My Prom Princesses

April…the season of prom.  I can very vividly remember the excitement of searching and finding my very own prom dresses.  I can remember the picture sessions and of course some rather memorable moments of the proms I went to.

This prom season was a "first" for my girls.  They had not really heard anything about it before.  Getting them to understand on a little love level what prom was involved lots of questions and lots of discussions!  All of which resulted in them both being told neither one of them would be allowed to go to prom unless their father or I got to go as chaperones!  

But Prom 2014 held a very special and exciting event for W and B.  

Back in the day, before having little loves of my own, I was baby sitting other people's loves for them! One special little boy and girl named Austin and Madison were on my list of most favorite loves to baby sit!  Often, I would go to their house to play and entertain these little loves.  But my college days approached and my babysitting days were haulted.  Fast Forward some years and I was now a teacher at York Road.  Students entered my classroom every year but one year, I was excited to learn I had the sibling to those 2 little loves I once had babysat in my very own classroom.  But to even more intertwine the story, while preparing for maternity leave, I was delighted to learn that the mother of the little loves that I once had baby sat was now going to be filling in for me as I began another chapter of my own Motherhood Journey.  The story could have ended there and it would have been great and special BUT NO…  the story of what once began as a little afternoon baby sitting job has evolved into a "full circle" moment!  

For now, the little "girl" I once use to babysit is now babysitting MY LITTLE LOVES.  And the sibling of her is now ALSO babysitting my LOVES!  And by the grace of God, one of these days, I hope and pray I will get a call asking for Wylie or Bess to begin helping THEM so that THEY can run to the grocery store or an afternoon function!   

Madison is loved by my children. Both my boys and girls find her wonderful.  However, it was the girls that were treated on this special prom day 2014!   A little princess dream was offered to my girls regarding prom and their little hearts did not skip a beat saying YES!   

Madison asked if the girls could come take a picture with her before prom.  I was so excited to say YES to her but once I informed the girls, they immediately thought that because it was prom, that meant they also had to dress up too!  How could I dare look at them and say no?!  I wasn't going to and I knew Madison would never mind them coming in their prom princess gowns!   

Because of our prom talks, the girls understood that prom meant special hair do's, make up, nails and lots of pictures!  So don't think for one minute, they didn't expect some of this too!  Why yes we applied make up and did our hair!  Couldn't get to the nails but I thin the make up was excitement enough for them!!  Soon, we were prepped and ready for the Prom Pictures with Madison!  

The girls were so in awe of the event!!  In the car going home they had so many questions about why the boy put a flower on Madison's arm and why did he have on a "wedding outfit" !!!  They wanted to know what music they were going to dance to and how late she was going to sleep on Sunday!  (By the way, they guess Madison would sleep til 8am!  Betting it was longer but only speaking from experience there!!)  Wylie was very concerned over the fact that I told her that she would get to eat a "fancy" meal with her friends on prom night and she was already stressed about what she would eat because "fancy" places might not have chicken fingers!!  Bess was just trying to justify how Madison's dress was in fact pink since that is what she had guessed it would be and she wanted to make sure her guess was right.  She was also interested to know if the songs that she and Bubba listen to in the car would be the music Madison would hear.  I just said yes to answer the 1 millionth question I had gotten regarding prom!!  

My babies are so lucky to have sweet girls like Madison and Viv to look over them when Bubba and I are away!  Saturday afternoon was such a special moment for me, the girls and I think LeAnne and Madison too!!  It was so neat to see how years of a friendship could grow, change, and evolve!  It was a little moment that might have brought a tear to your eye!!  

On the mommy note, I am so thankful for girls like M and V!  Having girls that love my babies and I feel so good about as I walk out the door is comforting for a momma!!  I am grateful that my family has been blessed with sweet girls like this to be there when we need to step out for a minute!  

Wylie and Bess, I don't want you to think we were kidding though.  You need to go ahead and decide which one you would rather have- me or dad, because I don't know that I can take the day you are getting dressed for prom!!  Just remember, your momma and daddy love to have a good time.  We love to dance and we try to stay current in music trends which will be helpful to you!!  

Prom 2025 HERE WE COME !!! 

