Before, during, and after Easter

We hadn't made it out to the zoo since December I think, so one afternoon when the weather was just lovely I loaded all the wee ones in the car and we took a very spur of the moment trip.  We arrived an hour and a half before closing time....and by far this was the greatest time we have ever had there!  Everyone was on their way out as we headed in and it was like we had the whole place to ourselves.  We walked briskly to see all our favourites, but that's what I love about having a pass, we can just see our favs and not worry about having to cram in everything each time we go.  I will definitely be getting another pass next year.  

The twinners seemed to really enjoy the animals more this time than ever...just their age I guess.  Jack hadn't been so keen on the idea of going, and wouldn't you know, he was running around like a nutter the whole time, having the greatest time of his life.

 Lately, we have been out to the Woodburn Outlet Mall a lot.  We had a whole big carry on with a pair of shoes Ryan had purchased out there, so the kids and I made about 3 trips out to get it all sorted.  We didn't really mind though, because my children are completely obsessed with these silly rides that cost an arm and leg for a 30 second (ish) ride, but more importantly there is a Disney store there (which has also cost me an arm and a leg).  I love it too though.

 We bought some goggles recently, but haven't used them yet in an actual pool.  I'm hoping to get Jack and Peter into swimming lessons soon.  I probably should have before now as they both really love the water, but  for now these three are loving wearing them around the house as they pretend they are deep sea divers.  Olive won't let them anywhere near her face. 

 We started out our Easter weekend with a two massive packages of yummy chocolate from Granny McArthur and a box of goodies from Grandma Liz.  It is never a good thing when Granny sends that much...well, it is, but it's just mostly terrible because I can not control myself!  I know where Peter gets his love of chocolate from!  I never eat sweeties over here, but the second chocolate from home comes, I loose it! 

Anyway, Saturday we went to a Easter hunt in Jaquith Park with our friends and got loads more sweeties there.  It's all split into age groups. Poor Peter didn't get much from his heat, but Ryan took him over to Jack's after and let him participate in that one too because there were hardly any kids in that group.  They both scored big time, while I had the girls over at their hunt.  We followed Ryan's strategy to run past all the other kids to the farthest eggs and then work our way back...worked like a charm.

 The Easter bunny brought them a few nice wee things that they looked through before we headed out to church for a lovely service. 

Callie and Zoe came up afterwards for dinner, egg decorating, a lovely walk, and some cupcake making/eating.  We had Callie snap a few pics of us, but it might actually be impossible to get all of us looking and smiling at the same time.  

 We did get a few cute one of the wee ones together.  Notice Peter's face in the bottom left pic....I always laugh out loud when I see it!  That boy is something else! 

 Finally, as Callie's husband, Josh, has been away (and still is till June), at an army training thingy, we have seen a little more of her and Zo Zo.  I have really loved watching these three wee girls interact and hope they have a really great friendship as they continue to grow.  It does make me wish that I was closer to my nieces and nephews in Scotland and Adelaide all the more too though.  I feel so sad that they can't see them more often, but we are going to make the very most of our time with the ones in Scotland this Summer.