Spring Break 2015

Our Stay-Vacation week:

Monday we went to the park with some friends--played football, frisbee, and baseball then rode the trolley.

Tuesday, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, the day started with some green pancakes

Then we decided last-minute to go to the zoo with cousins. Our plan was to go to the zoo on Wednesday, but the forecast looked like rain Wednesday through Friday. So we adjusted, but just made the adjustment a little late in the morning. Because everyone on Spring Break in this area seemed to make that same decision, parking was impossible and it was a big hassle to actually get to the zoo. It was crowded, but we had fun while we were there.

Wednesday we went to see Cinderella. The boys actually loved it, as did I. Bryson was entertained by the animals in the movie.

Matt was out of town for a business trip to New York Monday and Tuesday. We were so excited to have him back. To celebrate, we went to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory that night. 

I am notorious for choosing the wrong dishes at restaurants, but have particular bad luck at this one.  4th time there, 4th time to pick something I didn't like. (Once I find a dish that I love at a restaurant, it's rare that I'll branch out and try something new.)

After dinner we walked around and shot a few pictures.

Thursday we had plans that didn't come to fruition because I woke up at 6am to go running, and ended up not able to leave the toilet. I think it was food poisoning from the food the night before--either that or I got a stomach bug again. Regardless, I cursed The Cheesecake Factory and swore never to eat there again. I spent the day by the toilet if I wasn't lying down. It's hard to take care of kids in that kind of condition, so it was a rough day and the kids watched a lot of TV :(.

Friday morning, fortunately, I had a little appetite and was feeling better. Matt took the day off work so we could go to the rodeo together as a family.

We signed Carter up for mutton busting first thing. He ended up getting nervous and tried to back out while signing up, which surprised me and Matt because he's our brave one. After watching another kid do it, Carter decided to go through with it.

We're, of course, prejudiced, but we thought Carter had one of the best rides in his group. He rode all the way to the other side, got slammed against the wall (not hard), and still didn't let go! The clowns had to pull him off. He did awesome! He got a participation ribbon, but didn't win.

Caleb was past the age limit (6), but was still in the weight limit so they let him ride. (We told him this is one time when it pays to be small!) Caleb did really well and rode all the way to the end hanging on as long as possible. He didn't win in his group of 30 either.

Ribbon presentation at the end

The boys got a snow cone and shared a funnel cake. Bryson's mouth is red from the snow cone. While finishing off the funnel cake, the wind blew and knocked the plate of powdered sugar all over him. He kept saying, "Mess Mommy." He kind of looks like a vampire in this picture.

The kids rode a few rides and played a few games with the carnival passes we bought.

Carter on the ferris wheel

Bryson holding his fish that Daddy won and sticking his tongue out--a common thing for him when he's feeling shy or embarrassed.

Petting zoo

We stayed for most of the rodeo and shot a family photo on the way out. With our action seats, we got free food--mostly junk food. Matt let the boys eat way more junk than I would have, and we paid for it later. We were all tuckered out after an 8 hour day! Bryson did surprisingly well.

On the way home, Carter said his tummy hurt and that he thought he would throw up. I tossed him a box, which he immediately threw up in. Fortunately, it all made it into the box. Later that night, Caleb woke up and threw up in the sink.

This is a rarity, but Matt had to head into work for a few hours Saturday morning. I decided to try a new play dough recipe (corn starch and conditioner) for the boys to play with while I went to clean bathrooms in the house. I asked them to please contain the mess to the table. After finishing up the first bathroom, I checked on them and saw that the play dough was drying up a little due to the corn starch. They were still having fun. After the second bathroom, I came back and checked on them and Bryson was throwing play dough pieces in all directions. The other boys were just laughing hysterically. I took a picture to text Matt, then asked myself why I even bother to clean. More messes ensue whenever I try. :)

We're definitely sad that Spring Break is over!! It was nice to have a relaxing, laid-back week.