The Easter Money Came!

     The Easter Bunny was oh so generous this year and stuffed the eggs with coins!!!!  The kids enjoyed their baskets in their room before Scott and I were awake...and then it was time for the fast and furious hunt.  Ethan made out with the most money!  $17.75!!!  Fiona managed $12.00.  Not too shabby.  Later on in the day we met up with CJ's family at their church's egg hunt.  We snuck in for the hunt, a quick visit with our friends, and then back home.  Kids managed a huge bag off chocolate stuffed eggs from this little spree!  Dinner was a nice ham, some twice baked potatoes, and delicious maple carrots.  We thought of family back home through out the day.  The weather in New England was gorgeous for Easter!!!!
     Kitty is still coming over every day.  She has left us a few surprises/offerings as of late.  At latest count we had two rats, one mouse, and a wren.  We should call her "Killer".
     Last night we enjoyed the third part in a four part National Geographic lecture series.  It was given by a jet propulsion engineer who has helped to develop the rovers that are currently exploring Mars. His photos were mind blowing, and his lecture was equally interesting.  It is so uplifting to see what humans can achieve!  Also thrilling to hear from someone who absolutely LOVES their job and was literally bouncing around when he talked about the new problems they face daily, and how exciting it is to get to solve those problems!  Other news in homeschooling...we are working on identifying the trees in our own yard.  Turns out its harder than we thought! Also, BIG news!  The kids sent their art work into one of the magazines we use for current events, and their work was selected and published in the magazine!  So VERY exciting!!

Here are the kids with the contents of their baskets.

Ready, set, go!

$$$$

More $$$$$$$$

That silly bunny brought silly string!

Awwww...

Our photographer (Fiona) suggested the "look over the shoulder" shot.

Fiona, Ethan, Tess and Nathan at the church egg hunt.

Big hugs for Daraugh (Tess and Nathan's older sister)

I get a kick at how similar Ethan and Nathan look from the back.

Ethan went to town on the driveway earlier in the week.

The kids are famous artists!  They got published!  Ethan's is top left, and Fiona's bottom right.

Tree I.D. work

One of Killer's favorite spots.

Mmmmmm, thanks kitty.

Wierdos dyeing eggs.

Farm Fresh

Been a busy week this week.  Lots of playing outside due to the great weather.  Sunny and low 80's everyday.  I am not bragging...trust me.  We are out now because we know that the broiler oven heat is just around the corner!  Kids had two riding lessons this week, which was a bonus.  We are finally done making up for what we lost during our little flu epidemic!  I am so happy with their progress.  Both Fiona and Ethan get those horses from a walk to a canter with a little "kiss, kiss" sound and fly around the ring with confidence and ease.  Another perk to riding is a stop at "Sunshine Farms" on the way home.  Fresh greens that the kids are allowed to cut, handmade soaps and creams, farm fresh eggs, herbs, and delicious lettuces from the hydroponic green house!  Yummy!
     There has been a lot of swimming this week as well.  We want to make the most of the pool while we have one!  C.J. and her four little ones were here for a day of hard play on Tuesday.  The kids always sleep well after a day with those kids!  Non-stop outdoor movement!  In the pool, playing ball in the driveway, back in the pool, rollerblading, back in the pool...you get the picture!
     Ethan had a busy game week as well.  Three games in six days!  All won!!!!  Yesterday he and Scott went to the big "machine pitch" tournament, and Ethan's team proceeded to win that as well!  The Diamondbacks are on fire!!!!!!!!!!!  Fiona and I enjoyed a nice mother/daughter day while the boys were playing ball.  We spent some gift cards leftover from Christmas, and took ourselves out to lunch at "Freebird Burrito".

How cool is this?  That is lettuce growing out of the PVC piping!

Scott made it to a riding lesson, where "Doc" and "Max" rewarded him.

Ethan got good old "Morley".

Collard "seflie"

Look at that beautiful Kale!

Bok choy!  Oh, boy!

Our baskets full, we head to pay.

Notice Ethan flinching?  He deserved what he got...

Mmmmm...Burrito!

Fiona set up a circus for her hermit crabs.  Made for some great photos!

A very tired boy...home with the winning medal from an all day tournament.

Scott and I couldn't get over these huge magnolias and their scent on our walk the other night.

Mannequins as friends......

This past weekend Scott surprised us with tickets to the "Bayou Art Festival" in Houston.  It is a huge art show with hundreds of vendors.  After FINALLY figuring out where to park to get the shuttle (this thing was huge...gigantic...no parking in the city...) we were on our way to explore what new art there was to see.  I was happy to finally have a positive food truck experience!  They are such a big deal down here, but I had yet to order something that I didn't have to wait a half an hour for in scorching sun!  I spied a vegetarian "Krishna" food truck.  No big line (Krishna...vegetarian...Texas).  Perfect! Yippie!  BBQ tofu, sumosas... fried veggie balls, just what I needed.  It was so delicious.  Even the kids liked it!  The art was inspiring, and we love getting to talk to the creative geniuses behind the work, so the day was rewarding. BUT the best part was awaiting us!  When we returned to the car park, we realized we were next to a HUGE antique furniture outlet.  I think it was housed in an old Sears building...  Anyway, Scott and I couldn't resist a quick walk through.  I sensed there were a few good photo ops inside.  Was I ever right!

Eating our meal on the grass.  Look at how lovingly my son gazes at his mother.

On our way in!

Many of the dolls will haunt me long after this day is done.

We found a piece of home!

Remember "Alf"?

Oh, Scott!  You're so naughty!

"Man"-equin.  I don't think the vendor was doing this to be funny. He/she had boobs! 

Uh, oh Fiona.  Looks like you got yourself in trouble!

I just loved this lamp.

Before.

After.

Spring flashback.  Taken in Nahant in front of the library.  The ground was covered in blossoms. 2011?

Pool season is in full swing here!