{Blossoms}

 I was lucky enough this last weekend to have my Mother-in-law come into town.  She came to town for a few different reasons, one of which was to see the Cherry blossoms.  You would think they bloomed just for her, since they were like two weeks early blooming and at their peak when we made it downtown.  It also happened to be one of the nicest days (over 80, we got a sunburn to prove it), we couldn't have planned it better!!  We took the Metro down, which Wyatt was pretty darn excited for and walked about three blocks to the Tidal Basin.  Everyone else must have gotten the memo about the gorgeous blossoms and the fantastic weather too because there were a LOT of people, but not enough to make us turn around and go home.  We walked all the way around the Tidal Basin, which is a good walk, and took in three different monuments as well.  The new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, The FDR Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.  Wyatt did pretty well until about lunch time and then he wanted out to run.  We found a great little spot under the trees to have a picnic lunch and let Wyman out of the stroller to run.  After lunch we headed out to make it the rest of the way around the tidal basin.  Wyatt finally got tired of fighting the stroller and fell asleep, of course just as we were getting done and heading back to the metro stop.  So we decided to take in a museum, the Smithsonian Castle.  It was such a breathtakingly beautiful day.  The blossoms really are as incredible as they say and the wonderful weather made it all the more fantastic.  

The rest of the weekend was wonderful too, but not because of the weather.  Saturday it rained and was cooler and Sunday was grey and overcast.  Saturday though was great because Margaret and I got to spend the day at the Photoshop World conference downtown.  We had so much fun and learned a lot.  Ryan was Mr. Mom and kept things together on the homefront.  We love having family (and friends if you want to) come and visit.  We love showing off the wonderful town we get to live in and we love spending time with the people we love.  Thanks Margaret for coming out to play, we have to do it again real soon!!             

 (I have a funny story about how I finally got this picture, but it needs it's own post)

{We have a Winner}

I guess this year was a lucky one for Ayden.  He finally had a winning car for the Pinewood Derby.  He wasn't the fastest overall (he came in second) but it was the fastest in his den (yes he happens to be the only one in his Den but we aren't dwelling on that fact).  So he gets to go to the District Pinewood Derby in April.  He is pretty excited since this is his last Pinewood competition.  In a few months he will be onto bigger and better things like Boy Scouts.  Oh just in case you were thinking, "wow, that kid has a mop on his head", his Dad cut his hair this last weekend and he looks civilized again!!  Congrats Ayden, good luck in Districts!

{The Fever}

I realize that I have been terrible at blogging as of late.  My Dad thinks I have given up completely on the thing, but I haven't.  I have just been reallocating my time and blogging hasn't been up there on the list.  But that doesn't mean that I have given up.  Plus with the weather getting so nice around here we are much more likely to be out doing things and then I am more likely to blog.  Don't give up on me Dad!!  

Anywho, as the title of this post suggests (and the great pic of Lauryn), we have the fever around our place.  The fever I am referring to is Spring Fever.  Yesterday was so nice and spring like that you really can't convince me that it isn't here already.  My dear husband gave me the morning off yesterday so I got to attend the Temple and he got the kids.  I think he deserves a BIG gold star for that one.  I had a wonderful time and it sounds like the kids and Dad did too.  They tidied up the house and then headed out to Home Depot to get some flowers and potting soil.  Nothing says Spring like planting flowers and it has gotten to be an annual thing around our house.  Unfortunately there weren't any good flowers to chose from so we are going to find some other place or go back later to check again.  The kids rode their bikes and just loved being outside.  Last weekend we put our trampoline back up and the kids have lived on it this last week.  It has saved me sanity too!! :)  

Meysa found a FOUR leaf clover the other day in our backyard.  She was so excited and proud that she was the one that found it.  She is convinced that she will have good luck from here on out.  And....that is about all we did for St. Patrick's day.  I know how lame of me, maybe next year!!!

Ryan introduced the boys to the joys of manhood.  Ayden was actually really into it and was a big help.  Wyatt, well he is three and just wanted to hold the tools.  He did a pretty good job of that!!

Ayden has his annual Pinewood Derby on Tuesday and he thinks his car is a winner this year.  It looks pretty lean and mean.  We will cheer him on and hope for the best!!

Meysa loves climbing the dogwood tree in our front yard.  She gets pretty high!!

The fact that Lauryn is a nut should be obvious to anyone who reads my blog but in case you haven't figured it out.  This post should be proof enough!

To round out or pretty perfect Spring day we enjoyed a first of many ice cream cones to be consumed this year.  I am more than loving the beautiful Spring weather!!  I should have a few things to blog about after this coming week.  My mother in law is coming to visit for the weekend!!  We are headed to check out the Cherry Blossoms and a fun photoshop conference.  See what did I tell you, along with great weather comes more blogging.  You can hold me to it!!!

{Wax Museum}

Can you guess who Ayden is portraying?  I'll give you a hint, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.  He led the March on Washington in 1963.  He gave the famous "I have a Dream" speech.  We get a day off in January every year because of him.  Figure it out yet?  

Today was the end of a long month of research, writing, and practicing for Ayden.  The fifth graders put on a wax museum in honor of African American History month.  They were assigned a famous African American to research and study.  They then had to write up a speech and memorize it and prepare themselves to look like the person they had researched.  During the wax museum they get to recite their prepared speeches over and over again each time someone steps on their "button".  I got there in the beginning before it got all crazy busy with the 3rd and 4th graders coming through.  Ayden did well and only had to glance down a few times to look at his note cards.  I took a video of it but there were so many other people talking that it is hard to hear Ayden but you can see he did a good job.  The wax museum was to last about an hour.  I wonder how many times Ayden had to recite his speech.  He should pretty much have it down pat by now.  Good job Ayden!!!