Spring Break Fun

This week was very busy and tiring as we finished up renovations at the new house as well as getting packed up to move. But since it is Amelia's Spring Break, we also squeezed in some fun. On Sunday, the kids and I went to see the new Disney movie Beauty and the Beast. The kids dressed up and so I had my own pretty princess and "bad" dragon. We really enjoyed the film even though there were some scenes in there that were a bit frightening for the young ones.

The next morning, we went to the zoo. You can read here about our adventure. Wednesday afternoon, both kids were invited to celebrate Hunter's 3rd birthday and they had a ball. Running around, playing with friends, coloring, food, and cake....perfect party for the 5 and under crowd.

Carpet was installed this week too at the new house:

The finished product:

The weather was great all week long so when we had the chance, we spent time outside. Spring definitely has sprung and I love seeing all the flowers and the blossoming trees. Hanging out in the front yard with my two munchkin. I love these two so much and I'm thankful that I'm able to spend lots of time with them. 

 Just some normal, afternoon sibling races:

On Friday and Saturday we were busy moving in to the new house. 

This was the most unprepared move (packing up boxes on the same day as we moved), and we have moved now 4 years in a row, but we got it all done. It was a lot but we like the new house and are now working on making it our home. There is still so much to do (especially cleaning as the house was a mess when we bought it) but it is coming together nicely:

The kids did great during the whole process and were delighted to sleep in their new room/ beds on Friday night. 

 That's how our babysitter looked when we needed to get stuff done: Ipads to the rescue.

We were kind of in a time crush as Derrick is traveling for work this week and we still need to do little touch ups at the old house. But after running errands all morning, the kids and I decided to take some time off this afternoon to enjoy playing in the new front yard. It was very windy but they still wanted to try out their new, humongous Frisbee:  

And now, it is time for bed as we will have to get up early for school tomorrow. Amelia switched to a different elementary school and they start over an hour earlier than her last one. It will take some time and effort to get used to that but we have one week to get it down as I will start my new job next Monday. 

Beautiful Day for a Zoo Visit

On Monday, the first day of Spring, the kids and I decided to go to the zoo. We invited my friend and her two daughters too and enjoyed a beautiful day there. Even though it was very crowded since it was the first day of Spring Break and such beautiful weather, we still got to see plenty of animals. We started the day off at the adventure playground and a funnel cake:

The Gibbons were the first animals we spotted:

It warmed up quickly and everyone was out and about. A sunbathing Meerkat: 

My kids love the tropical house where all the fish, snakes and frogs are housed and so we stopped by twice. Elliot especially liked the huge Boa as well as the swimming Iguana that looked like an eel in the water:

My favorite part of the visit was the kangaroo exhibition. You can walk thru their enclosure and if you get lucky, they will come up to you to be pet. This was the first time that we were able to pet one of the kangaroos: they are soft and cuddly. 

Then we petted the tortoises: 

After lunch and another stop at the adventure playground, we caught an animal encounter show at the amphitheater before heading back home. We learned some interesting facts about each animal and got to see them up close. This cute porcupine was up first:

There was also a snake, a vulture, a skunk, and a beautiful hornbill:

This day at the zoo was the perfect start to our Spring Break and just what we needed to get away from the renovations for a bit. Happy Spring!

BIG Changes

We bought a HOUSE! Yes, you read that correctly. We finally bought a house and will be moving once again (only 10 months after the last move) but luckily, the house is only 10 miles from our current location. Plus, once we moved in to the house, we will be staying put for the next few years 😀

We bought the house, our house, in the beginning of the month but have been very busy these past two weeks with renovating it. It needed paint from top to bottom as well as new flooring, lots and lots of cleaning and 10,000 other things that need our attention. The house was quite neglected (and dirty!) and so it will take some time to get it all finished but once the painting is done and the flooring is installed next week, we will be moving in. 

