Spring Break: Part 2

For my Mom's last night we planned a fun family outing. Lolli Pop Park! It's so close to our house but I had never really heard of anyone going there before until recently. So I looked it up online and did some quick research about the place. I knew that it would probably be a little over priced, semi-small, and somewhat weird, but we decided to give it a try anyway. And we are SO GLAD we did! We had a BLAST! 

It was all of those things that I mentioned above, but so much more! My kids had never really had the chance to ride rides before, besides the little ones at Chuck-e-Cheese. So it was a fantastic first experience for them. The kids get a wrist band and then they can have unlimited access to all of the rides and bouncy houses. 

We started right away with the bouncy houses because that's what the boys were comfortable with. They bounced and had fun but then decided to check out the rides...

and once they started riding the rides there was no going back to the bouncy houses! Ha! 

Heath jumped right on the first ride. The swings. Nolan was going to just watch Heath go at first to be sure that this was something he was going to want to do. But before the ride even started he decided he wanted to go for it! He hopped right on and had such a great time! We were so proud of him for being brave! 

And that was his only moment of hesitation. Do you see him here. The second blur…riding with his hands up! 

The boys LOVED this ride too. It really whipped them around! They laughed and laughed! 

This little train ride was a bit slow but perfect for Brooks to join them on. 

The carousel wasn't their favorite either. Once they had a little taste of THRILL that's all they really wanted! 

Brooks wasn't so sure about it. He sat straight faced the entire time. 

Love this kid. He can be so easy. (sometimes) He loves fun! On this night- he was pure joy! 

Next up was the Ferris Wheel...

I rode with Brooks. 

And the boys rode with Mark! They had fun trying to spot me as their car was heading back up and around and mine was still coming down. This was their favorite ride of the night! They loved that it went so high! 

Then they tried out the tea cups. Nolan was a crack up! They got it spinning really fast right away and Nolan got so DIZZY! His face was hilarious! He would smile, then his face would go blank and his eyes would cross. Repeat. Over and over. Until finally they decided to slow it down for a bit. We were worried he was going to puke! Ha! 

Back to the swings again- this time with Brooks! He rode a few times. Didn't cry, didn't really smile! But Mark and I were laughing about how brave he was for being only 2 because it really got going fast. And, because he's our third child, we just plopped him right on and didn't think twice. 

Mark and Momela being silly while the boys took some rides. 

They have a few other random activities there- likes these cars and some games. 

But the Ferris Wheel was the hit of the night! That is Mark and Brooks up there! 

He started to warm up and smile after a few times on it! 

Life with 3 boys really is a CIRCUS! 

Grandma and Brooksie on their way back up on the last Ferris Wheel ride of the night. The boys ended up riding this by themselves for the last few times…it was nice for Mark and I to be able to just sit back and watch them go! 

My Mom and I always take a picture together during every trip she takes out here. I think these turned out super cute! Nothing fancy- just Lolli Pop Park and McDonalds on a Friday night. But we made such great memories with the boys! 

The next morning my Mom made her traditional and delicious French Toast and bacon for breakfast and then it was about time to take her to the airport. 

We snapped a few sweet pics before she left. Nolan was super smiley and funny! Look how big he looks here! His legs look so long! How did that happen? He's giving my Mom bunny ears. 

Brooks was not really into having his picture taken. So we snapped some with just the two big boys first. 

When we allowed him to hold his glove for the picture, then he was all smiles! That boy. 

We had the BEST week with Grandma! The boys treasure these special weeks. They talk about them all the time and always bring up memories they have with Grandma! We can't wait to make more memories with her and the whole fam in Illinois and Michigan this summer! 

Spring Break: Week 1

My Mom came into town for her Spring Break. Nolan and Heath had the week off too. So they spent the week playing together and had a good 'ol time! 

Of course they did A LOT of reading! She brought them each a new book. They looooove to listen to Grandma read. 

And of course they baked. Mark requested Oatmeal Butterscotch. They were yummy! 

And they always make jello jiggles and jello eggs too. 

And one afternoon while I was teaching they also baked Sugar Cookies! They've been making these cut out cookies with my Mom for years! 

