Spring Break 2013

I was soooooo ready for spring break! Sleeping in, not having to be anywhere, and spending time with my kiddos is exactly what I needed.  Somehow though, it wasn't quite as relaxing as I had hoped for.  Monday started out great, with a relaxing morning and going to Michael's to do some painting with Crawford.  We did a project we found on Pinterest, which turned out better than I had expected.

My little helper

Finished project

He loved every second of it, but probably would have preferred getting just a little bit messier with the paint. We hung the pictures up in our kitchen because they go with the new rug my mom got me for my birthday.  Funny how your priorities change when you're 32!!!

After we finished painting I started on some homemade tortillas, also from Pinterest.  Crawford loves tortillas and is never ever able to have them because they have soy, so I found a receipe with four ingredients that he can have.  Nathan and Crawford said they were good, so I think it was a success.  Nathan might have said they were good not to hurt my feelings, but I'm pretty sure Crawford wouldn't have asked for more if they weren't good.  Yay for soy free tortillas, and they weren't difficult!

Tuesday we headed out to Lakeline Mall to meet the Goudeau girls for lunch and a train ride.  We let the kiddos ride on it by themselves, which makes me ask, how in the world are our oldest babies old enough to go without us?!  April and I pushed the littlest babies in the strollers and walked with the train, which was fine with me.  Crawford seemed to love his new found freedom.

The next day Nathan left for the valley and Gwen had her 9 month check-up.  She is doing very well for her condition, and the dr we saw that day said she doesn't look like a "heart" baby, which always makes me feel good. The drs office that day was just a blast since I waited in the TINY room for over an hour with two kids who did not want to be there. To say I was ready to leave would have been an understatement.  But Gwen enjoyed the paper on the table as usual!

The only problem is that if we could get this girl to eat some solids, that would be great! The dr said it's ok to go ahead and try some solid/finger foods so that's what we're doing.  We have just skipped right over the "baby" food stuff.  That afternoon we went over to Oma and Granddaddy's house with Teetee to hang out for a little while.  Crawford had an absolute BLAST with Granddaddy.  Granddaddy knows the way to every little boy's heart and that is to go find some rocks and throw them in the river.  They were gone forever and when Crawford came back he had two giant sticks and a huge grin on his face.  I love that he gets to make memories like that with Grandaddy.  While the boys were girl, us girls went on a walk and just got to talk, which is what we all do best!!  Between Mary, Oma, and myself, there are no lack of things to say.  Crawford and Grandaddy then played a little baseball in the backyard and while we were hanging out, the girl on the golf cart with the drinks and snacks came by.  Granddaddy waved her down and Crawford got a bag of Skittles.  I wish I would have had my camera with me to capture the look on his face when he found out that someone drives around on a golf cart handing out candy!!!  This is him enjoying his Skittles and water after a busy afternoon.

Happy boy!

The picture doesn't do it justice, but I promise he was thrilled.  While Crawford was eating, Gwen had her first experience with grass!!  This is one thing I love about have kids, is getting to watch them experience things for the first time. She loved it and Teetee got some great pictures for the princess enjoying being outside.

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, MY ONLY SUNSHINE!!

That night we went to dinner, which of course is always fun with two kiddos!  I realized during this time as well that Nathan being gone, it makes everything so much more difficult.  My sister came over to stay with us and help, and I appreciate it more than she will ever know. I hope she'll come back some day! ;) I miss my partner so much though when he's gone.  We work together so well, and make such a great team, which is a great thing since this raising kids stuff is hard.  We knew it would be difficult when he started traveling so much, but it's also just not as much fun without him around.  Nathan has such a way with our kids that makes me smile, and they love him so much!  I'm pretty sure they both think he hung the moon and stars.  We are so blessed!  (Sorry this wasn't supposed to be mushy!)