(Seriously, that is the year Wy will go to Prom… CAN.YOU.TAKE.THIS.?!?!?) 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Sundays, sunshine and no schedules! Sounded like the perfect day for a family trip to Columbia to see the Gamecocks "verses" Alabama (as Charlie would say).

The Bailey Bunch (minus 1) Sunday Funday began with a quick lunch date with the cousins! Delicious burgers and chicken fingers got everybody's bellies ready for the afternoon ahead .

We arrived, coated ourselves down in sunscreen (because let's face it we are some pastrey people emerging from this super long winter!!) and finally we were ready for ball!! 

The boys were precious as perched on rails here and there getting glimpses of the field and players!  I love seeing them together like this! Melts my heart! They both love the game and I love seeing Bubba teach Charlie what he was once taught himself! 

The kids were very aware that there was a playground here and that was a top priority for them!! It actually all worked out wonderfully because they played in the shade, I sunned in the sunshine to work on these Casper legs and Bubs watched the field! It was a win win for us all!! 

Of course a trip to a baseball field did have a few other necessary requirements! 

#1 Dippin Dots. A must!! 

#2 A picture with Cocky! Another Must!!! 

While we werei missing one of our little loves, I am quite sure he enjoyed his day too!!

As we drive down 77, I am looking over my shoulder and there are 2 little lives out stone cold and one little boy still hanging strong. This momma is popped and I am willing to bet Daddy is too!  But tired and all, our Fun Family Sunday was worth it! 

Go Cocks! 

Tiny Dancer

Well if a room of tutus and little loves doesn't melt your heart, I am not sure what else will!  I mean, how is it that something as simple as Parent Observation/Dress Rehearsal Costume Try On Day gets my heart strings so?!?!?  Somehow it does!!

Today was the big reveal of the long awaited for dance costume!  In addition, it was also Parent Observation class for Bessie Boo.  The child was pumped.  She had on her new ballet shorts that the Easter Bunny left in her basket and she was P.U.M.P.E.D.!!!!  

Shortly after arriving the child was given a simple white garmet bag that made her day!!  Inside was the most adorable ballet costume she had ever laid eyes on!  And it was all hers!  She didn't have to share with anybody!  (At least that is what she told me before we entered the dance room!)  After a quick check, she was ready to practice away in her new get up!  My little love was certainly enthusiastic and all smiles!!  

Bess does not mess around in dance.  She is super serious and isn't afraid to show it!  I absolutely loved how she watched herself in the mirror and just smiled a smile bigger than the ocean!  She was so proud of herself and her momma, sitting quietly in the floor in the wings, was just as proud!!  Hard to not be honestly!  I mean when these little girls are all looking so adorable … who can take it!!  

I am not exactly sure who Bessie is looking at here but I was so thankful I was able to snap this little pic!  I think everything about this picture shows how excited and happy this child was!  She was the star of our family at that moment.  There wasn't a sibling to share the spot light with and it was all about her!  And she ate it up!!  Seriously, I could eat HER up sometimes!!!  And we laugh because she has her daddy wrapped...

 On to the ballet number …. and Bess is still just a smiling!!  Front of the line, back of the line, the love could care less!  She just likes dancing!  

I was hysterically tickled though at one point because I watched as Bess was watched herself in the mirror and dancing.  My love, the one who loves music and dances to every beat she can find, was doing her "motorcycle" move in her adorable ballet get up.  

Only Bessie would.

Love you baby girl!  Lots and Lots!  

Dance Parties… Just a part of our "Normal"

It is no secret to those that know the love of my life that he has a little passion for dancing!  Be it dancing at a wedding, having a "dance party room" in a house or dancing at functions with friends.  And that just names a few of the places I know there are have been some Bubba dance offs!

Music is a huge part of our family.  All kinds of music.  Classical, to country, to beach music, to rap.  My children are very well versed in music culture (or at least I think they are) and often hear a wide variety thanks to their parents.  So, it is also no surprise that my children are often spotted having dance parties at random moments too! 

Take for example random Friday nights.  Those Friday nights when nothing is going on and it is FABULOUS!!  Yep, they typically lead to a dance party around here!  Since these are not new occurrences at our house, we have been able to see over the years, who has the Bubba knack for dancing and who could care less.  Charlie… Charlie could absolutely care less.  He has about 3 songs he will request and they haven't varied in 2 summers!  He is tolerant but inside is probably totally miserable and will one day recount to us the many times he was forced to endure these dance sessions!  

