Our Water Park Weekend

I'm so behind in photos!  And honestly, this whole spring is behind.  It's still barely 50 degrees in PA, we're only seeing the first flowers bloom and trees blossom, yet we're desperate to get outside.  Cabin fever to the max over here, seriously.  So why I'm behind in photos and blogging, I'll never know?

We had the best weekend, well it was last weekend, but it was so great.  We met some friends in the Poconos at The Great Wolf Lodge- a super child friendly resort and indoor water park (ideal from ages 2-8, in my opinion).  It was only three days, but we enjoyed it so, so much.  I don't think these pictures can do it justice.  We seriously had the best time.  In fact, I spent almost 2 of the 3 hour drive home in tears, honestly.  My husband thinks I'm losing it.  But I miss my friends, and and I miss warm weather, and I needed a break from work.  So it was a perfect getaway, and I was so sad to see it end.

Molly was brave as ever, and so determined to make as many trips down the slides as her little body could handle.  I tried to catch her smiles, but mostly, that girl had a look of determination.  Running from slide to slide.  And she was so happy to have her buddy, Jamie, alongside her.   I couldn't leave out the behind shot of that little girl and her Daddy, either- seriously, those little cheeks?!  My heart!

This was our first time meeting little Joely, my friend's youngest.  And we loved having her around, those extra snuggles are always appreciated here!  How sweet is that girl?  And so happy, all the time.

The Great Wolf Lodge has lots of characters around the resort, and Molly was pretty hesitant most of the time.  But I caught her loving the wolf on the last day, as we awaited the opening of the water park.  She waved and stared, until he came out to see her- then she ran and hid behind me.   Some things can't be forced, we'll try him again next time ;)


I'm still missing those days of freedom, laughs and fun in the best of company.  But the memories are so worth it, even if a few tears arise when I'm looking through these photos!

We're looking forward to 60 degree temps this week, maybe I'll get back to regular blogging again then?!

xo,

Lisa

Our Easter

 

 

 

Oh, Easter.  Such a fresh start.  We've been working at teaching Molly from her children's Bible, and though she grasped Christmas in a day, she's still struggling to understand the Easter Season.  And maybe two is just too young?  But, we're working at it.  And if you'd ask her today, she'd probably tell you that Easter is "when Jesus dies, it's so sad", and not much more.  But we made sure the day started in prayer, and made it a day of celebration.  We'll get there, one day- I hope!

As I've mentioned here many times, farming forces us to be patient.  Especially Christmas and Easter morning.  While we waited on Daddy to get home from his morning chores, Molly and I prayed, danced, sang- anything we could think of to distract her from that Easter Bunny's delivery!  And though she's terrified of the Bunny this year, she couldn't wait to see what he'd brought for her.  The good Bunny found this a perfect time to stock up on her favorite snacks, add a few new books and crayons to her collection, and enhance her spring wardrobe a bit.  How convenient! ;)

After morning Mass, we celebrated at my oldest sister's house, complete with my sister's infamously delicious ham and bunny breakfasts for the kids (she's a first grade teacher, and always full of creative ideas- we love it at Aunt Judy's house!).    We enjoyed a visit from the Easter Bunny outside shortly after breakfast, thanks to a beautiful spring day.  Of course, there's no family photo with the Bunny for us, as Molly said repeatedly "he's too big!"  Maybe next year?

As always, we're so thankful for our family- near and far (we miss our little buddy Ethan like crazy), and the fresh start of spring!  We're in full swing around here.  The greenhouse is up and full of plants (although it's been heated recently due to typical PA cold fronts), the bikes are out and used, the stroller's covered in muddy foot prints, the rockers are back, the fire ring is full of wood and the swing set is ready to go! 

Welcome Spring, and happy Easter!

xx,

Lisa

Our Weekend

 

 Our donut lover.  Well actually, all things sweet- cake, cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, donuts.  She's got her parent's sweet tooth.  When we make the turn into the local grocery store parking lot, she immediately asks "can I get some donuts?!"  Yikes.

Is everyone else's home invaded by ladybugs (or whatever they are)?!  We find them EVERYWHERE!  They seem to gather on the warmest window at any one time during the day, when Molly quickly runs to me saying "so many yadybugs mummy- get the vacuum!" We try to humanely move them outdoors, but most of the time I'm so frustrated that I really do just suck them up.  And my vacuum canister stinks now.  But I guess they're a sign of warmer days to come, so we'll just continue admiring them before we get them out of our house.

We got a beautiful peek of spring this weekend (before waking up to snow covered grounds the next day), and I realized that we are about to have a very different summer with Molly.  She's wild.  She chases the cats anywhere they go- no fear of the tall grass, woods, jagger bushes.  In fact, she'll even stop for a break anywhere- no fear of ticks, spiders, or other bugs!  She's got so much of her Daddy in her.  It's sweet, yet it makes me so nervous.   She will always choose the dirty job- helping Daddy clean out his truck- over helping me pick up sticks, or check for sprouted daffodils.  I think that dirt spot on her behind is there to stay ;)   But she's really the sweetest little girl.  She loves to swing ("push me high to the sky Mummy!"), chase the "kitties!" (at this moment she's saying "you get back here Boots!  Mummy, Boot's not listening to me!"), and help Daddy with everything except the fire he's always making.  "Fire too hot!"

I'm glad to end the photos with the ritual bathroom shot.  We've been spiking Molly's hair ever since it was long enough while she's getting her hair washed.  Lately, she asks to "see in the mirror"- and this is always her reaction!  So sweet, I had to share ;)

And because I'm not always happy with who I am, and how I tend to judge others before choosing to accept and love them (although that's not who I want to be), I'm choosing spring to start fresh, and always think positively and choose to be a fighter for other people.  Because if there's anything I've truly learned from my job in medicine- it's that each person you meet is fighting something.  Whether it be their own personal health condition, stress of finances, the loss of someone close to them, the critical judgement of others, the battle to find their real self- something is aching inside each person.  And I read this post at my favorite blog, and it hit me so hard.  Because she's right.  We should be fighting for mankind, not judging them.  We're all in this together, in some way or another.  We need to support each other.

Here's to a week of less judgment and more support.

And one of spring temperatures in PA!

xx,

Lisa