Fields Trip & Fresh Prince

This is the season of field trips! Lila's class went to the Botanical Gardens one afternoon last week and I was able to join them. I laughed at this picture because Lila went to sit down with all the boys on this bench. She can certainly be a tomboy when she wants to be!

Lila and her sweet teacher, Miss R. She loves her. Due to a change in the looping schedule this year, she will not have her again next year. Instead she will have the same teacher for 1st & 2nd grades. We will all be sad to say goodbye to Miss R.!

Sweet flower of mine...

The Kindergarten hooligans...

This past Monday, I was able to go with Nate's class to Jefferson Barracks. This is the only picture I took because, I don't know, 11 year old boys aren't too keen on getting their picture taken by their mother in front of their friends. Ahem.

Jefferson Barracks is still in use today, but also has a Civil War Museum (and some period buildings) as well as a National Cemetery. It is really something to see. It is a solemn place, but fascinating at the same time. I had no idea it was so large, with representation from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WW1, WW2, as well as wars and conflict of my time. I think discussing these time periods as well as respect for those that have died is so important for kids to hear.

I was gone with Nate's class all day, but I drove my own car because Lila woke up that morning saying that her throat hurt. Really? really. Not this again! But lo and behold, when we got home and I got her off the bus, I knew she had strep again. So off to the doctor we went. And of course she did have it again. Sadly it is time to discuss alternative methods for treating. Sadly.

But...to make a long day longer, I had already promised her that we would go to the book fair. And considering she was so sad to get her throat swabbed again, I was not going to disappoint her. So after we waited in the doctor's office, then went to 2 pharmacies to get her medicine (the first one didn't have it, you can only imagine my annoyance), we went to the book fair. Talk about swallowing up the time I had to make dinner! This is my text with Nate, which made me laugh out loud. I thought I had heard him murmuring the lyrics to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air earlier...

Oh my word, he's a mess. It was just what I needed though. Sometimes you just have to laugh at life to keep from crying!

Easter 2017

I happen to like it best when Easter falls in April. When it is in March, it just seems too early! It was a beautiful weekend, although Saturday was prettier weather than Sunday. The kids were out of school on Friday, so they went with me to get the car washed and to get the ham for our Easter dinner. Who knew they both loved the car wash so much! I guess they have not been with me in a while and it was some cheap fun for sure. 

We came home to dye our Easter eggs, and their personalities were on full display. Lila was done in about 10 minutes, and it literally took Nate over an hour to dye 12 eggs. Perfectionist, he is.

Saturday morning was so nice!! Lila & I had breakfast and drank tea on the front porch.

Then we went to the local park's Easter Egg hunt. We had some extra time before it started so we walked over to get some lemonade.

It was so crazy at the hunt, I'm thinking next year that I will just hide candy around the house. Yes, I think that's what I will do.

That afternoon, Lila & I went to get pedicures for Easter! She is so funny when the ladies try to talk to her, she just smiles sweetly until I interpret. Ha!

My sweet Easter blessings:) I managed to throw away their Easter baskets in the move. And didn't figure it out until Saturday.  Mother of the year right here. At least I had already purchased these reusable Easter bags. Maybe I subconsciously knew...

Hunting eggs at church, I love this picture of her looking up in the tree for eggs.

Be still my heart. When did this happen?!?

I had to be quick because Nate was ready to acolyte. We had a great morning at church, although everyone seemed a little hopped up on candy. Ha!

We came home to veg out and get ready for the week. I decided to have our Easter dinner on Saturday night this year to avoid the Sunday night crankiness (since we wait for Scott to get home). It was a winner and I would do it again!

Sam A. Baker 2017

We had a great time at Sam A. Baker 2017! The weather was gorgeous and the sunset almost took my breath away the night we arrived. 

My kids love a camp fire. And the fires did not disappoint.

Reid and Lila got paddles this year! I thought I took a picture of Reid and Lila, but in fact it was Reid and Thane. Fail. Although my Dad also made Thane and Nate these pokers (for lack of a better word) that are made out of wood and a cow horn. They absolutely loved them.

Canoeing day was fantastic and the weather held up nicely. I did canoe with my Dad (and my Mom when Lila kicked me out of my spot), but did not paddle or move very much. So basically useless. But I didn't want to miss out. And thankfully I did not have to explain to my doctor why I was out canoeing with a cracked shoulder!

Such a fun weekend...Can't wait until next year!

Spring Happenings

I feel like the last few weeks have been a blur! It seems like this spring has been busier than most. Here is what we've been up to! 

Lila is in her second session of gymnastics and she absolutely loves it. She was moved up to the next level quickly and we are so proud of her! She's definitely an athlete (and she didn't get it from me!) and we can't wait to see where gymnastics takes her! 

