Spring Fling, Sports, and Birthday Shindigs!

 Our first true spring weekend was filled with many fun events! The Spring Fling at the elementary school kicked off Friday. The whole family was able to attend, and the evening was filled with jumping on a million bouncies, petting all the animals, dunking a favorite teacher, and winning fish! (There are two new Thorne family members, Goldilocks and Tom.)

Jay and I were unpaid Uber drivers on Saturday with all the kids' sports. Like usual Maggie had gym at 9am, but the boys had back to back baseball games, as well. We were driving all over Roswell doing drop-offs and pick-ups! Luckily we both caught most of the baseball games. Jacob is really understanding the game this season and can consistently hit the coach pitch. He even had a chance at playing first base and made several outs. Tuttle is on another winning team with amazing coaches. He played catcher Saturday since the main catcher was injured and did an impressive job. He was frustrated with a few errors, but he can only learn from them for the next game. His team tied 12-12. Grandmommy and Grandaddy were there to cheer Tuttle on.

Our next Saturday stop was Holland's 7th birthday party. The kids were so excited to celebrate their cousin at Sky Zone! 

The final big bash of the weekend was Tuttle's 12th birthday party. We could not have wished for a more perfect spring day for Tuttle and his favorite buddies to play paintball. While all the boys were a little apprehensive to walk into their first battle, they loved every second and no battle wound kept them from playing for the next three hours!

For future reference under those face masks are Jack Anderson, Jack DeAses, Cade Leonard, Hudson McCoy and Davis Parker. :)

One of Tuttle's friends had a baseball tournament and could not come, so Jay took his spot last minute. Clearly he was not dressed for the activity in a button down and flip flops. Several of the spectators coined him "The Church Man" since he was so dressed up!

Jacob was too young to participate, so he had to enjoy from the sidelines. He cannot wait for his turn to play!

Maggie was perfectly fine with her shady spot during the party. 

The party was a complete success, and I cannot believe I have a TWELVE year old! We are so proud of the person Tuttle is becoming, and I know his future is so bright!

Happiest birthday to Tuttle!

Happy Easter!

We had a low key holiday weekend with a break from gymnastics and a baseball rain-out. Jay was able to meet up with some frineds, and the kids enjoyed some relaxation at home. All three were ready to head to bed in anticipation of the Easter Bunny on Saturday evening.

 

We celebrated another Easter at our favorite church. While we have not been attending regularly since we moved, nothing compares to PRUMC, so we continue to make the drive back into Buckhead when we can to worship there. The flowers, choir, and sermon are always absolutely beautiful on Easter, and the fashion is also a fun addition!

Gram and Grumps hosted an Easter lunch right after church. The rain held off for our annual egg hunt, and Tuttle found the golden egg! The best part of the afternoon was having Stanley and Jordan there. They are both so busy with school and basketball that we rarely get to see them anymore, and they guarantee every family will include more fun! (Jacob is simply obsessed with Jordan.) Gram and Grumps make it so easy on us by preparing all the food- we just have to show up! That is not an easy task with such a big family, and we are VERY thankful for them!

This year finally felt normal after two years of pandemic precautions, and we loved every second. Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Xcel Gold State Meet

 Maggie and her team worked hard to prepare for the state meet during their spring break week. They completed three days in a row of four hour practices. Each day focused on a fun theme, and the girls went all out to pump each other up!

Maggie felt confident and ready to compete early Saturday morning at the first session. I was a ball of nerves! The meet did not go as well as we hoped, but Maggie beat more than 200 gymnasts in Georgia! She brought home three medals, 9th on floor and bars and 10th on vault for her age group. Her AA score was a 36.1. Unfortunately she did not qualify for the regional meet, but she is tagging along with Alma to cheer on her teammates that will complete. I love her sportsmanship and resiliency. 

There is no break for the team as they immediately move into training upgrades for Level 6!

Real Life Zoo

 Our official spring break week has been full of animal adventures. 

It started with a stressful discovery as soon as we arrived home from Disney. The top of our hamster's cage was left open, and Taylor Swift had made her escape somewhere in the house. We immediately started searching for the runaway under furniture, in shoes, and around laundry baskets, but it was no surprise that we did not find her. Maggie and I researched tips to catch her, so I set up a food trap and hoped for the best. Maggie was very upset, but we decided that if we did not find her, she did experience a final adventure of a lifetime!

I was completing bedtime routine with the kids when Jacob asked to fill up his water cup in the kitchen after I had tucked him in. Initially I was not going to let him leave his room, but I caved to his request. As soon as he made it to the kitchen, I heard him announce that he found Taylor! She was quietly sitting right beside the fridge! She did not even try to hide when I picked her up. It is an absolute miracle that we found that little hamster so quickly! (I was relieved I could sleep that night and now worry that a furry visitor would scurry into my bed!)

To add to our animal antics Aunt Peach asked Maggie to watch Oliver for a few days while they were on vacation. It has been a HUGE lesson in responsibility, but all the kids have enjoyed some tiny snuggles.

I also checked in on a neighbor's dog several times a day while they were at the beach. Belle is just the sweetest old lady and quickly convinced me that she needs a treat every time I visit. :)

The rest of our week will be filled with Tuttle's middle school make up work, LAUNDRY, preparation for the state meet, and catching up on work.

Spring Break 2022

 Without fail the kids always ask to return to Disney year after year for Spring Break. This year became complicated when we realized Maggie has her state meet during the county's break, so she cannot miss practices. Jay and I made the decision to pull the kids out of school a week early and head to Orlando. We are very thankful for supportive teachers that encouraged our family trip.

While we always have a list of "must do" rides and attractions, we did include some brand new to us rides this trip, and many moved up on our list of favorites, especially Splash Mountain. The pictures speak for themselves. Disney never disappoints!

Jacob is always consistent in spending a chunk of his souvenir money at the Pirate of the Caribbean gift shop.

My favorite moment during the entire trip was watching Tuttle, Maggie, and Jacob light up during the parade at Magic Kingdom. Tuttle has joked that all the princesses were eyeing him.

We included several new rides at Epcot, including Mission Space, Test Track, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. Mickey worked his Disney magic when I asked at the guest service's tent about purchasing tickets for the Lightening Lane for the Remy ride that were sold out since 7am- he sent us right to the front of the line with free tickets!

I have to document the memory that Tuttle sneaked off with his own money to surprise Maggie with macaroons from Paris, her favorite! 

We ate and drank our way through Epcot and LOVED every minute!

My hard working husband had to work during our pool day- no rest for the weary, but we counted down the minutes until he could break away for a visit to Disney Springs for dinner and shopping.

I will not be surprised if Tuttle is taller than me next year!

Hollywood Studios always rounds out our amazing trip.

The 50's Diner is the most detailed and fun lunch spot. Everyone used their manners and ate all their veggies. :)

We left with so many new Disney memories, and it was the perfect week of sun and magic!