Week in Review ~ 4/6

Spring break came and went in the blink of an eye.  The eye issues that started Easter Sunday could have stayed away.

After getting my medicine Sunday night, I really was hoping for a miraculous recovery Monday morning.  It did not happen.  My eye was still super red and swollen in the eye lid and under eye area, and my cheek was swollen.  I've had a ton of sinus infections but none like this.  Sam also woke with a fever and cough.  I hated to rush him right to the doctor, which was good, because I don't drive with my glasses, and Ned was not able to leave work.  We just had a day of rest at home.  Ned grilled steaks for dinner since my hamburger meat went bad before the date for the 2nd time in 2 weeks.  My eye was still red and swollen at the end of the day so I had some drops called in.

I knew Tuesday would be another glasses day so that I could do the eye drops.  My glasses are fine, but after wearing contacts all day, every day since middle school, I just don't feel like I have a handle on the world in my glasses.  I felt pretty bad, but I think I could have managed better if I had my contacts in.  Anyway, Sam was still running fever so Ned took him to the doctor.  His left ear was infected explaining the cough and possibly the fever.  Avery and I enjoyed some "just girls" time while they were gone.  After Sam went to bed that night, we watched the Disney planning DVD.  Avery is so excited about everything, but she really got excited over breakfast in restaurants and pizza in the hotel rooms.

It was a happy morning Wednesday when I could put my contacts in.  However, Sam was still running fever and I quickly realized that I felt bad.  I rested while he did then felt a lot better.  Ned came home after lunch, then Avery and I went to the store after nap time.  Ned had a meeting after dinner, and Sam was so fussy that I decided we needed a ride in the car.  Avery thought I meant her Cozy Coupe, and we had some tears.  Luckily Ned's meeting was canceled, and he pulled up as we were leaving.  We all took a ride then Avery took a spin in her coupe.  Wednesday night is our biggest TV night, and Ned had a fire right in the middle of everything.

Thursday we were feeling good, so we got out and met Ned for lunch at the Palm Tree.  After naps we went to The Whimzy Tree so that I could order my rain coat.  Ned came home after work but had dinner and a business meeting at the fire house.  I got the kids to bed and did some reading in the quiet house.

Avery needs a ponytail like this for Disney World and school.

After Sam's nap Friday morning we got out and went to the store.  This may have been the first time I've taken both kids.  I know it's been at least since Sam was in his carrier.  We switched to Food Lion for the car cart, and I'm tempted to pay the extra money each week to enjoy the nicer shopping experience.

It was lunch time when we got home, then it was time for naps that didn't go well.  Once everyone was up I took pictures for Sam's 13 month post.  Avery helped me get my camera settings right then enjoyed the iPad.

Then we enjoyed the beautiful weather outside.

We ate dinner at home, a rarity on a Friday night.  I fixed chicken and cream cheese taquitos from Pinterest and Spanish rice from Kristen's blog.  Both were easy and yummy.  Sam cried off and on the whole time I cooked, and Ned was late getting home, so I was a little frazzled by the time we ate.  Everyone enjoyed a stroll after dinner.

We headed to Williamsburg Saturday {today}.  My children's sleep schedules {mainly Sam's now} can give me the hives, so a day away is a big deal.  I'm pretending he slept on the way to the ferry, but if he did it wasn't for long.  Everyone was excited to reach the boat, especially Sam, who had some business to attend to.

Usually we do our shopping then go to a restaurant for lunch, but we needed to eat today before we were done.  We all had some yummy pizza at the food court, which was calm compared to the crowds outside.  It was a quick trip but I got most of the kids' play clothes for the summer and some new jammies.  I even ran into an old friend that went to Southampton Academy with me.  It has been years since we've seen each other, and she's not on Facebook, so that was a real treat in Hanna Andersson.  We left about 2 p.m. and Sam promptly fell asleep, so we missed out on the Colonial Williamsburg area, but we figured we would.  He woke up on the ferry, but he was generally happy on the way home.  Avery was fine the whole time since movies are a treat in the car when Sam is supposed to be sleeping.  We got dinner from Applebee's once we got home then put the kids to bed early.

Now that spring break is over, I'm on the countdown to the end of school...47 school days remain with lots of fun spring activities for the weekends.

Easter

After a week full of Easter activities and other busyness, we managed to cram in more Easter on Sunday.

Our first task of the day was to see what the Easter Bunny had left {and to make sure he hadn't hippity hopped into Avery's room}.  Side note: One day I really am going to learn to order PBK holiday items when they list them months before the actual holiday.  Sam had to make do with his small basket from last year.  Sam had a small basket last year because I could only get Avery a small basket by the time I ordered for her first Easter.  Anyway, PBK lesson learned for the 50th time.  The Easter Bunny added to Avery's dollhouse and Sam's zoo and provided books, project activities, and baby necessities for Sam.

For breakfast I did the orange roll bunnies from Pinterest, substituting the homemade dough for the Pillsbury variety.  All went well until I put them in the oven.  Either the directions had the time wrong or our oven is cooking hot/fast.  Sam made his breakfast on a few tops, but thank goodness for Bojangles.  My hashtag for this photo was #pinthis.

Ned and Avery went to Sunday school and then Sam and I joined them.  It was rainy and cold and I was disappointed, even though we have had beautiful Easters since Avery was born.  Sam cried when I left him, then started again when he came in for the children's sermon.  Church went a little long, making me nervous about our lunch at Mimi's.  I was more nervous when we picked up a very sluggish Sam from the nursery.  I had to run home and pick up some things, and when I got to Mimi's Avery fell apart because I had brought her booster seat for Sam.  She just couldn't get it together, family wanted to visit, and Sam wanted to eat.  There are times when I feel like I have not found an appropriate chill pill balance for holidays and I hate that because I usually end up stressed.

