The Windhill Choo Choo

SPRING BREAK

DAY 5:

Lunch @ Windhill Restaurant with Friends

Today we met the Newell Family and the Butner Bunch for a special lunch where the Choo Choo brings the food to you! It was Jaxon, Allie and Sammie's first time and I think they liked as much as we do!
3 orders of Mickey Mouse pancakes, please!

Starting from the back:

James, Emily, Joshua, Amelia, Jaxon, Erica, Allie and Sammie.

Not Pictured: Baby Cassidy (she was in her carrier behind Heather)

Mom note: Someday we will either think we were absolutely nuts and out of our mind to take 9 kids 6 and under with only 3 adults or we will be proud that we took on a such a challenge!

Now, where is that bottle of wine????

Sisters Being Silly

Amelia LOVES to hold her baby sister. Lately, she has been enjoying holding her on her lap facing her. She can get Cassidy to squeal in delight!

A glimpse of Cassidy's snarling/silly face, this is rather new and super cute.

"I love you Amelia!"-Cassidy 6mos

Will We Catch Him???

This year's model was an updated and improved upon last year's model. First, we discussed what Leprechauns like...gold! Then, we brainstormed other things that might draw their attention like rainbows and the color green. We also talked about how we should make the trap operate. James worked out all of the kinks to make sure once the leprechaun grabs the first pot of gold to move on to the second pot of gold located further under the trap, the string attached to the first pot will yank the "gold" marker over setting the trap off! I think his idea just might work this time!
Amelia helped Mommy by adding all of the camouflage green roughage around the sides and top. Then she found all of the green "stepping stones" to help make the path up to the trap! Nice work, Sweat Pea! We also talked about the size of the Leprechaun (thumb size) and what would we do if we caught one this year? Amelia replied, tell him to "give everyone back their gold!" James said he would look at him and talk to him and then let him go!
They are both excited, yet once again a little apprehensive about the real possibility of capturing a pint sized, mischievous little creature!

1st Tiger Scout Meeting

Tonight James and Daddy went to school to attend their first Tiger Scout meeting. This is exciting stuff, actually Daddy is very excited to finally be able to join with James! Daddy was a Boy Scout Papa Bob was an Eagle Scout and we will see how far James wants to go!

We are still learning the ropes, in fact we thought James had to wait until next year to join, but through a friend we were able to sign him up now and he will continue into next year as a Tiger Scout. Mark said there is a lot to learn, which meetings are for what and for who. When different events will be occurring such as their first camp out in April! Also, he was given the official Scout Handbook, info on his first pizza fundraiser and many other papers loaded with information. Mark said Theresa (the main Den Mom) will be stopping by sometime next week to further explain all of the things the scouts will be doing. James is super excited to be doing this with his Daddy, and for an extra bonus, his buddy John has joined too!

We are looking forward to James making new friends, participating in fun events,earning his special badges and most importantly spending time with his Dad!

Monkey Joes

What better way to spend a Friday night than to jump with some friends at Alex's 6th birthday party.
So, I know these pictures aren't the best, nor even acceptable but these kiddos can jump and move FAST!

Joe and Siobhan getting some Cassidy snuggles and sighs.

Cassidy is really starting to enjoy discovering our faces. Here she took a moment to give a smile from her game of "fake cough". Mark and I think it is the most adorable thing. Neither James nor Amelia did this cough/conversation/game like this. It is rather fun and in her parent's eye kinda cute!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!

We had fun celebrating the day with you!!!

(We needed to leave a little early from the party to get James and Daddy home and back on the road to school to attend James' first Tiger Scout Meeting!)

Cassidy Feet Meet Grass

Today on this GORGEOUS 81 degree March day, Cassidy got to let her feet feel the green, prickly grass. I can not express in to words the amount of enjoyment and thrill as I watch my babies experience something for the first time. It is these little things in life that make the BIG picture a little more clear. Moral of this story is stop and smell the roses or in this case stop and feel with your toes!

Cassidy seem to tolerate the prickly grass quite well for her first experience. She really enjoyed the fresh air and observing life proceed around her. Now, that being said she was not fond of lying on her belly!

*Side note* Cassidy and I stood inside the kids bedroom near the window yesterday when she was recovering from her shots, we just snuggled and listened to the birds and the breeze...it was such a simple yet memorable moment.

I just love being a Momma!

81 Degrees in March??

It is not often you can break out the sprinkler in early March!

We waited patiently until James was home from school to play in the water on such unseasonably warm, sunny winter day!

I can not express the amazing, refreshing feeling of this warm, energy boosting air! None of us wanted this day to be over.

Cassidy enjoyed feeling the sun kiss her baby soft skin as she watched her brother and sister scream excitedly while leaping through the sprinkler.

I had to add this photo of my James...when did he grow up to be this big boy?

We took advantage of the long lasting sunlight
that our front year gets, but also we get to see some of our awesome neighbors, too!

Carter is so strong, he was showing off his pulling himself to a stand skills both kiddos. I think they are enjoying being the big kids on the block (OK, within a few houses).

I wasn't sure how long the kids would last in the water, so hooded towels were on standby. With the temps in the low 80s, they lasted for over an hour!!


Happy Summer/Spring/WINTER!!!