Spring Break 2012 Part I

We decided to head down to Charleston for Spring Break this year, just for a few days.  We originally were just going to head down to Myrtle Beach, but then found out our favorite Florence photographer was going to be doing Charleston sessions.  (Collin Smith if you're wondering)  So, change of plan!  We got down to Charleston Sunday afternoon after an atrocious car ride.  Our pictures were at 4, and it was NOT looking good with the mood my kids were in.  Somehow, we got the photos done, and somehow, Collin once again got amazing photos.  (Will share those another post).  But then, the fun started!!!  We loved our hotel, and I've stayed there twice before.  The first was for my Bachelorette party, and then again for my close friend's Bachelorette party.  Needless to say, this trip was a little different.  The hotel is on a river/marina, and so pretty.  The pool was too chilly for me, and even the kids preferred the hot tub.  Luckily it wasn't too high of a temp for them to get in.  Here are some photos from the fun at the pool!

The next morning we were all up and off to the aquarium.  See their Easter shirts again?  It was a week before Easter, and we got some good use out of those shirts!  I like to dress all three in the same color when we are going out in a busy public place.  It's just so much easier to keep track of them when I know what color to look for!

Again, her first aquarium trip I'm sure.  I love getting to see her experiencing all of these firsts.

These three little birdies didn't like the nest!

There favorite part of the aquarium?  A viewing deck where we could watch boats come and go.  Of course!

Cooper River bridge.  I plan to run it next year!

We finally just decided to sit for a while and enjoy the boats coming and going.

Cutest little Sperry's I've ever seen.

Drake loved the touch tank.  The other two weren't so into it.

After the aquarium we got everyone down for naps, and headed to the pool to......meet GRANDMA  and GRANDPA!!!  Oh my were these three happy kids.

 After some fun in the sun, we decided to head a few blocks over to the Battery and Market.  We had dinner over at the Market, and then decided to let the kids burn off a little more energy at the Battery.  Great decision!

Tessa got Grandpa to help her climb the tree.

 And then Eli wanted in on the fun.

 Can't forget big brother!

 And next thing ya know...

 You see this?  This is why we pay for family portraits.

 They all loved climbing on the cannons.

 What's that?

 We called the dolphins, but maybe they were porpoises?  Are they the same?  Different?  I have no idea.

 Rainbow row approaching

 Somehow came up with this amazing photo of my littlest little.
(edited obviously)

 And this is straight out of the camera.  Guess that photography class paid off.   I just love this photo.

 More cannon climbing!

 I love the bond these two have.  I'm not sure what Grandpa was telling him

 Chasing squirrels!

You will have to wait for Part II, b/c Eli is finally asleep.  If you are wondering how I'm getting so much more blogging done, there are two reasons.  One, I bring my computer into Eli's bed and lay with him until he's asleep.  And sometimes it takes awhile.  Two, blogger finally has an app that is on my iPhone, so I can do short little blurbs from there.  Love it!

Easter Fun 2012

I realize Easter was a month ago, but here are some photos of the fun we had.  Before and during!  In the weeks leading up to Easter, the kids all sported some cute clothes.  Check Tessa out in her little chick shirt that her Grandma made!

And in a bunny rabbit dress her Grandma made!  (Thank goodness for talented Moms who can sew!)  I can't even sew a straight line.

The Saturday of Easter weekend was our neighborhood's traditional egg hunt.  The kids all had a great time!  Tessa and Eli were a little confused, but Drake knew JUST what to do.  And as soon as Tessa and Eli figured out there was candy and prizes in the eggs, they quit hunting.  They decided they would just rather go ahead and sit down to eat!  Here they are below just getting into the hunting.

I hate that she looks sad here since she was actually having a good time.  Just wait for some more photos below.

These next two were actually before school one morning.

And a shot of us on the way to the park!

 As you can see, Drake was proud of his basket.  I found the baskets at Big Lots, but hated the liners.  So, I pleaded kindly on behalf of the grandkids, and Grandma worked her sewing magic to make new ones :-)

 This photo makes me giggle because Eli was having a great time just playing, and you can see Tessa in the back, just sitting on the cement to scarf down some candy.

