The Trap is Set...

You may remember this from last year. And this. And this.
I assure you, Chloe did not forget. On March 1, she reminded me that this was Leprechaun month and we needed to get started on the trap.

I held her off for several days, but Sunday was a beautiful Spring day and she was itching to create something outside. Enter 4 hours of planning and creating.

Something about her creative process is quite contagious...

everyone wants to join in.

The rainbow, the pot of gold, the sink, the couch, the blanket, the pillow...

All her ideas.

As with all of her art projects, they are always a work in progress.

Since this picture was taken, a trail with signs made of leaves, a felt hammock strung by dental floss, and a swimming pool have been added.

The entire family did a scan of the premises this evening after dinner...

Tip-toeing and whispering were mandatory.

We think we saw footprints, and Sammy seemed to be tracking a scent.

We are onto him. (or her, respectively.)

How Do You Eat An Elephant?

One bite at a time, right?

Well, I'm eating mine with a plastic spork.

Progress is SLOW.

Friends, Forever Family and the Frosted Orange

Saturday was a BIG day for some friend's of ours. They welcomed home their daughter from Ethiopia...they had been waiting for her for over 14 months and Saturday was THE DAY she was welcomed into the arms of her forever family. It was too precious for words, really, and unfortunately I do not have one picture to show for it as I was snapping pictures with their camera as they all met for the first time at the airport...but take my word for it...MOVING.

So moving, that I cried tears of joy and sadness for the majority of the evening. Joy, for God's miraculous ways of placing a little girl from another part of the world in a family that loves her and will protect her and provide for her. Sadness for the orphan crisis...and all the loss that is necessary for the happy moments of being placed in a family. And this little girl...so. precious. So open to love. So willing to embark on her 'new life.' Tears well up just thinking about it.

It happened very quickly, and before you know it, the family was loading the Marta to head home. My friend, Steph and I had piled 5 kids in the van to drive to the airport for the welcoming and we were going to capitalize on the effort invested if you know what I mean!

We decided on a stop at The Varsity. An Atlanta establishment that claims to be the largest drive-in in the world...We got a little lost...sat in A LOT of traffic...and praised ourselves over and over for being awesome Moms attempting this downtown driving ALL BY OURSELVES! Needless to say, there are not too many mini-vans weaving through traffic in the BIG CITY. :) But we were there and we were making it happen!

After a few 'WHAT'LL YA HAVEs?!?!?!', we ordered a naked dog, a slaw dog, onion rings, and a Frosted Orange. (and a sure case of heartburn...)
The Frosted Orange is our favorite, it is kinda like an orange-cicle all blended up...YUM!

Eli enjoying the ONLY thing he would EVER eat at The Varsity,

The Frosted Orange

The Girls in front of a small portion of the HUGE restaurant.
(Look how cute Chloe and Abi's legs are!)

Half the fun is the 'getting there.'

Only this time it was the 'getting OUT of there!'

Girls' Morning Out

Old Navy lured us in with adds for $6 dresses...

of which we found none to our liking.

But we still managed to spend money (more than $6, unfortunately)...

walked out with some uber cute Spring attire.

We drank hot beverages and shared an Apple Fritter.

We chit chatted...caught up on each other's lives a bit...

Enjoyed one another's company.

Love time with my Girl.

Peter Pan takes the ATL

Last Sunday, the Hooper clan loaded the minivans and headed to Atlanta to see Peter Pan 360.

It was a WONDERFUL show! All enjoyed it very much and even sat still for the entire thing...mesmorized by the flying and pirates.

The Williamses agreed that the crocodile was our favorite...on wheels and made out of wooden hangers and mens neckties...so. creative!

No cameras allowed during the show, so this is our one and only photo of the day...

Thank you, again, Granna and Zeke for the fun memory!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Today was Dr. Seuss's (that's a lot of 'S's) birthday!

Chloe's school celebrated by inviting students to come to school dressed up

as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

We chose Cindy Lou-Who

from How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Cat in the Hat also showed up along with Daisy Maisey

And look at that...the Grinch showed up too! :)

Mommy Spa Day

I'm not sure how she knew it, but she did.
C knew that Mommy had a somewhat rough day at work and could use some pampering...

I arrived home to find the fort transformed into a Spa...
There was a towel for me to lay on for a massage...
A bowl of warm water to soak my feet...
A large selection of finger nail polish to choose from...
Snacks and a drink.

Kevin said it took her a full 45 minutes to haul everything out of the house into the fort.

She loves me. sigh...
I have pink with blue polka-dots fingernails and toenails to prove it...

Eli enjoyed supervising

Us.

She washed my feet and massaged my legs and arms.

So. Sweet.