Wednesday-Stone Mountain

Wednesday of Spring Break we decided to take advantage of our awesome "Mountain Memberships" (c/o of Papa & Grandma) and head to Stone Mountain!  I had really debated going since Camden's allergies had been bothering him so much, but he REALLY wanted to go and I'm so glad we did!

Our first top was to get our tickets for the duck ride.  Last time we went I promised the kids that we would come back and ride over spring break.  It's a fun little ride around the park and onto Stone Mountain lake--the drivers give you all kinds of info on the history of the park, etc. and they usually let the kids drive the boat!  We couldn't get on right away, so we had about an hour to kill.  The kids begged to go play at Geyser Falls and PROMISED they wouldn't get wet.  .  .um--okay:

I love the picture of Camden on the top left--he looks so grown up and looks exactly like his Daddy!
As you can see the promise of not getting wet was not kept, but mommy had towels and changes of clothes in the car!!  We left and quickly got ourselves cleaned up so we could ride the duck!  I have to admit, I really didn't enjoy this ride as much as I liked the first one.  Your enjoyment is really up to the driver!  Our driver was nice enough, but last time our driver was OFF THE HOOK! :)  Oh well, the kids had fun!

Once we were done on the ducks, we headed to the baby animal show, then back to the car for our picnic lunch, and we finished up playing in the barn--Braelyn is such a daredevil, she has no problem climbing up stairs and shooting down a slide.  .  .she was non stop--and this was at 3pm with NO nap!!

All in all, it was a great day!  We love going to Stone Mountain and the memberships make it so great to be able to just go and enjoy whatever attraction we want to do that day.  It's only about 15 minutes from the house so we will get our moneys worth!

Spring Break--Monday & Tuesday

Not much to report for these two days!  Jason was home so he took the boys to Stars & Strikes while I went and visited Go Pro and ran a few errands.  The boys had a great time, and Camden one ONE THOUSAND TICKETS!  You read that correctly--1-0-0-0!!  This means we have bags full of little tiny penny type toys all over the house right now!  He was thrilled!  After dinner the kids talked me into Brusters so we all got some ice cream and headed home to get ready for bed.  

Tuesday we hung INSIDE all day, the pollen is horrible.  It isn't bothering anyone except Camden-his eyes are watery and puffy, runny nose, sneezing, etc--he's taking allergy medicine and it helps a bit, but it's still just best to stay inside when we can.  The boys learned to sort their laundry, and how to put it in the washer and dryer--not that they will be doing their own laundry anytime soon, but still--it's a skill.  After a loooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggggggg day of chores, board games, Cupcake Wars, and constant snacking and mess making (can you tell I'm all about an "at home day") we headed to Evan's tball practice* and then to get pizza with GiGi at our favorite Grayson pizza joint-Johnny's!  

*Side note--Evan is embracing tball just like he did last year.  it is so much fun to watch him in action!  we've worked on hitting a little bit and it shows, so I'm excited to see how he does this season!

Couldn't resist this cutie!!

Spring Break--Saturday & Sunday!

We've had a very active, yet relaxing Spring Break this year!  I was determined to not plan to stick around the house, only to desperately be in search of any bouncy place, park, library, or fun outing that would end up costing me just as much as a more "significant" outing would.  So as not to overwhelm you with REALLY REALLY LONG posts, I'll share each day in it's own post.  If you are on FB or Instagram, you've probably already seen all of these--sorry! :)

Saturday
We took a road trip up to Asheville to visit with my grandparents!  I love Asheville, I have so many wonderful memories of being there with my grandparents and my aunt le--they always made our visits so special and I'm happy that I'm able to share some of that with my kids!  I do hate the drive because I don't travel well, and quite frankly, neither do my kids--but they were troopers and we were able to have a nice relaxing picnic lunch and afternoon of playing outside with bubbles and big wheels!!  I wish I had more pics, but these are the only ones I've got:

Nana & B-I had a better one, but  someone
thought it would be cute to give B bunny ears
*sigh*

Um.  . .that's my mini Ms. B

If only they had slept longer than 1hr

Camden said he wasn't sleeping, he was just pretending. . .hmmmm

HAHA!

Sunday
Since we had such a busy day Saturday, and since Jason was having to pack up and leave Monday we stayed still and just hung out together at home.  The boys decided to open up a "duct tape bracelet" stand.  . .everybody needs a duct tape bracelet, well everyone except for the residents of Windsor Creek!  They worked tirelessly, and there were a few very sweet customers that stopped and purchased a bracelet or two--including Uncle Adam and GiGi!  They made about $10 and were so thrilled that they wanted to go out Monday to sell them too!  The only scary thing, I happened to look out and our Grayson Patrol had pulled up to make a purchase--he was super sweet but it occurred to me that my boys were right next to his car.  .  .I'm sure they felt safe-but I definitely used that as a teaching moment about how we don't approach cars EVER...and I decided that this stand needed to have a boss-mom planted on the front porch.

