North Carolina Zoo - Happy Earth Day!

This week has been Colin's spring break. It has been so nice to have Chad home for it. Last year he was out of town for work during it, and I had pneumonia, so this week has been heaven compared to that!

We took a little trip on Monday to Asheboro to the zoo. It has been three and a half years since we went to that zoo, so the kids didn't really remember it very well. The zoo is quite nice - very natural, with lots of room for all the animals. However, that means a ton of walking. I was quite tuckered out by the end of the day. Some of the highlights: the otters, the bird that followed us in the aviary (Gabe is really into birds right now so he was delighted), the funny baboons, and the perrrrfect weather. The boys were happy almost the whole time, and Carina was so cooperative, sleeping in the stroller most of the time.

After wearing outselves out at the zoo, we went to our hotel. Even though it is short trip to Asheboro, we decided to take advantage of Chad's hotel points and got a room for the night to make it more of an outing. We went to Golden Corral for dinner. It has been years since I have been to one, and I have to say, the best part is having so many dessert options. I must have tried about 10 different desserts. The kids had a really good time too. They think buffets are the coolest thing. I thought of my niece as I watched Ollie eat a bowl of gummy bears with a spoon. After we got back to the hotel Chad took the kids for a swim. We got up in the morning, took full advantage of the free breakfast, and then Chad took the kids for another swim and we headed home. It was a great little getaway.

The ostrich made a quick move as I was taking this picture, freaking Ollie out.

Sometime in the future, I hope to have more entertaining blog posts-not just updates with pictures- but for now, this will have to do!

Sunday with the girls

Third Quarter Report Card

Colin came home from school with a great report card, so we decided to celebrate. We swung by Harris Teeter for their $5 foot longs and some other goodies and then went to the park for a picnic.

Just so you know, Chad and I are all for giving our kids incentives to do well in school :o)

For your viewing pleasure

Chad's favorite picture of his "girlfriend."

How is Ollie handling it?

Colin's Birthday

Our Colin turned 8 last weekend. Can you believe it? It seems like he was just starting kindergarten. Of all the milestones in my life this year - turning 30, celebrating 10 years of marriage, having a fourth child - this one makes me feel the oldest, the most serious. A child turning eight, which we believe is the age of accountability. It makes me examine my life in a way that the other milestones don't quite. If my life isn't what I want it to be now, when will it be? Am I creating the home that I want to? Am I teaching my kids the things that I feel are most important? Where are my priorities?

To Colin, of course, the day was about fun. I wasn't up to doing a big birthday party for him, so we tried to keep it simple, but he ended up getting a lot of little celebrations anyway. We brought cupcakes for his class on Thursday, since there was no school on Friday. On Friday Chad took him bowling with Gabe, his cousins Santiago and Evan, and his good friend Maya. On Saturday he had an ice cream party for piano in the morning, and from there he went straight to soccer, where he also brought cupcakes. Then when he got home, Granny stopped by and took him shopping for a birthday gift. By the time he blew out his candles that night, he didn't even feel like eating his cake, he had been partying so hard. So despite keeping it simple, he declared it to be, "like, the best birthday ever."

Day 7, Thursday March 31

All dressed up to take birthday cupcakes to Colin at school.

Day 6, Wednesday March 30

Chicken pot-pie, homemade mac' and cheese, chili and cornbread, the best pecan bars I have ever had, ice cream, lots of flowers, cards in the mail,

and a husband who does everything.

(Thank you, everyone)

I feel a little spoiled, but also I think every new mom should be treated this way!

Day 5, Tuesday March 29

The first day of sun! Time for a walk.

Day 4, Monday March 28

After a trip to check in with with midwife. 7 lbs 9 oz...almost back to birth weight.

Day 3, Sunday March 27

Day 2, March 26

Oops. Didn't take a single picture all day.

It was a rainy day with a pancake breakfast and soccer games for the boys,

and laying in bed for the girls.

Day 1, March 25