Daddy's Girls

We just got back from another great weekend at the camp. It’s always so relaxing and the best place for family time together. I know our kids have no idea how lucky they are but it’s truly such a blessing to be able to get together in a place so beautiful.  We missed Josh and Hailey and the boys but it’s spring break for them and they were busy doing this We definitely can’t blame them for that!! The rest of us got there Friday evening and had a delicious meal followed by play time for everyone. All 4 kids hung out in the game room and decided to sleep together. There were eight beds available but all getting in one twin bed was a good idea to them. They sure do love being together! The grown-up kids stayed up later than usual and didn’t go to bed until about midnight. That’s not typical for us but we hadn’t seen each other since Christmas so it was fun. We got up Saturday morning to Capn breakfast and then we all took turns touring some new property with him. It’s hard to imagine ...

We got back from Mexico late last Thursday and went right back to it. Matt and I both worked Friday and I had to show a couple of houses Saturday too. On Sunday we finally got a little rest but it was well needed before this week started. Matt worked passed when the kids were asleep so they hadn’t seen him since Sunday when they finally did this morning.  (He went in a little later than usual so he could get some morning cuddles.) so sweet and they are really looking forward to the weekend with him. I’ve gotten 2 new client referrals so on top of working those, I also worked the food pantry at church yesterday and Wednesday was school picture day that I had committed to volunteer. It’s the one position that actually pays because each volunteer gets a free picture package. And bonus was that I got to see Kathleen in...  Her cap and gown! Sniff We also had soccer and art And I babysat Josie twice to help Cara while her Mother-in-law is out of town.  And these kids went SWIM...

It’s hard to believe that in less than 2 months Miss Kathleen will be “graduating” kindergarten and done with her first year of big kid school. She’s looking bigger too and her hair is getting long I LOVE those curls. I wish she didn’t wear it in a ponytail everyday. I’m making her leave it down for cap and gown pictures Wednesday. One thing that’s making her look even older is she got her ears pierced on Friday. We didn’t get home until late Thursday and at 9AM Friday we were meeting Yaya at the dermatologist office.  She said it hurt worse than she was expecting but there were no tears and 2 hours later she said she could barely feel it. She loves them and I think they are so cute! I actually had mine done too because I never wear earrings and had let mine close up. Nana gave me some small pearls and diamonds so that I can wear them every day and never take them out this time around. We got some jewelry in Mexico too and she said she’s excited to share. Such a fun thing for Mama ...

Wednesday was another relatively lazy day. We rode around a little after our breakfast  But then stayed on the beach all day after that.  We changed it up a little and ate in the hotel restaurant instead of in our chairs for a break from the sun but other than that we stayed out all day.  A guy came around giving henna tattoos and we all decided to get one Matt said he hopes we don’t regret that in 10 years, lol.  We had a fairly early dinner and went back to the room to get packed up to come home today. It was a lot of fun and we could have stayed another day or two but the kids were ready. Katie said she had fun but 4 days was long enough away from her cat. We went non-stop from 7am till 8 or 9 at night so they are exhausted too. I told Matt that it’s a testament to how happy our kids are when they are ready to leave paradise because home is just as good. ❤️ This trip was even better than I expected it to be. Everyone was happy the whole time and it’s exactly what ...

Tuesday morning started with breakfast at Rooster (we ate their all 4 mornings because they had really good coffee-hard to find in Mexico) and then we drove down to the opposite end of the island for what we had been waiting for... our dolphin experience. As we were walking in Lillian said “4 year old me is really freaking out right now.” She had such a dolphin obsession for years and I had been so excited to experience this with her. Katie was technically not old enough but we said she was 6 (what’s one month?) and signed her up for the full experience too. The only thing she couldn’t do was the pull because her arms weren’t long enough to reach their fins.  But she was able to do the foot push ride And the kisses We were in the pool about an hour but Lilli said it was the coolest experience of her life. And it’s definitely something I will always remember. Katie said the foot push was kind of scary but she loved the rest.  From their we checked out the turtle farm sanctuary...

Before we left we told the girls that this is our vacation too. That means no whining, no fighting, and we were doing what we wanted to do and they could find something to do at whatever place that happened to be. I didn’t expect them to be bad but this went better than we could have ever expected. We ended up having a lazy day on Monday and didn’t shop or see the turtles like we originally planned. We sat on the beach (with a couple trips to the pool) for 7 hours straight. We literally didn’t go up to the condo (even though it was steps away) from 8:00-3:00. This place had excellent beach service and we took advantage of that. Katie even made a friend that she played with awhile. They found ways to communicate without speaking the same language. :)  We were all ready to get showered by mid afternoon so we did that and then got on the golf cart to check out the town. There’s no safety regulations like we are used to. They rode around on the main roads with no car seat or seat belt ...

Our day started a little after 3AM yesterday to head to Dallas for our 9 AM flight. The kids were so excited they didn’t even need a wake up call. I thought they’d go back to sleep or the car or plane but no... the excitement got the best of them so at 6:30 last night they were both asleep and slept till 6:30 this morning. Matt and I were pretty much right behind them. :)  We landed by 11:30, caught the 1:30 ferry to the island And by 2:30 we were hanging by the pool and beach.  This is different than any place we’ve ever stayed in Mexico. It’s a 2 bedroom condo with cooktop, microwave and full fridge. Plus a separate living room and balcony.  We woke up and threw on our swimsuits to grab a coffee in town  Before heading back to the beach and pool.  We’re going shopping and to see the turtles later today and swimming with dolphins tomorrow! We’ve been here less than 24 hours and having an amazing time in paradise! 

It’s report card day! I know for some kids that strikes fear but the girls did great. Lillian has had two B’s each time the first and second nine weeks but this time she’s down to all A’s and one B. She’s going for straight A’s for that fourth one. Third grade has been a whole new world for us and she’s rocking it.  And Katie doesn’t technically have a grades yet but she was given a test to check where she is with kindergarten standards and she missed one question. I’d call that straight A’s.  Lillian also made her AR reading goal and got to participate in a hotdog cookout. I was there this afternoon helping out. I love it when I’m able to be there to celebrate their achievements with them. One school day, one packing day, and then we are headed to Mexico! So ready for spring break. 

We have been counting down since 80something days and now it’s almost here! In 4 days we will be checking in at DFW and ready for our trip. We have the dolphin encounter booked for Tuesday and the kids are beyond excited. Especially when I told them this was a real picture I took of the ocean the last time we were there.  For now it’s life as usual. I thank God for good friends because I’m not sure how I would do it without them. Lillian had her DI party yesterday afternoon celebrating their win But at that same time I had to be at a church board meeting and then straight to Katie‘s first soccer practice of the season. One friend picked her up from the party and brought her to my neighbor who then met me at soccer practice. It’s hard when you need to be two or three places at once. I’m definitely ready for this vacation and a chance to relax for a few days. I know Matt is too. Of course he was at work which is why he couldn’t help with pickups and then he decided to go check on som...