{ Spring Break - Day 5 }

This week has just flown by, I can't believe it's our last day of Spring Break.
The kids and I were just getting used to being together all day and having fun, I'm sad to see it end, but alas, we only have about two months left of school and then I have my babies for the whole summer.

Want to see what we've been up to today?

There was some rocking out with Guitar Hero.......Barracuda and Hit me with your best shot seem to be the kid's faves. Mine too *wink wink*

When life gives you water and a piece of plastic......you make puddles to skip stones in

Because nothing says Spring like glittery nail polish

There was bug hunting and shouts of HURRAH when we came across this worm, it's beautiful and icky and gross all at the same time

And then the sprinkler came out and it all started out innocently with a quick run through it before mommy saw

Luckily for them, I'm a cool momma and I let them run through the water, clothes and all

just to see the joy shining through them

the smiles on their faces

it didn't take long for them to get completely soaked

how could I resist?

look at the happiness in his face, makes me miss my childhood days when days like these were carefree, caution was thrown to the wind and you went out into the neighborhood and had fun, just pure innocent childish fun

the kind of fun that would forever be engraved in your mind

and the kind of fun that tires the body but fuels the mind, that brings their little heads down to the pillows at night without so much as a whine or complaint

the kind of fun that will have them telling their friends all about what a great Spring Break they had.....and all because they were allowed to be kids, to do things which we as parents sometimes would rather they didn't, because of what it means for US.....the wet clothes, the muddy shoes, the touching of worms.....I say let it go and let them enjoy childhood.

Because at the end of the day, as I sit sipping my lemon water and looking out at the world, I can smile and know that I'm doing my part as a mother, that I'm raising these little beings to become great adults

It's not my time, it's theirs, it's all about my children right now and they come first for me, in every.single.thing.I.do.

My time will come again, one day, when there are no more toys to trip over, no more shoes left all over the house or crumbs on the couch, and then I'll sit back and miss it all and I never want to have to think "I wish I did things differently".

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Over on Full Bellies, Happy Kids you'll find some delicious Crockpot Nachos, that's what's for dinner tonight. YUM!

{ Spring Break - Day 4 }

Only one day left of Spring Break and I'm already feeling sad.

I've so enjoyed my kiddos home with me, it's going to be hard sending them back to school next week.

Anyway, here's how we spent our day.

There was napping....

TV watching....

Daydreaming....

Downright cuteness...

Postcards mailed off for the Postcard Exchange

I also worked on a Spring Ruffle Top, so easy to follow along and I can see myself making a lot more.

I deviated from the tutorial in some things but it still looks great.

I love the fabric I used, I've had it for a while and didn't know what to make with it, this was the perfect little spring top.

I always use brown paper bags to cut out my patterns

Ironing the seam for the chest strap

Placing the shoulder straps

Adding the ruffles

Here it is semi finished, I still have a bit of work to do on it, like the side shaping and the hemming. I can't wait to finish it and I can't wait to make more of these, going to make some without the ruffles and just using some binding.

So there you have it, that's how I spent my 4th day of Spring Break.

Cooking Thursday

Won't you join me and share with us one of your new recipes, or an old family favorite, you can even throw in a recipe for homemade soaps or detergents (just remember to specify).

For the guidelines, you can go here.

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Garlic Sauced Chicken

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (2 1/2 pound) chicken, quartered
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups boiling water
Salt and pepper
Paprika
1 Bay leaf

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken; keep warm.

Add onion and garlic to drippings in skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are a deep golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add flour. Cook, stirring continually, until golden brown.

Gradually stir boiling water into skillet. Cook, stirring continually, until sauce thickens slightly. Return chicken to skillet.

Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until chicken is tender. Add salt and pepper, paprika and bay leaf and cook chicken for 5 minutes longer.

{ Spring Break - Day 3 }

Part of today's fun was letting the kids take photos with my camera. After a few quick tips and explanations of what button does what, I slipped it around their neck and off they went.

I think my girl has a knack for photography, just look at the close up of the lemon blossom above.

Nicholas started off with taking a pic of me and when I asked why, he said "because, I'm taking pictures of the things I like". Well thank you my love :)

Our lemon tree is full of blossoms right now and aside from the pesky bees, it's wonderful sitting under the tree and inhaling that beautiful scent.

The day ended with making and decorating cupcakes for St. Patrick's Day.

There's one missing here, I guess it jumped into my mouth all by itself *shrug*

{ Spring Break - Day 2 }

Because a ball is more fun when thrown at a wall

Because lunch tastes better eaten outside in the warm sunlight

Because there's nothing like the love of a pug

Because there's nothing like the hug from a favorite friend

Because chasing a ball around gives you hours of fun

Because there's nothing like construction paper and coloring pencils tempting your mind with endless possibilities

Because the chance to use a big scissors and cut things out for yourself is cause for a big smile and a "thank you mommy"

Because concentration is everything....especially when using sharp objects

Because having your own tub of ice cream and not having to share with your sibling, is the best thing on earth

and because nothing ends a perfect day like sitting outside, hearing the birds chirping, feeling the warm sun on your back and indulging in a bite of your favorite ice cream.