The End of Spring Break



Following up our bit of a torturous doctor's visit on Thursday, was another semi-torturous visit to the dentist on Friday morning.  It is the ONLY doctor that Colin doesn't go willingly and the only place he is not happily cooperating with the doctor's commands.  In his defense, his mouth is still the one place that is the most sensitive and probably weakest area in terms of muscle strength so there are just so many reasons why he is not ok with a checkup.  I think he would have been ok this time except they started off with an attempt at an x-ray and he just got nervous and did not like the nurse trying to shove those pieces into his mouth.  Kailey, on the other hand, is completely ok with everything asked of her and did great with all of it.  Thankfully Chris was with us so that was a big help. 

 



Later that night after Karate class, we went to our first BlueClaws game of the season.  They were so excited to see Daddy and watch the game and it actually was a pretty nice night.  There are some new logistics for me to work out now that we have Cody with us but overall, went pretty well.

Since it was our first game of the season, I offered them their favorite treats there and happened to get Kailey's popcorn first.  When we went to go and get Colin's ice cream, the machines were out of order.  While he handled it ok, I felt terrible so we left a little earlier than we would have and got some on the way home.  I let them snuggle in our bed to watch their show before sending them off to bed.

Saturday morning brought with it the first day of soccer which Colin has been talking about for WEEKS now.  He's been so excited and we were hopeful that this time would go better than our attempts in the past, especially since he and Kailey are on the same team. We got their gear on Friday and they happily got dressed on  Saturday morning. 

 

It went so well and we were so proud of Colin and the progress he had made.  Kailey, on the other hand, did great until she got increasingly tired and then became more weepy over little things (she got bumped, she didn't get a "turn" with the ball during the game, etc.).  We have to work on that a little bit but otherwise, we were really happy with the day.
 

 

 

Later that afternoon, the kids and I just played around outside until Chris got home, we had dinner, and then surprised them with a trip to the boardwalk.  They were so excited and are so good, even when we tell them it's time to go.   I have so much fun watching them enjoy themselves and that night was a really great way to end the week. 

Colin tried out the "big" roller coaster and loved it! I really think he's going to be our little thrill seeker.  Kailey even gave the smaller one a go and was really "brave" as she bragged.

Today, Colin had a birthday party so Kailey and Cody hung out with Aunt Kimmy, Nana, and Granddad at the beach.  After Colin's party was over, we spent a few hours playing together and it was nice to have some alone time.

And in MORE exciting news, we decided to break out Colin's "big boy bike" which he hadn't tried since he got it for Christmas. He had gotten so frustrated and upset then because he couldn't quite figure it out.  However, he got the pedals going today and I was SO PROUD of his progress!

Typically at this point of a break, I am almost ready to go back because it typically has been exhausting.  However, I have truly enjoyed my time this week spent with the kids and am sad to go back and leave the fun behind.  However, it's been a week of some pretty great memories which I am very thankful to have gotten...

Spring Break Part 2

Since I find that we all tend to "get in trouble" more when we are home for longer stretches, I was looking for inexpensive and simple things to do.  I remembered that the YMCA down the street from us had a covered pool so I looked up their family swim times and they happened to do a "family swim" each day of spring break.  We took the kids on Tuesday and then back again on Thursday and they LOVED it.  It was perfect because one section of the pool is only 2 feet and then leads into a 3 foot section so I was able to take them alone on Thursday and not have to get in with them.  

 

When we were there on Tuesday we were basically the only ones in the pool and on Thursday it was packed.  However, even though there were so many people there, there was so much pool it was still great.  It was such a nice thing to have available for the kids.

 

 

 

Later on Tuesday night after dinner, we took the kids for a "treat" to the ice cream store.  Typically, every time we go, Colin only gets a cup of vanilla but that night, he asked for vanilla AND chocolate.  Just tolerating chocolate used to be a big deal but he actually asked to EAT vanilla and chocolate together.  It's been so great watching Colin's personality evolving lately because so many cute things have been happening.  Chris didn't want any ice cream that night so he went and got a table.  After I paid and we all had our ice cream, Colin realized Chris didn't have any.  He got up from the table and tried to wait on line so that he could order Chris some of his own ice cream.  It was too cute! 

