347 Spring Break, B.A. (Before the ADVENTURE)

Katie had our Sunday activity planned out in advance. She has been saving her Christmas money since ... well, since Christmas obviously, and she was saving it for one specific purpose. Katie wanted to go to the American Girl store in Atlanta and get Elizabeth some new stuff. She has scoured the catalog and thought of it constantly, so you would think she would have had some idea what she wanted when we walked through those doors ... but no. She wanted to walk around ... and around ... and around. My brain was about to explode with all of the simple math. If I get this and this how much will I have left? And this? What if I put this back and get this and that? ARRRGGGHHHHHH! Next time we are bringing a calculator (and a straightjacket for Connor).We got back just in time to put the veggies in with the roast for the rest of the family to come over. First to arrive was my brother Geof and his family. Our monkeys went crazy! And I had to take some pics of my gorgeous nieces when they paused long enough for me to click the shutter. And this shot? I just have a thing for bare branches :)Geof and I were walking around the yard, and I looked up in the holly tree and said "How in the world did we spend hours climbing around in that thing?" Apparently it stuck in Geof's head and the next thing I knew he was scrambling up to the nearest branch ... then higher. Have I ever mentioned that my brother can be quite ... strange? Yeah, well I don't have to tell you about it. You can see in these pictures. Here he is doing his Gorillas in the Mist pose.And then .... thankfully he did just pose for this one. Sure, I could photoshop out the boogers, but what fun would that be?? It is a MIRACLE! They all smiled and looked at the camera at the same time! I just wish that Austin had arrived!Of course, two minutes later my oldest brother Vince and his family pulled up. I managed to coerce the kids to all stand still and together for a picture. This was the third one. I snapped it and they all took off running. No manner of threats or persuasion would convince them to huddle up again. Monday we started off taking it easy. A few trips around the yard in the Little Red Wagon. Connor plucking the dead hydrangea heads off the bushes. They still looked so pretty. Some of the petals like lace.Come on ... bare branches! You can't tell me they aren't gorgeous against the blue sky!And my grandfather's camellias were blooming, so I had to get a few close-ups.After Grammy got home from work we took the kiddos out to the park to blow off some steam. Katie loves this park, and this was the first time that Connor could really cut loose. He was going up the stairs and down the slides. Even the slides that had my heart in my throat. Luckily Katie was in Super Sister mode and she kept a good eye on him in the tall spots.And Connor discovered he could climb up this laddery type thing. It was like a quarter circle, open ladder thing. He was so careful, placing each step precisely. He is FEARLESS! And before we left, Katie let Connor take a swing. Like I said, she was in Super Sister mode. She really can be a big help when she wants to be.Tuesday we visited our favorite museum. The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. Katie loves Egypt and mummies, and she has to get her fix. Connor was not exactly pleased to be strapped into his stroller, but he survived and so did all of the exhibits.Love this statue of Vishnu.Katie snapped this picture of Connor and I. I guess I have to be in some pictures ....