Pretend Spring Break

I am calling this post pretend Spring Break because we aren't in school and don't really get a Spring Break but we treated the past week like Spring Break. I loved Spring Break growing up! It always came a couple weeks after basketball season ended, and it truly felt like a break from everything. We never went on big trips, but enjoyed being home and time off our regular grind. Some of my favorite Spring Breaks were when Grandma and Grandpa Brady would come visit. We would clean and organize our room, make welcome signs, and look out the window every five minutes until they got there. I would always pray for snow storms so they would have to stay longer. When they arrived, we would grab their bags and take them to their room, and then take them up to our rooms to show them our newly arranged room, newly dressed dolls, etc. They were such good sports, and always seemed so pleased with whatever we were showing them. 

This past week is the first Spring Break I have been able to enjoy without work for years. We were lucky enough to have Roxy stay with us for the week. Jack and Lindsay took the other two kiddos to Washington DC for a week, and didn't know if Roxy would have been able to walk as much as is needed when touring DC. I am grateful we had time with her, and she was a super trooper! Our first big adventure was going to the Zoo! We bought passes with the Merrill's and carpooled down together. We got there around 10:30 in the morning and stayed until 5:30. All the kids walked everywhere except for Jay, and the twins took only a few rides in the wagon. We borrowed a little leash backpack from Katey, which turned out to be super helpful for when Jay wanted to get some exercise or go where the other kiddos were looking. It was his first trip to the Zoo, and he probably liked to look at all the people just as much as the animals. I loved seeing the Zebras, the chatting sea lions, and the baby gorillas playing games. We got 2 carousel rides for everyone, and we had two tickets left. The kids said Katey and I should take an adults only ride! 😆 So, we did and they all watched us go around which they thought was super cool! Except for Jay, he was pretty sad I left him...mainly because he was exhausted. We also purchased tickets for the train, but it was broken so the kids got to experience their first 4D movie, which was pretty cool. We were all exhausted when we finished the day, enjoyed mac n' cheese for dinner, and the kids hit the sack early. Everyone slept at my house, which was very fun! Kylee, Tia, and Roxy slept in the basement in our tent - and, eventually fell asleep. 

Tia, Abby, Kade, Roxy, Kylee (snakes)

Jay, Kade, Abby

Jay & Roxy

Tia, Kade, Jay, Roxy, Kylee (Penguins)

Abby, Roxy, Tia, Kylee, Kade, Jay (Gorilla)

4-D Movie Time!

This monkey came right up to Tia, and they all loved it!

Watch out for the crazy driver! 

We caught the end of the elephant show.

First carousel ride, Roxy was nervous and so was Jay!

2nd time when much better

Roxy & Tia

Me & Kylee

Katey & Me on the "adults-only" ride

All the kids cheering for us as we passed by. 

Jay actually pointed at something in the Tiger den

Friday the fun continued when all the kids woke up earlier than they should have for how exhausting of a day we had at the Zoo. We went to the nearby park with sand, and played until the kids were too hungry. Katey was going to leave during naps, but then decided to come back because she and the twins were pretty tired. Everyone enjoyed a show and a little rest time. Katey then took Roxy and Jay with her so Matthew and I could go to the temple. We left early enough to grab a quick bite in Fort Collins, and then did a session. I love being  in the temple, and feeling the peace that is always there. We made a quick stop on the way back to the Merrill's for ice cream and called it a date. We enjoyed our uninterrupted date night. 

Katey helping Abby

Tia, Roxy, Kylee

Saturday just brought more fun and good weather. Katey and I took all the kids to the park on bikes and played again until we were just too tired and hungry we had to come home. In the evening, I bathed the kids and went to our girls Bunco night - met some new gals in the ward, ate yummy snacks, and enjoying a night out. 

Roxy

Jay leading the choo choo train

Kylee & Jay

New skill (check) - taking off shoes

If you're sitting, Jay will sit with you, no matter your size!

Monday was another gorgeous day, so Roxy, Jay and I hit up the animal park. We had so much fun, playing in the sand and running all around the playground for a few hours. If the sun is out, we are out! During nap time, I took a multiple hour nap. While I was making lunch, a major migraine hit. I could feel my head pounding, so when Roxy was happy to watch a show and Jay was asleep, I zonked out. Luckily, by the time Jay woke up I was back to functioning level. We came in from our second trip to the park and I asked Roxy to take her water bottle inside, and she said, "Why do I have to do everything for you?" I laughed, and kindly said she was doing it for herself and I was still doing a lot for her. 

Tuesday was the last day we had Roxy, and during breakfast Matthew told her that he was going to miss her. She said, "How will you miss me?...he said, "what?"...she said, "how will you miss me, you haven't been here?" It was a cut straight to the heart for M, and a little funny at the same time. I imagine our kids might feel the same way when Daddy is in busy season and they don't see him much. Over the week, these two became pretty good play buddies and enjoyed one another a bit more than in the beginning. Roxy was a great help during meal times, when she'd have enough going on in the play area to convince Jay to stay there and she always ate great at meal times which was a great example for Jay. Our house will feel a little quiet without her bubbly around. Jay even got to the point of letting Roxy read to him, which is an ability we are all trying to build. 

On a different note, I finally got to visit a family in their home as Primary president. I thought it was wonderful. The girls were so nervous in Primary, they are the only ones new to our reorganized ward. I took them their favorite candy bars, they played a little on the piano, and gave me hugs when I left. I was so happy to see them in their home, and they've seemed more comfortable in Primary ever since. 

To wrap, I went to my first book club. Taylor Stones invited me to come along to her house for the Book Club on Princess Bride. I had no idea there was even a book, but it is a book or movie club so all who want to participate can. I mostly observed and enjoyed the company of some really good ladies in the ward. As they were all throwing around names of different books for the next month, I realized I am quite uncultured in the way of book reading. I found my series as a kid, and never really went away from them...Nancy Drew, Louis Lamour, Mary Higgins Clark, Harry Potter, Work and the Glory, and C.S. Lewis in college, and self-help/leadership books with work. All super good, but not the classics people talk about in book clubs. I think I now have the reputation of not reading, which is partially true due to my recent decade of life working full-time and being in school...no time for fun reading.