We've had some simply gorgeous weather the past few weeks and have been trying to enjoy every minute of it.

 

The city of Maplewood installed a community piano at the green space next to our house...and of course the kids have to go over and play it every chance they get! 

Our local mall has a Community Art Corner and Lila's school was chosen to be the display during April. They took 80 pieces of art, 40 from first graders and 40 from kindergartners. Our little artist had 2 pieces on the wall! One photograph and one that she drew. She was very excited to show me her work at the opening reception. The green one above her head is actually a close up photograph of a plant.

And this one is a picture of the two of us. {insert heart melting} Can you tell that she was excited Chipotle donated chips and salsa for the reception?1?

Thank you to everyone that has reached out to inquire about my shoulder! Sigh. It's still cracked, but is on the mend. I can tell some improvement, but I'm not supposed to be moving it much and no lifting anything bigger than a coffee cup. Ahem. I will hopefully be able to begin physical therapy in a few weeks. It's always something!

Spring Break 2017

Spring Break 2017 has come and gone! We had some plans around St. Louis and some plans out of town. And some unexpected plans. But first, enjoy this picture of my crazy kitty!

Nate & Lila's Spring Break started on Friday, March 17th. With a bang. I suspected that Lila might be coming down with strep throat (again) (3rd time this school year if you are counting) and when she ran into our room on Friday morning saying that her throat hurt, I knew we were probably headed to the doctor. I got up to go downstairs to get the thermometer...and...drumroll...I fell down the stairs. Like missed the the top step of the hard wood stairs leading to the kitchen and fell the rest of the way. Womp Womp. My left arm took most of the fall but I got up, took a boat load of ibuprofen and tried to move forward with our day. Starting with taking Lila to the doctor. Where she did in fact have strep throat. Womp Womp.

I had planned earlier in the week to take the kids to the Ulysses S. Grant Home/National Park (his wife Julia Dent's home place) here in STL. We decided to head there despite all our ailments and we were not disappointed! It was so neat. We toured the house (built in 1816), the museum, and the grounds. The kids each got a booklet of activities to do while we were there and they both loved completing the tasks!

Of course, if there is dressing up to do, Nate will be doing it!

After we were finished, the ranger swore them in as Junior Rangers. It was kind of hilarious. But they loved it.

Showing off their badges!

Lila actually prompted our trip to the Grant home. She has been very into the presidents lately and even memorized the whole president song over her break. Here she is with her flashcards.

On Saturday, we hit up the library and two different parks. Lila did gymnastics of course.

Then we took advantage of Sonic's $.50 corn dog day. Love.

 Sibling love...

On Monday, we went to the Zoo, along with every other person in St. Louis. Rookie mistake. Except I'm not a rookie. But we managed to see a few animals and have a good time. Lila requested to see the gorillas.

Nate requested to see the reptiles. I get a little nostalgic when we got to the zoo now. I remember those days when just the two of us spent many a day at the zoo. When he was not tall enough to lean over this counter I might add.

Since March 20th was the first day of Spring, Dairy Queen gave away free cones. We stopped by on our way home!

On Monday afternoon, I finally decided to give in and go to the doctor because my shoulder had not stopped hurting. Since Scott was working, my Mom was sweet enough to come up to watch the kids while I went. Well, the news wasn't great. But I keep reminding myself that it could have been a lot worse. The x-ray showed a fracture in my shoulder and an MRI showed a tear in the labrum. All of that from a fall in my own home! I feel so silly. TBD on exact treatment.

Since we were planning to stay at my parents house on the way to Nashville to meet up with the Boyle/Odoms on Thursday, my mom was again sweet enough to take the kids home with her. I was so thankful to be able to rest and not feel guilty that I wasn't entertaining. Ha!

We really enjoyed our time with Mimi, Paka, Amanda, Noah, Gavin & Levi in Nashville! We went to the Antique Archaeology store from American Pickers on Friday, Nate is a huge fan!

Then Mimi, Amanda & I took Lila to the American Girl store. It was a first for her and she was in heaven of course.

On Friday night, we headed to Mexican, where Lila was really happier than this picture shows. Ha!

Gavin brought his pie face game and the kids didn't waste any time! Siblings...

Mimi & Levi...

 Noah & Scott...

Mimi & Nate...

Siblings...

Nate & Scott...

The littles...

And the best...Mimi & Paka!

 :)

On Saturday, we ate at The Pharmacy which is a very delicious burger place in East Nashville. It is so yummy!

It was a lovely Spring day and I was thankful to be outside!!

Thank you for reading this long post! Despite all the obstacles, we had a great time at home, at Nana & Wayne's and in Nashville with our family! It was a wonderful break and we are in the home stretch to summer now!