Spring Break 2018

We've had the best spring break!! After Easter weekend, I tried to plan as many fun activities as I could for the boys... first stop was visiting my best friend, Liz, and her two kids! These kids had the best time playing at a local playground and eating lunch at Chickfila!  We spent the night at Grannie's house and got to see GranDan as well.  The weather was absolutely beautiful and we tried to be outside as much as possible!

On Tuesday, we had breakfast with Granny V before heading back toward home.  We stopped by to visit PawPaw on our way home as well.  I think the boys loved all the extra attention and hugs!

Tuesday night, we had planned to go see a UNCG vs. UNCC baseball game at my college campus!  The boys were even dressed to represent mommy and daddy's alma maters!  However, my car battery died as we were meeting daddy for dinner before the game..... so we had to make alternate plans and get a new battery and some ice cream for dessert!  My Spartans pulled out the victory and I know we would have had a blast.... but God had a different evening planned!  I am just so thankful my battery didn't die the many times I started my car while we were out of town!  It would be difficult to keep two young boys entertained while I figured out how to get us moving again!

On Wednesday, we went to the science center with Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Boomer, Emerson and Grammy!  Daddy met us for lunch so it was a fun-filled day!

Thursday, we went to music and movement at the local library and then played at a nearby park and ate a picnic lunch. Zander has baseball practice tonight.  Tomorrow, I am going for my weekly run with Linds (thank you Grammy for watching the boys!).  Saturday, we were planning on going to Lazy 5 Ranch to feed and pet some animals but the weather is looking like we will need to reschedule this outing..... so I am planning on a low key weekend before the work week starts back!  I think the boys and I have enjoyed our break and I plan to fit in some more cuddles before next week! :)

Happy Easter!

Before Spring Break, we have fit in a few more baseball practices..... Zander is loving every minute of it!  Did I mention that I am the "team mom" for the team? This cracks me up and is proving to be more work than I originally anticipated.... coordinating snack schedules, getting the concession stand covered for certain games, collecting fundraiser raffle tickets, etc.  Fortunately, a lot of the moms are willing to help so hopefully I won't mess anything up!

When Maddox joins us for the practices, you don't sit still... I captured a rare moment where he was sitting on the bench.... he would rather be playing on the field with big brother or throwing his own baseball on the neighboring field.  Fortunately, I have had either Zack or my mom with me when both boys attend practice!  Who knows what will happen when I have to tackle this solo!?

I am currently enjoying 10 whole days off of work (counting two weekends of course!)  Linds and I went for a ten mile run on Friday morning and then dyed Easter eggs at mom and dad's house.  I love this tradition!

 The boys had Easter egg hunts at their school!

Saturday, we attended an Easter egg hunt as a family at one of my co-worker's churches.  We had a blast and the weather was gorgeous!

Today we are celebrating Easter Sunday!! I am so thankful we can celebrate a risen Savior that took the penalty of death for us and was not held by the grave... He has risen!  Great Grandma got the boys four-piece suits for the occasion and we will be getting together with my family for dinner this evening after the boys wake up from their naps.  Stay tuned for our adventures next week since I have one full week to soak up time with my boys!

6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. -Matthew 28:6

Birthdays and Baseball

Before birthdays and baseball, I took Zander to be registered and screened for kindergarten.... I can't believe he will be at my school next year!  It seems crazy that we have been doing this parenting thing for five years now!  He did an awesome job and got the highest possible score on the screening.  Having given this screening for many years, I didn't know how my own boy would do based on all the components.  He was screened by one of our teachers and I am so proud of all that Zander knew!  I guess he is ready for kindergarten! ;)

Class of 2031!... 30 years after mommy and daddy graduated high school!

A co-worker and fellow kindergarten mom! We hope our kids are in the same class!! :)

My helpers on our weekly grocery store run.... I think these weekly visits are getting harder rather than easier...... does anyone know when this no longer feels like a chore?! ;)

I took Zander to a friend's birthday party at the science center.... he loved seeing his classmates and touching some of the animals the birthday girl had picked!

Then, we got to celebrate daddy's birthday! The big 3-6!  (I didn't have the number 6 so the six additional candles count!)

The Williams and Kennedys were over for the celebration.... we get together once a month for dinner and just so happen to celebrate whoever's birthday is that month when we are hanging out!

Maddox being a big boy and trying out the balance bike!

Maddox and Mommy Selfies!

We had another snow day on Wednesday.... isn't it spring?!  Maddox was happy to see the snow when he woke up and he even got to sleep in! :)

Zander got an early birthday present from my parents.... his baseball gear!!! Practice started this past week so he had to be ready with pants, cleats, a bat, a helmet, batting gloves and a baseball bag.  He already had his mitt/glove from Uncle Boomer and Aunt Lindsey!  He has been so excited!!

I had to show you the protective cup underwear that he has to wear! It cracks me up!  Zander likes hitting the bat to the cup! haha

Zack and I were able to fit in a date night this week for his birthday... thank you Grammy!  We went out for Japanese for dinner, custard for dessert and saw "Black Panther" at a newer theater that had recliner seats!  We don't go to see movies often so I think we confused the lady behind the counter when she was asking us where we wanted to sit before we bought our tickets.... Zack even commented to the lady..."we don't get out much!"..... haha!

While Zander loves baseball and can't wait for practice later today, Maddox was not so happy! He made the most of it but he really wanted to play with his brother!  We kept him entertained with the equipment Zander wasn't using at the time and rocks!  I think Daddy and I have decided to "divide and conquer" in the future..... one takes Zander to practice and the other hangs out with Maddox!  We will all try to go watch the games though!

Zander getting ready to bat!  He prefers to bat rather than being in the infield or outfield.  Daddy says he is going to work with him on his catching skills since he already has a pretty good swing! :)

Missing my boys

Work has been crazy busy!! As in... I had four evening events last week that took me away from our home.  One event (skate night), I took the boys (including daddy) with me but other than that, it was a lot of time spent with my co-workers and little time spent with the Houston boys.  The mornings were incredibly hectic last week since things were so busy and I was going off less sleep than normal so I am hopeful that we can get back into our normal routine and I can enjoy the little moments I get with my boys.  I have been sick off and on since last weekend.  I was sick on my stomach and now have a sore throat and my ears keep popping.  I am hopeful that all the rest I got this past weekend will help me feel better soon!  I took naps both days!  Today we have a "snow day"!  I had a teacher workday this morning since the snow was anticipated to arrive midday.  Our principal sent us home when the roads started to look rough so it wasn't a bad way to start a new work week!  Here are some pictures from our week...

Maddox decided to pour his milk into his cereal bowl so he could be like his big brother! Apparently his aim was a little off while I went upstairs to grab something before we rushed out the door one morning!  He is very proud of this accomplishment! haha

Zander's Pre-K cap and gown pictures were sent to me electronically this past week.....Can you believe he will be going to kindergarten in a few months?!

 I got to meet the NC Teacher of the Year this past week and give her a tour of our school!

 Skate night fun! Both boys are hanging out with older women.... haha

 We had Book Character Day on Friday.... can you tell I am the Big Bad Wolf?!

On Saturday, we needed a day as a family after the crazy week so we went to a local park and let the boys run and explore!! We knew it would be raining or snowing for the next few days and tried to take advantage of the outdoors while we were able to!  Burke joined us for our adventures!

I love the picture above!  It reminds me of the field behind our house when I was a little girl! We loved playing in that field and the surrounding woods!  It made me smile watching my boys do the same thing!

 Zander is such a helper when we go grocery shopping!

 I took this picture a few hours ago.... the snow is still coming down as I type this!