Our little Monsters

 

We had fun creating our little monster eggs for Easter. 

Egg Dive

This is the only Easter egg hunt the kids wanted to do this year.  The kids ended up with some neat prizes and the best part was that they could swim after the egg hunt.

Baby Animals Days

During our short Spring break of 2 days, we spent a day at Baby Animals Days in Wellsville.  A few friends of mine got together, packed our lunches and carpooled the hour drive to the farm.  This place turned out to be so fun, the kids kept on saying that they want to come back next year and do it again.  This farm had so many animals to hold and pet that the kids couldn't get enough.  We ended up staying there all day until it closed and the best part was that they kept the place open for an additional hour so the kids took full advantage of the extra time holding more animals.

Ashlynn loved the bunnies! She named hers marshmallow and she was very sad when she had to say good-bye to her new friend. 

The only animals we could not pet and only look at was the baby bears.  They were sure cute to look at.

I was surprised how well the animals did with all those kids chasing and wanting to hold all of them.  The animals would actually come to you and want to be held.  The kid just loved it!

Carter had a fun time riding the mechanical bull.  He never got bucked off because he jumped off before it was over.  Silly kid!  It was funny when one of the goats was trying to bite Carter's jacket and it did take a bite of my friends paper bag.  The workers said they like to eat paper. 

Carter is 9...It can't be!

It is hard to believe that Carter is 9 now.  He is just looking older everyday.  He is very active in lots of sports and currently has been playing a lot of basketball these days.  He keeps up with the sports world by watching the ESPN sports channel and all the pre-game show talks.  He impresses people with all his knowledge about players and other teams.

The April Fool's Birthday Boy!

Carter had his friend party at the indoor wave pool.

When the place was closing up the kids collected the left over tubes and received a full size candy bar for helping out.  They all thought that was so cool!

Carter was not too happy about Ashlynn's trick of giving him a pink doll.  He did think it was funny that we hid all of presents around the house for him to find. 

Carter had 3 days of celebration in honor of his birthday.  He had his friend party on Saturday, family party on Sunday and finally his class party on Monday.  He just didn't want the fun the end.  He wanted his birthday to be everyday!

Carter felt special all weekend with all the phone calls and visits.  He also got to skype with his cousins in New Hampshire and G & G Greer.  He loved all the extra attention!

Hollywood - Universal Studios

We were happy that we included Universal Studios Hollywood on our trip. We spent the first and last day of our trip there. There was plenty to see and do since the kids and I have never been there.

We ran into to some fun character meet and greets for Carter. Ashlynn does not like to be around anyone dressed up in a costume that she can't see their face. So, she just sticks with the princesses.

The studio back lot tour was really neat too. We got to view sets that were used in movies and TV shows. We went through a 4-D movie that included Hong Kong and dinosaurs..it made you feel that you were really there. I have to admit that Ashlynn and I were slightly scared during the show, but it didn't last long so we were fine.

The kids always want to have their face's painted at Lagoon, but I never let them. So, they asked again here and I gave in since this was a special trip. They were in heaven that their faces were painted. People gave them looks at the airport when we flew home. They were so funny.

The kids including Matt had fun at the Curious George playroom. It was a huge playroom with very soft balls that you could put in guns and shoot others around you. We saw lots of 4D shows that were really neat as well! We had a great time at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

Then, when we got home we spent the next few days recovering from all the walking and running around in California. We had the best time!

A quick Trip...

While the kids were off track from school we took a quick trip to Anaheim and LA. I found an awesome deal on flights to Long Beach that I could not pass up. It was cheaper to fly than drive the 12 hours to Disneyland. We also saved because we didn't have to stay very long due to the short hour and half flight. So, we flew out at 5:00am on Monday morning and came home on Wednesday night at midnight. It was the best busiest trip ever...we were up early and went to bed late every night. There wasn't time for down time unless we were in the rental car going to another place. It was great!! Every minute was well spent! When we got off our plane, we picked up the car and drove to Universal Studios in Hollywood. We spent all day until closing and then headed to our hotel back in Anaheim. Amazing enough that we made it back to our hotel in time to swim in the pool. Then, we woke up bright an early the next day to get to Disneyland at 7:00am then stayed there for a full 16.5 hours straight. That's right..we didn't leave the park once. I guess spending hours at Lagoon the kids are used to long days at amusement parks. The lines and weather were great! No complaints!

We loved this roller coaster! It shoots you up so fast at the very beginning of the ride.

Ashlynn's favorite was the new "Little Mermaid Ride" she could of rode it over and over. She also loves "Small World". Poor Carter very much dislikes the ride, but did his best to get through it for Ashlynn.

The "World of Color" show in California adventure was so amazing! Matt surprised us with reserved seating that came with a meal that put us sitting in the very front of the show. We could feel the mist of the water, feel the fire on our faces and the best part was that the kids didn't have anyone in front of them. It was a sneaky and fun surprise from Matt.

Carter's room makeover

We finally were are able to make over Carter's room. He has been asking for a skateboard/extreme sports room.

Here is what we did:
1) Painted the walls a cement blue color to resemble a skate board park. Matt saw this paint sitting in the oops paint shelf last summer and grabbed it thinking we could use it somewhere in the house, the best part was it was only $5. It turned out to be the perfect color to paint Carter's room.

2) Spray painted his furniture and bed a high gloss black with metallic shiny knobs. They all turned out so crisp looking. The down side is you can see the dust collection really well.

3) Matt made some very nifty shelves that resemble a skate ramp that are above his bed and wrap around to the window. They turned out so perfect for the room. Matt also made some thicker shelves for another wall above his dresser to put more of his boy stuff up. He has so many team pictures and trophies that these shelves are perfect to show off his rewards.

4) I also added some skater and bmx bike wallies to his wall. It made the room look more put together with our theme.

5) I am in the process of finishing a curtain and making a window seat cushion to make a reading area for him.

We all are pleased with the results of the room makeover.