Birthdays and Easter

We had a busy weekend with two birthdays and Easter. Friday, Otto turned 11 years old. We do not even attempt to have birthday parties (its always a party at our house!). Instead, the birthday child gets to choose the day's menu and also has free range on the days activities. No school on birthdays and wearing sleepers all day is also acceptable. I did, in the past, have to draw the line at too many meals that include a lot of preparation, but they are considerate about that now. For example, Otto chose cinnamon rolls/cheese and fruit/meatloaf and spetzla and apple pie rather than cake. Breakfast and dinner were more involved, but I had planned on making cinnamon bread (another acceptable option) the day before and didn't find the time. 

Solomon, whose birthday was Monday (he turned 9), wanted Frosted Mini Wheats/tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches/pasta with white sauce and cheese and sugar cookies. They both spent the day playing on the computer or watching movies which are usually only allowed for limited times on the weekends. They seemed to enjoy their days and, of course, the other boys all enjoyed the same benefits with the exception of only getting to watch the computer. 

Louis had a birthday last month (3/22) and became our second teenager. It is nice to be through with birthdays until the Fall.

Another great experience with Cedar Hills Manor (our complex). One of the moms organized an Easter Egg Hunt for Sunday morning.

They hid 240 eggs around the courtyard and invited all the children to search. Otto, Solomon and Olivia had a great time. Jennifer, the manager, gave cups of hot chocolate after the hunt.

I had a great time visiting with the other parents. I have never gotten to know our neighbors as well as I am getting to know the people here. It is enjoyable and exciting for me, though our dinners are sometimes a bit later than I would like because of my increased social life. I will have to be careful about that. Greg's family came over for Easter dinner. Amanda and Olivia were so adorable in their beautiful dresses. 

Again, I am hoping for some days which include a little less activity, but I'm not going to plan on it.

Another Chapter Closed/Begins

We had talked about it in the past, but hadn't taken the steps and stopped thinking about it. Then we did our state taxes and found out that Greg's employer had not taken out enough state withholdings and we have to pay state taxes. The children and I drove out to Jim and Charissa's, cleaned out and cleaned up the trailer, took some pictures, and posted them on Craigslist that evening. It is the right time of year. We got an unexpectedly huge response. The children and I went back out two days later, met a couple who looked at the trailer and paid us cash. Two days, the same amount of time our house in Scappoose was on the market before we had a full price offer. It was tough to let the trailer go, we lived in that trailer for several months and have many good memories, but those months were stressful in many ways and I am not sorry we sold it. Owning less is better, a more simple way to live. The trailer has been a frequent thought in the back of my mind, of responsibility we could not afford. We have not used it for a year and a half. The money from selling has not only enabled us to pay our taxes, but to buy the school books we were needing, a printer which we have not had for years, much needed bike repairs, brakes for the van, etc. I am glad we sold it. We have a big tent which we have hardly used. I've never been much of a camper, but I'm looking forward to spending some weekends in that tent. And Jim and Charissa must be happy to have that trailer off their property, I'm happy to have it off their property, though I know they were willing to let us leave it there for eternity.