Birthday Fun

We helped celebrate our newest little neighbor's 1st birthday today.  The kids had fun with the face painting, egg dying and balloon swords.  Happy Birthday, little one.  It was a beautiful day!

Grateful

I stumbled across an inspirational blog this evening.  Within one of its posts was this message....

When you’re feeling overwhelmed by life… find three things to be grateful for.

After a particularly bad day… find three things to be grateful for.

If you feel like it or not… find three things to be grateful for.

I'm grateful for these three dolls.  Even on my lowest of days, they sure can put a smile on my face.

The Inventor...

Q enjoys drawing pictures of all his "inventions".  I will not be surprised when he makes a fortune someday from one of them.

 Tiny Dancer...

R received her recital costume this week.  This girl is destined for big things.  She is the bravest little girl that I know.  I can't wait to see her perform again on that big stage.

The Trickster...

P keeps me laughing. I don't know where she learns how to be such a joker.  She originally put this band-aid perfectly between her eye brows so that it looked like a uni-brow.  It was hysterical.  I moved it to her nose, but she knew the uni-brow was much funnier.

Nature Lovers

The kids love to be outdoors, especially on gorgeous spring days.  While in CS, over the break, the kids wanted to be in "the ditch" most of the day.  Setting up shooting targets and trying to catch minnows were favorite past times.

Drive-Thru Safari

During one of our beautiful Spring Break days, Grandma & I drove the kids over to the Franklin "Drive-Thru" Safari.  I saw the park listed in a "fun things to do" advertisement and decided to try it out on a whim.  For our age group, it did not disappoint.

The animals were all eager to be fed & the kids loved every second of feeding them.  From pot-bellied pigs to different varieties of monkeys & goats, this place had it all.  We were especially amused by the camel and buffalo. They were a bit more aggressive than some of the other animals and were not afraid to take the cup of feed right out of your hand.  

It was the perfect place for my animal loving family and there were no crowds to manipulate through!

Mama & baby camel...

Mr. Buffalo coming our way...

Q feeding the buffalo...

beautiful zebra...

 

Ri feeding the zebra...

P & Grandma feeding the emu (or ostrich?)...

Ri giggling at how the emu was eating...

close up action...

this guy had the most beautiful eyelashes...

this little guy just wanted to feed himself...

feeding the alpaca...

loving the bunnies...

Picasso Jr.

In celebration of art education, CISD art teachers come together to host a student exhibit at our public library. Q's art teacher chose his piece to be represented.  I'm a proud Mama!

Feeling Better

The Schmidt house has had the funk. Q was first with strep, J came down with a sinus infection and pink eye, and then my girls both tested positive for flu. I am so thankful for the arrival of Spring Break. We all need a respite from our fast paced life and these spring germs.

Here's the "baby" getting her energy back.  I think one day she'll be giving me a run for my money.

Our Q-man is back to his normal speed.  He's had another great start to the spring soccer season.  Our most  recent game put another win down for our Dragons.

My Ri-girl is still on the puny side.  She's completed her medication and feels tons better.  She simply tires easily and needs her rest, although through the tears she promises she's not tired.

The Woodlands Half

Saturday was a great day for a run!  It was cold and windy, but only noticable if I stopped running.  I am a finisher of 13.1.  Perhaps for my 40th birthday, I'll look into running a full marathon.