Grandma also took each boy out for a special date. They love their one on one time with her! 

This was Brooks' first Grandma date! 

They got donuts! You can tell from this picture that he thoroughly enjoyed his chocolate sprinkle donut.  Messy fun! 

Grandma also brought a few fun Easter crafts along with her. 

First up was Easter jelly beans. Each color represents something from the Easter story. They colored their little worksheet and put them in their ice cream cone & twizzler "Easter Basket" as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. 

Our friends Don & Jocelyn and their two kids were in town visiting family for their Spring Break. So we had them over for dinner one night. 

Don and I were high school friends. And I love that now our spouses are friends too. They would like to move out here and we would LOVE that! So we are putting on the pressure! Ha! 

The kids had a good time playing together. Brianna is in 2nd Grade, Nolan is in Kindergarten, Heath is 4, and Eli is 3. Brooks would not cooperate for a picture! 

Don is a GREAT cook. So he shared one of his favorite recipes with me and we cooked it together. It was delicious. Shrimp Dijon! I'm a sucker for shrimp. Yum! We had a great night catching up, chatting, and talking about what life will be like when they live here! We really hope so! My Mom had dinner with her brother that night, but when she got back it was nice for her to be able to see them as well. Don was at our house a lot in high school and we went to every dance in groups together. So it is fun for my Mom to see us now as adults with families. So thankful for life long friendships! 

Heath's date was up next. Unfortunately, they set out but didn't even make it all the way to Panera due to his awful cough. They turned around and came back home to rest. So they waited a few days and then tried again. All of the boys have bad colds and coughs. Too bad they have to be sick over Spring Break, but at least they won't have to miss school. 

Here he is when they finally made it to Panera for bagels and smoothies! 

The weather while my Mom was here was nice. We had some warm days and some chilly days. And a lot of wind. Boo. But at least we weren't dumped with snow. 

For Nolan's date he wanted to go to the donut shop as well. I love how he's hugging my mom in this picture. He's a little lover boy. 

He ate TWO donuts! This boy can put it down! 

Sorting and Graphing Easter Bunny Marshmallows

A little park time...

followed by a treat at Sonic. Large Cokes are necessary in the life of a Mom or Grandma of 3 young boys! 

Grandma took the boys to see two movies last week: "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" and "The Muppet Movie"! They really liked them both! 

This was the best picture I could get of their "Palm Sunday Spinners"! Another Lenten craft.

The boys save up all of their school work since the last Grandma visit in these folders that she bought them last summer. Then when she is here they sit together and go through all of the their work. Nolan insisted that my Mom read EVERY last word on EVERY piece of paper. He explained everything! Then after Grandma checks out the work, I go through them and decide what to save and what to toss. (When they're not looking!) 

We had Mark's parents over for dinner one night. My Mom cooked enchiladas and we had ice cream sundaes for dessert. Heath enjoyed his ice cream on a cone. I'm not sure that he's ever had one before! We are usually a Fro Yo in a bowl kind of a family. But he LOVED it! And he looked so cute eating it! 

Oh Brooksie…he is the sweetest, silliest thing. But he is a bossy pants too. He is stubborn and persistent and pushes you around until you do what he wants. This night he literally put Grandma to bed in his bed. Then he snuggled up right next to her. It was so cute. 

Grandpa sent a long a few fun things for the boys. Plastic baseballs with bubble gum inside and packs of Baseball cards. Nolan was thrilled because he got a Rockies player! AND his name is NOLAN Arenado! Pretty cool. 

Another fun afternoon activity: painting with PEEPS! They enjoyed eating a few too! 

Everything with Grandma here is just better! The boys love the extra love and attention and we really appreciate the extra set of hands for baths, and dinner, and laundry, and play time. Mark and I even snuck in a date night too…which always makes things better! 

After the boys go to bed each night then the three of us usually plop down on the couch with a glass of wine (Or cement mixer…don't ask. Ha!) and watch a few shows before bed. We love this time to chat and laugh and relax together. We are so thankful that not only is my Mom an awesome mom and incredible Grandma, but she is also our friend. Love you Mom! 

One more post to come to wrap up our fun filled GRANDMA Spring Break!