Kids of College Friends

The Remingtons came to town. So we met up at their hotel to let the kids swim and eat pizza. It was fun to catch up!

Daniel S
Vanessa B
Audrey S
Megan D
Zane B
Jackson R
Katelyn D
Allison R
Lydia D
Hendrix B
(and Paul) ;-)

The Ark

We went to The Ark Encounter over spring break. It was sort of a bizarre day because Hendrix fought through any tiredness and we sort of just followed his lead throughout the visit, chasing him from one thing to the next. Even so, we were quite impressed by the size of the Ark, all the information, presentations, and variety of exhibits. It was well organized and well run with tons of very friendly staff.

 It was a little bright outside, so we were not sure what we were taking pictures of. Sorry V and Z!

Tramping

The kids got a trampoline for Christmas. Their Daddy was able to get it up and going just in time for Spring Break. The kids are ecstatic, leading Hendrix into meltdowns because he wants to be on it all the time, even when he needs to stop to eat or just stop to rest.

The kids love that I used to say we would never have one and now here they have one. I explain that I've decided with the new safety things in place and because we can anchor it in windstorms, I'm now okay with having one.

I love that a dog and a purple zebra are jumping on the trampoline.

Another Tree Hugger

As V&Z worked with their dad on a project, Hendrix insisted on doing all the daring stuff his brother and sister do. He started out swinging like Superman on the swingset but then he went to the tree and was trying so very hard to climb up in it before he came to grab me and ask that I help him.

I let him grab onto a branch and he yelled "Daddy, look!" Then he climbed and moved up while pushing my hands away, and again "Daddy, look at me!" He was so proud. But after scooting himself farther up the branch, and not completely sure where to go from there, he decided to move on to the next thing.

Fridge Raider

Some of the hardest stuff with young kids is allowing them to experiment with their independence. Inevitably everything ends up in a mess and survival becomes containing and hiding the messes while going on about other important life matters. ;-) Our fridge is one of the areas that could use some tidyness, along with several other places in the house. But I choose to pick my battles and give room for the kids to have some independence, so I sigh, close the door, and hope I find a moment eventually. But, for real this time, each stage, especially Hendrix's current stage, only lasts for just a short moment . . . and before I know it, I will be looking back, longing for the messes of little people . . . raiding my memory bank to chuckle and poke fun at just how busy they were.