Spring Break

The kids had a busy Spring Break a few weeks ago!

Abby kicked it off with a sleepover. Cate came over Sunday the 11th and we had *lots* of girl time! Forts, stilts, video games, dancing, crafts, pizza, movies, and walks around the neighborhood.

Matching pullovers

 Monday morning they wanted to build a fort first thing! (Greg went to work and Nate was with a friend, so they had the playroom all to themselves!)

Abby had been begging to go the Space Net, so we went even though it was *very* windy and chilly! We had the place all to ourselves for awhile.

 Both girls had been there before, but it had been awhile so they were a bit rusty. I climbed up with them to help them/encourage them. Good thing because there were quite a few tears! I think they were just scared they were going to get blown off the space net since it was so windy. (Looking back - maybe this was not my best parenting moment! We should have stayed home! :)

 After they got the first one under their belt, they were unstoppable!! I think we climbed up 8 more times. I was exhausted by the end of it, but those giggles and smiles kept me going :)

My favorite girl!

 The girls requested Chick-Fil-A for lunch, and I was happy to oblige and get out of the wind for a minute. We ended up staying there for 2 hours! Who knew the Chick-Fil-A playground was so fun!?

We went back to the Space Net afterwards, as well as the Verner playground. Then we had to take Cate home late afternoon. It was a full day!!

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While Abby was having fun with Cate, Nate was travelling to Opp, Alabama for a few days with our neighbor Evers (and his dad). They left Sunday afternoon and returned on Wednesday afternoon. Nate was excited for some quality time with his best bud!

Pit Stop at Steak-N-Shake for dinner

 Evers' family owns a farm out in Opp, Alabama and Nate has been there once before with him. A simple house, no wifi, one TV, and lots of land. I was thrilled that they invited Nate back. Look at all the fun he had with Evers and his dad Steve!

 Ahead of time, Steve asked me if it was okay if the boys drove his car around some of the fields there. I reluctantly said yes and Nate was so excited! Turns out, he's a grandpa driver so I had nothing to worry about! (No surprise there.)

That night they got a fire-building lesson and had s'mores too!

Tuesday, Evers & Steve surprised Nate and took him down to Destin, FL!! They played in the sand, ate yummy food, and played vintage putt-putt :)

On the way home Wednesday, I got this picture from Steve:

They had pulled over to pet some goats (!) and got stuck in the mud. They had to wait for AAA for two hours! I was soooooo glad when my boy finally got home.

He was only gone for 3 days. How am I going to deal with it when he goes to college!?

Pinewood Derby

Nate had his first Pinewood Derby back on March 10. I'm not sure who was more excited about this.....Greg or Nate!

(Sidebar: Apparently, during Greg's *brief* stint in Scouts, he created the world's worst Pinewood Derby car. It couldn't even finish the race. So, he was looking for redemption this time...living vicariously through his son!)

Nate came up with the design, and worked with Greg at a den meeting to cut out the shape he wanted. We painted it and then Greg put the final touches on it - wheels, weights, etc.

The younger dens got to race their cars first, so the Webelos patiently waited their turn.

 Each car got to race 4 times. They wanted to make sure each car had a chance to race in each lane. I was outside chasing Abby on the playground during Nate's first heat, but apparently he came in first place!! Same for his second heat.

For his third and fourth heat, he came in 2nd. He was so excited (and Greg was so relieved)!!

Nate's car is the red one

 After all the races were finished, they announced winners and door prizes. Nate won an amazing door prize!! 

 Only a few of Nate's buddies/fellow Webelos were able to attend the Pinewood Derby. Alex won 2nd overall (!) and JJ won best design.

Nate, Alex, JJ, Jake

Proud Dad & Lad

Visitors & a Talent Show

My parents came for a visit a few weeks ago, and it was timed perfectly so that they could watch Abby in the Talent Show (more on that later)! They arrived on Thursday the 22nd, in the afternoon. As usual, they showered the kids with lots of new clothes from the outlets! Nate usually doesn't  care about clothes but this time he got something from the Under Armour outlet. He put it on immediately and wore it to bed :)

Friday the kids had school, so I hung out with Nanny & Poppy at the house. We went to Hooligan's for lunch, and then Poppy played softball with the kids - and some neighbors - in the backyard after school. It was such a pretty day!

Saturday morning was a dreary one....and as a result, Abby's softball practice was cancelled. Nanny &Poppy were so bummed! We still had talent show rehearsal to go to, and then Nanny & I took Abby shopping at Old Navy in the afternoon.

Then the Vetrano's arrived around 4 pm to hang out for a bit and then have an early dinner at Chuy's. YUM! We have gone to the Talent Show with them for 4 years and counting, so Katie was not going to let that tradition end, even if they live in GA now! 

