Spring Break

My mom was here for the week of spring break and we had a great time!  Usually that week is so hard because after a week of half days at school and then a full week off, we are all a little tired of each other and needing some structure.  Having Gramma here broke up our normal routine, plus we did some extra fun things too.

We went to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on one day.  I was so worried that it would be a wash because of the rain, but it turned out to be a wonderful day.  It was cool and a little cloudy - perfect zoo weather!

The first thing we did was hit the playground so that the kids could run off some energy after our drive.  Emma spent quite a bit of time picking up the rubber chips off the ground and putting them back where they belonged.  We saw some baby meerkats and they were so fun to watch.

Sarah took most of the pictures.  She enjoys being our designated photographer.  Here is my mom with her hair starting to grow back in after a few months of being done with chemo.

And a rare photo of me.

Emma and Aaron peek-a-booing at each other through the mouth of a hippo toy.

Proof that we were at the ZOO and not just a playground.

We didn't realize what the hours of operation were and so we nearly got kicked out.  Sadly, this also meant that the kids didn't get to have their promised ride on the carousel.  There was much sadness all around.  However, here was the beautiful view as we left.

Another beautiful view...

This picture doesn't have anything to do with spring break, per se, other than that Chloe built it during that week.  She makes some fun creations if she can find a few minutes without Emma the destroyer in the vicinity.

After staying at our house for a week, my mom checked into one of the local hotels.  This meant we now had access to a pool!  We went there almost every day and the kids LOVED it!

Nearly every time we went, we had the place to ourselves.  Awesome!

Emma was really nervous her first time there, but after that she loved it.  She really loved walking off the edge to me.  It will be even more fun once she figures out how to jump.

My mom (and Sarah) also helped me with a sewing project that's been in the queue for a while - quilted Easter baskets!  I still have my Easter basket that my Grandma Curtis made for me and I've always loved it.  I decided this was the year to make baskets for all of the kids, plus two of our neighbor kids.  They turned out great!  It was a much bigger project than I had alotted time for.  If it hadn't been for my mom's help, they wouldn't have been finished in time.

Hooray for the best spring break ever!