I've been listening to many people grumble and complain about our weather. It's been rain, rain, and more rain. It can get a little dreary after awhile, but I'm okay with the liquid sunshine for a few reasons. It has given me a really good excuse NOT to work in my yard. Although, the girls and I have tried a couple of times to get out there in between rain showers! There have been some random patterns of sun and rain... and on those days the girls and I always look for the rainbows. I'm also grateful for the rain because it makes going to work every day a little easier. I'm at the time of year when I'm struggling with the feeling of burn-out and just being "done". If I had to look outside my classroom window and see bright, sunny skies? Ugh. Being inside when I'd much rather be anywhere else is much less difficult when all I see are dark clouds and downpours.

I had a little taste of summer last weekend... sunny days working and playing in the yard, and evenings in the craft room with the girls. *deep sigh* I am really looking forward to summer! I'm trying really hard be present in the "now" and not start counting down the days left in school!

We took a little road trip up to Great Wolf Lodge last weekend for Mom's birthday. We drove up on Saturday morning to get checked in and start swimming! Meri was more than happy to stay in the kiddie pools and hopping {small} waves in the wave pool. However, Ali was super excited to tackle the big rides and slides with her daddy. She swam until her fingers and toes were prunes! Meri and Johnna wanted to head back to the room after a little while for snacks and playtime...

That night we went to dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant...with a sombrero for the birthday girl and chocolate sundaes for all of the little girls!

After dinner, the girls all got in their pajamas and we went to the main room for story time and a hug for the coyote mascot.

The girls slept really well that night! :)

The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast. I think it was the best buffet I've had in a long time. There was so much good food, and something for everyone. Next, we headed back to the pool for more swimming. I had to take Travis back to work, so Mom and Mike graciously offered to keep Ali and Meri so they could swim longer.

They had such a great time... Meri was asleep as soon as the car hit the freeway!

Spring Musical 2010

Tonight was Ali's school musical. The first graders performed "A Farmer's Life". The paper that came home months ago "suggested" the kids wear costumes: butterflies, farm animals, flowers, worms... Ali decided that she would like to be a flower. Yikes...Fun project for Mommy! Although, I have to admit it was pretty cute.

The show started at the high school at 6:30, but I made sure our family was there by 6:00. {I think we might have been there even earlier than that!} They were still setting up the risers, speakers, etc. but I marched us in anyway and sat us all down front and center. As I looked around, I saw that several people sitting on riser chairs. I commented to the lady next to me what a good idea that was... she told me she has been doing this a few years. I better find myself some riser seats for next year!

Alison was so excited for this night - even more so because Gramma, Grampa, NJ and Johnna came to watch her perform. Although, NJ was pretty much ready to blow the popsicle stand after Ali's songs were over... "Why do we have to stay for the rest?"

The performance was great and the kids were all super cute. We all went out for ice cream after the show {along with almost everyone else, apparently} and talked about our favorite parts... Ali: "the performance", NJ: "Ali's part", Johnna: "Shortnin' Bread", and Meri....?? "Rainbow ice cream!!".

Our darling Merilyn... if you listen very carefully you can hear her Elvis impersonation at the end of her show.

Happy Easter!

Our Easter started Saturday night with Trav coloring eggs with the girls. Gotta love the smell of vinegar in the house... Ali carefully colored her eggs with several colors, while Merilyn was much less careful and tidy. This is not surprising, but neither is her enthusiasm!

Ali woke me up bright and early this morning with her non-stop arm tapping... {Thankfully it was my arm and not my forehead as she's done in the past.} She saw that the Easter Bunny had been there and left her a basket! She was super excited to dig in and see what the Bunny had brought, but Trav and I talked the girls in crawling into bed for a few more minutes. Unfortunately that was almost too much to ask and they didn't last long!

We met Mom, Casey and the rest of the family at Shenanigan's for Easter Brunch. The girls love buffets because they can get exactly what they want to eat. The food was yummy and it was fun to spend time with the family - as usual!

The rest of the day was a family day at home. We watched Alice in Wonderland {Ali's gift from the Bunny} napped, played Wii, and relaxed together. It was a great day!

Final Day of Sun...

The view of the river from our back deck.

We were going to leave for home Thursday night, but decided to enjoy one last day in the warm sun... because when will we see it again? Trav and the girls spent most of the day in the pool/Lazy River, while I packed our stuff and worked on report cards. {The anxiety nightmares about missing the deadline started...}

After an afternoon of pool time, Travis realized his wedding ring was missing. Gulp! We turned the condo inside out looking for it, and turned up nothing. So, he went back to the river and began searching the water. Still nothing. Finally, he checked at the lost and found... and ta-da! The ring had slipped off his finger {I can't imagine having this problem...} and got sucked into the filter system. An employee found it during their routine check and turned it in. Thank you, Mr. or Ms. Employee!

After this little fiasco {and a quick stop to Target for snacks} we began the journey north. Trav likes to travel at night. For one, he's used to working graveyard shifts, and secondly, the girls spend the majority of the drive sleeping. I don't know why he would want to avoid their sisterly love after being stuck in the car for 8+ hours?!

The drive was a long one, but so worth it. We had such a wonderful time! The girls loved every minute in the pool, Trav loved golfing and the weather, and I loved our relaxed lazy days. I felt refreshed and even ready to head back to reality... and work.