We had a reserved table right in front at the Talent Show, and the choir was up first! They sang a song from "Rent" and did a fantastic job. Abby sang her heart out, as usual.

 Click here to watch a video of the choir singing their song from "Rent."

 The Talent Show gets better & better every year! The kids have some really talented friends....

Lucy Claire / lyrical

JJ / hip hop dancing with a glow suit on

Alex / comedy act

Jack / singing 

 Lucy Claire had to leave shortly after her performance, but the moms managed to get these two cuties to take a pic together :)

 Intermission! Abby is changed and ready to go for her part in Alex's act. 

Sweet Mia & Caroline were anxious to cheer on Abby!

 Nate's friend Alex asked Abby to play a small part in his act.....The Biginator! He would throw small objects behind a curtain, and a larger version would pop out. Fun Fact: Nate was actually behind the curtain with Alex's mom, helping her throw all the objects!! #stagehand

The last object Alex threw into the Biginator was Abby's doll. And look what popped out!

 She was told to be an annoying little sister - because Alex already has a sister and does NOT want another! - and she did a great job chasing his around the stage. They got a lot of laughs from the audience!

 Mason & Nate said JJ's act was one of their faves.

What a fun night at the talent show! So glad Nanny & Poppy got to watch it with us, as well as the Vetranos and lots of school friends. One of our favorite nights of the year!

Road Trip Surprise!

Back on February 18th, Nate and I took a road trip with 3 of his buddies!! We were headed to GA to surprise Chandler at his birthday party :)

(Chan knew Nate & I were coming, but had no clue about the other boys.)

Devices and stuffed animals kept them busy for the 3.5 hour trip!

 The boys talked half the trip about how they were going to surprise Chandler. Finally, they decided they wanted to jump out of the trunk! Nate and I went into the party to say hi, and then asked Chan if he'd help us bring his presents in because they were big :) When I opened the trunk, the boys popped out and Chan was shocked! It's one of the few times I've actually seen him speechless; it was great!!

Lime green is the new fave color; can you tell?!

Mason, Nate, Chan, Anthony, Walker, and Caroline

 Chan had his birthday party at this really cool laser tag place! It also had a rock wall and arcade games. The boys got to play games for about an hour before it was our turn to play laser tag.

I had fun with this little cutie!

Fun times!

My little sidekick!

#twinsies

 The group got to play 3 games of laser tag, all lasting 20 minutes each! This was the largest laser tag arena I'd ever seen. It was over 5000 square feet! There was also a viewing area up top - because it was 2 stories tall! - for adults to watch.

In between laser tag games, they had *lots* to eat! 

Pizza, cheeseballs, fruit, candy, and cake.

 The party was from 2-5 pm, and then we had to drive an hour back to Chandler's house where we were spending the night! These boys got super silly - sugar coma - and had a ball hanging out with Chan.

Mason loved Caroline's Minnie car ! 

 All the boys slept on air mattresses in the playroom and woke up to play - what else?! - their devices early in the morning.

Not pictured: Walker. 

He woke up not feeling well and ended up throwing up a few times! Poor little guy. I was hesitant to drive 2.5 hours home with him, but luckily he slept the whole way and I got him safely back to his mom :)

It was such a fun trip and I loved seeing Chan so happy to see his school friends that he misses so much! But I can honestly say I will not be taking another road trip with four 10 year olds anytime soon! 

Valentine's Day 2018

Since Valentine's Day coincided with Ash Wednesday this year, the kids' school held their Valentine's parties on the 13th. 

Let me just say, I am LOVING not being a room mom this year! :)

I love being able to hop back & forth between their rooms/parties, and to not be "in charge."

I started in Abby's class....

They had King Cake since it was also Mardi Gras!

Abby's first time trying it. YUM!

Silly girls

(Lilou, Cate, Erin, and Abby)

Funny game - trying to move the candy from her forehead to her mouth without using her hands!

Buds.

 When I joined Nate's class, they were gorging on ice cream sundaes and lots & lots of toppings! As a result, they were a *wee* bit hyper.

They call this the "Undercover Chicken."

I have no idea why.

Great group of boys.

Ice cream soup :)

Abby had choir after school, so Nate and I sat in the car and did silly filters on Snapchat :)

 The next morning - actually Valentine's Day - these two cuties woke up to baskets filled with lots of goodies! Candy, dry-fit shirts, a wallet for Nate, and craft stuff for Abby.

I fixed them their favorite dinner - Spicy Mac - and then Greg got takeout for the two of us from my favorite restaurant, River. Win win!