 My feeble attempts at a picture of the three.

 Drake is so sweet to his brother and sister.  Here he is climbing back up the tunnel slide to go help Eli.

 And, She SMILES!!!  Big girl loves to swing.

 Unadulterated joy from this one!

 Tessa's motor skills were very delayed when we got her home in December.  Now she can do things like climb up these bars with no problem!  I'm so proud of her.

 Little monkeys love to swing from this bar.

 Silly goose!

There aren't any pictures from Easter morning b/c I was taking my turn working a holiday.  Eric took the three to church and said they had fun.  Eli and Tessa go to nursery, while Drake goes into church with us.  He'd rather be still for an hour than be separated.  I bought stuff to die eggs this year, and unfortunately we never got to it.  We did however, work on another "craft" to some degree.  Have you heard of resurrection eggs?  Go check this out.  http://www.livingonadime.com/recipes/reseggs.html
While we didn't do the full 12 eggs, we did incorporate some of these lessons into our playing the weeks before and after Easter.  It was easy to do things like make a cross out of sticks in the backyard, and talk about it while having outside play time.  I really wanted to make this year, and every year after this, about the actual meaning.  I do NOT want my kids simply caught up in the baskets from a fake bunny, and gorging on candy.  I don't want them to think Easter is about wearing the perfect smocked dress or new seersucker suit.  (Not that they would wear that type of thing anyway, but you get my drift.)  I don't want them to think it's about winning the prize egg or dying one the perfect color.  Jenn Hatmaker summed up perfectly how I feel about Easter, and what I want my kids to learn and get from this holiday.  So wander over HERE and read what she has to say.  All I can say is that if I lived in Austin, I would want her as a BFF.  She's the same Jen Hatmaker that wrote the "After The Airport" blog post that I adore.
In any case, next year I think my three will all be old enough to truly get it, and we can get a little more serious doing all 12 eggs.

Phone photo dump

Our little fish with Mrs. GiGi.  She loves Mrs. GiGi, and my goodness does Mrs. GiGi love her back.  

 I don't remember where we were going, but I think it's comical that she fell asleep and at the exact moment I went to take a picture, Drake was stealing her snack bowl.

 Just a sweet photo of my sleeping baby.

 Another month, another memorized bible verse, another tattoo at school.  Drake never ceases to amaze me!!!

 Have I mentioned that I LOVE instagram?  Well, I do.  These stinkers dumped some potting soil all of the driveway and had a blast with it!

 And a couple more from Carowinds....

Did I mention I got a pink stripe in my hair?  I'm totally digging it.

An advocating post!

Meet Kayla!  This sweet little girl is waiting for her family to find her.  Please go to www.sharinglifeandlove.blogspot.com for more info.  This is the same blog that once advocated for Tessa.  Kayla and Tessa share the same special need, so I couldn't resist sharing this sweet face!  Is she yours?

Carowinds & Great Wolf Lodge

Last week we had day passes to GWL, and the kids LOVED it!!!  I could not believe the slides Drake and Tessa would go down, with no fear at all!  Eli was happy as a clam in mud, as long as I was holding him.  

When we arrived, there was a little show going on in the lobby.  All three were mesmerized.

 Drake's teacher text me to ask where he was, so I sent this picture back.  This Mom is not afraid to skip school to go on "field trips".

 My sweeties eating some lunch.

And in other family fun.......

Spring has sprung, and around here that means time for Carowinds!  It's pretty awesome to have an amusement park/waterpark ten minutes away.  We went about a month ago for the first time, and hope to get back there this weekend.  

This may have been big T's first carousel ride.   I promise she liked it! 

 Yes, this is what it's like trying to get a family photo.

 Big boy passed out on Daddy's shoulder on the way to the car.

Guess who?

Which child of ours has already been promoted to the next level at swim school? Tessa! She is truly a fish!!! She is farther along than both of her brothers, even though she's been in the water a LOT less.