Spring Break and Easter

 This year we had a difficult time deciding on a location for spring break because Benjamin had already made plans to go to Orlando, FL with friends.  Bella and Christian didn't really want to do any of the same things or do them together, so finding a place for them was tough too.  So we decided to make it a "stay-cation" and do things around here with anyone who wanted to join in.  It went great.  Benjamin had a wonderful trip and we had a lot of fun too.

First day of spring break, it snowed.  First and only sledding day the whole winter.  Even though it started to melt almost immediately, I forced the kids against their will to go sledding.  I couldn't miss the one day all winter!  Everyone went grudgingly but had a super great time, especially Peter who loved sledding in snow that didn't poof up into his face.

He insisted on pretending to be asleep for the photo.  Sadly he just looks dead.  Not terribly picture worthy, but I have to post the pictures I'm in, since there are always so few.

Christian wanted to go to Sky Zone, the trampoline park with friends.  So we got four friends to come along and everyone, including Peter, had a great time.  They were all so sweet with him and he felt like one of the gang.

One day we went to Lego Land and the Aquarium - both in the same building.  Wildly overpriced but it was a fun day of activity with lunch and some shopping together as well. 

Then Kelly and Christian went motorcycling for a few days while I hung out with Bella.  Mostly we ate sushi (so frequently that all the waitstaff now knows us personally) but we also went to the Toledo Zoo. The best pictures at the zoo are always with the fake animals.  The real ones are far too often turned away, behind glass, or sleeping.  This alpaca was our favorite because he reminded us of someone. ;)  Hint: I couldn't get a picture when he was facing us, but his hair is a dead ringer for Christian.  Tell me I'm not right.  J/K, we love you Christian!

Some pictures Benjamin sent me from Orlando.  He had a wonderful time and said that even the crazy long drive both ways was fun because he spent it laughing and hanging out with friends.

One day I took the boys swimming.  Peter is becoming such a great swimmer. It just funny because his arms don't move the same.  His right is strong and perfect and his left is far less.  According to Christian, "Peter's controller has drift."  A perfect description.  His left arm hardly makes it out of the water, causing him to drift left as he goes along until he's completely off course.  It's interesting to watch.

Anytime I leave these two with my phone, selfies always happen.  Here Peter is holding up his latest swimming ribbon for advancing another level in swim class.

The last day of spring break was Easter.  We had been studying about Christ, the atonement, and the resurrection for a couple weeks each night leading up to the Easter and it made the whole month so special.  My favorite thing that I got for Easter this year was a hanging daily devotional calendar.  It had three weeks of daily scriptures and questions regarding Christ.  They prompted so many great conversations and insights.  I loved it and plan to use it every year.  On Easter we invited Thea for dinner along with the missionaries from our ward.  They shared a great lesson and Kelly cooked a great dinner.  We also decorated eggs (no pictures - ugh!) and hunted for eggs.  Bella was the big winner in our money game this year with $26.  Benjamin got $12 and Christian got $6.  He was bit bummed.  Everyone had a lot of fun, though.  Peter got jelly beans and legos in his eggs because his teacher told him about jelly beans and he was so anxious to try them. He laid down on the couch and tried each different flavor.  He loved them all except when he got the spicy cinnamon.  I felt a little bad when I saw his face eating that one!

I'd say our "stay-cation" was a success.  Far less money spent and still had a great time.