Spring Break St.Pete Staycationish Part II

Luckily, I was able to take off work mid week and we were all able to head to St. Pete for the remainder of our Spring Break.  Graham's home town was the perfect place to enjoy the next few days.  We were lucky enough to enjoy time with Nana Nancy, see friends, and enjoy a few of the fabulous things St. Pete and Tampa have to offer.

The original plan was to hit Lowry Park Zoo on our way in. Unfortunately a few work calls later and my annoying (to my kids) need to clean house before we left, ran us a few hours behind schedule. So as the kids cried in the car about not making the Zoo, Graham and I made an impromptu decision to veer off I-4 and enjoy a lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.

After a fun lunch (slightly disgusting food - but I guess you don't go there for the actual food), we explored Downtown Disney.

Ellison loves to shop! So that was a win - win.  Dylan is happy most of the time.  So that was a win-win.  To top everything off and wrap up our side trip, we rode the hot air balloon.

In St. Pete, we were lucky to have the chance to visit Graham's Grandma Ruthie, who is about to turn 94.  Ruthie was doing great and we were happy to have the chance to see her... on the way to the Dentist!

Good thing my kids LOVE the dentist.  We are so blessed to have a family of dentists that treat us right.  Both kids were happy, all of us had clean teeth, and I am getting ready to brave invisalign.

No Cavity Wall!

Although the Dentist trip was fun and successful, we were ready to hit the beach! We ventured to Ft. Desota, which was a first for Ellison, Dylan and I.  The kids were very excited to be in the waves.  I was very excited to lay there!

Our final destination for Spring Break 2015... the Lowry Park Zoo.  Awesome Zoo, beautiful day, perfect grand finale for the St. Pete / Tampa Staycationish!

And the GRAND FINALE...

Easter Eggs and Davis!

Can't wait for Summer!

Spring Break Staycation Part I

Wow, Spring Break was so much fun this year. As a family, we did a little bit of everything including going to work, the Doctor, and the Dentist. Overall, I am heading into Monday recharged and with a smile on my face.  The best part is that I think everyone in my house feels the same way!

First Day of Spring Break and Ellison decided to teach Dylan something. The lesson... what cleans a penny.  The end result... a clean penny... the solution, ketchup.  Of course, after his lesson, Dylan took the ketchup bottle outside, made a huge mess, and then left it there... for the ants.  

We worked the All Saints School Parking lot for the Winter Park Art Festival. 

Easton met up with us at the Festival and we watched the train go by. How cute is my God Son?!?  Adorable!

We have been reading the books in anticipation. We loved it. (Well, I take that back, Graham did not love it - men!)

First swim of the season. IT WAS COLD! (And lots of fun)

Frozen... could not find enough sun to warm up.

Girls night to see Cinderella after soccer practice.  Love the movie... love, love, love!  And just to gross Ellison out, I will add that I also love Prince Charming - cutie pie!

Dylan loves the Doctor.  So much that his mid week Doctor appointment obviously did not cramp his Spring Break style. I am thinking future M.D. candidate right here. 

First Watch with Mom and Dad... oh yes, and Coffee. Happy Boy.

Solar Bears Game!

We made it on the TV, 5 times!  Thank you Zoe and your awesome hat!  I am sure our dance moves and cute faces also helped. Note to self... make sure to have lipstick on next game.

Smitten. Dylans says, "My favorite part is the pretty girls."

Marching By...

Once again, we are leaving a month behind, starting a new one, and I am slacking!

There are numerous reasons that my blog has been slow on the updates and I could list them for you. But I won't!

Instead, enjoy a few of our recent memories!

We threw a Birthday Party for my Dad's 70th on March 15th! The theme was 1950's Soda Fountain Shoppe.  The kids dressed up and Ellison even took a few orders!

"Grease Lightening"
Hoping that he will choose to wear his T-Bird jacket for Halloween... I am pretty sure he will decline.

We spent the afternoon at Touch a Truck.  Ellison and Dylan had a blast.  I was left to wonder why we had never gone before.  

Searching for plastic bugs in bird seed... seems so much cleaner then my slime and mud combo at Dylan's party.
Hmmm... noted. 

She touched the tail... I was pretty impressed. 

Tori and Tucker Get Blessed

At some point I will learn to not mention upcoming dates to my children. However, in the meantime as I continue to make this mistake, I will share my idiotic tendencies with the world (or Ashley) in hopes they will learn from them.

So with a second child, you always question if they get the short end of the stick.  With Ellison, I made sure that someone was at every school event, including the school's pet blessing where we brought Bella, our very stubborn maltese (interesting story from that day).

In an effort to ensure Dylan is not in therapy for life over all of the things that I have not done with him, I  mentioned in advance the idea of bringing his turtles to be blessed. Of course, he was very excited and we made further plans with Ms. Rosie on how to bring the turtles and keep them safe for the day.

One problem... I was called into an emergency meeting for that same morning. So what does this mean?  Breaking my child's hear - NEVER!

Guess who attended the meeting with me... Tucker and Tori, the turtles.  Yep, big board meeting with two little turtles in a shoebox by my side. 

I then raced across town and made it right on time for the two little guys to be blessed... phew.  I will never, ever learn... I just know it. 

Dylan's turtles are officially blessed.

Paint Catastrophe

 It appeared so innocent...

 A Saturday morning painting cardboard boxes... 

outside...

what could go wrong?

A LOT.

1. Big Sister would join in.

2. Paint would spill... or be thrown.

3. Driveway, mom, and children would be covered in paint.

You know, just another day in MY LIFE! All before 10 am. That's just how we do it. 

Good news... we have a hose!