Easter Weekend

We had a very busy, wonderful and adventurous Easter weekend this year.  In addition to the kids three egg hunts, there were lots of happenings around here.


Mamie and Papa came for a long overdue visit.  Our kids pretty much live to be outside these days and the weather was gorgeous so we obliged.  It's really a lot of fun watching these two run and play in the yard.  The only downside is Fletcher's multiple clothing changes.  That boy could find mud in the desert!  He is regularly being stripped and hosed down before coming back in the house.

 They're becoming quite the little t-ball hounds.

We drug the kiddie pool out of the garage for the first time this season.

 You wanna mess with this???

 And we love a good race.  Ready.  Set.  Go!!!!

Our neighbors held their annual crawfish boil block party.  Yuuummmmmm!  Syd loved the crawfish this year.  I couldn't peel them fast enough for her!

The traditional Easter morning photo shoot.

On our way home from church - car loaded down with us, the kids and grandparents - we blew a tire!  Nothing like changing a tire on the side of a busy highway under the blistering sun in your Easter Sunday clothes.  Less than twenty minutes later (12 of which were spent looking for the spare), we were once again on our way.  Thanks, Pat!


After changing tires and scouting for eggs, we filled our tummies with a yummy Easter brunch.

Then it was back outside for more random fun.  Like bubbles and golf.  Notice Fletcher has already been changed out of his Easter attire.  His white linen shorts didn't stand a chance between grass, mulch and Easter chocolates.  Thank goodness for Oxyclean.

 And scaling fences.

 Of course baseball in Easter dresses was a must.

 Sydney's favorite Easter score - nail polish!

 

What a wonderful holiday weekend!  Happy Easter All!

Egg Hunt x3

Between school, our neighborhood and home, the kids had 3 opportunities to hunt for eggs this year.  Like last year, it worked to our advantage for the little ones who have never experienced the egg hunt before.  By the time you get to your own home Easter Sunday egg hunt, they are pro's and know exactly what to do.


First - the school egg hunt.  As predicted, Fletcher was completely clueless.


What are we doing?

Wait, there are prizes in these things!?!?

 Forget the cupcake - I just wanna open eggs!

 Sydney was a seasoned pro this year.  I had to caution her to share and let some of the other kids find eggs.

Next came our community egg hunt.  Sadly, Fletcher was sleeping and missed out on the fun.  Patiently waiting...

 I think the community puts out something like 9,000 eggs.  Seriously.  9,000.  All stuffed by volunteer moms in the neighborhood.  I conveniently missed the egg stuffing party this year.

And finally, the Easter Sunday home hunt, made even more fun with the addition of Mamie, Papa and our neighbor friends.  


Upon finding his first egg, Fletcher immediately opened it and became quite satisfied to stay put and eat his jelly beans.

 Mamie had to help coax him along.

 Opening their loot!  By the way, eggs stuffed with chocolate candies in the TX heat for any length of time is NOT a good idea.  Next year, the Easter Bunny better store those things in the freezer!

We're ready Mama!

I'm always a little scared to share posts like this.  First, because I'm both a little horrified and a little amused.  And because I'm afraid Child Protective Services might come knocking at my door (admitting I'm a little amused might not help my case here - but I assure you the amusement came much much later).


So this morning, just after I snapped the cute photo of Sydney in her ballet outfit and gushed on Facebook over how Ballet Tuesday is my favorite day of the week, I proceeded to get myself ready for the day.

As many moms do, I showered and dressed while my kids ate breakfast, played and watched tv.  They were in and out of the bathroom with me during most of these activities.  Wanting to use my toothbrush, trying out lotions, turning faucets on, pushing each other and generally getting into trouble.  It was your average Tuesday morning. 


Until... I finished drying my hair and realized the house seemed awfully quiet.  A little too quiet.  


I called for Sydney a couple of times while I wandered around.  No answer.  But they have been known recently to try and hide - although their giggles give them away.


No giggles today.  


