Spring Break

For our spring break week Bryan was actually off this year. We toyed with the idea of going somewhere but ended up staying home.  And I for one am so glad we did!!  We did plenty right here!!!  We went to My Big Backyard at the Botanic Gardens, a jump place, celebrated Uncle Justin's Bday, went to the zoo, went to Shelby Farms, and played at a friends house.  I think the kids were probably ready for back to school to chill out a little :)!  10 days before this we had snow on the ground.  So we were happy for a week of warmer weather!  

It's spring break!  During spring break you have to go to sonic and get ice cream!  Don't believe me??  Just ask these two.  They make the rules.

All the play houses at My Big Backyard are so cool!  They make everyone want to be a kid again.

Kiddos in the chicken coop.  There was a stuffed rooster in the door next to the kids and Lu kept putting him in there and telling him night night.  He must have looked sleepy!

Keeping up with the big kids :)

Slide fun!

Photo op while we take a break for a drink!

Tranquility garden.  I hope no one was trying to be tranquil cause the kids saw the open space as an area to run and scream!

Feeding the geese, ducks, and swan. That swan was humongous and Livi wouldn't take her eyes off it!  Dino playground!  This was nice because it's in a different spot at the gardens kind of hidden (so way less people)!

Dinner on the patio at Bahama Breeze!  Lu ate her weight in macaroni and cheese and Bryan got a green beer for St. Patty's!  Great day and we all slept very soundly that night!

Off to the jump place!  Livi is working really hard to keep up with brother.  And doing a good job.

Even captain America likes to ride slides with his mama!!

I don't need a fork!! I'm good, thanks. 

Zoo trip!

Sea lion show shenanigans! This boy doesn't like having his picture taken!!

Making wishes!

Someone is daydreaming!This one is Daddy's Girl!  They are so stinking sweet.

We had a nice week off. It was just what we all needed!!! 

Fresh Start

After a 4th person asked why I don't blog anymore I decided that was more than enough of a push to jump back in.  My friend Kara recommended that I just jump back in and not try to catch up.  Such a good suggestion, because catching up would seem like too much work, thus I would put it off even more!!

I miss it.  I know I don't have a ton of followers, but each one of you cares enough to read, so I should care enough to get it all out and write!! 

So, here is my fresh start!

Brief catch-up.

The babies aren't babies.  Martin is 4 and Lu is 2.  When did that happen??  I certainly don't know.  I am working at the kids preschool and LOVE IT.  Most people think I'm crazy to choose that as something to fill my time.  But I love it.  I don't miss anytime with the kids because they would be there anyway and I get to have some adult interaction!  I work with an awesome bunch of girls, and have learned so much in these months.  Pinterest is finally paying off!!  Haha.  I pin art projects and projects to do with the littles.  Perfect!  

Martin is into all things superhero at the moment.  Hulk is easily his favorite!  And Olivia is into anything her bubba is into. She also likes babies and Cinderella!  She and Martin love to dance and sing.  So there is always something going on in the background.  Music, tv, something.  The kids are soooo sweet to each other.  Every day isn't perfect and they still fight sometimes.  But for the most part, they play so well together. In the early days it was tough because they were so close in age and I had to worry if Martin was tearing my house apart while I nursed Olivia, but we made it and my house is still (kind of) in one piece.   Martin's favorite book is currently Super Adventure (it has 4 different super hero stories).  And Lu's is Tutu Cute.  She knows the words.  She has the cutest little voice ever.  And talks NON STOP ALL DAY.  Sometimes it's exhausting, but mostly it's precious.  She loves to sing.  Her favorites are twinkle twinkle and head, shoulders, knees and toes.  

This is the epitome of their relationship. Martin is definitely the leader, and livi looks to him for ideas and guidance.  Pretty precious!!  

Olivia was baptized in December!

Olivia is totally crazy about her Daddy!  It may be because he spoils her.  They dance to all the princess songs together, and I have to stifle my cry every single time.  

Christmas was lots of fun this year!  They both had a blast looking for Willie the Elf each morning.  And were so excited Christmas morning to open all of their gifts.  Olivia had a twinkle twinkle little star birthday!  

We celebrated her turning 2 with lots of family and friends.  

All things HULK!!

Sister loves to accessorize!!  She loves bracelets and purses.  

She is such a good little mommy.  Always talking care of her babies. Loves to push them in the stroller and feed them. Loves art!!!  

We had a big ice storm!!  Martin was mad because we couldn't make snowballs. 

Livi was just excited that we were outside.

But then we finally got a little snow.

And then we got a LOT of snow.

So we made snow cream! So, hopefully I can keep up with the blog a little better!  And not have another hiatus.  Here's hoping anyway.  It's been cold here!!  But it's finally warming a bit, although we still have snow on the ground in some spots.  I'm ready for SPRING!  And next week is spring break, so I need it to be warm.  I'd love to go to the zoo a day or two.  And maybe have a picnic outside. Maybe we will just have to bundle up and do it anyway.  I promise I won't complain about the heat this summer.  I'm running out of fun indoor activities for my two nature babies.  

Although the glow sticks in the tub was a huge hit!!!  Best $1 spent in a while. Kids don't always need things, they just need time....your undivided attention time. The dishes and laundry can wait another day.  But if there is no one to play Captain America, the day certainly cannot go on.  

Til next time dear readers!!  

Snow Day Saturday

We woke up Saturday morning to a Winter Wonderland outside.  It was beautiful.  We were supposed to be headed out for a birthday party, so we were snowed in. But the kids LOVED the snow.  It was the first snow of the season that actually stuck enough to play in.  Martin enjoyed every minute of it.  Livi wanted to walk in it and play in it, but didn't have any interest in any snow balls!  We built a small snowman.  It started off really powdery and dry, and then by noon was really slushy.  

Ready to Play

Trying to drive in the snow/ice

All in the snow

I LOVE this stuff

Crunching around in the snow

Little Snowman

So proud of his snowman!

Livi ready to pounce on the snowman

The Bentons
Shoe prints Left to Right: Daddy, Martin and then Livi, Mama

We ALL had a nice nap after playing in the snow for a long time in the morning.