happy baby

Just wanted all the grandparents to start their day with a smile...

after dinner show

After dinner dancing shows are somewhat common around here. (Which is why the kitchen looks like such a mess.) The girls put together their own costumes, and thankfully tonight I had some say in the song selection. Oh, and I have to say... at the end of the video it appears I cut Elise off mid-sentence, but I was actually helping her. The entrance and exit of each performance is very important to Elise and I knew if I didn't help her hear the applause and she missed her exit, she would freak out. :) There, I feel better.

Ready, aim, fire.

Elise loves the Barbie and the Three Musketeers movie. Mostly the fighting. Oh, and the cool musketeer outfits, of course. It's common for Elise to take out wooden spoons, give one to Claire, and then proceed to say "on guard" in some vaguely French accent. Then the "fighting" begins.

Last week she decided the wooden spoon worked better as an arrow and she opened up my wooden salad tongs to make a bow. Toby jumped on this new interest. Play dance recital or buy Elise a bow and arrow? Play dress up or buy a bow and arrow? Paint finger nails or buy a bow and arrow? The choice was easy. :)

Everybody wins...

basic introduction

directing the toddler to stay back

She likes it!

smiling

stylin'

silly

(Please notice the following: 1) She's wearing bunny ears. 2) She's wearing Elise's underwear. Two pairs actually. 3) She's colored with pen all over her thigh. Thighs actually.)

Easter Sunday

Easter baskets!

morning hunt for eggs

opening goodies from all the grandparents

Thanks to a sweet family friend the girls wore matching Easter dresses to church. They were sooo cute.... and sooo not cooperating for our morning photo shoot.

These were the best shots of about 20 attempts.

After church we hosted a Easter lunch and egg hunt with four other families. It was a tad crowded in the house, but it turned out to be a great time.

Elise, Linnea, Avery, Claire, and Ryann

The sky cleared up enough for the kids to enjoy an Easter egg hunt in the backyard....

On your mark, get set, GO!

And then a little rabbit petting made our Easter day complete. :)

Elise loves a holiday. The anticipation, the decorations, the traditions and special activities. Oh, and the inevitable sugar. It's all good in Elise's book. So, as you can see, she was a little excited to dye eggs this morning...

Easter Preview

Sylvie was sitting pretty for the camera yesterday. It was a little dress rehearsal for Easter Sunday.

Table for Five

Sylvie has joined us at the table.

Oh boy! Can it be? Toby Long is THIRTY-THREE!

spring

We've been spending a lot of time outside these days, enjoying some sun and fresh spring air. Happy days.