Signs of Spring

Today was the first day of Spring Break and it was a rip-roaring success!  Which was certainly a welcome relief after a very UNsuccessful planning session during our family council yesterday.  Let's just say that the schedule/outline that I had prepared for the week was not exactly received with cheers and accolades.  Tears and accusations of making this the worst week ever, on the other hand, were plentiful all around.  Well, at least from the older crowd.  Apparently, my standard scheduling for school breaks have become too passe for the big kids.  And my ideas for "afternoon activities" each day were such "crap" and "sucked" so much that in the end I crumpled up my outline, threw it on the floor, and gave up trying to convince everyone that it is NOT my life's goal to make their lives miserable.  {My afternoon activities included: a park day, the library, going out to get a treat, arts and crafts, and going to a "fun place" -- like a trampoline place or a recreation outlet or something along those lines.}

 {Friday after school was one of the first nice "Spring-y" days of the season!}

 {We celebrated by going to the playground and the kids climbed some trees.}

{Isaac REALLY wanted to keep up with the big kids, and was REALLY mad when I wouldn't let him just keep climbing to the top.}

Thankfully, day one dawned bright and lovely this morning, and after letting the older three sleep in as long as their hearts' desired, we got our day started with universally high spirits.  Spirits were so high, in fact, that I managed to sweet talk Ethan into producing and editing videos for the YouTube channel that Jane decided to launch today.  Hahahaha.  The beauty of this project, was that it kept both kids occupied and with a purpose for the bulk of the day.  Sophie and Grace scampered off to the playground with some friends for a chunk of the morning, and then Grace spent the rest of the day at her friend's house, while the other kids back here spent the rest of THEIR day with a combination of screens and outside play.

 Behind the scenes of the video shoot.

 Jane's "script" on the teleprompter that Ethan fashioned with his chromebook.

 Making those vegan cupcakes.

We finished the evening off with dinner and FHE, and then things slowly started to disintegrate as Alex and Jane began spiraling out of control and the baby refused to go to sleep until almost 10 o'clock.  And that was our day!  I can't wait to see what Day Two holds.  ;)

 The finished product!

 Vegan Vanilla Cupcake

{Living the dream, lounging on the couch, watching Backyardigans, drinking a bottle, and getting ready to boycott bedtime. ;)  }