School breaks are always one of my most favorite times
because of the amount of time we have to spend as a family; exploring, playing,
and creating memories together.When
breaks come around I pause most everything else – laundry, housework (tidying
up is the exception), all nonessential errands, etc. to all for the Nutt House
to enjoy the additional time together.This past week has been spring break and we have jammed packed it full
of Nutt-y adventures and escapades resulting in an action packed, fun filled
week!
Monday we started rather low key with a couple errands and
an impromptu trip to the library.As we
were pulling in thought came to me that it was about this time last year that
Kara received her library card so as soon as we entered the building Kaden
bounced up to the information desk asking if he could please have a library
card of his very own.He was so excited
to receive his own card and did not let it out of his hand the entire time we
were looking at books.As we drove away
Kaden started reading one of the books he picked out, my heart swelled with
pride as I heard him reading the entire book by himself.“Robug” is the first book Kaden has been able
to do that with that he hasn’t heard so many times previously he practically
has it memorized.There were literally
tears in my eyes watching him read and later on when I sent his teacher an
email confessing my deepest gratitude for her and all she has done.
After scouring the shelves for the perfect fiction books
Kara gobbled up 3 non-fiction books on becoming a vet.
Happy Little Library Card Holder
Once we were home, the kiddos enjoyed the stunning weather
we’ve had while waiting for their first big spring break activity - a sleepover
with their cousins.Kaden had Jiu Jitsu
Monday afternoon so all the girls tagged along to support him and were
surprised when they got to participate in a class themselves.Following some Jiu Jitsu, the five kiddos
played and played as only cousins can before settling down for a late night
movie and snacks before calling it a night and actually sleeping at their
sleepover.Cousin fun did not end there
though, the next morning everyone was up bright and way too early when an alarm
someone had turned on went off around 6:45 and the day began again.Following breakfast the kiddos engaged in a
water gun/water balloon fight for a bit before returning to random play
activities.The kids played everything
from Legos, to trampoline jumping, to bike riding, to fort building, game
playing, and even had a dance party before it was time to say our good-byes and
wrap up the first part of our spring break fun.There is something special about cousins and the time Kara and Kaden had
with the Smaellie girls was a highlight of the week and something we hope to
repeat sooner rather than later.
This brave little bike rider was so excited to
ride his bike by himself all the way around the block
without a parent going with him!
Ready to spar
Oh how he loves this!
Gotcha!
Great group of Jiu-Jitsu students
Movie time! Kaden even sat through the movie "Leap"
thanks to some popcorn and snacks!
One set of sleepers
Can my kids not sleep in normal positions withou
squirming everywhere all night long?!?
Water fight!
So much fun with cousins!
Pi Day greeted us bright and early Wednesday morning where
we celebrated 3.14 with Pi focused meals all day – quiche for breakfast,
homemade pizzas for lunch, and scrumptious deep-dish pizza for dinner.Pi day was a delicious success!Between all the pies, the Nutt House seized the
day, exploring South Mountain.We had a
later start than we wanted and with some serious tumble and dance time coming
for Kara midafternoon we chose to forgo hiking up South Mountain instead
driving to the other side where we journeyed up to the Summit and took in the
views, the scenery and everything the mountain had to offer.After exploring the Summit for a while, we
ventured back down to a picnic area where a fun spirited ground squirrel
captured our attention while we ate lunch.We wrapped up our time on South Mountain with a trip to the visitors
center where our knowledge of all South Mountain has to offer was
increased.
Two little goofs making their pizzas!
Despite the smog we could see all over the valley
What incredible views!
That view and these kids!♥♥
He was so excited to have his picture taken
with him on this specific rock
They have been so good together all week long!
Balancing babe
She was so excited by the different rocks she found
but she understood we left them where we found them
so she wanted pictures taken with so very many rocks!
Love
She found the perfect heart shaped rock
Lunch time!
Our lunch time entertainment... our new friend,
Scaredy Squirrel!
They vowed to leave no trace and treat nature with respect
So proud of them!
Practicing their new lift for their trio!!!
