Fish Hatchery

I went with Madison and her third grade class to the wolf lake hatchery.  I was super impressed and think that it was my favorite field trip - and I have attended A LOT of field trips.

We got back stage tours of the facility and guided walking tours of the grounds.  Our tour guides were exceptional and love their jobs... So nice to see!!!

I even let Madison come home with me and skip some school.  It was a wonderful day with my favorite 3rd grader:)  These are the times that I am very thankful that I get to stay home with my kids and make great memories!!!

On the tour

feeling fish eggs

Sturgeon sure look funny

feeding the fish

BFF's

Super COOL Eliuk girls!!!

Painted Ladies

I love it that my kids are into science and nature.  I have always enjoyed being outdoors and grew up with TONS of animals as well.  Every year we have tried to raise something in the spring.  We did this exact butterfly EXPERIMENT before, but the kids really wanted to do it again.  I ordered our caterpillars and just waited for them to arrive.

My kids were just as equally impressed this time around as several years ago.  We just released all 5 butterflies.  It is a fun thing to do and I am always a little amazed as well to watch the life cycle.

Happy Mother's DAY

I felt very special and loved...  Blake, Madison and Caitlin are the three shining stars in my world!!!!  They were so excited about Mother's day that they came running in the house on Friday after getting off the bus begging me to open their gifts they made for me.  I told them that Mother's Day wasn't until Sunday.  They couldn't wait ---  adorable.  I hope they always have that excitement.  Their little homemade gifts are truly priceless...

Saturday night, Madison was asking me what I would like for breakfast in bed.  She wrote it all down.  However, when Sunday morning rolled around, they all decided that coffee in bed was better and then go out to my favorite breakfast place.  I was on board with their plan.

We ended up buying, assembling and playing on the trampoline all afternoon.

Caitlin's school had a special morning for moms as well.  Caitlin and I drew pictures of our selves and then Caitlin filled out a survey about me.  She knows me very well.

Caitlin is an amazing artist.  I am NOT SO GREAT...  She didn't say anything to me about my drawing, but told a friend of mine that I needed more detail in my drawing... SO true and funny!!!

Even with all of that, the one thing that touched my heart the most and I will treasure forever is a text that night with Madison.  Madison loves to text me goodnight.  Yes, I am sitting in the living room right below her, but it is super sweet.  Caitlin and Madison love to sleep with each other on the weekends.  It makes me feel so wonderful to see my kids appreciate each other.  Here is her text...

They also send me pictures of each other...  I especially love the "I KNOW RIGHT" response...

Spring Break in the "D"

Christy, Emily, the kids and I headed over to the Warner household on Wednesday.  We were spending 4 days there visiting with the cousins and Oma/Opa.  Christy and I stayed at a hotel.  My kids think that it is so special to stay the night in a hotel with a pool.  It is so cute!  Always makes me happy that little things still make my kids feel special.

We switched up kids one night.  All 5 girls came back to the hotel with Christy and I...  They had so much fun at the GIRLS ONLY sleepover.

Too many people in the suburban...  Aunt Christy had to sit on the floor!

Easter Bunny fun at Wendy's...  Nice PJ's everyone :)

3D movie fun

 I love this boy...

 Opa gave Blake the beloved helmet.  Blake thinks it is the coolest thing that Opa gave it to him.

 Kensington farm with Oma and Opa.  It felt just like old times.  Oma and Opa spent many trips here with the kids and I when we lived over there.

 Warner's love to play games...  Did I mention that we HATE to loose.  I guess Madison IS more Warner than Eliuk in this case.  She was determined to win...

 Guess who is winning????

 My girls love hanging out with Emily.

 Easter Egg fun.

My crazy towel head girls.  They always make me smile!

Spring Break with the Jensen GIRLS

Yes...  I know that this is very late, but here it is.  We had an amazing spring break.  It will actually be in three different posts.  We had time with the Jensen GIRLS, Detroit area cousin fun, and K-zoo friends' time.  Thank goodness that my kids like to be as busy as I do.  I hate sitting home!

We picked up Christy and Emily in Chicago and spent the day in the WINDY CITY!!!  I love being a tour guide and showing the highlights of the city.  Christy and Emily were troopers and let me take them wherever I wanted.  Of course my kids chose Shedd's, Rainforest, and THE BEAN!

It was a little chilly, but everyone was a trooper walking around.

We also spent two days at my house with them.

Rollerskating/Rollerblading was hilarious...  Lets just say that someone looked a little like BAMBI out on the ice for the first time :)

I actually had my kids go to school those two days...  We met them at  school for lunch with SUBWAY.  The girls loved showing off their cousin and aunt.

Romeo even got a pedicure!

Spring

This has been a horribly wet and cold spring! We are so happy to see this tree bloom:)

We have played too many soccer games/practices in freezing weather...