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!

Busy. Busy.

 March has flown by as we start to add in all the spring activities and practices. 

We enjoyed a Family Bingo Night at the elementary school. All the kids won a round, and Tuttle enjoyed coming back to visit Arnold Mill with several familiar faces, including Olivia.

Maggie continues to excel at her meets this season, and I cannot believe we only have two left before potentially qualifying for Regionals, her ultimate goal of the year. Her most recent meet was Sweet Tea, and she achieved a 37.575 AA (Vault-9.300, Bars-9.425, Beam-9.375, and Floor-9.475). We both agree that meets are not as nerve wracking this year because she is very confident on all four events.

Jacob finally had his chance to start baseball for spring, and he is playing for the Blue Jays. He definitely understands the rules of the game more this time, and he is eager (sometimes a little too eager) to help his teammates.

Tuttle and Jacob found a shared love of practicing and have spent several evenings playing baseball in the culdesac. I love this view from our house.

Tuttle is having another great season with Roswell Rec Baseball, too. The Braves won their second game of the season this week. Tuttle scored two runs and had three RBIs. He is still beaming over his part in the 12-4 victory!

We even watched Holland's soccer game this past weekend. Everyone is consumed with activities, and luckily we live close enough to cheer each other on!

Jay is still BUSY at work, but he finds some time to enjoy the sunshine working on his Jeep. That man loves a project, so he is always brainstorming the next move with his car. Jay craves warmer weather and took the top off the Jeep as soon as he possibly could. I know it is going to be such a fun addition to our family adventures this spring and summer!

Spirit Days and Opening Day

I know everyone says the days are long, but the years are short. Right now I feel like all the minutes are zooming by! 

The little kids celebrated Dr. Seuss Week with fun dress up days!

Maggie created her own "Crazy Hair Day" design featuring the solar system, complete with all the planets and a sun bun!

The Cat and The Hat and Thing 1 made an appearance on Wednesday.

The Friday theme was "Put Me In The Zoo," and I created the cutest parrot costume for Jacob. While he seemed to love it the night before, he refused to wear it to school the next morning. :(

Opening Day with Tuttle's baseball team was on Saturday, and the day could not have been more gorgeous! The Braves played hard and held the lead for a while until the D-Backs ended the game with a victory. Tuttle had a strong game with one run scored and got several boys out playing short stop. We are loving the coaches and know this will be another great season with Roswell.

Jacob is eager to start playing, too. His league starts in a week!

After four hours at the gym and another four hours at the ball field, it only made sense to host a million children at our house for a sleepover. The girls took over the basement with makeovers, Tik Tok dances, movies, and lots of laughter!

I have been picking up more substitute teaching jobs at both the elementary and middle schools. We adore Cherokee County and are so glad we made the decision to move.

Looking forward to more baseball, gymnastics, and warm weather this week!