Spring Break Wrap Up

Spring break was good, really good with the exception of the two gynecology appointments I would rather not discuss. Apparently ignoring their standards of annual visits for over five years is frowned upon. Whatever. Otherwise, we not only enjoyed a trip to St. Louis, but the kids had sleep-overs with friends, a trip to sky zone, a movie, a Lego play date, a few art classes and lots of outdoor playtime on the days it didn't rain or snow. Yes we saw snow. No one was pleased about it either. Spring has sprung anyway and our lawn is green again, Praise the Lord. Our landscape has been prepped for planting and mulch. Garden plans are in the works too. April promises to be busy in the best ways with our hands deep into God's soil.

Lauren and I took a day trip to explore a college she anticipates attending this fall. The time line for student preparation is fast paced and I felt a host of different emotions as we checked out student life on campus. She received some skeptical looks as she declared criminal justice as her major. Substance abuse counseling will be her focus but no one asked. Based on the looks she was getting from upper-class-men, I am okay with young men believing she will be carrying a gun someday. This plan to live on campus is unnerving for her mother. Lauren is currently conspiring ways she can take Brutus with her. Of course.

Erin was contacted by the head of her school and asked to speak at her upcoming college graduation ceremony. We are all pretty excited for her. She will be the only student speaker so it's quite an honor. Have I mentioned how proud we are of her?

A good book in the sunshine? Yes, please.

Greg and I had an hour to ourselves while we waited on Kate's art class. We perused Home Depot because as I already mentioned, we have some upcoming projects planned. We knocked one off the list with new front door hardware today. Anyway, as we rounded a corner, we saw rubber mallets and cracked up. While we were traveling to St. Louis last weekend, Ty picked up a rubber mallet in a gas station and declared he had to have it for vacation. Nothing says "I am on vacation" like a five year old brandishing a rubber mallet. Sweet Jesus, that boy is something else.

Makenna has been asked to be the social manager for her friend's band, No True Lies. Anticipate links to follow them in the near future as we are apparently big fans now. She's a bossy social manager. 

Meet me in St. Louie

Greg, my dad, Makenna, Kate and Ty were the brave souls who ventured up into the Gateway Arch. Mom and I explored an old abandoned church and the Union Station while they got in touch with their claustrophobic sides. Mom and I have both experienced MRI tests in the past and knew better than to ride to the top. We were happy to let our favorite people tell us all about it.

The Cathedral Basilica was beyond incredible. Photos don't serve it well at all. The colors were rich, the details endless and the craftsmanship flawless. We were all blown away. I loved seeing all the original architecture throughout the city and wish I could have had the time to appreciate more of it.

 The Science Center was so awesome, we returned there on Tuesday when the weather changed our plans to visit the zoo and botanical gardens. The highlight was the real science experiments for Kate. We used forensic science to examine finger prints to solve a crime. It was fascinating.

We ate great BBQ,enjoyed a meal at The Hard Rock Cafe and grabbed snacks in museums. Through conversations around the dining tables, I learned Ty may have more of my DNA than I originally suspected. Stories about my dad's childhood sound awfully familiar. I think inviting my parents along was an excellent decision. We enjoyed each others company and shared great experiences.

 Greg and Dad took a tour of the Budweiser plant for Greg's birthday today while we spent some more time in the Science Center. They appreciated the Clydesdale horses, the architecture of the building and facts about the role Budweiser played in the prohibition. It was strictly educational. Ahem.

Someone got a new raincoat while his sisters shopped "for girl stuff". He and Makenna passed some time together while Kate worked through another experiment at the Science Center.

The weather did not fully cooperate but it wasn't bad. As result of some unplanned cooler and rainy weather, Makenna's dream of shopping in a Lush store came true. On top of that, we discovered an American Girl Place in St. Louis too. Let's just say Kate's upcoming birthday has already been well celebrated. Two months early. And her daddy has asked to remain blissfully unaware of just HOW celebrated.

Makenna has recently decided she is interested in decorating in retro/vintage style. She requested lunch in an old diner and to see The Loop area. Her diner request was well received. We all enjoyed it.

All in all, it was a great get away. We squeezed as much fun as we could into a mere 48 hours. We have more fun plans for the week ahead and would love to return to St. Louis in the future. The city has so much to offer. And the fact most of it is free, is impressive to say the least.

Happy 20th Birthday, Erin

So my baby turns twenty today. Where on earth has the time gone? She went from a sassy preschooler with her own sense of style to a quick witted adult with a little more sophisticated look in the blink of an eye. She is pretty amazing. She's wrapped up school, started her first grown up full time job and is seeking her own place. When she shops, she checks out shoes first and then domestic items. She's a grown up now.

For her birthday she sweet talked me into joining her for a pedicure. I can't believe I have gone 41 years without one of those! It was glorious. I think we'll both be back.

Happy birthday Erin. I am so proud of you.

Bon-bons

It's been a fairly long week and we are all ready for spring break. I felt sarcastic mommy taking over my brain yesterday and tried really hard to reign her in. I was busy vacuuming the house when I heard my son repeating my name over and over. "MOM! MOM! MOM! I need your help!" He was signaling to his hands where he was wearing one glove and requesting assistance putting on another. Given the gloves were part of a costume and not needed immediately due to outside play, I asked him to wait until I was finished. He asked me what I was doing and I quipped back that I was resting and finishing my bon-bons.  Sarcasm is lost on five year old boys and he immediately needed to know what a bon-bon was and where I was hiding them. I honestly don't know what a bon-bon is. My life is not that glamorous.

Kate and her friend Allison enjoyed a painting class together this morning.

So we kicked off spring break today. The weather is cooperating nicely. The fresh air, a quick trip to St. Louis and family time are exactly what we need right now. We have been coping with some unwanted changes around here. It's time to regroup. I am grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Tea Party

Looking to shake things up a bit with my favorite little people, I proposed a tea party this morning. Ty was immediately on board because our tea parties always include a sweet treat. I then suggested we dress up and make it a fancy tea party, envisioning the little girls in dresses and beads. Ty jumped to a different conclusion. Of course. He decided he was going to be a green ninja and I was going to be a blue one. He chose my outfit. Blue on blue on blue. I had a skirt and a dress that were also contenders as solid blue options until my little fashionista informed me I couldn't be a ninja in those clothes. My ears are naked because ninjas do not wear earrings.

Frankly, I have worn worse. The idea for this little experiment of allowing Ty to choose my outfit originated when my friend Sarah sent me an article about a mom who allowed her three year old son to choose her outfits for a week. I am not that brave. First, once Ty realizes I don't own any capes, I am certain he'll be completely dumbfounded as to just what it is that I do wear. Secondly, he wore red shorts, a long sleeved red thermal shirt and cowboy boots to the school yesterday. It was St. Patrick's Day. On Monday and again today, he is wearing green; all green. His judgement overall is questionable.

But he is awesome.