Spring Break Day 2: Makeover Day!

Today was yet another fun filled spring break day. The kids "slept in" until 8:15, with the exception of Addison who woke me up at 5:50am asking for breakfast.

Today's first stop: The Sump Library. Addison is reading The Cat and The Hat books now and it is helping her build reading confidence, and she was needing more books. After a quick stop there, it was time for swimming lessons. We got there early, so we read The Gingerbread Man before going inside. Asher impressed with his swimming lessons with a substitute teacher. Asher rocks in the back float swim! Again, he impressed with his good listening skills, too. He is doing pretty good in his lessons, and the girls loved watching him.

Next stop, boring Costco to exchange a life jacket I bought for Addison with a bigger one. It did help to have her with me. The kids did not mind getting some free samples, either.

We arrived at our spring break makeover spot, Concepts Salon, a little early too, so the kids had their packed picnic lunch before heading inside. The kids are on a strawberry kick right now, so we unfortunately have strawberry all over our clothes at the moment. :) Anyway, Addison had about 5 inches cut off her long locks of beautiful hair that were going past her little booty, then made into a fishtail braid that turned out beautiful (I have to learn to do that!). Alivia, on the other hand, decided to get a little bob cut, then decided to curl it. It looked adorable! After getting their hair done, it was time for nails and make up. Addison opted out of the make up, but they both got their nails painted. All of that for $18 each! They looked amazing.

Next stop, to get our picture with the Easter Bunny. We arrived at Oak View Mall at 1pm to find that the Bunny was eating carrots until 2. Great. So, we did a little shopping, finding a couple airplane shirts that we did not need and a few play clothes for the girls. Finally, the Bunny returned. Who knew it was $20 to see the Easter Bunny now a days!! I had my $$$$ camera around my neck but could not use it. The only way we were getting a picture was to pay some young girl $20 to snap it with a camera that was maybe 1/4 as nice as ours. Seriously!? I paid the $20 to get my picture. But, mark my words, WE WILL NEVER GO AND SEE THE EASTER BUNNY OR SANTA IN THE MALL AGAIN!! That is crazy!! So, after an hour, I left with a so so picture (mine would have rocked, thank you) that they took and a cute one that I took with my camera while we waited. Ha! I should have skipped it looking back, for the principal of it. But, my kids were so excited to see the bunny!

Finally at home, the kids could have free play outside. Alivia invited over her friend Gabby (since Addi and Asher had friends yesterday). When Addison did not come out after getting changed, I went upstairs to find her fast asleep! I let her sleep for a hour before waking her up. Poor thing. 5:50 AM is too early little girl!

Dinner, than walking Pippa, stopping into see Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bob (on their 41st wedding anniversary no less), before coming home to get cleaned up for more face time with Chris. Chris appeared completely exhausted after his day of travels to Florida. He has found Florida to be a warm 86 degrees (although I said, "That's not bad, it was 92 degrees HERE yesterday! :) ) and beautiful with their palm trees and blue skies. Tomorrow is his first meeting  at USCENTCOM, so it will be a big day. We miss him so much!

Today was another fun day, but yet we have more fun planned for tomorrow. I am just not sure what that fun will entail tomorrow, but we will see.

                                                           Addison Before Shots

                                                              3 kids before heading out

                                                                  Swimming Lessons

                                                            Alivia: Before and After

                                                                  Asher, keeping busy

                                                        Alivia, getting her nails done.

                                                           Fishtail Braid: Adorable!

                                                                   Alivia After

                                                               Addison After

                                         Alivia and Gabby

                                                                                 Addison, never without a stuffed dog.

Someone Kayaking reminded us of Chris (look real close).

More Face Time with Daddy.

Spring Break: Day 1

The first day of spring break turned out to be a lot of fun.

We started out at the YMCA (gotta get my cardio in), I went to Zumba, then I took the kids to the pool to swim. They have so much there! After getting cleaned up, it was time for a picnic.

We met Krissa, Kaitlyn and Will at the Forest for a nice and warm picnic. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about 89 degrees (or whatever it was today). We love nice and warm on April 2...and we will take it! After a picnic, the kids played for a long time in Acorn Acres before we took a short hike through the forest. I am not sure, but I may have spotted poison ivy. Now, I just need to figure out if that is what it was so I can be sure we avoid it! The kids then played downstairs and got cooled off. It was then definitely time to call it a day as the kids were in need of a break.

