Spring Break 2011

After a crazy couple of weeks of plays, dance recitals, baseball games, tee ball games, soccer games, and a week of Andrew working nights, we were exhausted but thrilled when spring break finally rolled around.  Before school even ended for the break, we loaded up the car and drove to the beach house for a week of no schedule, no practicing, no school - just lots of relaxing and lots of fun.  It was just what we all needed.

In the mornings, my kids loved going for walks along the beach to look for sea creatures in the tide pools.

In the evening, we loved watching for dolphins swimming off the shore as the sun set.

Isaac loves getting in on the action of a "photo shoot."

The kids loved cheering for Andrew while he went for a freezing swim at sunset.

Peter kept a close look out for dolphins.

Henry had a great time showing off his "guns."  Luckily, for him, we weren't at Muscle Beach.

Lucy loved watching the surfers while working on her barre exercises.

It was the perfect week of playing, relaxing, eating In-N-Out, and spending time together with family and friends.  It went by way too quickly.  But when it was time to come home, the kids did a great job of helping us scour the beach house til it shined.

As we loaded up the car to drive home,  we looked back at the ocean to say good-bye one last time, and saw this.  

It only cemented our plans to get back to the beach as soon as possible.  

Finally, our thanks to whoever it was that thought of "Spring Break." You are awesome!

 It was exactly what our family needed. 

On the move...

Spring is coming very, very, slowly this year and we are all ready for it to get here.

Lucy is especially desperate for some good weather.  After all, this is the first spring that she's been able to walk and get around and there's a whole world out there for her to explore.

Seriously, first thing in the morning, almost every morning, Lucy pulls on her boots and she is ready to get out the door.  As soon as anyone opens the door, she makes her escape.  Here she is  wearing a pair of Abby's boots exploring the front yard one morning.

We weren't exactly sure where she would end up left to her own devices, so eventually, we sent Henry out as part of the Martin-Willy rescue team.  He did a great job guiding her safely home.

At 23-months, Lucy is at that age when she thinks she has earned the right to run with the big kids.  As far as she's concerned, there is nothing off limits to her.  A few weeks ago, when the kids were out riding their bikes, Lucy decided she was ready to ride a bike too.  She went in the garage, found herself a bike helmet and she was ready to go.

Andrew set her up on Peter's little bike and she was delighted to just sit there.  She didn't move an inch, but she sat there on the bike for the next thirty minutes, happy as a clam just to be on a bike like the big kids. 

Finally, Isaac felt a little sorry for poor Lucy so he came and pushed her around the yard for a few minutes and she was in heaven.  (How lucky  is she to have such a cute big brother?)

We are all excited for warmer weather and blue skies.  We can't wait for the days when we can walk outside barefoot and feel the warm grass beneath our toes.  But, until then, Lucy will keep getting up every morning, pulling on her boots, and hitting the open road the best way she knows how.  

Anything's Possible

Last Thursday and Friday, after nearly six months of rehearsals, Abby and Isaac (and 160 other kids from their elementary) performed "Seussical the Musical."

Last week, Abby and Isaac had to be to school every morning between 6:30 and 7:00 to put the finishing touches on the play.

On Thursday, I spent most the day with butterflies in my stomach.  Abby played the part of Jojo, one of the leads in the play and while I've heard her sing around the house (and think her voice is lovely,) I'd never heard her sing on stage.  I was a little nervous for her - for sure more nervous than she was.

As it turned out, I didn't need to worry.  She blew me away.  She was utterly adorable up on stage and was totally confident.  Best of all, her voice was beautiful.   Here she is singing, "Anything's Possible." (her solo part really begins at 0:46)

Isaac did a great job as a Who.  His part wasn't as big as Abby's but he sang and danced with energy.  The greatest thing about Isaac is that he was Abby's biggest fan in this play.  He couldn't wait to perform in front of the school because he knew that afterwards everyone would say, "Your sister was awesome!" 

He's right.  She was awesome.  And so was he.  And so were all the other kids who worked so hard on their parts.  And so were the teachers who put so much time and effort into making it amazing.  I think Dr. Seuss himself would have been proud!

Abby and Isaac after the play - and yes, Isaac is two years younger than Abby.

(photo courtesy of Amanda Lewis.)