See!  He even chooses to hide under the covers during these sessions!  

Wylie is the attention seeker when it comes to the dance parties!  Bless her bones, she puts in the most effort of any of the children but she just doesn't have the same moves her father or other siblings do.  She wants to though, lordy does she want those moves!!! She is very observant to her daddy when he dances!  She soaks it all in just like everything else she does!  Always on the look out… that's my Wylie girl!  But, I can say, the child knows so words to some songs!  She can recognize them quickly so at least she is half there!!  Love ya Wy!  Keep putting your heart and soul into the dances girlfriend!  That's what it's all about anyways!!  Dance like no one's watching!!  

And then there remains to be discussed Bess and Ben.  If you wondered where the dancing talent was placed when he Good Lord created our children, I can assure you, it is in these 2!!  

Bess is pretty much a human radio.  She knows more songs than most children and her range of music knowledge is a bit scary and impressive all at the same time!  She can rock a techno song then turn and request a Disney show tune!  Her taste can never really be predicted!   And the child has the moves!  When you aren't watching, Bess will totally rock some dance moves!  She can shake it, dip, keep a beat and all that dance jazz!  I must admit, seeing her do this when it is not prompted is my favorite!!  It is honestly in her blood!  

 One of the kids favorite songs to dance party to with their daddy is Ben Rector's White Dress song.  The piano part in this song is one of the many reasons we , and the kids, adore this song!  

 Hence the mad piano playing that always goes along with our dance moves!  

But then the boogie gets back in the song and the crowd goes wild again!  

Recently, Bess has discovered techno music.  While I must admit, this is not really my cup of tea, it seems to be a fabulous way for her and her daddy to bond on their drives to school in the morning!  

So… should we even be surprised that Bess requested a small dance party in the den to show off her techno dance skills!  Of course not!  

Bubba cranked up his phone and the music and away this little dance machine went!  

Just look at that pointed toe!  I am guessing the Thursdays of ballet class are paying off!!! 

And a little sassy hit action completed her loops around the coffee table!! 

But wait!  There was more than one dance machine in the room!  

Ben was ready to throw his hands up and show his moves like Bessie Boo was doing! 

Please take notice of Bubba's face in the background! Totally into this moment… he was so digging it! 

 And if this doesn't picture doesn't scream Product of Bubba , I am not sure what does!  

The kid was SERIOUS about his expressions!  And his dance moves!! 

After a little help from her dancing daddy, Wylie was hanging in the group with her moves!  

Because the master of crazy moves was able to give lessons on the spot!  

And just when I thought Ben had moved onto the next activity, he would reappear in the room with a facial expression like this…  

And that my friends, is the truth on SO many levels!  

This house is crazy at times!  This house is way to loud at times!  This house is total chaos at times!  But at the end of the day, when I am typically exhausted and tired, I wouldn't trade all this crazy for one single thing in the world!  

This is normal.  Dance Parties and all!  

Instagram Insanity - Episode #1

So just like my fear with the internet, I am now experiencing the same fears with Instagram.  I have become so reliant on technology and the internet.  I remember when I started blogging, I was fearful of what would happen if one day I woke up and the internet was gone- just vanished and all my "memories" and stories were floating somewhere in cyber space!  What would I do.  I solved that problem by printing my yearly blog books.

Not my fears are shifting to things like Instagram.  The social media site that has taken me and so many people I am friends with by storm!  The instant photograph sharing is only fingertips away and it makes capturing and sharing those small moments and random thoughts with friends and family so easy!  BUT…JUST WHAT WOULD I DO if it vanished?!  Who would tell these little memories to my sweet little loves?  Would I remember every year from here on out the details of these photographs that made these moments so special- special enough to share through social media and the crazy internet world?  Maybe, but maybe not!  

Therefore, I have created yet another solution to my internet fears and Instagram worries!  Instabooks… which are turning into blog books but for only my instagram photos and now periodic posts I am choosing to call Instagram Insanity .  

Because, if anyone knows me, they know, while I am fearful of burglars and being trapped underwater , up next in my line of fears is forgetting these precious memories of a wonderful life.  

