Spring Break 2018

We have had the best week! When I made the decision last year to leave Admissions and return to high school, a big positive was the 10-month calendar and the other breaks that come with the teacher schedule. I was longing to spend more time with Emmy and to find a better balance of being a working mom. The past week has given me just what I was looking for - more focused time to be a mom. It has also given me a good taste of what summer may be like! In addition to the extra time with Emmy, I've also enjoyed walks with friends, runs with my sister, and working out at the gym. Last weekend, I met up with my friend Michelle and her daughter Stella. The weather was beautiful for a late afternoon walk. Michelle, too, is a working mom, so a lot of our conversation centered around balancing work and motherhood. I am so thankful for the mom friends that God has put in my life!

On Monday, we met up with Caroline and Coley. The weather was beautiful for another walk, and Emmy doesn't mind being in her stroller as long as we keep moving. We did a loop around downtown Kernersville, topped off by a sweet treat of custard and doughnuts. Coley was also on Spring Break and traveling through Kernersville on her way to the coast; Caro, who works a real 12-month job, had taken the day off to have a long weekend. The three of us had just been together a few days before with the other Morganton girls, but it was so good seeing them again. After leaving the girls, we met up with Daddy to sign tax paperwork and then had dinner out at East Coast Wings.



On Tuesday, we had a spontaneous field trip with Grammy to the Dewberry Tulip Farm. The farm is in Kernersville and no more than 15 minutes from our house. My mom had gone just the day before with a friend, and she thought it would be a perfect activity for Emmy. We had fun exploring the farm, seeing the animals, and then cutting a few tulips to take home. Emmy was a little skittish around the animals. Even though they were behind fencing, she was not interested in reaching out to pet them. After walking around the farm, we then went to see the tulips. Since the tulips are in bloom for only a short amount of time, the farm was closing to the public on Wednesday. We hope to go back in July when they will re-open with sunflowers!

 

 

On Wednesday, we had our biggest adventure of the week - the Greensboro Science Center. Even Daddy took the day off to go with us! We went with Aunt Megan, Grammy, Zander, and Maddox. For Boomer and me, it was our first time, but Emmy has actually been to the Science Center before. Last summer, when my mom was watching her, all three cousins would pile in the backseat of Grammy's car and go on fun field trips. I remember getting the pictures last year and being so jealous!

 When we arrived to the Science Center, there was quite a long line. It seems a lot of other Spring Breakers had the same idea we did! Overall, the crowds weren't really too bad. Between the outdoor zoo, the indoor aquarium, and the other hands-on play areas, there are a lot of things to do once you get in. I decided to go ahead and buy the yearly membership so that Megan and I can take the kiddos several times over the summer. Emmy liked strolling through the zoo and walking around near the tanks of the aquarium. Like at the tulip farm, she wasn't too keen on petting the animals, but she would at least let Boomer hold her close to them.

Emmy didn't take her nap until close to 2:30PM on that day - two hours later than usual! But she was pleasant all the way home and hammed it up for Aunt Meg's camera.

We stayed closer to home on Thursday, first with a workout for Mommy at the YMCA, then Music & Movement at the library followed by a picnic lunch at the park with the cousins, Sarah, Luke, and Laurel. Emmy loved moving around at the library. She would pause to look around and listen to the music; then she would dart off across the room, giggling and smiling. It gave me a glimpse of what she may be like at daycare when she is around a lot of other kids her age. I loved watching her be so independent. After the library, we headed over to the park. The temps were in the upper 50s, but with a jacket and in the sun, it felt nice. At the park, Emmy loved going down the slide on her belly. Grammy and I tried to get her to go down on her bottom, but my little daredevil kept going down face first!

 Today, we visited Great Grandma (although I forgot to take any pictures!), and then this evening we went out to dinner and walked around the mall for a little bit. Boomer and I are not big shoppers, but it wasn't too crowded and it was fun strolling Emmy around while we window-shopped. We finished off the evening with some doughnuts. The Hot Light was on - we had to stop! :)

It's hard to believe that my 10-day break is now down to just 2 days. We originally had planned to go to Lazy 5 Ranch tomorrow, but now the weather is calling for rain. We will likely be staying indoors instead. Over the past few days, we have fit in a lot of fun adventures. We've strayed from our regular routine and shifted nap schedules and pushed back bedtime. It has felt nice to be able to have a more open schedule and no alarm clocks. We have had the best week and perhaps a low key weekend will be just what we need to get ready for the work week ahead. So long, Spring Break! Summer - we can't wait to see you soon! :)