Friday Favorites: The Week we Went to the Aquarium

This week was one of those weird weeks where time both seemed to speed up and yet somehow drag on and on.  I felt like we were so busy and yet like I hardly got anything done.  So many of our plans changed last minute and I really had to embrace an attitude of just going with the flow. 


 

We had plans to hike with some friends of ours on Friday but it was looking like it was going to be a wet, rainy, miserable day.  We decided to buy tickets to the aquarium instead and head there for the day.  Our aquarium is selling limited tickets every hour (though once in you can stay as long as you like).  We planned to meet at noon and ended up staying until nearly 3!  We had a fabulous time and even squeezed in just a bit of shopping in the Mystic Villages before heading home with some delicious Pop on the Block popcorn and homemade fudge.  I'll have a full post up with all the photos I took soon. 




After taking Alec to karate on Saturday, Evan and I spent the afternoon cleaning out his drawers.  We then we on the hunt for a pair of flip flops for him and ended our afternoon with a nice long walk along the river trail.  I wore my flip flips too!




Once we got home I got roped into helping Alec clean out all of his drawers and we looked online for some longer basketball type shorts for him (which will hopefully fit like traditional shorts on those long legs!).  We ordered a bunch of stuff for him to try on since none of last year's clothes still fit.  

It was raining on Sunday and I spent my morning pulling together a high school transcript for Ian, figuring out his cumulative GPA and trying to figure out how to attach it all to his college application form online.  I also worked on making some Easter cards and wrapping their Easter gifts.  




Monday was an all around weird day where nothing went as planned.  Alec couldn't sign into his Google class and missed the first part of his virtual school day; we finally shut down his computer and then it worked.  Phew!  He was marked absent but since it was only his second time missing school all year I didn't sweat it.  He was able to get all the schoolwork done and that was all I cared about. 

Evan and I had plans to meet friends of ours in Newport for a seal watch that ended up being canceled (once we were in the car and heading to Newport).  It was a really windy day with gale force warnings and small vessel alerts so while we were bummed we were mostly relieved.  We turned around and headed home.  Since I was now home I was able to take Alec to his first track and field practice. 


Luckily I decided to stay and watch since practice ended an hour early!  My husband had to work late as one of the turbines at the hydroelectric plant has been having problems.  

It was a beautiful day out on Tuesday! With Alec at school and Ian at work Evan and I were able to fly through his work.  We then met up with my mom and her friend for a nice long hike before lunch. 







Alec had his second track practice so I didn't have to rush and pick him up after eating lunch.  I got a few things done around the house and had dinner all prepped for when we got home.  They were in the building working on upper body strength and he was SORE.  

Wednesday felt like such a busy and stressful day where I just felt like I got nothing done.  Alec had a half day of school but his practice was at the regular time so I had to drive back and forth to the school a few times (we live nearly a half hour away so this is no small thing).  Ian had a virtual meeting with his academic advisor at the college that I sat in on (between trips to Alec's school).  By the time we looked through the whole online catalog of fall classes I had to go pick up Alec. 

Alec and I ate lunch, I prepped dinner, and by then it was time to head back to Alec's school for practice.  Luckily practice got out a bit early as he looked like he was going to be sick-- they did LOTS of running and he said at least one other kid was complaining he felt sick too.  He felt completely fine by the time we arrived home though.  

I headed out for a quick walk to get the mail and then began making dinner. After dinner my husband and I headed out to Lowe's and back to the grocery store since we had forgotten quite a few things with our online order. 


Alec got special permission to head back into the building on Thursday (he was supposed to be virtual but hadn't finished his baking project from Wednesday).  My mother in law offered to drive him and since he had track practice I didn't have to be at the school until 3:30!  Ian was at work and with just Evan and I his school day goes by so quickly. 

I was able to make a salad, some Chex mix, some muddy buddies and still squeeze in a short hike while also getting all 4 bathrooms (2 full/ 2 half) cleaned.  It was so nice to finally have a day where I felt like I got a lot of stuff done; though the list always seems never-ending. 



We found a new trail at one of our favorite hiking spots and I just love it! It's as short 30 minute hike but it was cold and raw so 30 was perfect plus it meets up with like 3 other trails so we could always make it a much longer hike on a much nicer day.








Alec was all smiles when I picked him up and chatted the whole way home about his day.  They worked inside on the equipment and with weights for track since it was so wet and raw out and it was a much needed break from running for him.  His track coach thinks he's got a touch of tendinitis in his knee and wants him to rest/ ice it so weight training was definitely the right move for him today.  

We ended our night with a warm home cooked meal and some family TV time.  We are so excited to start our 3 day weekend today!

Linking up with: On the Edge,










Comments

  1. I agree, we just have to go with the flow sometimes, you never know where it might take you. Stay safe, enjoy your Easter weekend and thank you for visiting my blog this week.

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  2. Oh so fun...looks like a lovely Spring week and love those cards!

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    1. Aw, thanks! I loved how they turned out too. I hope the boys don't mind the flowers and more girly colors but it's hard to make spring/ Easter cards without them.