I am choosing to focus my first Instagram Insanity Episode on my one and only Ben Ben!  The child who is like no other.  The child who can melt you with the shake of his wavy curls.  The child whose expressions are priceless.  The child who is stubborn, hard headed, strongly independent yet the biggest snuggle bug and tender hearted child I know!  He is the one and only Ben.  Because truly, very little about Ben is like any of the other children we have been blessed with!  And I mean that in a wonderful way! 

Precious Curls Learning to Potty! 

And that concludes Day 1 of Potty Training…

#benconsidersitsuccessful #cookies+potty=success  #bringitround2  #wegotthis

Thankfully when this picture was snapped it was during the first Snowpocalypse of 2014 and I had every minute of time to devote to potty training!  Sadly, the gains we made over that snow break were short lived!  Ben reverted right on back to his pull ups shortly after this photo was snapped!  

However, I am happy to report that almost 4 months later, this little love is pretty much a consistent potty user and proud of it!  Except for nighttimes and nap times, Ben has learned the art of going to the big potty and doesn't seem to be reverting back.  

To what do I owe this success?  Reese Cups!  

The motivation behind using the potty all revolved around receiving a Reese Cup after it was all said and done!  Fine by me!  It worked and now with the exception of pull up buying, our diaper days are almost completely coming to an end!  

Sleeping through the Circus 

Passed out mid circus performance!!!

#howthishappenedbafflesme #snoozingaway #illtakeit #sweetbennieboo

It wasn't like The Greatest Show on Earth is quiet!  It wasn't like The Greatest Show on Earth didn't have about a bazillion memorizing acts to watch.  It wasn't like The Greatest Show on Earth wasn't captivating and attention grabbing… but clearly my little love thought differently!  

After a small icee issue resulting in a cup different from his other siblings, Ben completely lost focus on the dare devil acts and said Sweet Dreams!  In the middle of the hoopla, Ben was somehow able to fall completely and totally asleep!  

Do you think this momma minded one bit that her little love was zonked out in her arms-- absolutely not!!  The poor child must have been exhausted because once he was woken up, the amount of drool on my shirt proved his little afternoon circus snooze was a mighty good one!  

 Left Unattended...

This is what you get when a mischievous boy finds a bulk jar of peanut butter.... #lifewithbenisneverdull#hisresponsetothemess #butmyshirtisnotdirty#isitnaptimeyet

The Bailey Bunch is a peanut butter family.  In fact we love PB so much we now only buy the bulk can of Peter Pan PB on a all too regular occasion!  Literally I think the stuff flies off our pantry shelves at lightning speeds!  It is not uncommon to see it sitting out on the counter because you just never know when a little one will request a spoonful of the delicious goodness!  

On this particular afternoon, the above scenario was just the case!  The peanut butter was left unattended and sweet peanut butter-aholic helped himself to HANDFULS of the tasty treat!  

I really think I had been gone from his sight only about 30 seconds, I had walked from the kitchen to my bathroom and back.  Not like I went to Africa.  However, I returned to a massive mess that Ben found himself extremely proud of!!  

Sure cleaning up his choice of activities wasn't what I had exactly wanted to do at that moment, but when I saw his little mischievous smile, all the irritation over the peanut butter mess cleaning I was about to do disappeared.  In no time at all, my little peanut butter-aholic was back in action, ready to make the next mess!  

Can't say that I 100% blame him for this event.  Being honest, there are moments of my days when I often just wish I could devour a jar of PB too!  With a chocolate brownie of course, but I'd settle for jus the PB if I had too!  

"Sear- Us"!!! 

Ben's new (and on repeat) phrase of the day "Ahhh Mom! Are you Sear-us?" 

#threegoingonthirteen  #whydoigiggleeachtime #yeshemakesthisfaceeachtime #wondereherehegotthisfrom

I never know what new expression or phrase Ben is going to come up with.  Ironically enough, it always seems that Ben chooses to share his latest and greatest expressions and phrases with us at a moment when our patience is low, or our spirits are tired or our exhaustion seems to be kicking in!  In fact, when I stop and think about it, that is a gift of his.  

Ben can lighten a mood, room, moment with simply doing a gesture or saying a few words.  

Maybe it isn't always what I am in the mood for, but it always seems to work in his favor!  Most of the time anyways!  