 My father-in-law got a few pictures of us with Ned's camera.  My editing skills aren't good enough to make me look better than I felt.

 

We came home for naps, and I laid down because I wasn't feeling well.  Once the kids got up, we redressed Avery to try to get some pictures in their outfits.  We started strolling to the pond, but there were kids there and it got cloudy and cold.  We came inside and got a few just to say we had.  Luckily Sam had his one-year portraits in his outfit.  I'm sure you're starting to notice where I have to position my kids to get good light in the afternoon/evening.

By this point I wasn't feeling well and my eye was red and getting gross.  I called to get our family practice doctor on-call, and luckily it was mine.  He called in an antibiotic which would take care of my eye and sinus infection.  Avery and I went to get my medicine and picked up some dinner since I couldn't get to the grocery store.  After the kids went to bed we watched The Bible but my eye was so bad I couldn't enjoy it.

Rain, sickness, bad moods, and crazy schedules made it a very real holiday, but we know that the main reason of the day is celebrating our risen Lord and that is all that matters.  The pictures will do, the bunnies will be tried again, and Sam and I are hopefully healing as we prepare to enjoy the rest of our spring break.

Week in Review ~ 3/30

It was a whirlwind week leading up to spring break, but it was filled with many things we had been looking forward to. Avery and I went to Sunday school on Sunday, then Ned and Sam joined us. Sam did not cry when we left him, prompting us to ask Ms. Tonya to keep the nursery each time.  After nap time we went to see my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday.  We are visiting in a quiet sitting area now, so we can let the kids play and tear up without too much trouble.  We went to Panera Bread for dinner after that, and while we were there we found out that it was snowing/icing at home.  Our ride home was long and nerve-wracking for me.  In just 30 miles we passed 8 cars off the road.  I was so happy to get home safely and know my dad was home safe as well.  I had heard about a fatal wreck on the road he travels, so I had held my breath until I heard from him.

Monday morning started off with a delay because of the roads.  Shortened Mondays on a short week are always appreciated.  Avery had her Easter egg hunt and party at Bible Zone last night.  We took some treats to her teachers since it was the last night for the year.  She came home with lots of eggs and goodies.

Sam was ready for a party too.

Tuesday night I had a program at school, so Ned picked the kids up.  In between school and the program, I went to my parents' to put away their Santas.  Slowly but surely we're getting their Christmas decorations put away.  Our program was over about 8 p.m. so I got home a little before 9.

We came home to a fun surprise Wednesday.  The Millers egged us!  What a neat idea, and one that I want to try next year.  It's hard to surprise people when you work.

Avery had a fun time finding the eggs that Camden hid.

After that we got ready to go to Pre-K open house.  Someone was feeling a little sassy.

On Thursday I picked the kids up and we headed to Conway Photo Shop to have Sam's one-year portraits done.  I had not felt well all day and I was nervous about how Sam would do at that time of the day.  He did so well, almost well enough to make me want to squeeze him into an outfit of Ned's to do more pictures, but I didn't.  We came home and Ned was fixing breakfast for dinner.  We got the kids to bed, he went to drill, and I was asleep on the sofa by 8:30 p.m.

Friday arrived finally, bringing the start of spring break and our five year wedding anniversary.  We got out of school at 1 p.m. and I went to Franklin to pick up some groceries and Easter things.  I was not at all pleased with what I had for Easter baskets but couldn't find anything I wanted.  Probably a sure sign no one needed anything.  Jennifer had her Easter egg hunt that afternoon.  This buddy will be all in the action next year.

Once we got home, Sam managed to sneak a piece of candy, thus giving him his first experience with chocolate candy, peanut butter, and foil.  That afternoon Mimi came and kept the kids so that Ned and I could go out for our anniversary.  I was nervous leaving Sam but figured enough time had passed so that if he had a reaction, it wouldn't be a bad one.  We went to our favorite restaurant at the lake and had a great time and great meal.  Although we had decided no gifts, Ned surprised me with a gift certificate for a monogrammed rain coat from The Whimzy Tree here in town.  Ned must think it's time to replace my Gap rain coat from my senior year of high school.  We got home about 8:15 p.m. and Avery's bedroom light was still on.  I was just sure she was up sick, but she and Mimi were reading a story.  I got to put her to bed, so that ended my night well.

Ned got up with the kids Saturday morning since I still wasn't feeling well.  We were supposed to go to an Easter egg hunt at the Millers' church, but I decided I wasn't feeling up to it.  I spent the rest of the day wishing we had because the weather was so nice, but I think it would have probably been pushing Sam's nap time.  Avery and I dyed eggs that morning while Sam napped.

After lunch I went and spent the afternoon with my mom.  I coughed and coughed and prayed no one would kick me out.  I drove through Sonic on the way home for a grilled cheese and strawberry limeade because they sounded like healing foods.  I was home in time to see everyone before bed and to put Sam to bed.  Ned had a bit of trouble getting Avery to bed because she was worried the Easter Bunny was coming in her room.  They finally decided that closing her door and writing the bunny a note would take care of the problem.  All this from the child who said all week she wanted to go sit on his lap.  Once everyone was in bed I did the bunny preparations then laid down to get ready for our busy day.