then the girls kept busy dressing up their dolls and counting caterpillars outside.

We ate dinner and then came home, but Handley and Harper stayed to spend the night.  They have a fun day planned for tomorrow and I know they are going to have a blast!