Random stuff

Just some random goings on around spring break time.

Eric was watching a movie and Lili decided that she would make herself at home.  For the whole movie!  Eric didn't mind at all.

 Mellow mushroom for the road trip dinner win!  Not much can beat finding one on your route, ordering ahead, and then eating in the car.  Would have been better as a picnic but it was late and dark.  They have a vegan cheese option so Will can have his own pizza.  We then throw them for a loop by ordering a vegan pizza with bacon!!

 Another road trip favorite...Cracker Barrel!  I mean who doesn't love biscuits and apple butter!

 Lili helping me with a project for Caroline's teacher.  

 Miles and Lili sharing bowls!  I love that they are almost exactly the same color.

 I subbed in a kindergarten class a few weeks ago (not my favorite and I try not to accept those jobs). The teacher had the following hanging in the room.  So cute!

 The kids trying out their sleeping bags in anticipation of our 2 week camping trip this summer.  Caroline got a new one at Christmas, Will's had just come in the mail, and Eric gets Justin's older one.  The kids (not Eric) had outgrown their kid sized sleeping bags!

 Miles doesn't sleep in the bed with us.  But occasionally he will "ask" to get up and snuggle for a bit. And that face below is his, "may I get in bed with you" face.  How can you resist?!  He's so sweet.

 Two weeks ago, after Justin left for his work trip, I took the kids to see the Berenstain Bears live here on post.  It was almost the same exact one we saw the last time we were in KS.  Eric was 2 and didn't remember it  and the bigs wanted to go too.  We all left with a free book that was signed by the cast.  They had a great time!

Spring Break (part 2)

Thursday of that week we headed east to the Kennedy Space Center.  It rained all the way there and for a few minutes when we first got there but then cleared up.  There was so much to see and we really enjoyed it.  I really liked how they talked/showed the past programs, the shuttle programs, and then now what the future is holding and going to Mars.  

Will trying out the capsule.

 The rocket garden.

 I always love seeing a space shuttle!

 The shuttle came in for a landing at a 30 degree slope (or something really really steep).  They had a slide at that angle so you could feel it.  It was fast!  And fun!  The kids went down it several times.  One little girl ended up doing a head first tumble.

 After KSC we went to Port Canaveral to have dinner at a place called Fish Lips.

 We could see dolphins playing in the water right out of those windows while we ate.  Eric ate a huge dinner then his kids meal also came with dessert.  He says his dessert belly is always empty!!

Earlier in the week Justin and I went to Tampa, ate at a really cool Columbian restaurant, rode our bikes on the river walk, and watched dolphins play.  It was a great day!

 Then we also had a chill-at-the-resort-day too.  It was marvelous and kid-free!!

 This is at the resort.  There was a pond in the middle.

We really enjoyed FL.  All the sun and warm weather was wonderful.  Just so you know, driving from the south-east side of Atlanta to the north west side of Kansas City in 1 day is a LONG day!  Don't recommend it especially in rainy weather.

Spring Break part 1

(I started this blog over a week ago!)  We went to Orlando for Spring Break this year.  We needed to use our Hilton points and I wanted to go somewhere warm and sunny.  Nana and Papa bought a house in the fall and it was ready the week before we got there.  So the kids stayed with them at their house and Justin and I had a week of hotel life own our own!!  Woohoo!

Justin and I spend a lazy day hanging around the pool, enjoying the warm sunshine.  We also went to Tampa and rode bike on the river walk area of town.  It was a great day.  

The kids went to Universal for 2 days (we joined them for their second day).  Caroline is a HUGE Harry Potter fan and now that Will was in 4th grade (my requirement to start reading) and has almost finished the series they were both thrilled beyond belief that they were going!  And Will was sure to let us know that Eric should NOT go as it will just ruin the books for him!!  We assured him that Eric still has plenty of years to wait until he's allowed to read the books and it wouldn't ruin it for him.  Mumblings of "it's not fair" were definitely heard.

Hogwarts Castle

Eric making goofy faces.  He's in that stage now of picture taking.

The famous platform 9 3/4!

The bus

Eric playing in Nana and Papa's backyard pool.

Cannonball in to the hot tub.

More to come in part 2!

This and That

Grace Cotovsky turned 4 two weeks ago and we were invited to her birthday dinner.  She chose the menu and it was what you'd expect a 4 year old to pick!  Pigs in a blanket, mac and cheese, watermelon, and garlic bread.  Yum!  Unfortunately the birthday girl didn't want to be in the picture.  But we had a great evening celebrating!  

