Back with a Tan, some hats and travel tips...

We are back. I am busy downloading and editing pictures of the girls, pictures of their clothing of course, some egg hunting and the beach.

While I catch up on life in Minnesota and get my taxes done, here are some pictures of the girls wearing their new hats. Before we left for Florida it was snowing here, and cold. Glad we got to wear them. I have a matching one too - but couldn't find a photog near to capture all of us.

The hats were made by a lovely local lady named Susie. I met her at a Matilda Jane show last month. I meet the most amazing ladies at theses shows. You can find her here. Makes me want to start knitting again...almost.

..and just a quick travel tips for those parents traveling with small children. Don't sit by them. I was a wreck because the 3 of us did not have seats together. When we arrived at the airport, I was able to get Eloise and Esther next to each other, but I was still 9 rows away. Upon entering the aircraft, try as I did, NO ONE sitting near them would switch with me. Tears didn't work, begging and pleading didn't work, cursing didn't work, threatening my children's bad behavior on them didn't work, nor did money.

I trudged off to my seat alone, and opened my book. My book. Whoa - no kids are next to me asking for snacks, dropping their crayons, asking me to read My Little Pony to them, asking for technical help with their LeapPad's. My book - I had a book to read. So I sat there - reading my book - uninterrupted for almost 3 hours. The girls came up once for bathroom help. That was it. The rest, Eloise took care of. She was so proud to help Esther with her snacks, drinks, art projects and read story after story to her.

When we arrived at the airport to go home, I noticed that I was assigned to sit next to them. I quietly and kindly asked the gate agent if she could move me away from them. Unfortunately, the plane was full and I had to be a mom again. I guess vacation was over.

xoxo,t