Mammoth Cave

Our little Spring Break "Staycation" was to Mammoth Cave!  I remember going as a kid and it making quite an impression.  John and I both thought that Lio would really love going through a real cave, and were surprised at how brave and adventurous Paloma was!

Our tour was 2 hours long, but seemed to go pretty quickly.  There were lots and lots of steps, and really amazing stalactites and stalagmites to see.  I would love to go back when the kids are a bit older.  They even have spelunking tours that would be very fun!

How much is this worth?

Lio has really been into money lately.  Spending mine, that is.  It seems like we can't go anywhere without him asking me to buy him something.  I tell him in the nicest way possible that he is welcome to bring his own money, and he can buy whatever his little heart desires.  He usually doesn't want to do this, so I guess my response is working.  

Next thing I know, Lio is asking me to pay him to do things around the house.  Who in the world introduced this kid to the concept of an allowance?!  I never got one as a kid.  I was expected to do things around the house to help because I was a part of the family.  It was my job.  As much as I didn't like it at the time, I do understand it now.  

But at the same time, I want him to understand that things cost money, and you have to save money, and you have to make good decisions about what to spend money on.  I think we are going to keep the idea that he is a part of the family and is expected to help out, but also give him the opportunity to do extra things to earn a little cash.  

During our Spring clean-up outside last weekend, there were millions of sticks and twigs in the yard from all of the crazy storms we've seen over the past year.  I told Lio that he could earn some money by helping to pick up as many sticks as he could.  He did end up with a pretty big pile, and didn't complain at all along the way.  How much do you think a big pile of sticks is worth?

Toasting Marshmallows

Saturday was our first official day of Spring Break!  We spent most of the day outside - cleaning the screened in porch, washing down furniture, raking the sand box, getting those toys out.  It truly was a gorgeous spring day, the kind I wish for every day.  After dinner, we decided it would be fun to toast marshmallows on the fire pit.  It's cute how into it the kids are.  They didn't even care that the only marshmallows I could find were stale!

The Seed

The other day, Lio saw a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge, and told John that he's been there before.  John informed him that no,  he has never been there.  John went on to explain that when he and I lived in San Francisco, Lio wasn't born yet.  So Lio told John that he was in my tummy at the time.  John informed him again that no, I wasn't pregnant with him yet.  Then Lio told John that he was there, in the form of a seed in John's penis. 

(A few weeks ago Lio had a lot of questions about how babies were made.  He is so scientific, and so black and white, and so smart, that I had a hard time coming up with answers that were real, but appropriate for his 5 year old self!  I finally changed the subject, but he must have still caught on a little bit.)

Instant Gratification

This is the wheat grass we planted for the Easter Bunny, after only one week!  You've gotta love some instant gratification.  With that ready for the baskets, I just need to get a few items to help Mr. Bunny out for fillers.  I'm thinking of some gardening tools and gloves (since I would love to plant a raised garden with the kids this Spring), pajamas, and a few little fun items from the Dollar store.  I'm really going to keep the candy to a minimum this year!

*John and Lio have Spring Break next week, so we're having a "Staycation" and going on little road trips that aren't too far from home.  Will keep you posted on our adventures later in the week!  Spring Break always makes me wish for our Vieques trips.  Sigh.  

Feeding Ducks and Hopping Rocks

After our hike in the woods earlier this week, we just couldn't get enough of hopping rocks!  Once again we had gorgeous weather, so took some Cheerios to Eden Park to feed the ducks.  There's a great area with flat rocks that the kids love to hop all over.  I really felt like I was pushing my luck - there were a few times that Paloma and Lio almost fell in.  They could have either gotten soaking wet, or could have fractured their skulls.  Sometimes I feel like I'm too protective, so I tried to get over my fears and just let them have fun.  I was tense the whole time, but they had a blast!   

April Fools!

Pretty yucky, right?  This was the start of our April Fools Day.  I saw some really cute ideas for fun tricks to play on kids in April's issue of Family Fun magazine.  (Post a comment if you're interested in getting a year's subscription for $4.95!!!)  I put a few drops of food coloring at the bottom of the cereal bowl, then hid it by pouring the cereal on top.  When Lio and Paloma poured their milk in, it turned green!  Lio thought it was mold, and Paloma just looked a little confused.  April Fools!

 

After a great day of playing outside, I offered the kids some fruit punch.  That should have been their 1st clue that something was up.  When have I ever offered a sugary sweet drink out of the blue?!  The punch was actually some jello.  April Fools!

The last trick up my sleeve was giving them a wormy apple.  While Lio wasn't around, Paloma and I carved a hole into an apple and stuck the worm in.  She's usually so good at keeping secrets, but this one was too much!  She kept talking to Lio about worms, so he was ready for it.  

Tonight we are having breakfast for dinner to end this April Fools.  Hope yours was a fun one!