Family Visit from Colorado

This weekend we welcomed family from Colorado!  They had a daughter & son close to our children's ages, so it was a lot of fun.  We enjoyed showing them around our area with the beautiful weather here in the south.












Although their 10 yr old had never played airsoft before, my son had him suited up in camouflage, a helmet, and a pellet gun within the hour.  By that evening, the boys were indoor nerf shooting, pillow fighting, and wrestling just like brothers!  The older girls were troopers and just ignored the boys.









The little one showed off her talents on the piano and I think even found a new BFF.

On Sunday, we took them to downtown Greenville and our beautiful Reedy River bridge.  

 

After a short walk down to the river's edge, the kids enjoyed playing on the rocks and chasing the pigeons.       

It was a wonderful visit, and we hope to see them again soon.  

We're going to plan for the Summer of 2013 at their place in Colorado!  

Discovery Place - Charlotte, NC

I had the privilege of being a chaperone on my son's school field trip.  We went to a wonderful science museum in Charlotte, NC called Discovery Place.












I was in charge of 5 boys, although the average adult-student ratio was 1-3.  Not sure how I got so lucky.  













They were actually fun to be around, but they kept me on my toes.  As I finally reigned in the wanderers, another one would get away.  












After 4 trips to the gift shop (because they all couldn't decide what they wanted the first 3 times), we finally loaded the bus for home.  I then counted my 5 heads and fell fast asleep on the 2 hr ride back.

Church

Maybe it's the restriction on TV, or the fact that we don't have video games in the house, but our kids love to use their imagination.  Their latest pretend game was "church".  Within about 10 minutes, our home was transformed from normal living quarters into a beautiful Catholic church.

Our little one was the creator of this idea because she wanted to practice being an alter server, and it didn't take much to convince her brother to be the priest.  Our oldest daughter was lector, while Daddy & Mommy brought up the gifts of cheese nips & grape juice.  

Daylight Savings Time

I love daylight savings time, and I wish we could keep it all year long!  The gorgeous spring day was spent outside playing, weeding, and mowing.  It didn't even seem like work because we enjoyed being outside so much.

While the little ones played in the water hose, the guys practiced a little baseball.

Good thing the little one took a short nap!  She was able to play until late evening with her friends!

As the pictures show, evening still came too soon.  So, we decided to light the fire and extend the day just a little more.

Now that winter is over, only one more thing stands in their way -- school.  Just 11 more weeks until summer break!

Mommy's Birthday

I spent my birthday today home with the little one.  She woke up with 103 fever.  By noon time she was feeling a little better, and she was hungry for McDonalds.  So, my birthday lunch consisted of a happy meal with a precious little girl.  She even offered her toy to me as a present!

Once everyone was home, we had Dora figures on top of a Godiva chocolate cheesecake!  Yumm!  I then received a new digital camera for blogging (since I've been using my phone), an egg crate for camping (the oldest hopes to use soon), a scavenger hunt ending in our music room (with our son playing on the violin), and the little one sight-reading Happy Birthday on the piano (it was her first time playing this piece)!  

Then, my sweet husband built a fire outside, prepared a tray of crackers, cheeses, & fruit, and served it with a glass of wine!  I loved all the beautiful, thoughtful gifts that were truly from the heart.  And, I get to top it all off by wearing a new outfit tomorrow (thanks Mom & TC)!  It was a wonderful birthday!  I am truly blessed!

The Guard

I was walking by the stairs about to take something up, and noticed all the sofa pillows blocking the stairwell. Looking around a bit more, I noticed our son just standing in the corner, very still and quiet. 

After lots of questions and no answers, I started walking up through the barricade.  It's only then when I realized who he was.  He was the protector of the princess.  :)

I love their imagination on cold, wintry days!

Wal-Mart trip

After last weekend's Quinceanera, the little one has been wearing her princess dresses a lot.  While wearing one yesterday, we needed to go to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things.  She wanted to go, and since it was raining, also put on her pink rain boots.


She brought her birthday & Christmas money to buy a Princess Barbie, and looked so cute in the aisle.  Those passing by would just stop and stare with the biggest smile on the faces.  To the little one, she was in her own little world, unaware of how precious this scene was.









The older one and some friends were the real reason we needed to go.  They have "spirit week" next week at school and needed matching t-shirts.

Once they got home, they glued rhinestones to the shirt, added some paint, and made hair bows.












After lots of giggles, popcorn, and chocolate milk, the shirts turned out really cute.

Quinceanera

This weekend, we had the privilege of attending a Quinceanera, an Hispanic celebration of a girl turning 15 ("quince" in Spanish).


It begins with a Mass and continues with a 5 hr reception/dance, much like a wedding.

Our daughter and the
Quinceanera have been friends for about 10 years, being buddies in soccer, girl scouts, at school, and other activities.  It's been fun watching them grow from the little elementary girls to beautiful young ladies.







Our little one was especially drawn to the event.  And why not?  The whole party is centered around the 15 yr old girl on her birthday, with cake, flowers, beautiful dresses, a crown, and a royal court.  It's their one day to be a princess.

The little one was glued to the dance floor, picking up all the latest dance moves and creating a few of her own. Our oldest had a great time, too, with so many of her friends there.  I'm really proud of her for wearing a dress to the event instead of running shorts!








As the party continued, the little one started getting sleepy.  She talked all the way home about her "quinceanera" and what kind of dress she will wear.  Then I had to break the news to her:  we're of German decent, not Hispanic.  Then she started to cry.  I guess maybe we'll surprise her tomorrow with one of her dolls having a quinceanera.

Indoor Hockey

I was upstairs and hadn't heard from the kids in a while, so I went to check on them.  They were out in the garage making something with duct tape , some hooks, and long poles.  I probably should have asked what  they were making, but they were all getting along, so I  let it go.

The next thing I hear is the pitter-patter of feet running around on the hard wood floor.  I come down to find something resembling hockey.  I have no idea where the goals are, but I'm not sure I even want all the details. 

They have been playing long enough for me to snap some pictures and make this post,  but I think I just heard someone call time out.  Either the "puck" is lost, something broke, or more duct tape is needed.  I'm so glad I cleaned up the house today....

Hockey Night

While the kids were out of school these past two weeks, we enjoyed a lot of family time in playing games, exercising, and outings.  One of our outings was to the Greenville Road Warriors hockey game!