We are moving to Richmond, Virginia! Dan starts a job with a new firm on May 13. More about that later. Right now things are crazy busy. We are packing and cleaning and showing our house and cleaning up after the kids, etc. Crazy.
Tuesday was my birthday. It was a great day. I went w/ Sam's preschool to Kroger on a field trip. It's funny how excited kids can get about things they see at least twice a week at the grocery store. Somehow, when someone other than their mom shows them string cheese, it's super exciting!! After Kroger, Gretchen and Dionne and I took our kids to chick-fil-a and they treated me to lunch. It was great. Next came nap time and packing. After that I hit up the gym for my requisite soul grooves. I'm going to miss that funky hour of dance twice a week. Dionne brought over delicious BBQ for dinner (THANK YOU!), we had a beautiful Dan cake creation, I opened presents, and then I headed out for book club.
Dan was really thoughtful and got me some new rotary blades, two piano books, an iTunes gift card, and a plane ticket to Kansas for me to run a half marathon in a few weeks. I love that guy. And I love his crazy cakes. The weird colors of frosting are my fault.
I love these ladies! I am really going to miss book club. Hopefully wherever we settle in VA there's another book club for me.
And last night we met up with Kirk and Gretchen at a fancy steakhouse for DELICIOUS Texas steak. Then we went over to Jeff and Dionne's for some great dessert and games. So fun.
Dan is "over" the bluebonnet picture taking tradition, but for some reason I feel like since I live in Texas, I must take bluebonnet pictures every year. So I took the kids out on a cloudy day last week and tried to get some cute ones before the flowers disappear. Here's what I got.
A week and a half ago, my parents came to visit for one stop of their cross-country odyssey. It was great to have them. They got here Wednesday and I think we just hung out that day and took a walk to feed the ducks. Thursday we went to our local arboretum which was looking particularly pretty this time of year. It's amazing how much nicer it looks when you actually go during the spring...
After admiring the flowers we went across the street for a picnic and to play at the park.
And Sam totally surprised me by doing an awesome job on these monkey bars. He pouted after that fall. We need to help him work on failing gracefully...
Friday Candice's family came to town and we visited.
"Do you like seafood?"
I think Millie was sensing her parents' imminent departure...
Saturday Candice and Craig left for a cruise and they also left their two girls at our house. (Thankfully my parents stayed until Monday morning!) Our community had an Easter party.
Charlotte did a great job getting eggs.
But right before the hunt began, a creepy Easter bunny came onto the field to announce that it was time and it completely scared Afton. She had been fine but lost all interest and only got 4 eggs before she said she was done.
Sam was in the older age group this year. There was 20 minutes between age groups. Whoever decided that needs to change it for next year. It started to rain but we waited and finally it was his turn.
We got a few quick pictures with the Easter bunny (Afton wouldn't).
We then hit up the petting zoo, Sam rode some kind of caged-in ferris wheel, Afton ate a large piece of candy,
then we headed back home.
The rest of the time my parents were here was spent trying to take care of all the kids. I'm glad they were able to come and visit and help me maintain my sanity.
Sam and Afton LOVED little miss Millie.
Mom was on Millie duty pretty much the whole time she was here. Thank you...
"Thank you very much."
But after Mom left, she was my charge. But who wouldn't love that face?
Or even this one?
And especially this one?
Getting ready for one of only two outings I was brave enough to do with four kids.
Candice and Craig came back on Thursday and left on Friday. It was nice to see them and I'm glad they got to spend time together while we watched their cute kids!