Our spring break jaunts continued Thursday when we visited
an old favorite that we haven’t seen much of in the past year… the Natural
History Museum of Arizona (aka the dinosaur museum).Both little Nutts were quick to locate their
favorite picture taking spots pausing to get situated before requesting their
photo to be taken.Once we made it
inside the kiddos were quick to head toward the dinosaur discovery playroom.In the room Kara quickly realized that
growing up comes with some disadvantages, as she was too tall to technically go
down the dinosaur slide.I say
technically because she did fit and went down the slide just twice (it would
have been once but I didn’t get the picture she wanted so she maneuvered her
way back on top of the dinosaur before sliding down a second time).Once we were finished in the play area it was
off to pan for gold and dig up dinosaur bones in the courtyard.While neither young’un struck it rich, they
did walk away with 5-6 flakes of gold.More would have been kept if it weren’t for their mean ol’ mom reminding
them to leave some for everyone else.Now
that both kids are in school and are learning things from other sources, allowing
them to make connections between what the books in school say and the things we
do it has opened new doors while we are out and about.Take, for instance, the museum courtyard,
there are these signs that share what the 5 C’s of Arizona are (cotton, climate,
copper, cattle & citrus).I’ve tried
to read these to the munchkins in the past and it hasn’t held their interest
for even a minute.Now though, that Kara
has learned about the 5 C’s of Arizona in school she was eager to soak up the
information that has always been available to us on the signs that are posted
around the courtyard.As we headed back
into the museum both kiddos were keen to jump up on the beds in the old jail
where we discussed how miserable it would be to make choices that would put us
in a situation to go to jail ourselves.With the lesson over, we took the familiar path through the Old Dutchman’s
Mine.This time as I read the pieces of
parchment containing the history and different theories pertaining to the mine an
interest was piqued within Kara as she analyzed the different theories
presented before her and decided that what the Dutchman had said must be true
and the mine caved in somewhere.Thanks to
this, Kara has now set a goal for us as a family to explore the Superstition
Mountains and find the lost mine.Not
sure I’d hold my breath waiting for us to go off on that adventure, but still,
I’m glad she took an interest in what we learned.We meandered through the remainder of the museum
spending additional time at some of our favorite exhibits as well as taking the
time to explore some of the other exhibits as well.Kaden was giddy to take the quiz to test his
knowledge of poisonous creatures found in our area.As I high-fived him and prepared to praise
his good work getting them all right he proudly boasted that he cheated and
while I was getting Kara settled in another area ran ahead and peeked at all
the answers so he’d be right.Silly boy…
at least he is starting to learn, right?
Most favorite bear statue!
Such Sass!
Such cheese!
The dinosaur he created
The dinosaur she created
Probably the last picture of her up there since
she is now too tall to slide down
So proud to still be the perfect size!
Serious gold panning going on over here
Future paleontologist
Future paleontologist
Happy they can get out of this tight space
They always enjoy the old movies
So happy to be trying out a different puzzle!
We love this place!
Because we can't come here without getting this picture
After our museum time was up, we relocated to Skateland
where two little Nutts were eager little beavers to try out roller-skating for
the first time.Kaden and Kara both were
beyond excited and certain they wouldn’t need the skate mate helper beyond the
first few minutes of our arrival where as I was terrified, having flashbacks to
my failed attempts at all kinds of skating in my youth.I pushed those fears down deep and cheered on
my two brave little Nutts as they tried out their roller skating chops for the
first time.Kara who was quick to take
feedback started to pick up the skills needed to skate.She still feel a few times but was soon progressing
her way around the rink. She is convinced that she won’t need the skate mate on
our next visit though I think we’ll still grab it next time and maybe a few
times after.Kaden was crazy
amazing.The kiddo could barely make it
a yard without falling down and would only travel from the entrance located by
our table to the next entrance over before I’d grab ahold of his skate mate and
lead him back to our table.Along the
way I’d try to offer some advice (my lack of skating experience aside I did
have a few good tips… they worked with Kara). Kaden would nod okay and want to take off
again.I’d double check with him to see
if he really wanted to go again, each and every time he’d look up at me, full
of confidence and determination and nod yes.I’d help him back onto the rink and watch him fall within 30 seconds, he’d
struggle to get up and would slowly move a bit – fall – stumble back up and
repeat this process over and over until he reached the entrance where I’d meet
him, grab his skate mate and we’d again repeat the process.This happened for Kaden repeatedly until it
was time to go.Not once did he cry, not
once did he complain, he didn’t make many corrections, but he didn’t give up
either and though my heart hurt each time he fell, I’d find myself laughing at
the scenario all while beaming with pride at his tenacity.Both little Nutts were bummed when we left
and were already asking when they can go back and try again.I am so proud of their resolve to improve and
conquer the skill of skating.I don’t
want the kids to end up like me with nothing more than terrified flashbacks
when it comes to things like skating so we will do our nutt-y best to get the kids
skating enough so they have a handle on the skill.
All ready to go!
So proud of this lil' man!
Elated to be roller-skating!