Me in my painting overalls

So we are spending lots of hours in the house working on several projects while the kids get extra screen time. They have been troopers so far and think it is an adventure. Sunday "picnic" at the house:

Trips to the home improvement store always include a ride on a lawn mower:

In order to make the most of my time between school drop-off and pick-up, Elliot has been napping quite a few times in the car lately:

And to make things even more crazy, I have been interviewing with a local company for a part-time position as European Business Development Specialist and was offered to start this NEW JOB in the beginning of April. The position seems like a great fit for me (especially since the company contacted me) and I'm excited about rejoining the workforce very soon. While Amelia is already signed up at her new elementary school to start there after Spring Break, I still need to find childcare for Elliot asap. 

Interview ready

As you can imagine, life has been a bit hectic and very tiresome lately but I believe that God had this planned all along and led us to this house on purpose (it wasn't my first choice but it is really growing on me and I'm so ready to make it our home) and to that company. Big changes are happening but we are ready and excited and look forward to this new season in our lives.

Early Spring, Late Snow

Our winter here this year was very warm and temperatures swayed between 75F (25C) and freezing quite a bit. There were drastic highs and some lows but mostly it was too warm for this time of year. Everything around us is in full bloom: you can see red, yellow, white and green bushes and trees in bloom as well as daffodils and even tulips. 

On Thursday, we wore t-shirts by 75 F (25 C) and sunshine while today it is snowing! 

Yesterday                                                                   Today

Even though the snow didn't last too long and by this afternoon everything was melted, the kids had fun catching some snowflakes with their tongue and throwing some snowballs at each other. 

We might get another dusting of snow tonight but the majority is passing South! of us. But we enjoyed it while it lasted. With being so nice out lately, we have been to the playground a few times after school this past week:

Also on Thursday, Amelia had picture day at school. She was all dressed and ready to go:

And yesterday, both kids were invited to a friend's birthday party. They had lots of fun jumping around at the play-zone, eating cake and getting tattoos and balloon animals. 

Now, we are all resting by the fireplace and watching Frozen (how fitting). Only one more week of school and then it is Spring Break, although we don't have any specific plans. We are a bit busy lately and soon I will tell you all why. We are working on something big! 

Book Character Day and Fun at the Y

This past week has been all about books and reading at schools, libraries and preschools across the nation as it was Read Across America week and Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2. Amelia's elementary school celebrated by reading lots of Dr. Seuss books. coloring funny hats, having a Dr. Seuss Cafe hosted by third graders, a play from the teachers for the students and a book character parade on Friday.

Amelia and her Cat in the Hat hat

For Book Character Day, Amelia wanted to be Pinkalicious, a girl that loves the color pink just like her. Here is my little pink girl:

Amelia and her classmates before the parade:

Her teacher, Ms. Wyatt, was also dressed up:

And then all the children paraded down the hallways at school, showing off their costumes from their favorite books. Depending on age group, there were a few repeats such as Harry Potter, professional athletes, Dr. Seuss characters, Elsa and superheroes. But everyone did a great job and the children were very proud of their costumes and it was a joy to watch them. Some teachers got really creative too:

The school's Dr. Seuss Characters:

I even brought my own superhero to the parade:

 

We love to read in our house and celebrating book character day is just a fun way to make the characters in these book come alive. Can't wait till next year to see what they want to dress up at. 

Yesterday, our local YMCA hosted a family fun day and the kids and I went over there to celebrate the grand opening of their Tiny Town. These new imagination stations (a bakery shop, a bank, a stage with dress-up costumes and a veterinary clinic) are there newest additions to their Y play centers. Even though I forgot my phone at home, another member of the Y was able to snap some pictures for me. Not only did they offer crafts, snacks, and games but there was also an Elsa on hand for pictures, a firetruck and firefighters and police officers as well as a very talented balloon artist. 

My little vets in Tiny Town:

Meet Elsa:

 

Elliot and his new alien friend from the balloon artist:

Now, the kids can't wait to go back to the gym and play while mommy or daddy works out. Today, we will take it easy as I'm still recovering from a nasty cold and ear infection. After the kids and hubby were sick, it was only a matter of time for me to get sick. Luckily, the medications kicked in and I'm feeling much better already. Wishing everyone a relaxing Sunday!