At a very random moment, while sitting at the kitchen table eating snack, Ben felt it necessary to give me his thoughts on his snack eating situation.  To be honest, I don't have the beginnings of an idea really what he said except for a few words because once my 3 year old looked at me and said 

"Ah Mom!  Are you "SEAR US", I pretty much tuned everything else out!  

What 3 year old says that?  And what momma wouldn't giggle just a bit and find her curly headed toddler a bit humorous at the same time?!  Because this one certainly did!  

Obessed.. "Sear-us-ly" 

Ben...The Inch Worm Hunter 

#namesthemallRedCar  #wantstokeeptheminhisroom  #squishedbyben  #"whytheynotmovingmom" 

Since he was first introduced to inchworms over Spring Break, this little tike has been literally ALL ABOUT these creatures.  I have lost several pieces of tupperware thanks to his recent obsession because clearly Tupperware makes the best Inchworm Home!   Ben is very thoughtful when collecting his worms and always remembers to throw a single leaf into the "home" for his inchworms to eat!  

While Ben loves to collect these creatures, lately he has decided they simply should not live beside him but rather WITH him to the fullest degree!  I am ashamed to say, I honestly can't say for certain how many inchworms my poor child has placed in his drawers in his room!  He thinks his shirts are "beds" for the worms!  YUCK!  I know but the child's heart is so happy and honestly, I have every intention of removing them but then…life starts up again and I simply forget!  YIKES!  

I have small mouthwash Dixie cups in my car where Ben insists on collecting these worms while we are out and about and then taking them with us to the next location.  At first, I was worried they could crawl out of these cups but I have sadly discovered they simply can not.  The truth is, I have plenty of evidence of shriveled up worms in Dixie cups to prove this!!  

One element to this whole obsession that makes this such a memory for me is that Ben insists on naming each and every worm he collects.  Shockingly, they all are named the same thing:  Red Car.  I have only heard of one worm that was given the name of Mater.  Other than that, Red Car is the name they all sport… for their short life that is!  

The adventures never seem to cease with my little love Ben!  

AND….. He's Out!!  

And we will call this Easter a success!! 

#sugarcrash #outfitdrenchedincandyandbubbles #preciouspouttylip 

Ben woke up Easter morning in a less than enjoyable mood!  He was a bit more than grumpy and very hard to please!  After his father had to help him get a grips on the morning, Ben turned into a completely different child!  In fact, he was a total chatterbox !  Like, he at one point was just talking and talking and talking and I really don't think people were listening!  Giggling at him, yes.  Listening to his actual words, no!  

After a long hard day of Easter lunches, egg hunts, family photos, easter treat bags, birthday cake and of course easter candy, my little love finally gave it up.  He finally closed his eyes for 3 seconds and that was it!  I think it took the length of the driveway for it to happen!  His little power nap was short but mighty!  It was just all he needed to rev his engines for his Round 2 once we returned home!  

Seeing him like this is just so innocent.  He played with every ounce of energy he had and this picture captures that to me.  To be so exhausted you fall asleep with candy in your hand before you eat it is TIRED!  Especially considering the candy is red… his favorite!  

Ben, you are the definition of unique!  You can melt a heart quicker than anyone I know thanks to those big blue eyes and gorgeous curls!  Your expressions make your daddy and I wonder constantly just what your little body and brain are thinking!  You are one of kind for sure!  I thank the Lord for your spunk, although some nights I wonder if it will ever run out!  I thank the Lord for your spirit, even in the moments when it is stubborn.  But mostly, I thank the Lord that our 4th blessing is a child that never ceases to amazes and impress us!  You are so loved little man! Lots and Lots!  

Really Into Reading!

Oh My Wylie Girl!  My little learner!  She is so motivated to learn and read and "do math" these days!

There have been many, many, many nights over the past 6 years where Charlie, Wylie, Bess and Ben have heard me read one of my all time favorite books!  Complete with the same noises and expressions my sister and I use to use when we read the book or had it read to us!   

Three little bears. One with a light. One with a stick.  And one with the "sh-sh-sh- IVERS!!!" 

Over Spring Break, Wylie enter the kitchen and announced to me that she had just been upstairs and read the whole book to her doll Saige.  I was a bit skeptical but thought, well she might be telling me the truth!  

She continue to plop herself onto the kitchen stool and prove to me she in fact HAD been upstairs reading the book and could in fact do it all by herself!  