I walked upstairs to see what they were up to - in no particular hurry, picking up clothes and shoes and things on my way.  No sign of them in Fletcher's room.  Or the playroom.  Or Sydney's room.  


Hmmm.  This was a little odd.  Maybe they were hiding out in my office.  Oh yes, that must be it.  One of their favorite places they're not supposed to be!  I walked back down the stairs and peered into the office.  Not there either.  As I turned from the office, my eye caught the front door - it was UNLOCKED!


Sydney knows how to unlock the front door but she has only done it without one of us present once or twice and generally just stands on the landing, door wide open.


Not this time.  The door was unlocked but securely closed.  And no sign of the kids right outside.


Panic.


I ran to the sidewalk looking left and right.  To the right, I caught the faint glimpse of two small humans walking up the sidewalk.  Faint is key.  Those kids were far far away.  I realize I hadn't been quick to search the house for them, but I cannot believe how far down the street they had gotten!


There they were.  Sydney in her ballet outfit with a target bag in her hand.  Fletcher following dutifully behind.  Barefoot.


A car had just stopped across from them on the street and the woman called out "Are those your kids?" as she saw me sprinting down the sidewalk.  She helped corral them before they got further and turned them back in my direction.


When I finally reached them and started marching them back home, I asked Sydney, "where on earth were you going?"  


To which she flatly replied, "School.  We're ready Mama."

The sign of a good party...

...is dirty feet!

This was the case for Sydney after she had a filthy good time at her buddy's birthday party.

She and I took a girls trip a few weeks ago to Florida to visit some dear old (and new) friends.

Our trip coincided with one of her good friends' 2nd birthday party.  And what fun it was!  Who doesn't love a bounce house!?!?  Even the adults got in on the action after dark when the little kids were sleeping.  Tip (from our teenage bounce house aficionados) - spray the slides with pledge for speed!

 I keep trying to figure out when we're going to get the kids feet in the sand this summer.  This is not exactly what I had in mind.  But she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Syd with some of her best buds and our gracious hosts!

They had lots of cool toys...

 Making new friends.  Sydney loves loves loves babies!

Sadly some of her best times in Florida cannot be shared on this forum as she was inexplicably tempted to shed all clothing during seriously fun play.  I blamed her strip-tation on our proximity to FSU.  Pat has already crossed it off the list of potential colleges for her future.  Not.  Gonna. Happen.


Case in point...

Syd is a big fan of flying and planes in general.  She was an excellent travel partner.

But this is what she thinks of me taking pictures!

Before and After - Hardwood Floors

If you follow me on Facebook, you probably saw the dust filled picture of our living room as the carpet was coming up a few weeks ago.  Allergy sufferers were running for their tissues at the sight!  


We debated for a long time whether to leave the carpet for another year or two and let the kids really destroy it before trading it in for some hardwood... but the time had come.  We just couldn't treat and stare at the stains any longer.  Kids are so hard on a house but especially so on carpet!


Here is Fletcher bidding a fond farwell to the carpet.  Fitting really as he was responsible for a majority of the stains.

I can't believe I don't have a true BEFORE picture with all the furniture and the too-large rug that was moved to our master bedroom.  Or else it's lost in my massive pile of online photo albums.  Oh well.  This will have to do.

So out came the carpet - from our living room and bedroom (those pics will come later - more transformations have been going on in there).

Sydney was completely freaked out by the plastic hanging from the ceiling.  She wouldn't go near it!  Refused to even come downstairs the two mornings it hung in our kitchen - so we ate breakfast upstairs.

Despite the best efforts by the crew and the plastic, there was some serious dust around here.  The worst part was it seemed to take DAYS to settle.  I cleaned up right after they left only to find a thin layer of dust back on everything the next day.  Cleaned again.  Then Sydney and I left for a girls trip and came home to - yes, more dust.

But once the dust finally settled - literally - and was cleaned, here is the result... beautiful!  We couldn't be happier.