Berea Kentucky?

So who would have thought that Berea KY could be such a fun overnight for two moms???  Well, when you put it like that, I guess it is a good place.  I met Kristen, one of my friends from high school, there earlier this week for girls getaway.  She lives in Ohio and this was 1/2 way for us. SUPER FUN! 

This is where we stayed: Boone Tavern Inn.  On Berea College campus, very cool, lots of history.

In Old Town Square, I found this. Not sure about the canoe and metal dinosaur, but the hand was because Berea is the arts and crafts capital of Kentucky and they like to "give a helping hand" to those in need. There are painted hands all around the town.

 Breakfast was included in our stay. Chocolate milk in a fancy glass. Loved it.

We went to all the art and craft stores in town. The rocking chair was outside the woodmaker's shop. The potter at the potter's wheel and the weaver at the loom were the most interesting to talk to and watch.

 After touring the area, craft shops, and college, we decided to go hiking.  We chose Anglin Falls Trail, which was about a 1 mile hike to get to the waterfall. After we parked in what seemed to be someone's front yard, and were greeted by barking dogs running up to the car, we finally made it to the trail. VERY SOON after we began, we ran into this. What to do? 

 This of course! Now, let me tell you that everything was wet because of the constant snow for the past 2 days (melted on impact mostly). And this tree log was wiggly. Determination paid off. We had lots of laughs during this episode.

 Although excited to see water falling, this was not the falls.

 This was.

This was the "down" view from base of the waterfall.

 I tried to capture the "ambiance" of our hike. There was lots of snow falling, ice on a few plants, and water falling. It was SO pretty.

 I thought this was cool because you can see the green moss AND snow covered roots. 

 Kristen, your friendship is a gift from God! Plus you are FUN! HA! Thanks for the great girly time! I didn't feel like a mom for 2 days! And THANK YOU Justin for holding down the fort!

Eating, Music Programs, T ball, and Such

I found some pictures from February with Elias going to town feeding himself for one of the first times with a spoon. He's done it before but I usually stop him as to avert a mess. This time it was all him for the whole meal. I thought it was funny.

Success!

Our little thumb sucker.

 He kept doing this all over the material I laid out on the floor in order to trace him. We were all laughing so he kept doing it and laughing too. I trace each of the kids every birthday they have to see how much they've grown. I'm not always on time. He is 15mo, not 12. Close enough.

 Olivia took him on a sweet ride.

 We went to the zoo. Kids were excited that the cow utters were on. (They were off for the winter...milk freezing I suppose...haha) It looks like one had a leak.

 There is a giraffe in the picture.

 The Troop.

 Thought this was a fun look.

 I set this block of cheese out to cut but Elias got a hold of it before I did...and then he wouldn't let go. So I let him eat off the block till he was done.

 And Isaac couldn't wait on me to refill his cup. So he found another way. There's a word for that. I just can't think of it.

Olivia was SOOOO excited for her kindergarten music program last week. I was too really. Fun to watch.

 There she is. During the last song she was one of the ones who got to wave a bandanna.

 This past weekend we went to IJAMS nature center. We stopped and talked to the couple who owned this big dog. There were actually 2 of them.  I think the kids are glad Luci is not that big.

 Isaac did not fall in the lava.

 Happy to be out of the lava. My foot was burning off.

 Bird's nest.

 On the trail, Olivia found this rock but Elias thought it was so funny to carry it around and throw it down every now and again. My back will be glad when he can walk all by himself. However, I think I will have to do A LOT more chasing with this one.

Isaac started T ball practice last weekend. Coach Trever is in yellow. Assistant Coach Justin is there too! Justin and Trever worked together last year and 2 prior to that.

 Assistant Coach Derrick helping him bat.

Elias has absolutely loved the water/rock table. He's only gotten to play a couple times with it. Summer will be fun.

 Thanks Gramp and Nana for the soccer goals!

Snow, Fun Run, & Painting

Before it gets too hot, I figured I'd post the "last snow" which Elias was able to take part in finally! I'm really glad we have the trampoline because it's about the only place where the snow actually sticks enough to play in (besides the deck).

 He laughed lots crawling back and forth on the trampoline brushing snow with his gloves. His boots were a little big (hence one off, and the other backwards) and he wore my mittens. Still fun.

 See. There it is. Fun.

 Olivia made a 2-ball snowman. Elias and Isaac were making snow soup.

Olivia had a "Fun Run" to raise money for her school. Isaac, Elias, & I got to watch. I thought it was fun, but it was a little long for Isaac & Elias, running into their nap time. The Grumpy Gills showed up. Olivia is the one in black pants coming out of the tunnel. The event was in the gym because of weather. All the kindergartners ran at the same time. It got a little comical watching so many wipe out (no one hurt)...until it was Olivia. But she said she only fell 2x. Glad I only saw one. All the kids were really good about helping each other up.

 Is that Dash? No, it's Olivia!

 They had to get their shirt marked off every lap they ran. She made it to the cap lap of 35.

Thanks to my sister for the idea, we had a painting frenzy. It started with the Q tip painting, and then turned into Olivia showing Isaac painting activities she had done in art with paper plates, and then turned into drawing pictures and painting them on a bazillion pieces of paper. 

Elias LOVED it. He even ate paint and rubbed it all over his tummy.

 The point of the activity was to practice fine motor control. In the pictures were circles to be painted by only the end of a Q tip.

 The final products. Olivia wanted a white bunny.

And the last few....Elias played at the kitchen sink for the first time. Splashed all over with that spoon. He can say bubble.

 Rainbow pictures. The entire paper was filled with rainbow colors. I kept 2 out of the 10 that were done.

 And the last news, Isaac is going to start t ball! More pictures to follow when he actually goes to practice!