Spring Break

It seems like every year we get a "snow break" right before our spring break.  This year we actually got fluffy Utah-type snow and were out of school for about 5 days!

 

sPRING bREAK

Monday:  The Zoo

we finally renewed our membership after about a year and a half.  It was good to be back

Tues: St. Patrick's Day

We got a visit from Lenny the Leprechaun (a real secret leprechaun!) with bags of goodies for each of us.  Rainbows (skittles), clouds (marshmallows) and gold (rolos).  We like Lenny.

We took our lunches and ate a picnic in the Wilson's driveway.  random.

 Wed: Children's Museum

They got a new playground in the front and the kids loved it

Luke and Michael - a friend from his class.

Some rollerblading on .... I think this was maybe Friday?

 And Saturday: Discovery Center of America in Union City, TN (about 2 hours north of us)

 statue buddies

 keva planks - we liked these so much we bought some for home.

our future geologist  

(should be noted that this has been his new future career choice for about a year now.  We just went to the Rock Show this weekend and today he set up a rock museum in his room with little signs and labels.  And tonight he earned his geology belt loop in scouts)

 davey crocket

pottery dude.  we bought a big bowl he made.

 

huge dude with a ball cap whose 48 foot leg doubles as a slide.  pretty cool.  And Luke in the maze.

 Really fun week.  I never really understood when moms were excited to have their kids out of school because I just thought wouldn't that just be more work?   But I do now.  I never knew that school was actually hard for parents.  I thought you just sent your kid to school and you are done.  But there are so many little things you have to keep track of: forms to sign, money to send in, homework to do, teacher appreciation days, lunches to pack, themed weeks with dress up days, pta meetings, box tops, projects, etc etc etc...oh and of course the early wake-ups and rushed mornings.   Man - a school break is actually a break for the parents too.  And I didn't realize how much you'd miss your kid either.  The school gets him for so much of the day!  So lately, we've been seeing such a fun side of Luke.  He really is sinking his teeth into certain subjects - like geology, astronomy, robots and animals.  His favorite animal is a fox.  It's fun to see him up late with his lamp still on reading away.  Part of me stresses about him getting enough sleep and the other part of me just is happy that he's had hours soaking up interesting facts about the solar system or whatever.  Such a fun age.  We were so happy to have him home. 

Maryanne turns 3!

3 year old photoshoot by Lyssa Zimmerman

I love these pictures so much!

 

Her birthday

Breakfast at IHOP

wearing out punky clip-ins for the party later

The whole staff came and sang happy birthday and gave her a huge ice cream sundae

 Our favorite balloon guy was there and made Maryanne quite the birthday balloon hat.  It's about the same size as her.  She wanted a pink kitty on top. 

 Lucy got a purple puppy with a balloon leash and Luke got a blue one.

 That afternoon we took the cousins to go see Cinderella!  It was so good.  And very fitting for Maryanne since that is totally what she is going to look like when she grows up.  (right?)  :) 

 Her favorite Uncle Caleb

Ok, so this little 3 year old asked for a .... Monster High party. (?!)  I'm not really sure why but she has decided that she LOVES Monster High.  I don't think she's ever even seen it.  None of us knew their names so she made up names for them.  Her favorite is "Candy"  (Draculaura) - so the party was pink and black.

Rocking out to "We are the monsters we are proud"

Mummy wrapping race 

Toilet paper fight

Pie and Presents
Maryanne's 3rd birthday also was Pi Day of the Century!!   Not only was the date 3.14 but this year the other numbers matched up too - 3.1415.  So that will happen again when Maryanne is 103.  So of course we had to have lots of pie.   I'm having Kate's delicious strawberry pie.
Above is Maryanne in her birthday rollerblades and gear and her birthday princess dress from Kate skating by her birthday tent. phew - that's a lot of birthday.

Her castle tent

Blowing out her candles

Maryanne video --- in all her 3 year old glory singing a few hit songs:
- 5 little ducks
- a creepy rendition of "here comes the bride" right before harming innocent people
-  "let it go" - except a totally original version with never before heard lyrics.  And Maryanne was more of a backup singer/enthusiastic supporter to Lucy
- Little Red Riding Hood's song from Into the Woods

Maryanne3 from katiehale on Vimeo.


Maryanne is interviewed by Uncle Caleb
IMG 0757 from katiehale on Vimeo.



 Happy Birthday dear Maryannie!  We love you so much!  We think the world of you and love having you here to brighten our lives.