Spring Break!

One of the many perks of my job as a teacher is a week long Spring Break.  Many of my students traveled to Florida, St. Barts, and even Rome.  I however, traveled to good ol' Hummelstown, PA, and I feel like the luckiest out of everyone.
We had this trip planned for months now, and right before it was time to leave Caden came down with a nasty illness.  The doctors told us there was nothing they could give him and he was ok to travel, so I decided just to risk it and go.  Ed was planning to stay here for the week and join us in PA for Easter weekend.   The trip went fairly well until our last 20 minutes when I realized I had left Caden's entire suitcase in Jersey.  Yes, I mean the suitcase that took me a few days to pack.  The suitcase that included all of his clothes, pajamas, Easter outfit, etc.  was in Jersey.  Luckily the Hershey Outlets are close by, so Caden, on top of everything else, got a whole new wardrobe for Easter.

It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I have a desire to move home and be closer to our families.  I could go on for days about how fun and relaxing it was to be at home.  We visited with so many people, went to Chocolate World, Zoo America, visited Ma Ma at work, got Caden new sneakers, had a pizza party with his cousins, has sleepovers at both grandparents, went on numerous Easter Egg Hunts, and saw two Easter bunnies.
Personally the trip was amazing for me since I was surrounded by all our family who so willingly took care of Caden and gave me time to relax each and every day.  The days I could sleep in, followed by naps in the afternoon and all meals prepared for us were priceless.  If I had my way, we'd vacation in Hummelstown, PA all the time.

 Afternoon snack of powdered donuts with Pa Pa.

 This little chubster could not shovel those donuts into his mouth fast enough.

 Someone likes to hide from the camera these days.

Even thought it was pouring down rain on Tuesday, we still decided to head to Chocolate World.  Dylan loves going there, and since Caden has never been there before we decided it was about time.  When you first walk into Chocolate World there is music playing and just a ton of bright things to look at. Caden immediately started clapping and dancing right in the entrance.  He obviously loved Chocolate World as much as his couisn.

 The boys on the ride.  They loved the singing cows.

 Look at that face... he was mezmorized!

 The of course it was time for a delicious Chocolate World cookie.  I could have eaten a dozen.

 Yes, we even were lucky enough to catch the Easter Bunny at Chocolate World.

 Then we learned that on each visit you have to ride the chocolate ride at least twice.

 Off we went again on the ride.

 Another favorite part of our trip were the lazy mornings at Mi Mi and Pa Pa's when we hung out in our jammies until at least lunchtime.

 My sister and I went out to lunch and shopping one afternoon.  When we got back we saw that Caden had take his afternoon nap like this on Mi Mi's lap.  Poor kid was exhausted!

 Playing outside on one of the beautiful days and complaining to Mommy because he got dirt on his hands.

He looks like such a big boy in these pictures, it kind of breaks my heart.

P.S. Yes he has this outfit on in numerous pictures due to the fact that his mother forgot the stupid suitcase.

 We got Dylan this toy that shot a helicopter like thing when you pulled the string.  Caden would fetch the silly thing and bring in back to Dylan time and time again.

 Innocent looking right?

 Think again!!

 He was stealing Mi Mi's camera.

ZOO AMERICA

Ok.. so the day we went was a bit chilly.  I was afraid Caden would be cold, so as you can see I dressed the poor child for a blizzard.  I think we were more in danger of him suffering from a heat stroke then being cold.

  Checking out the reptile exhibit.

 Every zoo trip needs a snack break.  This is Dylan's favorite spot to enjoy his snack.

 Pa Pa and his boys checking out the bald eagles.

 Then Caden and Dylan did what every little boys need to do at the zoo, dance on the tables.  Of course there are no rules when Pa Pa is around, so they can do as they please.  I swear they did this for over a half an hour and loved it more then the entire zoo.

 Then the followed it up with a little wrestling match.

SNEAKERS

Friday morning Ed's mom was sweet enough to take Caden for new sneakers.  The poor child's feet are rather chubby and getting his old sneakers on was quite a task.  We decided he might need to be fitted for shoes, so we headed to the mall Friday morning.  Ed's sister Kate joined us, and the poor girl had no idea what she was in for. As soon as the shoe salesman got close to Caden and tried to measure his feet he screamed bloody murder as if he was getting a shot.  We quickly chose the first pair he tried on and this is what he looked like as we left the shoe store.

 Those new shoes are pretty darn cool though and a heck of a lot easier to get on.

 Next we headed to see the Easter Bunny at the mall.  He was first in line.

 He wasn't quite sure about seeing that big ol' bunny again, and of course my luck caused the camera to break after one shot.

 Here we are waiting for them to fix the camera.  We ended up getting a great shot with the Bunny.  Thanks to Aunt Dee Dee and Ma Ma for putting up with our cranky boy on Friday, and a special thank you to Ma Ma for his shoes.

EASTER with Ed's Family

Sunday morning we woke up at Ed's parents, and Caden was spoiled as always with a new tractor, very cool wooden vegetables, a new rash guard and swimming trunks, and of course candy.  Thank you for loving and spoiling your little guy so much.

 He prefers to hang out in the trailer and have someone else push or pull him around.  He's no dummy!

EASTER with my family

An hour later we headed to my parents for Easter part two.  Dylan and my sister joined us and the opening began.  Look at all the goodies they got.  It was like Christmas in April.

 Fruit snacks, animal crackers and lollipops before noon.  Mommy was definitely twitching.

 Yes Dylan got a pineapple in his Easter basket.  The little guy wanted one so badly and was thrilled when he saw it. 

 Hey Mommy you see this?  Mi Mi said I can eat whatever candy I want!!!

That evening we had Easter dinner with Ed's extended family.  It's one of the best Easter Egg hunts of the year followed by one of the best dinners.

 Graci was such a sweet girl and helped Caden find some eggs.

 Mom.. I'm busy.  I don't have time for pictures.

Pop Pop helping Caden open his bubble lawn mower.

Thank you again to everyone who allowed us to stay with them, cooked for us, watched Caden, re-arranged their schedules for us time and time again, and just made us feel welcomed and at home.  Thank you to everyone who so graciously sent Caden home with a new tractor, picnic table, lawn mower, two pairs of swimming trunks and rash guards, books, candy, fold up chair, kites, beach balls, candy, and much, much, much more!!!