portland part one

We decided to end Aiden's spring break with a long week end trip to Portland. Plan A was to take the train down but by Thursday when we had made our mind up to go the return trip was sold out. Friday morning we loaded up the car and drove down. As we pulled up to the hotel (with only one wrong turn the whole way!) we saw these blue and yellow circus tents next door. Cirque de Soleil was right next to the hotel and opening that night! Dale and I had planned to keep the kids up late anyway and when would it ever be so convenient to go. So we bought tickets (only 20 were left for that night). The streetcar stopped right in front of the hotel and we rode it down to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. The restaurant was really fun and right by the river. After dinner we walked the one mile back to the hotel while the kids had these insanely large balloon hats on their head. (The pictures are on another camera). We had bought middle of the road tickets for Zooka and they were great. It was incredible to watch. The kids loved it as well! Amelia and I had to leave at intermission because she was so tired but it was only a two minute walk home!

tornado tulip fields

Yesterday I took the kids down to the tulip fields. We did get a little bit lost several times, the wind was crazy, the noon sun was terrible for pictures and my kids seemed to have an aversion at looking into the camera. But I do have this season's tulip pictures.

Easter!

Dale and I thought we had outsmarted the kids for a morning to sleep in yesterday. We went out Saturday night and the babysitter put them to bed. There wasn't a big production about the Easter bunny coming so we expected at least an extra hour of sleep. Did not happen, we were awoken at 6:25 to two giggly excited kids wanting to go downstairs and find their baskets. We followed the egg trail to the baskets. Aiden made a beeline to the Lego and started to paut his newest creation together. Amelia did not acknowledge any toys in her basket she only cared about the candy. After church we headed up to my parents. We had a great visit and delicious dinner!

spring break: day one

We don't have any big big plans for spring break this year. For some reason that stresses me out. Dale did a pretty good job Saturday morning getting the kids excited to go swimming in our indoor swimming pool aka bathtub. Next it was on to the annual blustery Easter egg hunt, an afternoon of dyeing eggs and watching a cozy family movie. Maybe a no plan spring break is just what this family needs!

easter bunny tea party

Aiden has been learning about traditions at school recently. I love the comfort and security of holiday traditions. This year I wanted to add a new Easter tradition to our family. I usually decorate the dining room table for Easter but we go to my Mom's for dinner. The kids loved the idea of inviting the stuffed Easter bunnies for a tea party. Lemon squares and raspberry tea were served after dinner last night and it was a very sweet family memory.

easter dress 2010 edition

Amelia chose the fabric and I tried to free hand the pattern from last year's dress. I will be using a pattern next time but it's still cute to hunt Easter eggs in.