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  3. I need to put the aquarium on my list! I love that blue sweater on you, too. Have a good Easter weekend.

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    1. It was a lot of fun. We want to get back to the zoo next.

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  4. I love aquariums! I thought driving to my kids' school 15 minutes each way was annoying. 1/2 hour would be way worse!

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    1. LOL. I am so used to long drives as it's a good 20 minutes to the library and the grocery store too.

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  5. Hi Joanne - it looks like you had a full and busy week with lots of ups and downs. We've had a more peaceful one leading up to Easter - and even that will be quiet here as both lots of our kids aren't coming this year (we saw them last weekend instead). Loved the jellyfish picture.

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    1. Thanks! I really had a great time photographing all the different species of jellyfish they had there.

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  6. It is nice to have a day when you feel like you get a lot done. Happy Easter!

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  7. I love how spring is showing her face in your area! I hope you're able to have an absolutely beautiful Easter weekend with your family!

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    1. Every now and then... today we had snow flurries and temps near freezing. I refused to take my winter coat back out though. LOL.

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  8. That aquarium sounds like a lot of fun! We haven't been in a few years now. I think my youngest would really enjoy visiting. Those hiking spots look so pretty! I hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. It was so fun! We hadn't been in a couple of years but I find them so relaxing... I don't know if it's all the blue (which I just love) or what but I have yet to find an aquarium I haven't enjoyed.

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  9. That aquarium looks like a fun one! We are getting ready for our spring break vacation and I went through the boys clothes once again as they seem to be hitting a growth spurt. Pulled out the tubs and donated some stuff and got the next size up out.
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. We're now at the point where no one has any hand me downs... I kind of miss those days of just pulling out an old tote. Now my oldest is in big and tall sizes, my middle son needs slims, and my youngest is just average. It's crazy how fast they grow out of things though.

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  10. You always make the best cards. I love those so much. We haven't been to the aquarium in years. I think it might be time to take the girls to the Monterey one if it is open. I hope you have the best weekend!

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  11. This trip looks like SO much fun!! I need to get my kids to one. They would all love it, but especially my boys.

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    1. It was a lot of fun! We hadn't been in a long time and it was great to watch the animals gliding through the water and the seals playing with one another.

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  12. I havent been to an aquarium in years... I need to make plans to go visit one soon.

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  13. I LOVE visiting the aquarium and Mystic is one of the best. Looks awesome! You hikes always look so appealing too. Happy Easter!

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  14. Aquarium visits are educational and fun. How exciting to discover a new trail. Thank you for linking with #WeekendCoffeeShare.

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  15. As always I love your photos. the aquarium sounds like fun, and so does a river walk. I need a new pair of flip flops as well. Oh, and I love the cards you made. Happy Easter.

    https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2021/04/weekend-coffee-share.html

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  16. I love to go to a aquarium. So beautiful. What a fabulous trails you always find. It's so good to be out in nature. I like your blue cardigan. Enjoy the long Easter weekend.

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  17. What a great week! I'm glad you were able to just roll with the changes and not get too stressed out over it. The Easter cards are lovely!

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    1. It can be hard managing my stress and anxiety at times but I think I did pretty well this week!

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  18. As always your nature and hiking shots are great. I love aquariums & always find an excuse to visit and as for a day where you get some box ticking done, well, that's priceless.

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  19. Oh, I didn't mention the easter cards. Lovely.

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    1. Thank you again! They were a bit hit with my boys-- almost as much as the chocolate bunnies.

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  20. Lovely pics of nature and the aquarium! I'm glad that despite the change in plans, things worked out well!

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    1. Thank you! I was glad it worked out well too.

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  21. Joanne, thanks for sharing your week with us! My kids are on Spring Break this week and I am struggling with finding things to do. I think short hikes is what it's going to be for us! As always, I love all of your nature photos. Thanks for linking!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    1. Alec starts his break next week and I am trying to line up some fun stuff for us to do.

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  22. Wow, I got a bit tired and worn out reading that because of all the driving back and forth. Go Mum, I say, we hold it all together in so many ways. Good to see Spring making its presence known too.

    Always delighted to see your posts in Life This Week Link up. Thanks for joining in. Looking forward to next week, when we may, should we choose, Share Our Snaps (photos!). Denyse.

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    1. I am getting a bit sick of all the driving back and forth for sure but I think I just need to get used to it since he's got three more years of schooling left.

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  23. Some weeks just don't go as planned and I find it hard to go with the flow. It sounds like you did a good job of it though :) I love the Easter cards -- you're so creative! And I can't imagine how much driving you do. It sounds like some days you drive more in a day than we do in a week. Go you!

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    1. I am getting better at going with the flow but it is definitely something I struggle with. I am starting to feel like I am a full time taxi and while the school keeps saying they're trying to get all the kids back in the building we only have maybe 8 weeks of school left and we already know the schedule for the next 2 weeks does not have any more kids in the building than we have for the past few months. I'm at the point where I'm telling him he needs to get his license as soon as he turns 16!

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