On the way home there was a slight breeze and where it is
spring break, we are all about making memories and living in the moment we came
home quickly did a little start to dinner then headed over to the park for some
kite flying time.Oh my goodness!Kara and Kaden both were so ecstatic!When they can tell there’s a breeze or they
see someone flying a kite they are quick to ask if they can do the same but
schedules never seem to allow it.One of
the many beauties of spring break is that we can do most anything we want, as
we aren’t chained to schedules and flying kites Thursday was the epitome of
what spring break is all about!Kaden
had a fairly huge Star Wars kite that we never could get up for long but Kara
had a smaller, lighter butterfly kite that both kiddos experienced success
flying.Oh, it was a bit of heaven
watching them fly the kite – faces beaming with pure happiness.
Oh, Let's Go Fly a Kite
Up in the sky so high
Let's Go Fly a Kite and Send it Soaring
Back in November, the kiddos had a turkey trot at school, at
the turkey trot Kaden was given an eraser for the Phoenix Police Museum.As soon as he received the eraser he wanted
to go, his level of desire was so high that he put going on his Christmas list
to Santa.Winter break came and left and
we weren’t able to make it to the museum so going became a must do for spring
break.Our plans for Friday changed but
going to the museum was the focal point of the day, the one must do and as it
turned out, I’m so happy we went.Kaden
had such an amazing time!Kara learned a
few facts and was a good sport, but it was clear this was a Kaden destination
and that was perfectly fine.The museum
is free and rather small, but full of great information.For example, the first “jail” in Phoenix was
a pair of handcuffs attached to a large rock and you could be sent to jail for
anything from disorderly conduct to letting your chickens run loose as they
could spook a horse possibly leading to a rider being bucked.As we followed law enforcement throughout time
in the valley, Kaden was able to hop on an old police motorcycle and get in an
old police cruiser before ending our trip.We were at the museum for no longer than an hour, but we learned quite a
few new facts, had a good time and the kiddos were both given a goody bag
before we left.This isn’t a place we’ll
come back to all the time, but I would definitely visit again in a couple
years, to see what new information we pick up then and to remember what we will
have forgotten.
He was beyond excited to go inside!
With the first jail in Phoenix... crazy, huh?
The rangers must have been scarier looking than I thought,
based on Kara's expression
Such a happy lil' man!
This car made him want to become a policeman instead of a
fireman for a brief moment. Just so he could take the two
kids he is going to have on a ride with him. One boy and one girl
in case you were curious. I know I was!
As we were leaving the museum a volunteer informed us of the
Wells Fargo museum roughly a block away that he thought the kids might enjoy.I recalled seeing the museum as we went to a
past dance competition in the area and thought we might as well check it
out.I am so glad we did, it was so fun
and we learned so much!Again, it was a
smaller museum but chalked full of great information.We were able to do everything from see how
gold bars are made, talk on old telephones, see how you’d pack everyone and
everything into a stagecoach, practice your Morse code and even take advantage
of a few good photo stops.
Can you tell he enjoyed holding this gold nugget
Checking the weight for like sized pieces of
gold, silver and copper. She was pleased to discover
that Gold weighed the most
She thought the phones were pretty crazy
Watching the old movie was more of a highlight for him
than I would have thought it would have been
Surprised to see what some people sent in packages
They were supposed to fit 18 people and all
the luggage in the stagecoach
Not as easy as one may think
Success!! *sorta
Stagecoach riding!
He was surprised at how fast the
ride actually got!
Sweet guy struggled figuring out how to hold
the phone at first
Crazy large brownie sundaes and the cherries
that come on top!
Kara and I recently finished reading the book, “A Wrinkle in
Time” together, a movie based on the book was recently released, and as a family,
we decided to go and see the movie.The
movie by itself was pretty good, when you match it up against the book however
there was so much left out and so much changed that the movie ended up as a
disappointment, at least for myself.Based on the number of questions Kara kept asking during the movie –
seeking clarification as to why something was different I’d say the movie wasn’t
her favorite either.However, as I
stated, the movie on its own was still pretty good and the family time was much
enjoyed.
He's a little excited to see this new movie
All ready for the movie to start
Yay! About to start!!
