An early school vacation this year has kick started our April on a fun note!  Knowing that the kids are used to full weeks, I took advantage of the sunshine and spring like weather to get out and have some fun this week.  Monday was the exception.  Being car-less with a forecast of dreary rain, we jumped into spring cleaning… sorting, organizing and attempting to minimize the boys goods.  Believe it or not, it was a day long project.  Aiden and Chris were into it and I was oh so happy to feel accomplished.  Bags of giveaways later and we are off to a good start.

My poor car on the other hand didn’t have such a good start.  What started as a scheduled “regular” tune-up quickly turned into a long list of suggested maintenance items; New brake, new tires, wheels realigned, oil change, radiator something… engine something.  The final bill was quite the tally and was inline with the dreary day we were having!

Tuesday we snuck outside and enjoyed some early morning cool temps and sunshine.  It was opening day at the Windsor Locks Canal and the boys and I were anxious to check it out.  In the past there has been bald eagle sightings and Aiden and Chris had learned about bald eagles at school just a few weeks prior.  While we didn’t see any eagles, we did manage to count 32 bird nests in our short walk.  After heading home for lunch, we packed up and headed to Belchertown.  Dziadzu was a great sport and watched the big boys for me while I snuck over to visit my friend Leora and her sweet little one, Everett.  Baby snuggles were a must and it was super sweet to see her as a new Mom and falling into the role so well.  How I adore newborns…. Can’t wait to snuggle my little nephew in a few months!  After our visit, I headed back and enjoyed dinner with my parents and the kiddos before calling it a day.  Home in time for bed, I had three tired kiddos.

 

Wednesday morning was again brisk but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get outside.  I packed up the kids after Jake’s morning nap and we headed to Northwest Park.  It’s filled with beautiful paths that even I can’t get lost on!  With Jake in a front pack, we hiked to the reservoir.  A & C were in their glory as it was one big mud fest.  Boys and mud are a happy, messy combo!  We hiked about a half an hour and parked ourselves for lunch before turning back.  Win, win when I get some exercise and they get to burn some much needed energy!  We got home just in time to get dressed and head out for kindergarten prescreening in Suffield.  I was under the false impression that it was a meet and greet.  Oops… It was a surprise for all of us and while the boys listened to stories, sang songs and drew a picture of their family, I wore my hand down filling out 12 pages of paperwork!  The boys loved their visit and were excited about the possibilities.  While our decision has not been finalized, we are leaning in the direction of moving them to Suffield schools this coming fall.  Bittersweet but kind of exciting!

Wednesday night was such a score!  The weather got better and better as the day went on and I was lucky enough to meet my friend and walking partner, Leeanne to walk along the Agawam river.  Can you tell I never tire of exercise?  I LOVE fresh air and would walk day and night if my legs would allow me to!  The weather was perfect and there’s nothing better than catching up with a favorite friend!

Thursday morning we were super excited to have our friends Connor, Caitlyn and Kym over to play.  Aiden and Chris always have big plans for Connor and are eager to show off all sorts of things.  Jake’s got a little thing for Caitlin and loves to try to catch her eye. Its awesome having a childhood friend of mine, now become a family friend with our kids loving on one another!  Happy, happy all around! Thursday afternoon the boys were oh so excited to be picked up and swept off for 2 nights of fun with Grammie and Dziadzu.  They were giddy with joy and packed and ready to go two days prior, an official countdown on our wall and all!  Can’t blame them as it’s a pre-weekend full of fun!

I on the other hand loved my time with Jake.  He truly is such a sweet little boy.  Easy going and happy to be in my company.  Yesterday I let him explore the great outdoors.  We enjoyed a walk and he intently watched every car and truck that passed.  We came home and played in the grass.  Walking barefoot, ripping up dead grass and playing ball.  He beamed, giggled and took it all in, everything so new and fresh as this is his first real summer of exploration.

Today Jake and I took advantage of another quiet walk together and finally caught up on some much needed grocery shopping {this family was milk-less for 2 days… oops!}.  He loves shopping and thrives on all of the attention he gets.  What a ham!  I’ve washed every bed, every blanket, our slip covers on the couch & the floors and I’m on a roll… Watch out world, it’s spring cleaning time at 2 Cain Street as we prepare for Mike’s 34th Birthday celebration tomorrow and Jake’s first birthday TWO weeks from today!  Yowzers!  Such fun!