Spring Break...more of it

Whoa...we just finished up Holy Week and Pascha. I still have things from spring break to share and then even more from Holy Week. I'll have to post daily to get caught up. 

Here goes more of our staycation....

Cam worked Tues. and Wed. On Tues. I took the kids to the library and out for treats. They got gobs of books and since it was vacation I let them check out some movies too. We love our local library. What's better than an afternoon of free fun?!

On Wednesday I took the kids to the beach. Sunshine and log jumping and rock throwing fun. Plus, out for ice cream treats too. 

Cam got home in time for some deck happy hour in the sun. Bliss!

Spring Break

We just had a whirlwind week of Spring Break! We didn't go out of town this year....didn't have the extra cash after buying patio furniture.

But, we did lots of local day trips and had a ton of fun!! Cam took off Mon., Thurs., and Fri., for some long weekends.

Monday's adventure was a bike ride. We rode our favorite trail and took in the beautiful outdoors. The birds were singing and everything was in bloom. Magnificent.

We packed a picnic and enjoyed the sunny day. 

At the end of the trail is an old barn....and a resting area. We refueled with snacks and drinks. Really healthy snacks...NOT! It's vacation so we allowed total junk food. Red ropes and Doritos are delicious eaten in the sunshine. I did pack some cantaloupe to balance it out. 

Our kids are awesome...although I include myself in the awesome part too....we rode 16 miles!! Cam likes to point out that the kids are awesome because they rode 16 miles on BMX bikes.

AND....why oh why oh why do I have to see a snake while out enjoying the day??!! I screamed and held my legs straight out to the sides. That nasty garter snake tried to bite me with it's HUGE fangs, and then it chased after me in a side winding motion and lunged at me so it could squeeze me to death and eat me. Seriously...this is all true. Mostly true anyway. I hate snakes. Blech....*shivers*

Deck Fun

Our deck was finished at the end of last summer. But, we didn't have any deck furniture. Finally we bought a set. I love it!! It's beautiful and very comfortable and there is enough seating for our big family. 

You can see that the sofa is a great napping area. 

So far the temps have only been in the mid 50's to upper 60's but we have had lots of deck time. The kids bring out a blanket and cozy up. Most of the furniture is under the cover of the roof so you can even sit outside in the rain. Tuba loves the furniture so much that while I was doing dishes and cleaning up dinner he kept yelling, "Mama, Ahhhhhhhh!", to let me know nice it was. LOL...just what I want to hear while I'm cleaning. 

We moved the picnic table out to the end of our deck and it goes perfect there!! We need a couple new umbrellas to complete the setting. It's almost time to plant my flowers in pots too. It's going to be amazing! Come by for a visit and a drink....cause I'm never leaving!

The kids all love the deck. In fact Sis loves it so much this is what she wrote for her St. Patrick's Day craft at school. So fun! 

I've declared that it's Happy Hour every day between 4-5:00....give or take. Snacks, yummy drinks and put your feet up. I plan to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy the surroundings as much as I can. 

Cheers

When Cam was in Ethiopia he started a tradition. Each time he had a St. George beer he gave a toast saying, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit", while clinking the neck of the bottle against others' drinks at the table. Once home he continued this tradition.

Our kids quickly picked up on it. It didn't matter what they were drinking. I'd look over at breakfast and see my tiny toddlers holding their water glasses up and saying the toast. Tuba especially loves to do it. The kids are always willing to toast with him.

I snapped this pic at Moses's birthday dinner. A family cheers for Moses. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. 

Ladder of Divine Ascent

Lent is marching onward. Last Sunday was the Ladder of Divine Ascent Sunday. This morning our priest sent out a quote from the book Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus (c. 579-649). He was abbot of the monastery of Catherine on Mount Sinai. His Ladder was the most widely used handbook of the ascetical life in the ancient Greek Church.

I really like this quote and thought you might like it too. 

"The first step toward freedom from anger is to keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred; 

the next, to keep thoughts silent when the soul is upset; 

the last, to be totally calm when unclean winds are blowing."  

Moses is 9

Moses is lucky enough to have his birthday on St. Patrick's Day...his brother's patron saint. Fun day!! It's all about green....and celebrating.

Cam took Moses's bike into the shop for a surprise make-over. I wasn't too sure about the orange tires on the yellow frame but...WOW....Moses loved it!! Also new hand grips, water bottle holder with Ethiopian flag water bottle, and a tune-up. 

The good thing is he is highly visible....you can see him from the moon!

Moses chose pizza for dinner! This was great for multiple reasons....pizza is not a restaurant that's crowded on St. Pat's Day, it's delicious....especially in the middle of Lent, and it was fun!

Our favorite part is the basket of BlowPops. Everyone enjoyed some sugar on the way home. It was a dessert warm-up. 

Birthday dessert is traditional....mint ice cream pie with chocolate crust. Yummy! And yes, I am wearing a nightgown to serve dessert....I guess I forgot that I'd be in the photos. 

Happy Birthday to my sweet mild tempered easy going helpful kind hard working talented 9 year old! You are a delight to have as a son and a sibling! I can ALWAYS count on you to help me...willingly and happily! You have a kind heart and I am proud of you. "Be a good neighbor" is a lesson you have taken to heart and strive to live out each day. You are a talented artist and have amazing agility in sports. You are strong and dedicated. I love you my precious Bear!

Dancing Boy

This handsome guy went to his prom. He knew it was coming up and was really excited!! He kept saying, "shoes" and pointing at his feet. He knows he gets some new clothes for the big dance. 

I bought him two shirts and bow ties and let him choose which he wanted to wear. He LOVED his blue shirt and fun tie. 

He also got a new haircut. After years of keeping his hair really short I've been letting the top grow out. He is much better about letting me fix it now and it looks SUPER cute!! He goes around pointing at his head and showing off the new do!

He had a fantastic time dancing the night away!