spring break is on its way...

For the last couple of weeks I've been spring cleaning...you know, Domestic Goddess chores as I like to call them. But spring break is just around the corner, and on the kids' wish list is a day at the zoo, a trip to Grandma's house, and a visit to the Humane Society in a neighboring town.  

Our son volunteered at the Humane Society as a Boy Scout merit badge activity and I tagged along...we had a great time!  Yes, there was work that needed to be done...cleaning litter boxes, washing feed bowls, and filling treat buckets, but the staff also encourages volunteers to socialize with the cats & dogs...yay! That meant lots of walks, tossing balls, and simply relaxing and spending time with the animals. 

And so, since April 11 is National Pet Day, why not celebrate by visiting your local shelter...I'm sure they'd love to have you lend a hand! (and take a critter...or 5 home!)

Come on...look at those eyes!

snow day. Snow Day. SNOW DAY!

Just 5 days ago, we had a day so warm the beehives were buzzing! The girls were out in full force...bringing in pollen from the budding maple trees and sipping water in the bird baths.
I was thrilled to see they survived the winter.

But oh, how Mother Nature can change her mind...today it's a winter wonderland! School started off with a 2-hour delay, then, it was cancelled completely...yay! My best mom friends and I are texting back and forth...we can't believe it!

cute kitty gazing at the warm fire...

And the timing couldn't be more perfect...the Orchestra & Band kids just got back from their trip to Disney last night, and they all could use a day of sleep (chaperones, too!)

So today around the old farmhouse you'll find a cracking fire blazing, the aroma of cinnamon rolls and cherry turnovers, homemade cocoa, movie marathons (Dr. Strange, anyone?), and snow ice cream to go along with our Toll House Pie...after all, it is Pi Day!

(And if you're looking for some Pi(e) inspiration, visit the Royers Pie Haven...you can find their Texas Trash recipe here. Don't let the name fool you...chocolate, pretzels, coconut, pecans, yum!)

Time to bundle up and brave the outdoors...even the critters get a treat on blustery days like this. Warm mash for the chickens and apples for the goats...oh happy day!

survival...

We  laughed, we cried, we ate chocolate...Orange Milanos, Hershey bars, Andes Mints, and chocolate chip cookies were in abundance between all the moms as the charter buses pulled out of the school parking lot.

The kids didn't see us shed a tear...we waved and smiled as we quietly dug our nails into our palms. Yep...we had this down perfectly.

So today, in about an hour, the buses will be pulling up to the beach...it should be 77 degrees in Orlando and the plan is to swim, visit the surf shops, and enjoy a beach barbecue...what fun they'll have!

So what will we moms do to keep busy?  Well my friend Kathy and I have already started, but we plan to hit our spring cleaning with a frenzy!  I'm following my tried & true schedule, but found this terrific one too and thought I'd share...you can find it by clicking here...

And so I'm off!  Tomorrow is a teacher work day so the boy-child (or does age 13 make him a man-child now?) will find something fun to do.

My, oh my...time DOES fly.

time flies...

I don't know how we went from this...

and this...

to this...

and this...

Wow..time does fly.

Our daughter is going to Disney tomorrow with the orchestra/band/choir for a 6- day trip. Yep...she'll be totin' that cello down to the Magic Kingdom on charter buses
with 200 of her closest friends.

For 18 hours.

I know they'll have a ball!

I've tucked surprises in her suitcase for her to open each day, and wrapped chocolate bars with "Disney or Bust!" candy wrappers to share with friends.

However...

my best girlfriends and I are meeting at the school to console ourselves with mass quantities of chocolate as we smile and wave goodbye.

I don't want to hear stories about cutting apron strings...
I want chocolate and girlfriends to cry with.