 Will finished up his basketball season that day as well.

 First Sunday of the month means the kids get donuts!!  We have loosened up some of Will's dietary restrictions so he can have a donut once a month.  He thinks it's great and as long as he has his prilosec that morning he is ok.  But otherwise we avoid all dairy, beef, and tomatoes still.

 We went to a KU baseball game and it was COLD and windy!  Will played around with the Jayhawk. And we left before the end of the 6th inning.  We had planned on going to a KU softball game last Saturday but it was cancelled because of snow.  Caroline was going to announce the starting line-up at that game so hopefully if they reschedule it she will still get a chance.

 I saw this passage about grandmother's in one of the books I'm currently reading.  I loved it and thought that's exactly what my children have in their 3 grandmothers and that makes me so happy!!

 We spent some time in our basement one evening after dinner.  The tornado sirens went off and we stayed downstairs listening to the wind and hail hitting the house for about 20 minutes.  There wasn't a tornado on post but about 10 miles away there was one spotted.  The lightening show after the tornado watch lifted was incredible and I wish I knew how to take good pictures/videos of it.  That was the hail after it had melted some.

 Caroline dancing and doing dishes in her new clothes.  She looks so grown up and loved having a "mini" skirt! ha!

 These 2 played for the longest time with this basket.  They are so sweet.

This week we are finishing out the last few days of school before spring break.  We are headed to FL to get some sun and warm weather!!

Sunday Funday

After all the excitement of the basketball games on Saturday I couldn't let Sunday just be a normal day.  So after going to early church and SS I took the boys bowling and swimming!!  Caroline went with a friend after church to lunch and then to see the movie 'Hidden Figures' which she loved!  So the boys and I also did fun things!  

Will won both games we played.  He scored 90 and 91.  I am a terrible bowler and told the guy we all needed bumpers.  But he didn't give them to me!!  So I tied with Eric with a score of 70.  Pitiful I know.  Justin thinks it's funny that I'm not good at something!  Even though I got 3 strikes between the 2 games, I throw a lot of gutter balls!  Oh well, it was fun.

 Caroline and Lili are still best buds!  Lili has been helping her do the dishes at night.  Now if she could only help Caroline remember to start the dishwasher!  Lili goes up to bed with Caroline every night and sleeps with her.  It's so precious.

 I walk 2 other girls to school in the mornings.  The Cotovsky girls (there are 3 of them, but 2 that go to school) fit like stair steps with my kids.  Clair and Eric are a month apart in age.  Eric is as tall as their second grader and when they walk together it looks like triplets!  I have been asked if Claire and Eric are twins.  And Caroline said that she has even been asked if Claire is her little sister!  Fun friends that we have Friday pizza night with at least twice a month.

 It was a cold foggy morning earlier this week.  Which made the sunrise and hoarfrost look pretty amazing for our walk to school!

Saturdays are now for basketball

 Last Saturday Eric had his last game of the season.  He did really well.  Had 2 baskets, several rebounds, and got to bring the ball down (up?) the court in the second half.  He has loved playing and had a great time.
He made that shot in the picture below!

 After the game getting his certificate and cupcake!

 Then it was on to Will's next to last game.  Justin is gone again on a work trip but will be back in time to see Will's last game this weekend.  Will is a force to be reckoned with on defense!  Not a shock there.  But he gets lots of rebounds and isn't afraid to end up on the floor going after a ball!

He got the rebound in the picture below!

 We then went home for a little bit and then it was off to Lawarence to see the Lady Jayhawks play against K-State.  It was a close and exciting game even though they didn't win.

 3 basketball games in 1 day will make you want to sit in your brother's lap!

Then it was home for dinner and Caroline was left to babysit.  I had a spouse event (that I coordinated) to attend!  I enjoyed painting with other ladies who's husbands work with Justin.

Dinner with friends!

 2 weekends ago we enjoyed a great Saturday night at the Mitchell's house.  Grilled chicken, grilled venison, potatoes, salad, fruit, and lots of laughs!
That's a table full of laughing kids!

 Then s'mores around a fire pit in the driveway.

 And the kids taking turns telling scary stories that weren't scary!  I love the picture of Annabelle telling her story!!

We sure are going to miss the Mitchell's when they move this summer.  But such is the military life.  We would love to be stationed with them again but with them being a Marine family it's not as likely.