St Patrick's Day Traditions

Apparently the kids have determined that our St Patrick's Day traditions are:

1. Wear Green
2. Get Shamrock Shakes and Green Donuts
3. Make a leprechaun trap 
4. Wait for the leprechaun to leave a clue to start a scavenger/treasure hunt
5. Go on said treasure hunt, reading and discovering clues
6. Find yummy leprechaun gold 
7. Eat gold while watching Leprechaun/Fairy Movie
8. Have an Irish (kind of) Dinner

This year St Patrick's Day was on Sunday so we went out
Saturday for our special green breakfast

Of course I totally failed at getting a picture of
them all dressed in green for church... 

{this moment}

We are trying hard now that it is just starting to warm up to start our family walks back up. Of course Connor is now too cool and won't go unless we force him (which we do some days). 

Tonight though it was just Shea and I watching the fading sun.

Just the girls climbing on rocks. 

Just laughter and excited shouts.

Just exploring and stick finding. 

Just spotting glimpses of deer and rabbits. 

Just goosebumps on our arms.

Just a chill in the air and the night breeze. 

Just enjoying these beautiful girls and this beautiful world. 

And them just enjoying it all too. 

First/Second Trimester

My First Trimester was filled with the usual heavy dose of morning/all day sickness and headaches. But I was so elated to be pregnant, that was the furthest thing from my mind, and Shea was able to be home a ton so he filled in all the gaps and it was seriously the best yet. I did my best to hide my little bump and dreaded the day of announcing. The kids knew of course so I was okay with people knowing I just didn't want to tell people. It has been a weird feeling of guilt, for being able to be blessed with a healthy baby when so many go through similar struggles and never get that happy ending. I did my best to stifle that with the kids and Shea, and focus on the joy. Shea was disappointed in my lack of excitement and if's and but's; he knew after many emotional talks that this was just my way of protecting myself in case something happened. I didn't do it on purpose, it just seemed like a weird subconscious defense mechanism. Fortunately things were only getting better and more hopeful.

My Second Trimester started with lucky me... more morning sickness, fortunately it tapered off around 18 weeks. Shea had been bugging me to death about taking pictures of my growing baby bump. It still didn't seem very far along, but finally to his delight I started recording this growing baby...

16 Weeks

18 Weeks

Shea has loved reading what is happening with baby from week to week. I have finally discovered the power in energy again! I seriously thought I'd struggle forever. And I have been doing much better drinking lots of water to keep my headaches and braxton hicks at bay.
My morning sickness only rears up when in the car or stuffy hot places, or if I get out of bed really fast, so I still am careful but overall it isn't a daily battle. So yay!

20 Weeks

STEM FAIR

I try hard to take the kids to the FREE school events that TUES has. This time it was the STEM FAIR!

They loved it and Sydney loved coming this year. Last year I thought the STEM FAIR would be a little much for her, but this year it was prefect. She does have a wild streak but fortunately in crowds her "shyness" is in full force and she likes to be attached to my hip with thumb in mouth. (YES, we are still battling the THUMB and there is no end in sight. So I give up on that.)

One of Connor and Bella's favorite things at the STEM FAIR is showing off their projects. Bella was SO proud if you couldn't tell. Hers was all about sounds and could do lots of different things, she brought it home and we couldn't throw it away until the cover of darkness weeks later. Connor wasn't really into his this year, but was excited to show Mom what his class did.

They all love the popular ESSL LAB station where they get to feel the animal furs and see/pet a whole bunch of animals. 

This year they had a new activity and it was a blow up planetarium, which unfortunately looked a lot cooler then it was for the kids. 

Then they had tons of stations to play, create, and learn at. My favorite was the library where they get to watch a Science Magic Show, by Mr Brown (one of the teachers at the school who actually really went to Clown School). 

It was a fun night and I'm loving having Sydney involved in these school events and with a shy smile telling everyone who asks "I'm in preschool. But next year this is my school, because I'm going to be in Kindergarten."