c spelling her name

Camille and I were working on spelling her name.  I wrote C a m i l l e at the top of her paper.  We practiced it over and over.  When J got home I asked her to spell her name for J.  She said, "C a m i one one....." It took me a very long minute to get it.  Then we laughed and laughed and laughed.  She is a funny one!!!

spring break dino world!

On Saturday we all got up and left the lake house and headed for DinoWorld.  The adults were not excited but the kids were enough for all of us.  We did end up having a blast.  After the sticker shock wore off of J (he grumbled a little about paying $47.00 for us all to get in....oh my that is a lot) and he saw how happy the kids were he got into the spirt of it all.

The best pic of the day

First they enjoyed a fossil dig where they could keep 3 of the treasures they found.

Then off to the Boneyard.  The kids LOVED this part.  So much so that at the end of the day we went back and spent more time there.

They a dino ate the girls!?!?! Oh no!!!

Then a walk to see all the dinos!

After dinoworld we went for ice cream.  The shop seemed very shady at first but it was probably the best ice cream I have ever had.  I don't really like ice cream so I never even get it.  J, E and I all got one to split and I wanted to go back for more.  Then ignoring E's screams for a nap we flew by the seat of our pants and went go-carting!!!!!!!  It was so spontaneous and that made it that much better.  I think J and I liked this part better than the kids.  Don't get me wrong the girls loved it but J and I LOVED it as did Sam and Melissa.  They had double go carts so it was perfect for the kids.  It was the first time being a fam of 5 got us, J and C went first while I waited with E and then Av and I went.  After that we went back to the house for a gator ride, walk on the beach, dinner, drinks and a super duper big bon-fire.  It was an amazing trip!!!!

spring break mammoth cave

We had no clue but apperently you have to book your tours ahead of time.  They sell out?!?!?!  Who knew?  Oh well, booking ahead is not really how the Hoekstras roll anyway.  We like to live on the edge. hhehehe anyway we didn't get to tour it but we did hike and hang out in Mammoth Cave state park.  It was a blast.  We had the best picnic and hike ever.

C liked playing in the dirt more than hiking.  That is her "walking stick" there next to her.

After that we stopped for a treat.

And then the van took a ferry ride.  The kids thought it was soooo funny!!!

After that we headed back to the lake house to wait for the Masons!  What a super fun day.

Spring Break zoo

I have been to the zoo a lot lately.  E LOVES it.  He just squeals and squeals in delight.  The girls loved it too but not like him.  He is just crazy amazed by animals.  Even ants on the ground he stops and watches in delight.  So neat.  He points to all the animals and loves to just watch them.  I wanted J to see how much he loved it and noticed it all so I made him take the day off and go with us over spring break.  It was a blast.  Av does not get to go much anymore either so it was important to me that I took her over her spring break as well.  Here is a special treat that we NEVER do.  Dipping Dots at the zoo.  The kids loved them.

Notice E skipping the spoon and going in for handfuls of the goods!!!

"sorry Everett"

Everett was climbing on Av tonight and made her bump her head.  She was crying and I was trying to get her to stop.  I asked Everett to say he was sorry.  I said, "say sorry Everett."  So what did he say, "Sorry Everett."  heehhe the girls and I got a good laugh out of that.

Good Morning!!!

spring break!!!

It has been soooooooooooooooooo nice having Avery home.  Man we have missed her.  Today Camille just jumped on top of her and was hugging her.  Av was letting it all happen.  They have missed each other.  Weekends are one thing, usually we are on the go.  Today was a day pretty much at home.  Although C was tired we really enjoyed each other.  The girls did so well together.  They played a lot.  Even went outside by themselves and just played with each other.  It was soooo nice that I didn't have to be out there.  When E got up though he was mad and I had to take him out right away.  He wanted in the tractor and to be driven around.  He loves it!!  Just sits in it yelling for someone to drive him.  Only a matter of time before he figures it out.  On Monday we took a fire house tour with some friends and then went to a park to have lunch.  It was pretty fun.  When we came home the neighbors were out so we spent the rest of the day playing in the yard.  Love it!!!!  Tuesday we had some work men coming to the house so we had friends over.  The Masons came over.  It was really fun.  The neighbors were out again and all the kids had fun together.  I managed to schedule Av's therapies for the week back to back so that was AWESOME!!!  She had OT with Ms. Katie at 3 and speech with Ms. Courtney at 4.  I was able to run to the grocery with the other 2 while she was there.  It was perfect.  I hope to do that in the summer too.  Then we got home and played outside some more.  Today we were going to head to a play place in cincy but I didn't have it in me since we had not slept.  We ate lunch at a park with the Masons but we were only there an hour.  It was freezing out so we came home.  We did have a nice day though.  Av and I went over a lot of her work in the am and then read a few hundred books and then did her spring break homework in the pm.  The girls and I had popcorn and watched Lady and the Tramp too.  It was really nice.  I love having my sweet big girl home.  Didn't realize how much I missed her.

Yesterday am C spent 30 minutes screaming about the clothes she wanted to wear for the day and a ring she could not find.  Then E was a little fussy and whinny.  Av said, "I want to go back to school, there's a lot of screaming here."  Ugh made me feel bad.  She then went on to ask, "how many more days until I go back to school."  She misses school!!!   Which is good yes, but man, I want her to have a great spring break too.  So I really tried today to just shower her with my attention and make it special for her.  Even though we didn't do anything special I gave her all of my time.  She said today she is having a great spring break.  I know she is only 6 and I may be crazy but I really want to make sure this is a special time for her.   Tomorrow J is home and if warm enough we are heading to the zoo.  Then we are packing and heading to the lake with Av's bff Caroline so that should be super special for her.  I can't wait.  We are going to Mammoth Cave, Dinosaur world and KY Down Under.  Fun times in Cave  City!!!