WHAT was I thinking!!!!!

OK, so I thought, "we haven't been to the children's museum in a little while, it's supposed to rain, good day to go!" I got Mason and Audrey all excited to go this morning, we packed up, headed down there only to sit in an abnormally LONG line to get into the parking garage. I thought, it must be because we are hardly ever here when it opens! WRONG!! I was talking to mom on the phone on the way into the garage (as Mason is screaming with excitement about the dinosaurs he sees outside), and was telling her about all the unusual traffic into the museum. She then said, "you know why don't you, . . . SPRING BREAK!!!" I almost turned the car immediately around and headed home, but then got a wild hair (no longer a fan of wild hairs!) and decided to brave the crowd! We started in our usual spot, surprisingly not so crowded (probably because it's an area for younger, non-school aged kids, and their moms we're probably smart enough to stay home!). Mason did his bee-line to the bobcat and Audrey did her bee-line to the babies. We played, had lunch, went home. It was a short trip today, but we had fun! And might I add, I will NEVER go on a weekend or spring break again! Thank God I have week days off !

We love the water table!!! and even more, SMOCKS!!

She carried these babies the entire time. It was a scene to have to leave them!

He loves this, even though Papaw has a way bigger one and Mason can actually drive his!!

Another on of his favorite things. Stacking blocks as high as he can reach, then cranking the car back and forth on the track

We could watch this all day

Mason loves this

We ended the day with the carousel then lunch!

First Haircut & Custom Suits

Today was a fun day. We started off with Audrey's first haircut! I had finally had enough of the scraggly baby hair. everywhere! I have refused to do banges. So I have boycotted the whole haircut thing till her banges grew out. The hair won that battle. I gave in, and Audrey got a "trim." All and all, It's adorable!

Then we went to get sized for Mason's suit he's going to wear for Grant (my brother) and Jessica's wedding. He was so well-behaved. He did everything the guy asked him to do to get measured with this "so serious" look on his face. He looked so cute in the jackets they were having him try on. All he kept asking for was his tie. He can't wait for that for some reason! Too cute!

Before the big chop! (we had pigtails in, but you get the idea: WILD)

During: such a lady, I can just picture, "Mommy, can we stop and get a mani/pedi after this"

After: Not a huge change, just cleaned up the edges. PERFECT!"Seriously, my daddy's tape measures don't bend this easy!"

"C'mon mom, enough with the pictures!"

Sharp dressed man! (Uncle Grant helping with the finishing touch!)

With sad hearts, we said farewell to Kenny's Grandpa Sands. It was a beautiful service. It's always great to see family and talk about memories, but sad under the circumstances in which it happened. He's in a better, more peaceful place now. A very dear friend and also retired St. Joe (Michigan) firefighter, Joe Mitchell, was so kind and thoughtful enough to offer his 1937 fire engine (which was the same one he and Grandpa Sands rode on when they were firefighters) for the funeral. It really was a beautiful way to celebrate his life. We will all deeply miss him!

On a lighter note, Kenny and I went to our first St. Patty's day parade today. Kenny got to wear his class A's and march in the parade. It was perfect weather and a blast. Can't wait till next year!







Kenny, Joe Mitchell (truck owner), Todd
___________________________________________________________
St. Patty's Day


Fireman walking in the parade. (Kenny's in the middle of the picture, at
the top, waving)

IFD Firefighters
David Richards, Nick Goldsmith, Kenny, Joleen Richards,
Matt Hills, Brandon Craig

Ode to Grandpa Sands!

We survived the 8hr trip there and back.
We almost needed a luggage rack!

Erlanger hospital or bust!
Grandpa Sands, are you ready for us!

Hospital rooms have lots to see and touch,
but asking to be baby-proofed, is a bit much.

So we did lots of walks to see the fish,
Mommy even broke a gift shop dish!

We showed Grandpa Sands that glove balloons are fun,
He told us stories of when he was young.

Grandpa Sands was happy to see us, though the nurses gave him grief.
We knew what he was thinking, even without his teeth!

We had a great time, Grandpa Sands!
And you really are THE MAN!!

CABIN FEVER IS OVER!

Thank goodness for the warm weather. We were ALL getting cabin fever. We took advantage and I took the kids for a long awaited first run of the year. Then played outside for a while. Audrey is really starting to like her 4-wheeler. And Mason, well, he's just happy to be outside. It doesn't matter what he's doing. Just like his daddy! They are officially both signed up for ISR swim classes (www.infantswim.com) starting in May. Audrey will get the full 4-6 week lessons, Mason just has to take his one year refresher. They do that to make sure they remember their skills they learned and fine tune any that changed over last summer. We're excited. To us, it's priceless, the skills they learn through ISR. Enjoy the pics! and the warm weather for now!


It's getting to be a workout just to push them!! It was great, they were so entertained by all the little things outside that they haven't seen in a while.

This is Audrey pretty much all day, every day. She LOVES her jewelry and purses. Oh yeah, and shoes. I think we're in trouble!

A mothers prayer . . .

Dear Lord,
So far today I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or very indulgent. I'm very grateful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on, I'm going to need a lot more help. Amen.

. . . sometimes that's all that needs to be said! :-)
Happy Wednesday!
Kindra

First Day of . . . SCHOOL!!

Well, we went to check out a preschool for Mason on Wed. for the fall, and they informed up that they still had openings for this spring if he wanted to start now. We decided to try it. He was very apprehensive about us leaving him there. We tried to hype it up by having him help us pick out his lunch, and his clothes, and talking about the trampoline they have inside. When none of that worked, we opted for a good ole bribe of a 4-wheeler ride (the weather worked in our favor). Today, Friday, was his first day. As soon as he got up, I asked him, in my oh-so-cheery-ready-for-school voice, if he was excited for school! He reply was, no! OK, great start! Once we got ready, he wanted to wear his book bag to the truck, then when we got there, he said," look there's my school!" with a small bit of excitement. Then I practically had to speed walk to keep up with him walking in. He walked right in, with a small quiver of his chin and watery eyes when I gave him a kiss and told him I would pick him up in a little while. 4 LONG hrs later, Kenny and I were practically racing in the doors to pick him up! He had a huge smile on his face and couldn't wait to show us all he had done for the day! Overall, a huge success. He loves it. Now if mommy and daddy could hurry and get used to it!!!
Audrey and I took advantage of our time and had a girls day with Jessica (Grants fiancee). We went to try on and pick out Audrey's flower girl dress for their wedding in July. She had a ball. She's so girly, this was right up her ally!

Mason before school, a little nervous!



Starting to get excited



Racing in to school! That book bag is almost bigger than him!

The aftermath! A very happy kid, either he had a great time or is really relieved that his parents came to get him. . . probably a little of both!

Such a little princess!