Spring Break: Day 5

The first surprise came last night. Seth actually came home a day early! The second surprise came today. Seth took the day off! Now, in general, I like surprises. But I had mixed feelings about today's surprise. I mean . . . if I would've known that he was going to be home today, I'd have planned something. Something BIG. Something FUN. But it didn't work out the way I would've planned. And that's okay, too.

After breakfast, Seth asked me if I wanted to go with him to take care of a few errands. I went, along with the three children, Connor included. Basically I sat in the truck with the kids while Seth ran around town taking care of some "man" things. I didn't ask questions. I was honestly enjoying the time to sit and do nothing, chase no one. One of the errands was Home Depot. I usually don't let Seth go in that store without me. He generally doesn't stick to "the list." But today I just didn't care. As a matter of fact, I had no idea what he even went there for.

Fast forward. When we get home, I send Mason and Hannah Kate outside to play. I knew Seth was going to change the oil and filter in the tractor so I just assumed that's what he was doing. I sat myself and Connor down to watch the Royal Wedding, which I had DVR'd.

Side note. Can I just tell you how much I love DVR?!? I mean, I don't watch that much television. I don't have time! Besides, we try to limit our viewing time anyway. But now we spend even LESS time in front of the TV. I usually DVR my three or four favorite shows and watch them later after everyone is in bed. I can fast forward through the commercials, making a 1-hour program around 40 minutes or so. And not only that . . . I set my DVR for the Roay Wedding, not my alarm clock for 3:30AM!

So I'm watching the wedding (and it's great because I can just breeze on through those long, drawn out royal arrivals), and Seth comes to the door and summons me outside. I really didn't want to go. But I did. And I discovered what the errand to Home Depot yielded today. It had nothing to do with the tractor!
Let's just say that Mason absolutely LOVES his new swing. And that would be an understatement!Now. Hannah Kate, on the other hand, would only sit on the swing long enough for me to get a picture. At this point, she wants nothing to do with it.So she asked me to take a picture of her climbing the spider web instead. That girl loves to climb!

It wasn't SeaWorld . . . or that fabulous San Antonio Tex-Mex food . . . but it was a great week! I'm not bitter. Really. I'm not.

Have I mentioned that spring break is officially over? (Insert long, wistful sigh.) But there are only three weeks of school left. And counting . . . but who's counting?!? I AM!

Spring Break: Day 4

Today we went to the park . . . a really awesome park in Baton Rouge. It was recently renovated and updated with the latest and greatest in playground equipment. We'll definitely be spending a lot of time here!

Mason and Hannah Kate (and Ray-Ray and Connor) had a great time. Even better than the playground equipment was this, for lack of a better word, spider web. Mason spent a lot of time on this thing, and Hannah Kate even climbed up nearly to the top, too.
I just love this beautiful face!And, I promise . . . Connor had fun . . . even though he wore his "serious face" most all day. But he loves to swing so that's where he spent a lot of time.But . . . even better than the spider web . . . if it can get any better . . . is the splash pad!

I have to mention, first of all, that it was an unseasonably cooler day in south Louisiana today. The high was only in the upper 70s, and it was very windy. This is actually a dream, and I enjoyed every minute of it, but I was concerned that it would be too chilly for the kids to play in the water. I took their swimsuits so they would at least have the option, but I didn't expect them to use them, especially Hannah Kate.

I was wrong. I love it when I'm wrong!

We spent three hours at the park before going to eat lunch at Chic-fil-A (or Chicken Flay as my kids call it!) with some friends. And since Chic-fil-A is in the Target parking lot, you know I had to stop in there as well.

It was a delightful day in every way . . . I even washed the windows (inside and out!) when we got home (I know Ray-Ray thinks I'm weird. But clean windows are a must, especially when you have as many as we do. And I stick to a tight cleaning schedule so they are washed once a quarter and then in between as needed. That was too much information.) . . . so clean windows make me a happy girl . . .

But I also have to say that my heart has been very heavy today for friends in Alabama and Georgia. I must admit . . . I got so aggravated last night . . . I was up late flipping through the national news channels trying to find coverage of the devastation in Alabama and what was currently going on in Georgia, but all they wanted to talk about was the royal wedding and a certain someone's birth certificate. I had to settle for the Weather Channel. The devastation is . . . incomprehensible, really. And right in my back yard, too. There is massive damage where I grew up, and my parents said a tornado passed about two or so miles from their house. I am so very thankful that all of my friends and family are safe. But I do grieve for those who have lost so much. My prayers for you are constant!

Spring Break: Day 3

Today we went to the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. Of course, the little ones cared nothing for the art exhibits, but we spent a lot of time in the Discovery Depot and Science Station. Hannah Kate's favorite was the Discovery Depot . . . lots of toys and things to play "pretend" with. Mason's favorite was the Science Station . . . hands-on really cool stuff.

Even Connor had fun!Afterwards we took a stroll along the river. My original plan was to eat our picnic lunch overlooking the mighty Mississippi, but it was too windy to eat atop the levee.So we headed back towards the Shaw Center and found a park bench under the oak trees.

I'm excited about our plans for tomorrow . . .

Spring Break: Day 2

Very early this morning when the boom of thunder and the flash of lightening woke me up, I knew we wouldn't be going anywhere! So we stayed at home and had a great day!

Playing games . . .
Making milkshakes . . .

Working puzzles . . . Reading books . . . lots of books . . .

I have to admit . . . I love home!

Spring Break: Day 1

Spring Break. So the original plan was to take Mason and Hannah Kate to SeaWorld in San Antonio. I'll just go ahead and tell you that we are NOT at SeaWorld. It's times like these that I have to remember to be so very thankful for Seth's job . . . even though we aren't at SeaWorld, and Seth is gone. AGAIN. I've lost count now. This must be the 8th week in a row. I'm reminding myself not to complain . . .

I decided instead to take Mason and Hannah Kate SOMEWHERE each day to have a little fun. So today we went to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Seth and I went years ago (before Mason was born and before Katrina), but we've never taken the kids. And since they've been begging to go back to the zoo, meaning the Baton Rouge zoo, I decided that a change of scenery might be nice. Connor didn't come along with us today, but Ray-Ray did. And I'm SO GLAD he did. He was such a big help with Mason and Hannah Kate, and they just love him.
Mr. Lion was one of my favorites today; I mean, I empathize perfectly!

The petting zoo . . . well, let's just say petting zoos are not my favorite. But I had to just grin and bear it.Hannah Kate with her favorite . . . PINK flamingoes in the background!And just another fun photo op:I am absolutely amazed by my Creator's obvious sense of humor and . . . CREATIVITY . . .

This was going to be my favorite pic . . . until I got home and saw how blurry it is! ARGH!They really did have a fun time!And I absolutely LOVE these beautiful, colorful birds!When Mason spotted this fellow, he was so proud of himself for recognizing the guy as Louisiana's state animal . . . the Louisiana Black Bear.I think my favorite exhibit is the Louisiana Swamp . . .I don't know about you . . . but this just screams SUMMER TIME in the south. Love it!And more of Louisiana . . .

It really was a great day . . . an exhausting day though. My original plan . . . to go somewhere different each day . . . let's just say I'm re-thinking that one! Tomorrow sounds like a great day to STAY HOME!