No Spring Break Boredom Here!

Spring Break is coming to a close with weather more like early winter. Despite the weather, we've still had some fun this week and today we're just taking it easy, watching Animal Planet, doing laundry, and getting ready to head back to school on Monday. We've lived in this area for about 8 years now and we're still discovering new things to do. On Monday we went for an hour hike at a resevoir and nature area just miles away. The boys love hiking. Even though the hikes here don't compare to WV, it's still a way to get out and get some fresh air. I took the group pic of us using my new tri-pod stand with bendable legs. We just wrapped it right around a tree - pretty cool!

We visited a local bug "museum" which is alwasy a hit. This is the same place where I ate a cookie topped with a cricket in the fall to impress the boys. Bet there's not many other kids out there that can brag their mom ate a cricket... LOL. Only moms of boys will understand this...

We also made a trip to the science museum where we tried a lot of interesting hands-on displays, watched rats play basketball, and watched a beautiful IMAX movie about coral reefs.

We also started our seeds inside and have quite a variety. Blake is excited about the possiblity of carrots and Luke picked out his favorite - tomatoes. We're going to shoot for containers as this VA soil is just brutal! Red clay! Ugh! We'll have to import some rich, dark soil from WV! Wish us luck on this project!

Just Some Signs of Spring (And "Sprinter")

Easter Workshop

The boys attended an Easter Workshop last weekend and invited family friend Tanner to join. Tanner is in first grade and isn't quite as crazy about school as Luke but they've been friends since birth and always get along just great! The boys enjoyed making a craft, hunting for eggs and hearing the Easter Story. Doesn't Blake look like a wild man?! Fortunately, we noticed him in the back seat covered in chocolate from an egg he had squished before it made it's way all over our van! When I saw him I grabbed two things - wipes and my camera! It's funny that I haven't bought the first piece of Easter candy but between Aunt Missy, Miss Tasya and school they've managed to have more than their share of sweets!

Visit With Jacob, Spring Ball and Our Lil' Artist

Wow! What a whirlwind couple of weeks! Spring weather has visited us a few times and once again winter is refusing to leave! Here's some pics of our visit with Cousin Jacob from North Carolina who we had a chance to visit with a couple of weeks ago at MeeMee and Poppy's place. Don't they look cute covered in gravel dust?!

Luke has started T-Ball and is quite the little hitter. The schedule hasn't been posted yet but we'll let you know. If you haven't watched a T-Ball game in a while it sure does make you giggle! They are adorable! Luke even has a spunky little girl on his team this year. Blake makes friends easily with other young siblings while we watch the game and recruits little girls with ease to play GI Joe and slide down the hill but he can't wait to get started himself. He joins in our front yard practices with Daddy.

Also - can't forget to mention our budding artist! Luke had a piece of work selected for the county Fine Arts Festival!

Wizards and More

Happy Spring! Is the weather as wacky where you are as it is here?! The animals are just as confused as the humans! "Do I grow more fur or shed?", "Do I feather the nest or will I need my feathers tomorrow?" This must be a new season - Sprinter!

We've been pretty busy the past couple of weeks but I wanted to make sure I posted some pics of the basketball game we attended Saturday night! Justin was able to get tickets for the Wizards that were definately closer to the court than I've ever been! We had a great time cheering the Wizards to victory (it's so nice to have one winning home team!). Luke watched every play but Blake started to get a little bored during the third quarter... Luckily, he had came prepared. Little did we know, he had stuffed his pockets full of GI Joe men that he began pulling out one by one! We were cracking up! He turned around and played on his seat the entire fourth quarter with his Army guys...

Daffodils are blooming, birds are singing and Spring is on the way despite winter's stubborn streak this year!

"PAWS for Reading"

Here's Luke and Blake with therapy dog, Guiness, who is trained to be a special listener. Luke read "Green Eggs and Ham" to Guiness and then collected a bookmark with Guiness' photo. This was fun!

Read to Your Kids!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Thank you for your imagination and stories that at first might seem "whimsical" but are actually quite deep! Even though you've passed on to bigger and better things - you still delight children of all ages!

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the "Cat in the Hat"! Happy Birthday, Cat!

Luke can now read "Green Eggs and Ham" almost independently and will practice his reading skills this afternoon at the library with an unusual listener. Therapy dogs specially trained to be "good listeners" will be on hand at the library today for the "PAWS for Reading" program. Luke has an appointment this afternoon to read and talk about some of his favorite books with one of the furry friends. Should be fun!

And we can't forget about Blake! He didn't take to books quite as early as Luke but now loves them. He loves his bedtime stories and has his own favorites, as well, which include "Mommy's Best Kisses", "The Happy Hocky Family" and almost anything about Pooh.

"Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too." Dr. Seuss