Thankful Thursday

This week I am very thankful for my sweet husband.

Last weekend he let me go away for a long-long weekend (Thursday- Monday) to Nashville, to visit with my many dear friends and attend a women's retreat at one of their churches.
He also took Friday and Monday off of work to be with the girls.

He not only fed and cared for the girls but also took them downtown to the carousel.

As you can tell they had fun!

They went to the playground.

He even took pictures of their weekend so I would see all the fun they had and of course recorded Pearl's lovely fashion sense.

He got the girls dressed in their Sunday best and brought them to church! (Okay Pearl added a few touches like the coat and socks in 90 degree weather. Pearl would not wear socks all winter but decided the first HOT weekend of the year that she finally likes socks!)

Now don't tell him but all of the above would have been enough to to get him plenty of great husband/Daddy points, however he went way above and beyond that.

While I was away that weekend he also manged to
-paint the kitchen
-refinish my dining room table
-plant our vegetable garden
-dig up the weeds in our flower garden, plant flowers and mulch it
-purchase and assemble two bookshelves for our bedroom
-bought me little rose plants from the girls and new tea towels for my kitchen
-made welcome home mommy signs
-and got to the airport on time to pick me up with my two sweet babies who were dressed up.
All while taking care of the girls!

I should go away more often! Anyway just had to share how thankful I am for my wonderful husband.

Visit from the cousins!

Easter weekend my brother, sister-in law, and sweet niece and nephew visited us. We took the train to downtown Philly for a little history lesson.

Marker at Ben Franklin's grave.

My nephew Ben at Ben Franklin's grave.
I did not find out why people leave penny's on his grave.

Brooklyn, Rose, Pearl and Ben.

Did you know that the crack on the Liberty bell was only a hairline crack? Then someone thought that if they carved it out and put some bolts in to fix it it would sound as good as new.

Independence Hall

The kids listen intently to one of the great storytellers.
(Edited to add: Pearl just saw this photo on my blog and said "That is me with the pirate." )

The train was a little crowded so Rose sat on Brooklyn's lap.

Happy Easter

UGH, my face is getting fat not sure if I should blame it on the baby or to many jellybeans.

My cutie patooties. (I bribed them with a jellybean to get this shot;)

Don't mind Pearl's pants she had the same pink laced edge leggings as Rose but will not wear them. She hates tights but I was hoping it was just the feet that she hated, but no the cute pink leggings were too fitted for her. Since the wind shill was 20 bare legs were not an option so we went with pants under her dress.

Oh well cute lacy leggings or silly white pants she is still cute!

Cheese!

Rose wants to be a ballerina when she grows up.

Put on your Easter Bonnet!

My Precious Gram

This week my sweet dear grandmother went home to be with her Lord. She was the most loving, kind person anyone ever met. I am sure there was not a person that knew her that would not agree with me. She loved little children, good thing, because she had eleven of her own. We will miss her smile and her hugs and singing old songs with her. We are thankful for the wonderful memories we have of her. I pray that I can be grow to be even half as loving and faithful as she was.

Weekend in Washington

The White House

Museum of Natural History

Rose was fascinated by the dinosaur exhibit.

The beautiful Cherry Blossoms

The Washington Monument

Freezing at the Cherry Blossom Parade. It was so windy the giant balloons were cancelled.

"I don't know what happened!" Pearl says, standing in front of a vase similar to one in the Hotel Lobby that she broke!

Thankfully the Hotel is actually very kid friendly. They even bring the kids cookies and milk room service at bedtime.

Hotel Lobby

Room with view.
We could see the tip of the Washington Monument and the Flag on top of the White House.

Rose enjoying the high life!

I love being a princess!

We went to the National Zoo.

There was a very timy baby gorilla she was so cute, but we did not get her picture.

Rose communicating with the Gorilla.

Pearl may become a zoo keeper someday. She wanted to pet or hold nearly every animal including some frightening ones such as the eight foot Boa Constrictor.

Rose and Daddy in the hotel lobby.