The Nutt House said Huzzah to Saturday as we spent the day
at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.This is an event each member of the Nutt House looks forward to each
year.An event that in years past has
been an entire entry in itself, this year though, it is simply one more piece
in our perfect spring break week puzzle.Weather wise and proximity from the parking spot to the entrance this
was the best year we have ever had.We
did a few favorites – animal petting at Mother Goose’s, watching the fire whip
cracker, and the birds of prey show.Of
course for Kara, we could not make it a trip without visiting Twig the Fairy’s
house and seeing the mermaids (which were made better this year when Brent put
Kara up on his shoulders and she was able to high five the mermaid).The family enjoyed Gypsy Geoff as we have
every year, he puts on such a fun show and one that is very family friendly
which makes it all the better.The
kiddos found their trinkets - a new fan and a fairy dust necklace for Kara and
a new hood for Kaden – another piece for his knight gear… give the kid a couple
years and he’ll go to the Renaissance Festival looking like a true knight!The little Nutts went on a couple rides – the
Dragon Tail Tower Giant Slide and new to us this year the New World Joust ride.Of course, we ended our day with the jousting
tournament where we cheered on a brave knight who though lost the jousting
competition put on a good show and took the time to chat with Kaden and sign his
pendant for him.As we trekked back
towards the beginning to pick up the family picture we finally had taken this
year… you know the kind, where you dress up in period appropriate
clothing?We’ve chatted about getting
this every year but had never done it, so this time; at the beginning of the day,
we had a family picture taken before we were all dusty and dirty from a day of
fun.So excited we had it taken!Anyway, as we trekked back we ran into the
Prince of the Festival who knighted Kaden, which brought happy tears to this
momma Nutt’s eyes and topped off the day on a perfect note for Kaden.When Kara saw Twig approaching the exit at
the end of the day and was able to give her the hug she didn’t give her earlier
Kara found her day topped off perfectly as well and the Nutt House called it a
day.It was the perfect festival day and
we had a blast, time flew for us in such good ways and we cannot wait to go
back again next year.
Token entry photo opprotunity
Such a beautiful princess
Happily petting Abby
Soft, sweet geese
Fire whip cracker
The better of the two shows to me
Tons of fun and educational too!
Twig's house!!!
Receiving some fairy dust while waiting for Twig
Post Dragon Tail Tower Slide
Silly little Nutt's were so excited to be up
so much higher than their parents!
Receiving more fairy dust where the dragon slide
made some come off
TWIG!!!
Twig is amazing and Kara absolutely loves her!
Playing her magical flute for an enchanted Kara
Best part of seeing the mermaids for Kaden
was seeing the pirateer
Seriously made the mermaids worthwhile for him
She got to touch a mermaid!!!
My enchanting kids with an enchanting mermaid
Our favorite performer, Gypsy Geoff!
Spraying all the kids with water
Now that's a balancing act!
Love how he teaches it's okay to be a goofball
My little Knight with his new hood
New World Jousting sans the jousting,
she just wanted the ride
My future jousting knight!
Almost the same height!
Check out that necklace and fan
*It literally took all day for her to find just
the right trinkets. So glad she found the perfect ones!
Waiting for the jousting to begin
Crazy fact, I was actually getting cold!
The weather was that perfect!
Family photo. Kaden's smile says it all
My heart right here
Our knight for the day, Sir Larry
He was a true knight to my lil' knight!
Such a kind knight!
I love how all the performers we've met
are so good with the children
Being questioned by the Prince
Being knighted!
Melts my heart!
All the love, all the magic right here!
Truly magical
We never leave without our perfumed roses from
the statue
Though Kaden declared this year it's really just
a man, he saw the hands
*stop overlooking, stop over-analyzing, stop growing up!
This one may very well see the magic, hear the bell and overall
just believe all her life ... I pray no one takes that away from her
My royal family!
Sunday for the Nutt House has been a bit slower, though not
by much.We didn’t get a chance to
celebrate St. Patrick’s Day yesterday with our trip to the Renaissance Festival
so we celebrated today.The kiddos woke
up to discover a naughty leprechaun had been here and made a mess in their
bathroom, wrapping everything up in green streamers and leaving a sink full of
green leprechaun urine.The mischievous
leprechaun also left a scavenger hunt for the kiddos where once they followed
all the clues were given a bag of chocolate gold nuggets and rainbow candies to
enjoy.We enjoyed a green shamrock
pancake breakfast before going off to be spiritually fed at church.We wrapped up our day with a St. Patrick’s
Day dinner of corned beef and cabbage that we enjoyed with Brent’s grandfather
along with a very pleasant visit before coming home to settle into bed.At least that’s where the little Nutt’s are
and I hope to follow after them soon.
With a new week and new adventures mere hours away, I think
it’s time to call it a wrap on this Spring Break week.Ending with just this… these breaks are so
precious and so needed, I just wish they could come about more and/or last
longer.I love the time we as a Nutt
House have together and cherish every moment of our adventures.I know the day is all too fast approaching
when these family times will be fewer and far between and I’m doing everything
to soak in and make the most of each Nutt-y minute we have been blessed to
have!
No comments:
Post a Comment