Spring Break 20

Our original plans and then our new plans for Spring Break all feel through, for various reasons, so I quickly came up with activities we could do throughout the week. Mostly, to keep Charlotte entertained. Everyday, Charlotte still practiced her piano and read for at least 30 minutes and I limited screen time until after 5:00 pm (like we do everyday).

Day 1- Josh had already taken Monday off, so he surprised us and took us out to breakfast. And when I say surprised I mean, he told me the day before, “we should go out for breakfast and really celebrate the day off.” Who are you and what did you do with my husband?! But I’m not going to question him. We tried a new (to us) place called, “The Flipside Cafe.” Yum! I love going out to breakfast more than anything so I was definitely in my happy place. 

When we got back, Josh did some yard work. And has made our front yard look beautiful!

For dinner that night, we went to our favorite, “Chuy’s.” It’s a good drive from where we live but it was worth it for a plate of Ponchos Nachos!! The girls did great at the restaurant and Naomi was devouring our nacho toppings! 

Day 2- I took the girls to see “Wonder Park.” I didn’t know it was such an emotional movie. There was one part where Charlotte and I were both sobbing, like uncontrollably. But then it ended happy. Naomi did ok. There was a moment where I tried switching her to my other arm and she woke up and cried. It only lasted a couple minutes on and off. But she did great other than that. For dinner, McAllister’s Deli does 2 free kids meals for one adult entree on Tuesday. We sat outside and Josh joined us after work. It was perfect. 

Day 3- We started the day at Carowinds with friends. After we ate lunch, we headed home, just to get ready for the pool. AND Naomi’s first swim. She loves the pool but it was freezing, so we didn’t get in past our toes. Charlotte was swimming like a fish. I just couldn’t do it. Like the water was painful, it was that cold. But it was hot outside, and we love being outside! 

 

Day 4- We gathered with some friends from our ward and went to a local park for playgroup. There was an Easter egg hunt for all the kids and they all had a blast. That night we ended up at Carowinds for dinner with Josh! 

Day 5- Josh was supposed to have the day off, but went in to get some work done just for a few hours. Meanwhile, it was a gloomy, rainy day. We headed to Cabela’s for free pictures with the Easter bunny. I love never having to pay for Santa or Easter bunny pictures with Cabela’s being so close! Naomi wasn’t scared at all. Then they had a little craft that Charlotte did. We walked around the store, looked at the animals and fun (big, expensive) toys and then left. Due to the weather, we came home and cleaned and organized the playroom! It was well overdue! Next week will be a big cleaning week as well, since we hardly did any during Spring Break! 

Easter Weekend

This weekend has been so relaxing! Josh was off Friday and we have spent the last three days just hanging around the house with an occasional trip out!

Friday we ran some errands in the morning and then shopping at the outlets and tried a new restaurant, Mac's BBQ. Charlotte was quite the hit at Michael Kors. She is a girly girl to the extreme!

The employees got a kick out of giving Charlotte the smallest purse.

Saturday we tried to watch General Conference. Twice a year, the leaders of our church speak to us. This year it happened to be Easter weekend which made it more special. I say tried because trying to watch four hours of TV that isn't Disney Junior is not going to fly with Charlotte! (Not that she watches four hours, but you know what I mean!) She kept asking us to play or go outside...anything but sit and watch our "show." Luckily, we recorded it and it gets published to read! 

In between sessions, we tried another new restaurant, Mellow Mushroom. The best pizza we've had since being in Charlotte! 

Sunday was of course was Easter.  I got up early (big surprise) and set out all the Easter bunny goodies. 

I also started putting together our Easter brunch. Something I don't normally do, but wanted to make today more special. 

I told Charlotte she couldn't see what the Easter bunny brought until daddy was awake. So she put on her ears and hopped into his room. It was pretty cute! 

Once he was up, we all went downstairs, opened baskets, ate and then talked about Easter! 

The night before I had seen a Facebook post from a friend who was a litte confused with why we celebrate Easter...Jesus Christ or Easter baskets? She talked about how her and her husband didn't give their children Easter baskets because they wanted to concentrate on why we celebrate Easter. I thought it was a great point to bring up and I wanted to refrain from posting pictures that distracted about what Easter is all about. I commented and said that I am guilty of doing baskets. I do like the tradition but I had also been thinking all week before how I'm going to talk to Charlotte about Easter.   Of course I have been trying to explain already but wanted something different on Sunday.  She is so young but it has to start sometime!!  Luckily the "Friend" had a great little Easter activity that I pulled out and put together. We read the description and had her match the picture. She did all of them perfectly! 

In between conference sessions, we went to the park to enjoy then ice weather. We have been spoiled by these amazing sunny days! Charlotte loved the swings a lot these days and then we went on a walk on s trail around the park. It was perfect!

We came back and again, tried to watch Conference. Today was more successful ;) After GC, I cleaned up (all the chocolate wrappers) and Easter decorations. Back to the grind on Monday and hitting the after Easter sale at Target!! 

I couldn't help but snap a photo of her first Barbies ;)

Right before I started taking Easter decorations down.