Spring Break 2015: Sedona, Arizona

Jon at Rock Slide State Park - Ride #2 from Lindsay Walcott on Vimeo.

Walcotts aren't speedy hikers from Lindsay Walcott on Vimeo.

Tiger into the Pool from Lindsay Walcott on Vimeo.

Spring Break 2013

 

  

 

 

  

Spring in Schaumburg with our Lego Lover

We did a weekend away earlier this month to Schaumburg, Illinois. I guess this was the extent of our Spring Break 2012. Traveling with two kids is no no small task, but we had a great time. Brighton's favorite part of the trip was the Lego Discovery Center. We also did some swimming and shopping (Ikea & Woodfield Mall including my favorite: Nordstrom). We ate well too. All and all, it was a really fun little getaway.

 

The Lego Discovery Center isn't worth a special trip to the Chicago area, but if you are there anyway and are looking for a place to spend a couple hours with your kiddos, it's fun spot for your Lego Lover.

Spring Break 2012

This year's spring break was a bit different.  We didn't travel, and I now have two kids.  People still politely ask how my break was, my response is, "I survived."  Brighton was home everyday all week which he isn't used to and either am I.  He is a super busy little guy.  I find it nearly impossible to give him all the structure he needs in a day.  Limiting his screen time and having Tily to deal with complicate the day even further for Bright.  Whoa!  I was exhausted last week.  Anyway, he was very excited to return to school on Monday, and his mama was excited for him to go back too.  I don't know how those ladies at Kinder Cubs and Story Hour do it, but they certainly make it so I have big shoes to fill during the week here when we're home. 

We did head out twice during break. I was so excited to get out of the house, but now I don't know if it's easier to head out or just stay home. One trip to downtown Holland was disastrous, so there are no pics of that. The other trip was to Fennville's Children's Museum. That was lots of fun (Thanks Mom!), and it went really well thanks to fun cousins, Ahma, Aunt, Uncle, and my sleeping baby. The museum doesn't look like much from the street, but they have lots of cool stuff in there. We were thoroughly entertained for hours, and tired when we left.

The Bunny Train

We took the Coopersville & Marne Railway Train Ride this weekend. This time of year it is known as "The Bunny Train" with visits from the Easter Bunny and her friends.

The Easter Bunny even gave out presents!

It was a nice day for a train ride, but if you ask Brighton any day would be a great time for a train ride.

One Spring Evening

Yes, it has been rainy around here, but that hasn't prevented us from getting some toys out. Plus, it's been light out until 8 o'clock. It's been great to actually play outside into the evening this week. The boys have really enjoyed playing with a new remote controlled boat. There's one reason it's nice to have a pond in your backyard. We also have played quite a bit of T-ball. Brighton loves to hit the ball off the tee. Jon taught him how to run the bases this week, but he doesn't quite get that yet.

Lesson Learned: Don't get too close because he can hit the ball a lot better than last year.

Embracing the Rain and Train

Yes, it is of course rainy and cold here in Michigan during Spring Break 2011. We decided to embrace it and go and play in the rain. Brighton loves his rain gear, and I'm sure you can tell why.

This was a first for Brighton, and he had a blast. I think attraction to and jumping in puddles is an innate behavior for little boys.

Our First Garden

We're going to give gardening a try this year. I promise to be completely honest about how it goes. We're cautiously optimistic. If you know us, you know we have lots of wildlife in our backyard, but our neighbors had lots of success last year, so we're going to give it a whirl. We started some seeds now inside the house (we'll do some more outside and probably buy a couple plants too), and we are creating a raised bed in our backyard.

Right now the plan is tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, carrots, and beans. The lettuce is what is popping up first.

If you ask Brighton about it, he'll tell you it's our "gwowden." He loves helping, but he looked at us told us we were silly when we told him we would eat what was growing. "Nooooo, that dirt is yucky!" We'll keep you posted on Bright's garden education too.

April Birthdays 2011

April isn't about a spring break trip for us this year, it's really about birthdays. We celebrate quite a few birthdays in the Walcott family during April, and we of course are also anxiously anticipating the birth of baby Kleinheksel.

We had a Walcott birthday blowout this weekend which we knew was going to be challenging for our little guy. He is of course ridiculously excited for third birthday next month. After lots of conversations and explanations, we were really pleased with how he did. He was super excited to give gifts, and he only had a couple occasions of sadness or frustration (see picture below).

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

In case you missed it, my son is officially obsessed with trains. In a month or so we will celebrate his birthday with a “Choo Choo I’m 2” party – there was absolutely no question about the theme of this party.

Trains seem to pop up lots of places, and even when they didn’t Bright could often (not always) satisfy his choo choo fix. Roller coasters looked enough like trains to appease him, and my son must not be the only one with the obsession because trains of all kinds spring up quite frequently at tourist locations.

We even watched and rode Disney's monorail when we were on Disney property. We also packed up some trains and tracks from home and took them on our trip, and we were so glad he did. He took Thomas to Sea World, and he has even started requesting to sleep with a Choo Choo. The last two nights he has even asked for train track in his crib, but that's where this momma drew the line, but I couldn't help but laugh. I wouldn't even dare guess how many times this little guy says "Choo Choo."

Looking at some of these pictures even makes him smile followed by a spirited, “Please!” Which we interpret to mean either take me back to that train or even better could you buy that for me?