Spring Break

We didn't have any fancy spring break plans but we tried to make it a fun week.  To be honest, it reminded me a lot of my spring breaks growing up.  We did a few fun things but mostly came up with things to do around the house.  I loved every minute of the week and was bummed when it was time for the kids to go back to school.

Every day started with morning cuddles.  That is my most favorite thing ever! Usually we are up and moving at 7:00 we can leave at 7:20 for school.  I don't think we got out of bed until 8:30-9:00 everyday on break.

The boys built forts and loved sleeping in them or on the couch every night.

One day Sutton was being grumpy and a little sick so Grandma came to the rescue and took the big boys to go do something.  She took them bowling and to go get a treat.  They loved every minute of it!

Sutton enjoyed some time with Mommy.

Grandpa took the kids on a Razor ride around the neighborhood.

I took Vance out to dinner with the just the two of us one night.  He LOVES to do that. I know this one-on-one moments really mean a lot to him so I try to make time a few times a year to make it happen.

We went to the Perot Museum with some friends and sadly this is the only picture I snapped!

The boys played Nerf wars and had pillows and chairs and anything else they could think of to hide behind strewn throughout the entire house. I loved listening to their war cries and giggles.  I still have those moments where I think "I can't believe I have all these boys and this is my life."  Growing up with three sisters and no brothers was definitely a lot different than a house of all boys!

 Usually I keep a very tidy house but I tried my best to let it go over spring break.  The majority of the break the family room looked something like this -

 The boys each had a few friends over during the week.  The weather was beautiful so they played outside and had a great time.

 Vance and his good friend, Triston, "accidentally" fell in the pool.  Funny how they had taken their watches off and put their phones away...

 No spring break is complete without a trip to Chick Fil A!

The last few years breaks from school have been a little rough. I think that is mostly to do with Sutton being a baby but the boys were still a little hard too.  This is the first break where it really felt like a break.  The kids enjoyed each other (for the most part) and it makes me excited for summer!

Dallas Arboretum

Every year I make a list of 10 things I want to make sure we do that year. On that list for this year was going to Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum.  It is when everything is blooming and so beautiful for spring! I was excited when we planned the trip and it didn't disappoint.

Before I go into the details of the afternoon at the arboretum I want to talk about Liz and Dani (the friends we went with).  Liz is my mom's best friend.  They both moved to Forney about a month apart and quickly became friends.  For months they kept telling Dani and I about their new friend who has a daughter about their age.  Both Dani and I kind of dismissed our moms thinking "I'm sure you know who I want to be friends with Mom." Well after about six months, we finally met and she has become one of my closest friends. I guess our moms were right!!! Both Liz's husband and my dad as well as Dani's husband and Chad are a great fit for each other and genuinely enjoy one another's company.  Dani's oldest son is one year older than Vance and they LOVE hanging out together and are always trying to arrange play dates or sleep overs.  Keller and Lola play well with one another and will go to kindergarten together next year.  Harlow and Sutton are only a year apart and get along too.  That just leaves Dani's daughter Bridget who plays with the other boys, the little kids, or hangs out with Dani and me. Their family is such a perfect fit for ours and I feel so blessed our paths crossed.  Also one more funny side note - Dani's parents live across the street from her and my parent's live one street over from me.  

Okay well that was a big tangent - now on to the beautiful flowers! There were tulips everywhere -

The kids had fun running around the many grassy lawns.

Liz and Mom.  Aren't they the cutest?!

Triston and Vance were happy we let them play Pokemon Go. The Arboretum has tons of pokestops and they were in heaven.  We did make them put their phones away occasionally and actually look at the flowers. Haha!

I could've taken photos for days at the arboretum but I was trying to enjoy the kids so I really just took this one of the flowers -

I also snapped this photo of Harlow that I absolutely love. I love how you can see how curious she is and the serenity of the environment. Plus she's so cute!

Mom and daughter pic!!!

Proof the boys did eventually put their phones away ;)

We packed picnic lunches and ate them on our favorite grassy hill.  Then we watched the kids run around and roll down it. The weather was beautiful and it was the perfect activity for the day!

The Arboretum is right next to my favorite popsicle place so of course my mom and I had to stop and grab a treat for the ride home.

It was a great day with great friends!

Happy Birthday Chad

Chad had a birthday!!! We didn't do anything crazy but tried our best to make sure he had a special day.

It has become tradition to get out the chalkboard and write a message for every birthday, holiday, etc. and put the gifts by it. He is saving up for some wood-working tools so I got him a gift card to Lowes and the boys made him some coupons ;)

Chad's only request was breakfast bagel sandwiches. He loves when I make them and I rarely do so he was pretty excited to dig in.  However the boys weren't so sure he needed any personal space to eat breakfast. They love their daddy!

 Chad's birthday dessert growing up was always lemon glaze cake.  We even had it at our wedding! I haven't made it in years but I recruited the big boys to help me bake it for the birthday boy.

 He said it was even better than he remembered and had a piece everyday until the cake was gone.

  We were going to go camping over Chad's birthday weekend but there was rain in the forecast so he took his boys fishing instead. 

 They love going fishing with Daddy and I love that that's how Chad wants to celebrate his birthday. Seriously he is simply the best husband/father ever!

 They didn't catch anything but the Cheetos were gone. Haha!

Happy 31st Birthday Chad!

On a side note - Chad says year 31 is when he is going to get his crap together.  He has always had the things that are most important together but he is a little forgetful and scatter-brained.  He also hates anything too routined or scheduled.  Sometimes that means things that need his attention don't get it.  And while I love him, he is MESSY and loses or ruins things more than the average joe! If you don't believe me, ask him ;)  Chad's goal is to still be fun and care-free but maybe a little more structured.  So far I can't even believe this man is my husband. Haha! Seriously though I feel like he seems happier and more energized when he feels on top of things.  I told him not to get too serious on me though...I need him to balance me out.  It's great as a wife to see your husband thrive and that's what I think he is doing.  Watch out 31, Chad has arrived!!! 

Texas Rangers Field Trip

Vance's class went on a field trip to the Texas Rangers stadium.  At first he wasn't sure he wanted me to go but eventually he changed his mind and I was excited to chaperone!

 I think he was surprised that he actually enjoyed having me there and I was glad to be there! My boy is getting so big so fast!

 I would say one of the highlights was going to sit in the dugout!  Vance and his buddies were all smiles!

 They also got to go the press room -

 The batting cages -

 

 One of the suites - We found out they start at $175,000/year with a minimum 3 year lease!

 The press box -

 After lunch the last stop of the field trip was the Fun Zone. It is an indoor playground with some video games. You can take your kids to it during the baseball games. The kids had a blast goofing around.

Vance has a great teacher and some great friends. This was definitely the coolest field trip he has gone on!

Urban Air

My boys LOVE Urban Air. They jump like fools the entire time and go home tired and stinky ;)