My heart was so proud!  I have such vivid memories of my sister and I reading this book.  I even regifted this book to her as a Bridal gift when she got married!  So seeing Wylie so interested in this little piece of my childhood was, and still is, touching!  

Wylie informed me she was going to take the book to school and share it with her teacher.   After my long sermon on being careful with the book, I allowed her to carry it!  She was so proud of herself and I wanted her to feel good about her efforts!  

Today, while teaching my third graders, I heard my email ding.  I glanced over my shoulder to see 2 emails entitled "Wylie".  

Imagine the proud mommy moment I had for my sweet baby girl when I saw these 2 pics! 

My sweet baby had taken the book to school and had ended up reading it to her friends!  She was so proud of herself.  I was so proud of her passion and excitement for reading!  And I was so thankful to receive these little snapshots of her at a moment she felt on top of the world by! 

All of my children are talented in their own ways.  They each have their passions and interest.  I can truly say, Wylie is a Learner.  She soaks it all in.  She asks for math to do in the mornings while we get ready.  She times herself with math facts and tries to improve on them each morning.  She requests for me to leave her clipboard pages of math problems and words to do while she waits on carpool.  

I love it.  I am so thankful my babies have had experiences in school that make them excited to learn and experiences that have impressed upon them the importance of learning!  The parent (and the teacher) in me are grateful for all those who have helped Wylie, Charlie, Bess and Ben know school is a place to learn and grow!  

Wylie, you are so motivated to learn each day!  I pray you NEVER ever stop learning!  You work so hard to learn new things and understand them and I couldn't be more proud of the little lady you are becoming!  Keep it up baby girl!  Mommy is so proud of you!  

Spring Break … Spring Fever

Spring Break… Spring Fever… Have not a single excuse why I shouldn't be springing back into my old habits of religiously blogging!  (I am pretty sure I have typed these words before but after my own child called me out… my heart is very heavy over this issue!)

Spring Break Week 2014 started off GORGEOUS!  Sunshine, sleeping late and comfy clothes made for a perfect way to begin The Bailey Bunch Spring Break Week!  

I couldn't resist enjoying the beautiful weather Monday as we headed to Winthrop Lake for a "pic-i-nix" lunch (As Ben would say), some duck feeding and a bit of energy burning!  I will say it was a bit to good to be true.  For about an hour, these 4 little loves played beautifully together!  It was a slice of heaven as Spring Break 2014 began!  

While I had hoped my children would be wed fed by this adventure, I quickly realized they were more concerned with the nutrition of the ducks rather than themselves.  The ducks of Winthrop Lake had a rather wonderful meal thanks to the Bailey Bunch!   Complete with Jersey Mikes Subs, animal crackers, Cheez Its and a few raisins!   Yummy!!  Oh well, this momma had great intentions for nutrition.  It just ended up the ducks benefitted more from it than I originally thought!   

Then, my children, particularly Bess and Ben, were introduced to joys of inch worms and living in the South in the spring!  And this my friends, is where the love for inch worms all started!  Or should I say LOVE… LOVE for the inchworm!  Because this family certainly has love for the inchworm!  

So much love that my littlest love had to run ALL THE WAY back to his favorite stump just to get the inchworm he called "Red Car".   This little boy ran as fast as his little legs would take him!  The whole time just a screaming, "Don't leave inch worm and Ben!  Don't leave inch worm and Ben!"  

Eating outside, learning about inch worms and playing "Castles and Forts" on top of tree trunks was exactly what I had hoped our first day of Spring Break would consist of!  A little bit of outside entertainment mixed with precious smiles and giggles!  

Day 2 lead to a bit more bravery for this momma!  Being that Easter was just around the corner, what more appropriate spring break activity than dyeing eggs!  After A LONG time cooking the eggs outside in a crockpot and fighting Otis over the water inside of the bowl …  our eggs were ready to be dyed!  

Anticipation over egg dyeing was truly contagious at this house!  I don't know if they were more excited or if in fact I was!  

Carefully and thoughtfully I prepared the back porch for what I expected to be an creative art disaster !  Table cloth, extra water, small cups, I felt like I had it all prepared according to kindergartners and preschoolers!  

Once the first eggs went in, I was a bit surprised at the calmness of these 4 little loves!  