Hard at Work!

Pulled the wagon out for some shade

My assistant "boss-lady"

We finished off our day with a yummy family cookout!  GiGi and Uncle Adam joined us and we were able to sit in the dining room again!  I'm loving just ceasing the moment and using that room!  I just need a good table pad.  .  .anybody know where I can get one??

I Cheated. . .

I did--I feel like I should be honest and tell you that I cheated on my workout and on my diet coke.  Last week was busy so the whole working out thing just fell to the wayside. .  .I actually went into the week thinking I would be able to carve out the time, but it just didn't happen.  I hopped back on my horse yesterday and I'm paying for it!!  I feel like I'm back to square one, but I'm sticking with it!!  I would love to run but the stinking weather is just too cold to take Sweet B out so I will deal.  .  .

I cheated on my diet coke too.  .  .twice.  .  .the good news is, I was able to just have one (or part of one).  .  .and that was enough to satisfy that craving.  I guess maybe trying to be a T-totaler just isn't for me!

Playing Catch Up. . .

...in life and on my blog!!

Last week was the infamous "Consignment Week"!!  Some of us anticipate with excitement, some of us dread it like no other week!  I am in the first category!  I'm on the PTA and the Consignment Board at Evan's (used to be Camden's, about to be Braelyn's) preschool--it is a lot of work, but it does give me a purpose other than housekeeper, cook, and bottom wiper! :)  Every year the PTA (and consignment board, I have to say that because they are separate and there are only 2 of us from PTA on the CB)--anyway.  .  .we have a consignment sale--a really awesome consignment sale.  This was my 3rd sale on the board and I have to admit that I'm pretty proud of it.  The week is full of challenges, but we work hard and even though there are times tears are shed (mainly mine this week--it was a rough week) we come out on the other side loving each other and proud of what we have accomplished.  Not only does the sale raise money for our preschool, it also helps us to reach those in our community that might not be able to run up to the Avenues to buy the latest and greatest, and it brings people into the church that might not have otherwise.  I really do love being a part of this sale, and even though it exhausts me I feel that it is worth it!  Also, I shop consignment for my kiddos.  .  .especially Braelyn.  Seriously y'all--if you have a girl consignment is the way to go.  I'm incredibly picky and generally most of what I buy looks like it has never been worn!

So, on top of it being consignment week Braelyn got sick.  I tried to head it off the Friday before, I knew it was coming--but we checked out and woke up Sunday night with a fever. . .not awesome!  So Monday they said she sort of had an ear infection coming and by Thursday I had her in the after hours office with a fever of 102 and a full blown ear infection.  .  .and a new prescription!  I know it was bad because she literally did not sleep for about 2 nights.  Friday about noon I realized that she really had not had much to drink all day.  We kept trucking along and the day got away from me (it always does), when she woke up from her nap (7pm, yes it was a late one) I realized that her diaper was dry and I hadn't changed her since noon.  .  .OH!  MY!  GOODNESS!!  I freaked!!  Fortunately, she ended up turning it around AFTER I had emotional breakdown on the phone with my dad, another with my mother in law, then with the After Care Doctor's office, and the answering service for my pediatrician.  .  .did I mention I hadn't slept in 2 nights and she had been crying for 2 hours??  Not my finest moment.  .  .GOOD NEWS, she is great.  .  .but I'm still tired! :)

Camden brought home a report card last week!  He got straight E's (and S's because some subjects that's the highest you can go)!  He even brought up his grammar grade from S to E!  I'm so proud.  He really does so well, and it seems so effortless!  It must come from his father. . .
Today I decided it was time for us to "relearn" tying our shoes.  .  .and you know what--we did it!!  I had decided to make him practice for 30 minutes this afternoon when he came home, and we went over it several times and by the end we were racing!  I'm so proud!  Neither of us lost our cool (which is unusual.  . .for me anyway)

He hates getting that picture taken!

TBall starts tomorrow!!  Hopefully we have better luck than we did with soccer!  Evan loved t-ball last year so I think we will be good to go!  Oddly enough, today he told me after tball he just only wants to play soccer.  .  .GREAT! 

Jason is still traveling more than he's not.  .  .I feel like I'm in deployment mode--except not really because we are lucky enough to see him on the weekends!  I just wish I could figure out meals!  My kids don't eat anything so to cook something good is such a waste!  BUT I DON'T WANT STUPID KID FOOD!  Tonight I went with a Smart Ones frozen meal.  . .I'm about to gnaw my arm off as I type. . .something has to give!

Sorry for all the words--sometimes I just have a lot to say!