Spring Break!

Spring break this year started with a bang... the literal bang of Caleb's face against a pole on the playground.

I apologize for the scary face. He would not pose normally. Anyway, as you can see, he chipped his front incisor pretty good. We are headed to the dentist tomorrow to see what we can do about that.

Later that day we headed to Picchetti Ranch for a hike with some friends. Elinor and Jacob M. managed to catch a few tadpoles which we took home to watch slowly die. Turns out we are not great tadpole caretakers.

Super cool old farmhouse with informative plaque out front.

I think everyone is feeling the approach of summer!

Tuesday we stayed home for doctor's appointments and catch up.

Wednesday we went to Castle Rock per Elinor's request. She wants to have her birthday party there, crazy girl!

It was super cold, but beautiful. Very green and mossy from all the rain we've been getting.

Climbing on rocks - every kid's favorite pastime. 

And Thursday? Well, Thursday I went a little crazy (sorta the same disease I was afflicted with over winter break) and drove the kids an hour and a half south to Pinnacle National Park. It was AMAZING. 

We did the Bear Gulch hike. It was perfect. So many rocks (talus piles?) for the kids to climb on and explore. I'm pretty sure Elinor was training to be Link in the next Zelda game.

The trail led to the Bear Gulch Caves, which were of course, so exciting for the kids to explore. They had packed flashlights earlier, which they gleefully whipped out when needed.

Once we made it through the caves we headed up to the reservoir.

It was such a fun surprise to turn a corner and be greeted with this beautiful vista. 

We ate lunch up by the reservoir. The kids dipped their toes/legs/torsos in the water while we rested.

Headed back down the trail, doing their best to avoid a puddle.  I'm thinking it was a lot of effort to go to after basically dunking in the reservoir.

More Zelda training. I love how lush and green everything is right now! So different from 2 years ago.

The visitor's center had this funny "Match the Scat" game for the kids to play here. That rubber "scat" sure looked realistic.

We spent some time working on the Junior Ranger requirements before taking the oath, receiving badges, and then heading home.

The drive home was very calm. We stopped for milkshakes and the kids watched a movie for most of the way. This adventure was definitely one of my crazier ones to attempt solo, but I am so glad we did it. Everyone had a great time and it was surprisingly not super stressful for me. I sure feel lucky to live near so many National Parks!