After leaving the forest, we did a little shopping. Alivia needed white shoes for her upcoming First Communion. Grandma Kathy had already purchased 2 dresses, the veil and a white sweater, and I found some tights. Alivia just needed shoes to complete the ensemble. It is really like she is getting married, but without the REAL expensive part, oh, and the groom. :) After finding some shoes she found comfortable, it was time for a treat.

The kids picked out three different kinds of ice cream treats at the grocery store before we made our way home. Next, the sprinkler. The kids played outside for quite a while. Nice to have such nice weather for at least a day of spring break.

Once inside, the girls played well with Polly Pockets. They have about 3 days a year they play well together, and today was one of them (seriously!). Meanwhile Asher had a rough day. He was well behaved at the Forest, I will give him that. But, come on child. He has way too much energy of something. If there was a such thing as a chill pill, this child would have to be on it. He was not the best behaved child today.

After dinner, our evening dog walking and a bath, it was time for Face Time with Daddy. The kids talked to him alone before they talked to him individually. They really love being able to actually see him. Chris sounded really tired and a bit overwhelmed. He is leaving Pennsylvania tomorrow and onto Florida for the remainder of his trip.

Tomorrow we have more big plans that have the kids super excited. Tomorrow is our last full day together during break (other than Easter Sunday), so we have to make the most of it.

Now for some of the pictures (yes, there are more than these even!) so Daddy can see what we are up to while he is away.

The kids had a little music program for us.

Spring at the Forest

Love Trails!

Flowers for Daddy.

Cooling off with some fudge bars.

Now for some fruit sickles. :)

View of our home from the trail. It looks lovely and quiet...right?

Addison, never without a stuffed toy, usually a dog.

Hey, that's me!

The Girls

89 Degree, No Fooling!

89 Degrees on April 1 in Nebraska is unheard of. We are not complaining, but this is so weird.

The kids spent the morning with Chris' parents while I got caught up on sleep. 8 hours in 2 day is really crazy...but that's me, completely nuts. Anyway, the kids went to Mahoney State Park, played at the playground, fed the horses carrots, had a picnic, before Grandma and Grandpa treated them to ice cream. Sounded like they had a lot of fun, enjoying the fabulous April Fools Day. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for showing them a great time (and for allowing me some much needed sleep!).

Back at home, they had a water balloon fight getting majoring grassy. It was all in good fun. We had dinner, walked the dog, ya know, normal stuff. We miss Daddy...but the kids enjoyed Skyping with him. I will try to keep up the blog so Daddy can see what we are up to while he is away, and the kids are enjoying spring break.

We have big plans for tomorrow, which looks to be another nice day. We can't wait!

New Tree is blooming!

Pretty in Pink

Little trio of tulips.

Face time with Daddy!

March 2012 in Review

March, 2012, was fun! Loving this early spring weather! Loving the colors, sights, smells and beauty of spring. We got out to the Forest, the zoo, playgrounds and more. We celebrated my birthday (boo), Alivia and Asher started soccer at the YMCA, Asher started swimming lessons, we had many play dates, and just got outside and soaked up this fabulous spring weather. Chris ended the month with news of work in Florida. So, he begins April with a little trip to Florida, no fooling. Now, onto enjoying Spring Break! 

 March 2012 Pictures

Visit To Great Grandma Marci's

On Wednesday, Asher and I visited Grandma Marci. We had not seen her in a while, and Asher was excited to go. He loaded up a shoe box with many of his cars for the visit (Super cute!), and I packed him a little box lunch.

Grandma was glad we came for a visit. It was nice to see her and catch up. I was amazing that at 99 3/4 years (she is so close to turning 100!) that she still works with her plants and has not taken up painting. She amazes me, living alone and all (although she probably should not be living alone). It is fun to see Grandma and Asher together, too. Grandma asked Asher if he would remember her, and he she yes of course. Again...so cute.

We will see her again on Easter, but we must visit more often.

View from Grandma's Condo

Some of Grandma Marci's plants

Asher, carrying his cars inside.