Constant Beginnings

This is what it looked like before. $30--major score! And this is "after" with a couple coats of paint and some new drawer pulls. Love it! 

As a finale to my Mom's 3 week visit, we made a whirlwind trip to Keukenhoff Gardens in Holland. This was my one must see this spring. I'd seen photos of amazing flowers and wanted to check out them out for myself. Keukenhoff breeds flowers that are sent all over the world. Sadly, the cold, damp spring delayed the opening of the tulips. We saw fields of color, but closed tulips. They did have many other lovely flowers and a few varieties of tulips that were fully open. Gorgeous. The gardens have a petting zoo, play areas and miles and miles of flowers to view. Sadly, I was playing with my camera and a few of the images are blurred. Our little milkmaid. Trying out a delicious waffle filled with chocolate and caramel. Yummo!

Claire participated in Marathon Club at school this year. It is a 3 month long club in which you basically run for one hour either one, two or three days per week. Claire signed up for 2 days per week, running 2 miles per day. Sometimes Chris joined her, but usually it was me. It was a nice activity promoting good health for us to do together. The end goal is to run 26.2 miles by the end of the club. Claire did it! She finished her first marathon.  1 more lap to go!!  Daddy joined her for a brief run. Waiting for her certificate. Proud of herself!

I am not a big believer in birthday parties. Therefore, our kids have never had a true party. We celebrate with a day of "special" things for our kids--we decorate their bedroom doors with balloons/streamers, they choose the food, we gush over them, we do something extra fun, a few presents, a cake and family time. This time, I ordered a cake and cupcakes for Mya's friends at school and sent a bag of party toys for each of her friends. She felt like she had two parties and I didn't have anywhere near the stress. We also had our besties over for a party on Saturday. It was low key and lots of fun.  asa made a card. mya opened it, saw his picture and said, "oh asa, i love you so much!" it was adorable. cupcakes and party bags for school friends.