Spring Break '09

For Spring Break, we didn't go to the beach or the mountains or to Disney World like many of our friends. Instead, we made a few short trips and had fun at home too.

On Saturday, we went to the farm with some friends for some hiking, creek stomping, picnicing, and kite flying.

Sunday we celebrated Elise's third birthday with family. Did she like the cake? Yes, very much. Chocolate cake with chocolate icing, per her request. The cats are obviously making an impression on her.

Monday we had a little party at home with Elise's friends and their older siblings. The camera batteries were dead. It didn't matter too much, because the egg-hunting flower-potting party I'd planned had to be reinvented due to the 36-degree temperature outside.

So on Wednesday, we headed South to warmer days and good times with the cousins! The Huntsville Botanical Gardens are great, and very kid-friendly.

This enormous dogwood tree stole the show.

We continued on to Birmingham and stayed with friends (love to baby Emma!), then checked out the zoo the next day. Oh my. Let's just say it needs updating and leave it at that.

I was so thrilled to take my own children to the McWane Science Center where I used to work. Some things had changed (like three new floors of exhibits!) and some stayed the same, but it was fantastic to experience it from the other side of the nametag.

In front of the Gulf of Mexico tank. (Leah is doing "Deep and Wide.")

The girls smashed their hands and faces (and Elise's belly) into the pin boards. Not just once.

We came home and did the church Easter egg hunt Saturday morning (Leah found a golden egg!)

... and went to Cheekwood in the afternoon. How I love Cheekwood! But alas, we did not love their egg hunts. Too many kids fiercely competing for bad candy. And they should really collect and reuse their plastic eggs. Just my opinion.