Springing Ahead

It's been a busy few weeks since the last post!  We had a lot going on during week leading up to the school break, with a band concert for each of the kids, a King Me gig, and some snowy adventures.  The boys headed up to camp to shovel snow off the roof and deck, and they made the work seem like fun!  Shoveling got done, followed by jumps off the deck, sledding down the roof, and grilling burgers and hot dogs on a beautiful sunny day.  Meanwhile, we girls went snowshoeing on a very hilly trek, and the dogs bounded along in the deep snow.  Everyone was tired at the end of the day, but we embraced the snow, knowing we'd be headed to the beach in a few short days!

Evie's band concert.  It was nice, but we are missing Mr. Stone this year at EMS!

Noah's first-ever concert was great.  It was heartwarming to see such a big group of kids excited about music!

Noah built a luge track in the backyard!  

Boys' shoveling day at camp

Standing on the frozen lake and sliding down into the snow piles

Girls' snowshoe outing - we are smiling here, but we were working HARD!

All tuckered out

King Me at Cider Lab

Epic icicles

We also marked Nana Mil's first heavenly birthday on February 21st with a family zoom/happy hour.  Being together to share stories and some laughs felt like the perfect way to remember her on that day.  It is hard to believe an entire year has passed already!

We love you Millie!

We headed back to Sand Key, Florida for our winter vacation this year.  Having a break from the winter weather is such a mental boost, and we loved being back in this same destination we visited a couple years ago.  The weather was on the cooler side (upper 60's and low 70's), but the sun was bright, and the pool and hot tub were warm!  We did lots of beach walks, shell collecting, reading, swimming, and relaxing.  We also did a dolphin tour and attended a Red Sox spring training baseball game, but mostly we just enjoyed our time at the resort.  We had the bonus of traveling with some friends this year, and the double bonus of having Carly join us for the last couple days of the trip!

Noah loved that housekeeping put his PJ's and teddy on the bed for him!

Some days were chilly with the breeze off the ocean!

The hot tub was heavenly!

Beach-sized Connect Four game

We got spoiled with rides out to the beach some days.  Ahh!

Enjoying the sun!

Beautiful pool area

Tropical drinks - yum!

The girls got creative with their photos!

Our breakfast spot

AM beach walks

Dolphin tour!

Red Sox vs. Phillies Spring Training

Carly arrived!

We had to laugh at Matt's "Beach Dad" attire

Beach football

The kids found lots of sand dollars while they were swimming

Matt got creative, and used our trash can as an ice bucket for drinks at the beach

Snuggles on a chilly day

Always the waitress - carrying 3 drinks with ease!

Sunsets were beautiful

Beach Birdie!

Ice cream, of course!

Last day

A delicious final dinner at an Italian restaurant

Upon returning home, we were thrown right back into reality!  Parent-teacher conferences, Ash Wednesday, another King Me gig, a make-up basketball game for Noah, and St. Patrick's Day practices for Evie filled our days and evenings.  Not to mention the usual responsibilities of school, work, cooking, laundry and then Daylight Savings Time.  Phew!

Evie's artwork at school

King Me!

A sign of spring - the igloo has melted!

Settling back into home life

Evie did this beautiful scratch art drawing of Frankie in art class at school

Noah finished the basketball season strong, and now he's excited for baseball season to start!

Now, I get to do a little Mom bragging.  Noah's class participated in the STARBASE program, where they partnered with the VT National Guard to go and do STEM-related activities and build rockets over the course of 4 visits.  It was such an inspiring experience for the kids, and sadly, we just found out that the program is in jeopardy for future years due to government cuts.  Noah was lucky to be a part of such an exciting program!

Evie was honored last week at the all-school assembly as the Eagle of Excellence.  Each month, one member from each team at her school is recognized for going above and beyond.  Evie has had the most amazing teachers during middle school, and we have seen her grow and flourish during these past three years. We're so proud of her!

We also bid goodbye to Evie's former Irish dance dress, and it's headed to a dancer in California now.  It's "just a dress", but it held a lot of special memories for Evie!  Hopefully the next owner loves it just as much as we did.