Spring Break and 20th HS reunion

Well the weather is still not particularly spring like. But there are some beautiful gardens, newborn lambs and we did go on spring break, so it must be spring!

We had a great time in TN. The kids loved seeing grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors.

We did a few new things on this trip. We went to the Lost Caverns in Sweetwater. That was a fun thing. And we took the river trip in Chattanooga. Te high speed boat was cool and the trip was beautiful. I had not been on the water in Chattanooga much. So it was a fun new perspective. We also did some of the standbys like Rock City, point park, the commons, and the aquarium. We got to eat at Taco Mamacitas ad play at the shop. We loved our time with Grammy and Annie in Cleveland. The kids love being there. Zav was able to practice his piano and show Grammy what he has learned to far.
Grammy tipped is off on Ira Glass being in Chattanooga and we went to see him, it was super fun.
Zaven played with PA and Chris and I had a wonderful dinner with Booper, Ray and Sam. and that was all the first week!
Chris and Zav headed back to VA and the girls and I stayed on in Chattanooga. Katherine came for a visit and that was so fun and special to be with her. Mom was back from TX and we got to see the beautiful Bud to Bloom Garden Club show. Milla did great winning ribbons and awards for her arrangement and her horticulture. It was really fun to see her on action.
Then the walk down memory lane really started with the weekend of my 20th reunion for GPS. I was so sorry that Lexie could not be there (for good reason) but was so excited to see Meg, Carrie, Courtney, Allison, Kendall, MegF and many other great girls. Sadly I took very few pictures.

We are home now and settling back in.zav has had several great lax games with some goals. He just made the honor roll in the third qtr and is enjoying piano and looking forward to swimming and tennis in the summer.
Nell is doing great in school. Earning lots of smiley faces and learning a ton. She is loving tennis and looking forward to swim team too.
Esmé likes to "go". Which entails taking the stroller out into CW and walking around. Always away from the house for as long as she can get awAy with. She is talking more and more and is an excellent mimic. She delights in the other kids. I am so happy to be home with her and enjoying our time together. With Zaven's 10th birthday coming up her babyhood is feeling very precious!

Katherine S and I are working hard on Wrapped and hoping that it will continue to come together.

Here are some pics

Not being slowed by sickness

We are still waiting for spring

We have had a few pretty days but just not very warm yet.

Zaven had his first lacrosse game last week and played well. Got the ball several times and made good passes etc. he had been home from school 4 days the week before so may not have been 100%. Sunday he sang a beautiful solo at church and both kids sang in the choir and did a nice job. Nell was sick too though she only missed one full day of school and was able to find time to enjoy herself.
Esmé was thrilled to find the lambs have been moved to a new field

Today I had hoped to walk to pick the kids up and take them to see a new baby lamb I saw this morning but Esmé has come down with the throw up big so we will have to wait on that. Poor baby is trying to rest now but clearly not feeling well.

She and I had a fun mid week adventure up to DC to see Meg. It was a quick and easy trip. Meg and I are both glad to realize how close we are.

This weekend Zav has a game and I have to volunteer in the concession stand.

We are looking forward to Spring weather, Easter and spring break in Chattanooga.

Waiting for Spring

Happy Easter!
The weather remains mixed here. For a while it was pretty nice per spring like and Esmé and I were doing a lot of walking and being outside. But then it got rainy.

Zav is still doing lacrosse and that is going well. The team is losing but playing well. Zav is also sticking with piano and enjoying it. He and Chris are doing well getting to the office in time to practice.

Nell started tennis lessons and is loving it! It is a small group and happens right across the street from the house. The first week we went out to dinner with the Sneads after and that was fun.

We have also re upped our Busch Gardens passes. We had a great day there last Saturday. Nell rode on the Elmo roller coaster and liked it. I rode it too and decided to try the Loch Ness Monster again. I rode it after Esmé was born and did not like it, but tried again and had a great time. I also road Apollo's chariot with Zav. So fun.

Holy Week was busy for Chris. The school had a special informational night for rising 5th graders. Thursday morning Esmé ad I went to the school and I read a book to Nell's class. That was fun. Friday was chris' birthday. He was busy with church most of the day. Then Isabel took us to a great dinner at the Fat Canary. We had a great time. Saturday we had a beautiful weather and we made good use of it. We got right up and went to Cracker Barrel for bfast. Zaven wanted to take Chris there for his birthday. When we got home tere was bike riding, tree climbing, checking out the baby lambs and the chickens. Then when Esmé had her nap, the big kids and I went and played tennis. Then I made the kids lunch and put it ino plastic eggs and his them in the garden. It was fun. Saturday night we had cake to celebrate Chris' birthday. Sunday was Easter, Chris was up and out early. The kids had fun getting their baskets and eating candy. Church did not start until 10:15 so we had plenty of time. We started in the church, hoping to hear Chris preach, but Esmé wanted to talk to him, not listen. So we went down to the Parish hall and attended that service. After that there was an indoor egg hunt.
Chris got home around 1:45 and we had lunch of ham biscuits, asparagus and Mac and cheese. Later in the afternoon we had a jelly bean hunt in the living room. The kids enjoyed it. I remember doing those at Granby and Grampy's house.
The rest of the day was spent packing and getting ready for our trip to TN. Looking forward to seeing family.

My big, little girl, Nell

A few things have happened lately that all add up to the unmistakeable fact, Nell is growing up... Fast!

Her favorite color has changed from the typical little girl pink and purple, to turquoise.

When Eloise was here Nell was a helpful set of hands.

And then this morning as I was trying to braid Nell's hair while she was standing and she is too tall to reach comfortably.