Bess was a pro at egg dyeing and was extremely thoughtful over which colors to use and when to use them!  

Wylie went into full out artist mode and used as many colors and as many dips per egg as she possibly could!  

Charlie just wanted his to be the brightest.  No matter what color, he wanted his blue to be the bluest, his orange to be the most orange and his yellow to be brighter than the sun!  

Ben ended up with a total of 2 eggs (thanks to me!).  I should not have been surprised when he was more interested in the bowl of extra water and tongs!  Pure entertainment for pretty much the whole process!  

In the end, the experience was worth every smile and giggle I heard!  While I wouldn't say Martha Stewart is going to be emailing for me for our color combinations, we created beautiful eggs that they still are looking at!  

Wednesday of break was Family Fun Day!  

Together the fam loaded up bright and early and began our day long adventure to the North Carolina Zoo!  And what a zoo it was!  

Our journey to Asheboro, NC couldn't begin without stopping at the most appropriate and our current most loved place for a good hearty breakfast…  the new QT station near our house!  After bellies were being filled with doughnut holes, dry cereal and trail mix, we began our 2 hour and 21 minute drive to the animals of NC! 

The weather was chilly but the sun warmed us right up!  Of course all the walking that was about to happen made for a quick warm up too!  

The girls were decked and ready to impress in their sunglasses!  

There were so many little parts to this zoo that offered fun play moments for the kids!  The kids LOVED playing in the Polar Bear Den!  

The Bison (who were laying down but are actually in this picture) offered us a gorgeous sunny spot to take a family photo!  The bison exhibit was right next to the geyser which the kids thought was pretty cool too!  I am always so thankful for people who recognize families taking pictures and offer to let dad (or mom) hop in the photo so we have everyone in the frame!  Thank you random zoo friends for this little snapshot!  

The climbable animals at this zoo were everywhere!  And they were BIG!  The kids got a kick out of being hoisted up on the tops of these animals for a "ride"! 

One of the coolest places you visit at this zoo is the Sonoran Desert dome.  It is the "center" of the zoo and the half way point between the zoo continents of North American and Africa.   

As you enter, you are surrounded by cactus!  The kids had heard about these plants but had never actually seen or touched them!   Charlie was the smart one of the bunch and only posed by his cactus.  Wylie wasn't as smart and found herself pricked by the little cactus she decided to "investigate"!  

The Carousel was also a favorite of this crew!  Everyone picked their favorite riding animals and off we went!  I had to ride with Ben and I must admit I did enjoy it!  It made you remember how much fun something so simple can be!  

An exhibit at the zoo is a section called BUGS.  This walk through exhibit features giant bugs some of which you can crawl on!  Some of the animals make noises, some hissed, some even spit water out at you!  Each bug had facts to read about as you stood and stared at how big the bugs were!  The kids LOVED this part!   

At the end of the exhibit was a "Poop Playground"!  The kids didn't realize the playground was suppose to be "poop" until we told them!  They were all over the playground until we mentioned that and then they turned their noses up!  It was pretty comical!  

With every new area of the zoo, there were often these little photo opp locations!  The giant ostrich eggs were another favorite location for the kids!  

Nearing the end of the trip, the focus of the adventure shifted from animals to ice cream.  The kids knew that was the last thing we were going to do at the zoo so once they had walked for almost 5 hours, that was the only question we kept hearing.  "Is it time for ice cream yet?"  

After the request was made 100 times, we headed to the Crocodile Cafe for this families favorite… "Hutty Buddies"- as Ben would say!  

While our last days of Spring Break could not be enjoyed outside, we made the best of things inside!  Thanks to an ice cream visit from Rah Rah, Ben ended up with his own box of "Hutty Buddies".  While I did ask repeatedly for Ben to show me his teeth as he prepared to enjoy these delicious treats, this was the only face I could get!  I eventually gave up and we all enjoyed a rainy day treat!   

We didn't visit the Caribbean or travel to the ends of the Earth for our break!  While there were moments of boredom, laziness and twiddling thumbs, our days of Spring Break 2014 were really quite nice!  It was nice to have a "stay cation " of sorts!  

Now we are officially ready for summer!  

Counting it down… Counting it down!  

Thank you babies for a wonderful week together!  I love spending time with you and watching you giggle, play and snuggle with me!  I am one lucky momma!