LIFE AS A LANKFORD

What a glorious spring break it's been! The weather has been perfect and we have had the best time doing a whole lot of nothing.

Sunday was Easter Sunday, and it was a wonderful day.

Avery's school only closes on major holidays, so she did not have a spring break.  I kept her home Monday though so that we could enjoy some time together.  Ned worked but the three of us had a good day at home filled with playing, outside, and grocery shopping.  Avery started working on her batting skills and can hold the ball with one hand and hit with the bat in the other.

Avery went to school Tuesday, and I took Sam to have his two-year portraits at Conway Photo Shop.  I was definitely behind, but for the four weeks leading up to spring break, our students did not dismiss until 3:30, so there was just no way I could get him there.  He did so great and looks so grown in his pictures.  We came back to town and visited with Ned at work before having lunch at The Palm Tree.  I'm sure we squeezed in some outside time that afternoon and dinner, since we had beautiful weather this week.

Ned took Sam to Jennifer's Wednesday and I took Avery to school.  After I dropped her off, I printed some pictures then spent the morning going through my picture tub and organizing.  I had portraits, birth announcements, birthday invitations, and Christmas cards all mixed up in the tub, so I worked on making folders for the kids.  I was very dismayed to see that I haven't put together a photo album in 4 years.  I'm pretty much caught up on printing, so albums will be the next goal.  That afternoon, school called and said that Avery had gotten up with a red eye.  I picked her up but it wasn't runny or itchy so I wasn't concerned.  We went to get Sam then hurried home to get ready for dance.

Ned and I planned a day away while I was off, so Sam went to Jennifer's and Avery went to school Thursday.  Her eye was still slightly red in the outside corner, but she had no other symptoms.  We were about 30 minutes in our trip to Richmond when someone from school called and said they thought she had pink eye and needed to be picked up.  Her teacher was not at school last week and someone not associated with the kids was calling, so I didn't get many answers.  Luckily Mimi was able to get her and Avery stayed at work until we got back.  With the crisis averted, Ned and I had a good morning in Richmond.  I dropped him off at Golf Galaxy for a new driver and I went to Target.  After that we headed to try Mosaic because we had seem some yummy pictures on Instagram.  We started with deviled eggs and then both had a wrap with chicken and smoked Gouda pimento cheese plus smoked Gouda macaroni and cheese.



We finished early and headed home to get Avery from work.  Avery and I went to pick up Sam then went to visit my parents quickly.


Ned did not have drill, so we had another nice night at home.



I had already planned to have Avery stay home Friday, and her eye was looking fine anyway.  The kids played so well while I organized clothes to pack away or give away.  We had lunch with Ned and also played outside since they were calling for rain that afternoon.  I picked up the playroom before dinner and was almost ready to start throwing toys out the window.



Ned picked up dinner and brought it home since it was rainy and stormy.  My parents' county to our right had a tornado warning, but it never got too bad for us.

Saturday morning was Healthy Kids Day at our YMCA so we went there for just a bit.  Lunch at The Palm Tree for the third time this week seemed like a good choice after we left the Y.  We even played outside once we got home before everyone rested.  Soon we will battle humidity and mosquitoes outside, so we are enjoying this weather while we can.


After a trip to the driving range for Ned and the grocery store for me, we set up the bounce house.  We grilled pork chops for dinner then walked to the pond.  Sam fed himself and Princess the duck while Avery helped reel in a fish.  She didn't understand that you don't catch one every time you cast.  We played on the play set after our walk then finished our evening with a fun game of Zingo once Sam went to bed.








Ned went out in search of Blue Bell Banana Pudding ice cream but had no luck.  It just seemed like the appropriate ending to a great day and a wonderful spring break.  It's back to work next week, but the countdown is for summer vacation is on.

Due to my lapse in regular blogging, I've missed documenting a lot of life's little moments lately.  As I sorted and organized hard copies of pictures this week, I realized I need to get back on track with photo albums, framing prints, and blogging.  So here are some of the happenings I've neglected lately, important to only me I'm sure.  But when the day comes that I actually publish my blog as memory books, I definitely want these times included.









Avery's first bowling adventure at Saydee's party.











We had a round of princess golf during the Masters.


The baton got away from Sam, resulting in a goose egg right before dance pictures.


But no goose egg could be seen on this princess.


Avery and Mason enjoyed playing with their friends last Saturday at Ayden's party.

This year we celebrated Easter for nearly as long as we celebrate Christmas, which is wonderful!  I love Easter for the reason behind the day, the {usually} warm, pretty day, and the time with family.

On March 31st, Avery had an Easter egg hunt and party for her last Bible Zone at church.  Avery loves Easter egg hunts, not because she wants the candy, but because she can then cook with, pack up, and otherwise takeover my house with those stinking eggs.  We had a fun night just the two of us since Sam isn't in Bible Zone yet.





Fast forward to last week, and Avery had two Easter egg hunts with school.  Our YMCA is close to two nursing homes, and the students visit several times a year.  Avery had a hunts at them Thursday and Friday morning.  Ned went Thursday and said they had prepared for 40 some kids and then only the 6 from the Y came.  Not sure where all the other kids were coming from, but it worked out well for Avery and her class.  I'm waiting for Avery to say she needs a bigger bucket to hold more loot.  She came home from that event with tons of eggs and a ball and bat set.  Friday resulted in more eggs, an additional egg bucket, and other goodies.



Sam had his egg hunt at Jen-Jen's Thursday afternoon.  I had been so sad because we had a staff meeting called unexpectedly the day before, but at the last minute Thursday it was cancelled.  This was his first year to participate, and he knew just what to do.




These are the younger babies at Jen-Jen's.  We are so fortunate that both of our children are surrounded daily with kids from good families, and of course good adults.


Easter morning dawned bright and early in our house.  Avery had been extremely excited about the Easter bunny bringing a princess soccer ball, and Sam must have felt the excitement from his crib.


She had totally forgotten that she had asked for Frozen figurines.  Thank goodness the bunny is familiar with eBay, since these things are sold out everywhere.


Sam's newest love is Peter Pan, so we gave him one to go with the Jake ship plus some Mickey and the gang figurines from Disney.  We underestimated Sam's love for Frozen, though, and there have been some tears over sharing those.  Luckily Sam is happy if he has Anna, and Avery will usually share Hans too.




We had breakfast early then had plenty of time to get ready and get some pictures before church.  It was chilly in the morning and very windy, so we had to settle for indoor shots.  Please notice Captain Hook's presence.






We had a nice church service then had Ned's dad take some pictures outside.  He took a ton and these are the best we got.  They are a hilarious progression though.  You see Sam's pacifier being taken out then go back in, and my face goes from smiling to pained due to the breeze.





We had lunch at home after church then got busy getting ready for our guests.  That evening my parents, Ned's parents, and his brother and his fiancé came for dinner.  While I set the dinning room table, Avery decided that she needed to "celebrate" {decorate} the table for her and Sam.  She even asked what time our guests would be arriving.


I went the easy route with poppy seed ham rolls, seven layer salad, and potato salad, with my parents bringing congealed salad and Ned's mom bringing deviled eggs.  Dessert was carrot poke cake which everyone liked a lot but me.  I ended up having more salad, which speaks a ton for that recipe since salad is never my first choice.

Everyone went home, the kids went to bed, and after a quick cleanup I was ready for bed myself.  It was a wonderful Easter season, and we are now busy enjoying spring break.