Kicking off Spring Break

Spring Break is always greatly welcomed, but this year it was also greatly needed. It has been a challenging and busy year for our family, but in a good way. We were all in need of some family time, and a quick trip to Dollywood was the perfect way to start off our break.  The kids worked hard on Thursday to get a lot of Friday's schoolwork done.  We woke up Friday morning, took a couple of spelling tests, and hit the road. The girls finished up their work in the car and we enjoyed our ride to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Last time we were here was in November. It was cold. Super cold. Like windchill of 18 degrees cold. It's been lovely here in Georgia recently, but of course a cold front would move in for the two days we were at the park. It didn't stop the girls from having the time of their lives.

The girls experienced their first roller coaster, the Fire Chaser. 

Marc, Kayla, and Macy rode first, and Brooke and I rode next. Kayla and Macy loved it. Brooke hated it. I kind of can't believe that we took our 5 year old on a roller coaster. 

We happened to be at the park on the same day as some friends of ours. We met Josh and Kristy right after we got married and have been in their Sunday School class since 2001. The kids had such a good time running around and riding rides. Kristy and I enjoyed a couple of rides together too, and I use the term enjoyed loosely.  She has the picture to prove how loosely. :) It was a fun day spent with good friends.

And of course we had to take some time in the pool before starting our second day at the park. What vacation for our girls would be complete without an indoor pool swim?

Kayla and Brooke enjoyed lunch with a duck, and we even fed it a little hotdog bun.

 

This roller coaster is the Wild Eagle. Kayla rode it with Marc before we had any idea what it was like.  After three loops upside down she declared she would never do that again. She was such an adventurous girl on this trip.  Macy was not happy that she was too small to ride.

The girls enjoyed terrorizing following the ducks around.

We had such a wonderful trip.  A damper was put on it the last day when Marc's phone was stolen and we stayed on the lookout for the guy all day long, but we didn't let that keep us from enjoying our time with the girls. Until next time Dollywood!

A Few Quick Things

It seems like every time I sit down to catch up on the blog I'm left with a few random pictures I don't want to forget, so that leads to some random posts.

Brooke had Western Day at school.  She was super excited to dress up and couldn't wait to wear her plaid shirt and jeans.  Let the record state that I can never get her to wear said shirt and jeans, but when you say it's "Western Day," attitudes change fast.

The cousins came in for a quick visit during their spring break and they (not I) enjoyed some ice-skating fun. 

And Macy enjoyed Sarah Noble Day in 2nd grade.  They had finished reading Sarah Noble in class and they always end with a fun afternoon of all things colonial. 

Weaving a pot holder. 

Making butter. 

Snow Much Fun!

We were predicted to have a cold, snowy winter. Cold we had. Snow, not so much. But the girls finally got their wish later in February with a snow day from school. When the flakes began to fall at night they were super excited, and Riley wasn't sure what to think.

And they were up and at it early the next morning. 

A little snowball fighting in the neighbor's backyard. 

And what snow playtime would be complete without a snowman. 

Circus Time!

For Valentine's Day this year we decided to surprise the girls with tickets to the circus. They were so excited and had a great time.  Brooke did manage to take a little nap in the middle, but the temptation of popcorn was enough to wake her up.  Not the circus acts. Popcorn. Figures.

 I love spending time with my little family!

Ice Skating

Let me start off this post with making something very clear.  I went ice skating once. When I was in 3rd grade. I hated it.  I haven't tried it since. I have no plans to ever try it again. Period. End of story. Except now I have three little girls who love to watch ice skating and think it's wonderful. Marc knew when he married me that ice skating wouldn't be happening.  What he didn't plan on is having three little girls.  So a few weeks ago he took Kayla ice skating on a date.  They had a great time, but sisters talk and soon the other two were convinced they needed to go skating too. So one afternoon Marc made the crazy brave decision to take all three girls at the same time.

All smiles before getting on the ice.

Not quite as smiley and hanging on for dear life.

Then they were finally able to stand in one place on their own.

Super Dad!

And before long they were making laps around the rink holding hands.  I on the other hand took pictures because that's what every good mama does when she isn't participating in a family bonding experience.

Educational Happenings

Just a quick little pop in to share a couple of things that have been happening here on the school front. Macy had Famous American Day where she researched a famous American and gave a short speech on him/her. Macy chose Helen Keller and did a great job. Her class also learned a song listing all of the Presidents.  Pretty impressive to hear them.

And this little one is starting to read! She has now read 4 of these Bob books. She is quite proud of herself and I am too! (Please excuse the crazy hair.  Curly headed folks understand.)