 



Cody has been learning already that Mom and Dad come wielding a camera at all times.  He gets the "smile for the camera" command and is fitting in well with his brother and his sister.  He knows how to ham it up already!

On Wednesday, the kids all went to the daycare for a little bit because Chris and I had an appointment in North Jersey.  Colin and Kailey were excited to go to school together and had a great time as they got to play together in the morning after arriving.  They were happily chatting about their day and smiling for a picture to send to Daddy when I picked them up. 

On Thursday, Cody and Kailey had their 4 year old and 6 month (late) checkups.  They were both supposed to get shots that day but after giving a rundown of what Cody has been up to lately, I also mentioned that he had been a tad bit fussy over the course of the last week. I attributed it to teething because he had been wanting much more attention, was drooling/spitting up/pooping more than normal, and just wasn't as easy going as normal.  It turns out, he had an ear infection! That was the first ear infection any of my kids ever had! It was crazy to me because he never had a fever and never acted like it was his ear.  The doctor was surprised as well because he said 50% of kids have an ear infection by 6 months and 90% have one by 2 years old and Colin and Kailey both managed to escape any (knock on wood). 

 

Since Cody had the infection, he didn't get his vaccines.  Kailey, on the other hand, received four and you would have thought the worst possible scenario at the way she screamed at the top of her lungs.  It was so bad, Colin became increasingly nervous, his lip quivered, and then he started crying because of it.  Kailey literally screamed for an entire HOUR after her vaccines.

 

However, later that night (and after the pool), we managed to regroup and become happy again.  

 

Spring Break Part 1

Spring break for us this year has been a "staycation" but filled with fun, adventures and even some rest too.  The kids are becomingly increasingly exhausted as the week goes on but that just means we are having fun.  There have also been lots of challenging moments but we are working through those as they come. 

 

Friday morning of break, I went for a run and when I got back, Colin was already getting his hat and coat on to go for one himself.  He kept telling us "I'll be right back, I'm going running!". He wanted to go so badly that I went back out with Colin and Kailey for a run around the block.  

 

Later that, we drove up to North Jersey to see my Grandparents.  My Grandma is 88 and my Poppy is 91 so it was pretty neat to have the oldest and youngest members of the family together. 

The next morning, while Kailey was taking care of her baby and the other two were lounging around, I tried to get a few things done before heading off on another "adventure".

Easter weekend at Jenkinson's Boardwalk is always the official opening where tickets for the season are sold at discounted prices.  The kids were so excited to meet up with their friend Becker for rides and fun!

Since Daddy was working later that night, and it was spring break, I was a little more lenient with bed time.  Colin and Kailey found their sleeping bags and wanted to have a "sleepover" on the floor in Kailey's room, so I gave them the iPad and let them watch a show.  They were so cute and so excited so it was well worth the "leniency" for some fun.

On Sunday was Easter, so we did the traditional Easter morning activities.  Kailey was hysterical with the egg hunt as she was very competitive; Colin was happily content to gather a few and watch Kailey buzz around the room. In the mix of everything, Cody started sitting independently for the first time!

Later that morning we went to church for the Easter service. 

It was also a special morning for me because Cody wore this blue sweater which was originally started by my Grammy who passed away this past June.  It's a very sweet story as my parents had donated her knitting supplies to the knitting group in the church I grew up in.  The group (which also included my Great Aunt and my other Grandmother) discovered the sweater in the bag that had been started and finished it for me after Cody was born.  It was one of the most touching gifts I have ever received and was incredibly special for Cody to wear it on Easter. 

Later that day, Chris' family was over to celebrate the day with us. 

On Monday, I met my mom at the Turtle Back Zoo on the most perfect day of the week so far.  It was beautiful and a fun day with the kids. 

After the zoo, we had lunch and a treat and the kids slept the whole way home. 

It's been a fun break so far and I can't believe how fast it's flying by!