April

All the way back in April, the kids were still going full steam ahead with school. They had spring break the week leading up to Easter. We really did not have anything planned for that week but did decide to drive up to DC on Holly's midweek day off to visit the zoo. We got there and realized we had stupidly assumed the clear, sunny Richmond weather was going to carry over into the D.C. forecast. Once we arrived, it was very cloudy and seemed like it could pour rain at any moment. All of the parking lots at the zoo were full and while we sat in traffic we began discussing alternative plans for our day in the nations capital.

After finally getting out of the zoo parking traffic and after it did rain like crazy, we stumbled upon a parking spot in a neighborhood with no time limit, no meter. We took our chances and carried on with our zoo plan, having to walk a little distance to get back to the zoo. Fortunately, it did not rain one more drop for the rest of the day. Evyn declared the visit to the Reptile Discovery Center the very best day of her life and we got to see the lion cubs out frolicking with their parents. The ape house stunk on many levels - we all agreed on that fact. It ended up being a great family day in DC despite our lack of planning for bad weather.

As our little family tradition has dictated for the past six years, we also hosted our annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 23rd. We expanded the guest list this time to include some of our new friends from the neighborhood. As usual, Holly dressed up like the Easter Bunny and it was a beautiful day for a party at the Lively house. It was also Reagan's first egg hunt that she could really participate in. During the big hunt, she had quite the entourage and it was impossible to photograph her due to her team of admirers. She came dressed in fairy wings and was, by far, the best dressed and cutest.

Reagan even helped me get all of the kids lined up for the countdown to get the potato sack races, egg races and three legged races started. As you can see from the pictures, all the kids are crying and no one had any fun at all. Those poor, poor children.

The day after the Lively Family Egg Hunt was Easter and we headed to our favorite aunt's house for food, family and more fun and another great egg hunt. Next year, I am going around and stealing all of the golden eggs - they had cash inside. That's my kind of egg hunt.

Evyn and I ended the month of April stuffing peat pellets with vegetable seeds for our garden. Actually, they lived in the kitchen window until they were ready to make the big move outside. I followed the directions on the peat pellet container and "hardened" the plants before planting them outside. It's amazing what can happen when you follow the directions. It took me years, but I now can successfully start seeds indoors and plant them outdoors without everything dying thanks to the hardening process - who knew? Reed and Evyn both helped prep the garden soil and really helped speed along the process. Breaking up dirt is hard work, but when you have two eager children and several hoes and shovels, the job gets job super fast. We planted snow peas, cucumbers, lettuce, corn, squash, tomatoes and green beans this year.