Now that you've seen some of the pictures from our Easter vacation, perhaps you'd like a little dialog about them! :)

We had a great time. Mostly we played outside, relaxed, and just hung out together. We arrived Thursday evening, unpacked, and got acquainted with our new abode. Each of the kids picked their own bedroom. We stayed up late and watched tv together before bed.

On Friday we played outside, bought some towels which weren't provided, and saw the new Hannah Montana movie. The kids loved it (OK, I did too!). That night we had a bonfire and cooked hot dogs and smores, their first time ever! I think they loved the idea of it more than the actual event. :) They loved the hot dogs, but only Olivia liked the smores. Cracked me up! We don't eat a lot of junk food like this, but as it was vacation and their first time, I had bought LOTS of graham crackers, marshmellows, and Hershey bars! The boys took only a tiny bite each and were done. Luckily Olivia did eat a couple! :) At one point I felt my arm getting hot and couldn't believe it when I shook my sleeve and an ember fell out revealing a hole that had been burnt through!!! AND IT WAS MY AHOPE SWEATSHIRT!!!! :( No fear, I'll still wear it with pride! :)

Saturday we just spent the whole day playing outside, coloring Easter eggs, going for a walk, playing inside, and seeing the creek - where Braeden slipped and fell, getting covered with mud on his backside (I thought for sure those clothes were done for, but they completely came clean!). (He did NOT want me to take a picture, but I HAVE to blog about it, right!?) :) I packed only play clothes for them, and had actually planned on letting them play IN the creek, but it was still pretty chilly for that.


The cottage had many many lady bugs near the windows. Inside. Luckily they didn't bother me, and Braeden had some new found playmates. He loved them! I had gotten each of the kids a bug box/jar for our trip and his was kept full each day. :)

Sunday was Easter!!! We talked about the holiday and why we celebrate it, and of course the Easter bunny had hid the eggs we colored (as much as you can hide them in a small cottage), and each of their Easter baskets. The baskets I've purchased on clearance after the holiday a few years ago and we use them each year. We set them out empty and during the night they are filled and hidden. I had TONS of stuff in the "Put it away for future gifts" box in my storage area, so chose things out of there to fill the baskets and purchased only a little candy to add to it.

After opening the baskets and seeing what was there, I started getting breakfast ready. I took out the bread, and there was a hole. A hole that hadn't been there the day before. A hole that looked like something was hungry during the night, and I don't mean my kids. Not two minutes later Olivia yells from her room where she's getting dressed: "MOM, either a huge black bug or a rat just ran under the bed!!!" Oh. My. Goodness. Of course it was now not there, not that I checked, but Olivia looked a little later. But I just could NOT wrap my mind around staying two more days. I began packing our things. :)

After a morning of packing and watching some tv while we ate breakfast, we headed out to eat lunch and go to another movie! We love movies! And there usually aren't many kid ones available. This time we saw Monsters Vs Aliens (2D not 3D). It was cute, the kids of course loved it. :) We went home from there, cutting our trip short, but it was still very fun! We had a wonderful time together and our spring break was still continuing.

This week I am getting a lot done around the house, doing some shopping, and some yard work, and tomorrow night Olivia, Braeden, and I get to go to see Mary Poppins in Chicago!!! Fifth row!!! I CAN'T WAIT! :) The week is flying by, but it's been very fun!