603 loads of laundry...

Still private... for now.

The kids are going to their first sleep away camp - it's a sleep away "trial camp" - so it is just 2 nights and 3 days and it's close to home. My Bug is only 6 - he'll be 7 in November - so I am slightly nervous about leaving him but I know he is going to have an awesome time. If they like it next year they will go for 1 week and in the future maybe they will go for 2 weeks!

I never went to camp growing up and always wished I had. It just seems like so much fun and I hear the friendships you form are lasting which is another reason I want them to go.

The next 2 days are going to be c-r-a-z-y! I have about 603 loads of laundry to do and I want to make sure they have the right clothing and shoes and bedding so they are comfortable. Mr. thinks I am nuts to buy them mattress pad covers - but if it makes them more comfortable then I'm doing it. He also thinks I am crazy to buy special towels and sheets for camp - but it's camp. My good sheets and towels are not going to camp!

The best part of the 2 nights that they are going to be gone...? Mr will also be gone one of those nights! Do you know what that means?

THE HOUSE TO MYSELF FOR AN ENTIRE EVENING AND MORNING!

How flippin' awesome is that?!

Love my husband and all but hey, a girl needs her space too!

Dressed to impress.

Easter is such a nice holiday. I love to see the kids dressed in their new spring clothing even if it was freezing outside and felt anything like spring in Ohio. I think it even snowed later that day. I have always wondered why Easter dresses are often sleeveless. It's never warm enough on Easter Sunday in MD to go without a winter coat so why sleeveless Easter dresses in the stores? Makes no sense to me. I love bug's sweater vest. He hated it. We made a deal that if he was extra good in church that he could take it off before we went to my sister in law's for dinner. He was good so as soon as we walked in the door he changed. In fact, we all did!

This was taken at my mother in law's house before leaving for church.

This was taken outside my mother in law's house before leaving -- it was cold!

I am calling this one, "brotherly love." Bug loves to hug on his sister... and she hates it.

The kids were so tired of pictures - as soon as I said, "OK" they were out of there headed for the car and their winter coats!!

But... of course I had to get one more when the sun came out on our way into church.

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And... I meant to post a picture of the kids on St. Patrick's Day last week in their green of course. Bug was very sure to wear as much green as possible to the "lucky charm guy" would not pinch him!

Home Sweet Home!

I have never been so excited to see the "Welcome to Maryland" sign this afternoon on our way home from Columbus, Ohio. I love Maryland. I love Maryland so much I think I will never want to leave this beautiful state ever again. Maybe I will swear off all future travel so that I never ever have to leave this wonderful place ever again.

Oh... wait... that would mean I won't be able to go to NYC for my friend's wedding in May or to Martha's Vineyard this summer. OK... so maybe I'll just say for the record I am just really, really, really happy to be home from our weekend trip to visit Mr.'s family. Do I need to elaborate? No? Good.

The Easter Bunny did not disappoint us. He somehow found us in Ohio - man, that bunny is a smart one. He gave the kids a big water bottle filled with gum balls even though he knows we don't (often) allow the kids to chew gum. When the kids saw these water bottles filled with gum balls and my displeasure they were worried that I would take it away. With a big sigh, I voiced my unhappiness and said that I guess it would be OK since EB brought it. :) Mr. pulled me aside to ask me if I knew they were gum balls... duh. I looked at him like he was the child that he sometimes is and said of course but I was trying to make it seem like the EB was not really ME - especially since the cousins do not believe in the Easter Bunny anymore! Then I saw the light bulb go off in his eyes and he smiled (like a child) and said something about me being a sly one. Sometimes I wonder...

My sister in law's 3 youngest (she has triplet boys) do not believe in the Easter Bunny... they are 6! So sad don't you think? I hope mine believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa forever! OK, maybe not forever but at least for several more years.

So anyway - we are home and getting ready for our week to begin. Back to school for the kids - back to work for me.

Did you have a nice Easter?