High Five for Friday (3.25.16)

1. Oh, spring break... In many ways you fell short of my expectations, but in other ways you gifted the kids and I exactly what we needed. We slept in, worked out, watched episodes of Fuller House, worked in the yard, and went on dates to the movies. The kids had playdates and sleepovers, played laser tag, and went bowling and swimming. Will practiced his skateboarding tricks, built a tin can robot, and learned how to braid; Hallie painted Easter sun catchers, helped me bake cookies, and created her own friendship necklaces.

I wanted an adventure. I needed an escape. I didn't get either.

I did, however, get the "opportunity" to make the most out of a less-than-ideal situation, and I hope the kids picked up on at least a little of that life lesson.

2. The Halligator yanked out the first of her two front teeth after twisting it around in a circle for an hour or so. She looks a little snaggle-y now though, so at every turn I remind her to "wiggle Hallie, wiggle Hallie, wiggle" (chanted to the tune of "wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble") her second front tooth.

3. On Sunday afternoon, Tom and Will finished assembling my Little Free Library! That evening I posted one of the pictures below on Facebook; I soon realized, based on the comments made below the picture, that not everyone understood my new lawn "ornament". For those of you unfamiliar with Little Free Libraries, these unique and quaint houses for books "promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations". More than 36,000 Little Free Libraries dot the globe, and a new movement is underway - thanks to a generous donation from an El Paso native and in partnership with the Texas Center for the Book - to place 1,000 new Little Free Libraries across Texas!

If you need a new book to read or have a book to donate, stop by and visit my Little Free Library! (If you live in the BCS area and would like to visit the library but don't know where I live, send me an email at erin@chasingroots.com. If you live elsewhere in the world and want to visit a library, visit www.littlefreelibrary.com.)

I have no affiliation with this organization other than having registered my Little Free Library. 

4. Every once in a while, a friend of mine sees a Ferris Wheel, takes a picture of it, and sends the picture to me with a note that reads something like, "saw this and thought of you". These pictures brighten my day as beautifully as the lights of a spinning Ferris Wheel brighten the night sky; there is nothing more lovely than knowing someone you love saw something you love and connected it to you.

5. Happiness Highlights

Seeing their principal (on the right in the green) representing Rock
Prairie Elementary (#rocktherock) on the plaza at The Today Show
was definitely a happiness highlight for Will and Hallie!

She's famous!

All the "kids" hanging out in the hot tub.

Mesmerized by Grease: Live. 

For someone who doesn't really enjoy
crafting, I find myself crafting an awful lot...

Finally!

In the lead thus far... Will!

Happy Friday, friends!

Linking up with High Five for Friday here: