What Spring Break?

Spring Break 2016.
With both girls home 24/7 and Daniel working (and going out of town) for 16 days straight, there was really not much of a "break" for Mama.
But we all survived (even despite some sickness), and here are some pictures to prove it...

It started off low-key.
All day jammies. Non-educational app overload on the tablet.
Basically it was a full of day "lazin'" as Aubrey calls it. (Lazy + Relaxin' = Lazin')

And then came the junk food...

It wasn't all screen time and Happy Meals though -- Aubrey was super psyched that AR tests (Accelerated Reader) for her school were available 24/7 over the break. She devoured 17 chapters books! Go girl!

One day we drove a little out of town to eat lunch at the girls' favorite place...Patti's 1880's Settlement! 

We burned some energy at the jump park...

And at the park...

Then one day we drove to Union City, TN to the Discovery Park of America.

It's a science / history museum, which is Miss Aubrey's ultimate love. 

Unfortunately, about 12 minutes after we arrived, Mina had a horrific accident. There was a military helicopter that was open for kids (and adults) to go in and explore. Well, Mina-bug fell from the cockpit down the steel ladder and landed on her chin -- busting it right open.

Oh how I wish I could wrap this child up in bubble wrap. 

Thankfully no stitches were needed, just a good cleaning and butterfly bandage. When Mina sadly realized that the "butterfly bandage" didn't actually have butterflies on it -- Big Sis came to the rescue!

By mid-week, I needed a date night out. 

It was on this particular evening that I witnessed a man consume more sushi than I thought humanly possible. Oh Daniel-san. Your talents are truly endless. 

On the final stretch of Spring Break, Aubrey -- out of nowhere -- started feeling yuck.
Fever and stomach pains that turned into a nasty stomach virus that lasted 4-5 days.
I kept telling myself (and Aubrey), "At least we're not at the beach, and you're stuck inside with this yuckiness!" But we both had a good cry over the pitifulness of it all.

Meanwhile, Daniel was on a guy trip in NYC while I was home washing sheets and Clorox-ing everything in our house.

I had several pity-parties for myself at the end, but when Daniel finally got home (with a canister of Garrett's popcorn from his layover in Chicago) all was well. Health and happiness was restored.

But next year, I think we deserve a full family vacation! :)

First Snow Day in 2016

When it comes to snow days, Mina and I are very much alike.

We are enamored with the beauty of it, but when people make us get out IN it -- let's just say we're less than jazzed about it.

Daniel and Aubrey, on the other hand, love being out in the snow. It's as if the freezing temperatures and wetness from snow have no effect on their happiness. In fact, I often wonder if they realize those things are actually unpleasant. They're just so "okay" with it. You can even see it in their faces below.  "Ahh, just a regular lovely day outside. I am so comfortable and at peace with nature." 

Poor Mina is like, "Ehh, exactly how much longer do I have do this..."

After about 20 minutes (and that's being generous), Mina and I came inside and proceeded to drink our weight in hot chocolate. Which is everyone's favorite part of a snow day...

Private

I decided with the girls getting older and the world getting crazier, it was a good idea to make this blog private. 

But if you're reading this, it means we don't mind you peeking into our everyday chaos! :)

Derby 2015

I'm back-dating this post so it's in the proper month / year when I convert this into our family blog book. I'm *hoping* to do a lot of these in the next few weeks: Beach trip, Vegas trip, 1st day of school for the girls, Vegas trip #2 (wha?!), Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

But, first up...the Kentucky Derby! 

Kinda glad I waited to post this because now we know the Derby winner (American Pharoah) went on to a Triple Crown victory! 

We had a fun little shindig at Grammy and Pop Pop's house.

The girls and I made our hats for the party. I took them to the DollarTree and let them pick out a hat, flowers, and accessories. :) 

I found a cheap sunhat and then perused the hair accessory aisle at Hobby Lobby. :)

PARTY TIME!

It's hard to read in this photo, but the backdrop has the lyrics to My Old Kentucky Home on it...

The menu consisted of hot brown sliders, mutton sandwiches, slaw, chicken tenders, fruit salad, derby pies and banana pudding.

Everyone "picked a horse" to cheer for during the derby. The prize for picking the winning horse was a commemorative derby glass and Woodford Reserve bourbon balls.

MINT JULEPS.

Most people don't care for these, but I love them.

This glass in the middle is my all time fav since it's from 1981 (my birth year!). 

My mom has all kinds of derby glasses throughout the years. SO FUN.

This dapper dude ended up picking the winning horse...he donated the bourbon balls to the adults. :)

This cutie-pie found the chocolate horse suckers. :)

 

And this one snagged a chocolate horseshoe...

This guy is just always happy to have something in his hands with wheels. :)

I wanted to get one "good" picture of the girls together in their derby hats.
"Hey girls, look at me! Girls! Look at me! Giiiiiirls!"

Awesome. Thanks.

Okay, let's try a cousin pic...

How about one with all the cousins?!

Nevermind. 

Now this is how you take a derby pic...

Boom.

(Extreme paleness runs in the family. Obvs.)

This is more of a derby "infield" shot... ;) 

I think this was my second mint julep and post cornhole victory glow.

Overall, it was such a fun time being all together and enjoying the fastest two minutes in sports!

Already looking forward to the next Derby!

Easter

Since it's been my goal to get the "Easter" blog post up before the weekend, I'm going to have to hash this out in warp speed. My big girl gets off the bus in 30 minutes, and my little girl wakes up from her nap in 15. And I really want to go get my Diet Dr. Pepper out of the fridge from lunch.

So...let's get down to business.

Aubrey found some clip-on earrings, which you will see in all the following Easter pictures.

She said the jewelry really completed her outfit.

She's 6 going 16, obviously. 

And this one, oh my goodness, she's something else too...

These two are so vastly different.

One's Type A, Miss Perfectionist, BOSSY.
The other one is a free spirit, Miss Fearless, LOVE-BUG.
I'm totally obsessed with them both.

And as different as they might be...they are absolutely perfect for each-other.

After church and the drive to grandparents -- the girls had a fun surprise awaiting.

My aunt brought her bunny (named Clover, how stinkin' cute is that?!) over for the day.

It just doesn't get much better when there's a real-life bunny on Easter...

After lots of bunny love (and pics), it was time for the highly anticipated Egg Hunt!

Thank the good Lord above that this child found the Golden Egg. 

She had talked non-stop for two days about how a boy from her class found the school's Golden Egg, and how utterly devastated she was that she didn't find it. 

She doesn't handle disappointment well. 

Victory, on the other hand...

"Ooooh, $5! Just think of all the clip-on earrings I can buy!"

It was a good, good day.