19 Months Old

I love that we're starting to feel like Summer around here. I had plans to try a new recipe today and needed a few things at the grocery store, so to treat Josie for being good in the store, we stopped by the park on our way home. I love that we find new places to go and have fun now that the weather is warm. We still have some work to do in teaching her the rules of the playground (like sitting not standing to go down the slide ;)) but we still have lots of fun on the swings and climbings a few of the smaller jungle gyms.

I made yet another batch of cake pops today, mostly because they're such a Josie friendly food... not healthwise, entertainment wise :) Probably my best batch yet, chocolate dipped in mint coating... yum. Josie calls them "cake cakes". I think she's trying to say cupcake, but "cake cakes" are just as good.

We love when dad gets home at the end of the day because she's so excited to see him and they usually run outside and see what's going on. Tonight Pops was out doing stuff at the new house, so of course the duo rode on over to check it all out.










With the sun out later and the warm weather, we lose track of time and before we know it it's bath time and off to bed. Oh, and our new LCD was delivered today... Josie broke the old TV by pressing the power button too many times. Apparently "You're gonna break it!" wasn't just an empty threat, she really did! ;) But yahoo for a new tv. Power button is far from jj's reach!

trees.

I'm exhausted and I really didn't even do any hard work today! Unlike me, everyone else worked their butts off today. Uncle Brian delivered something like 50 trees this week and they weren't going to plant themselves, so today was a process of picking spots, digging holes and plopping them in. I just hung around for entertainment, I was too busy, or so I pretended, taking care of Josie...



For the most part us girls steered clear of the heavy farm equipment and instead ran around our yard and watched the tree planting at Mimi and Pop's from afar.


Uncle Brian brought Bristol over for the day, and while Josie was thrilled to see her, after a few tackles...



Josie said, "See ya later!"



And Bristol cried for more love!




It was a chilly day even with the sun out, so we called it quits early in the afternoon, but not before telling our litte dear good night.





the end. :)

Easter Day

Our fun actually started the night before when Nate and R arrived to color eggs. While Josie sat and opened a bunch of plastic eggs filled with fish crackers - wow talk about endless entertainment!! But the best photos are from Easter day...


Our Easter pancakes came out amazing! They were the softest pastels, perfect for the day. Pops even showed up and had a stack with the kids... and best part, Josie saw Pops and exclaimed "Hi Pops!". She's learning so much each and every day...


When the kids got up, they found their Easter baskets, a note from the Easter bunny thanking them for the apple juice and carrots, and a trail of jelly beans leading to the front door. Outside our yard was filled with candy filled Easter eggs.



All the kids (including our friends across the street) ran about picking up 100+ eggs in less than 10 minutes. Note for next year, Easter bunny needs more like 1,000 eggs to keep the kids hunting longer. They were all thrilled with their loot and had handfuls of candy before 9 am... Josie had her first taste of Reese Peanutbutter cups too. mmmm!!!


And of course, the Easter bunny dropped of Mr. Turtle Sandbox outside the back door and this little girl was digging in all day! That Easter bunny is quite the nice guy.

Everyone came for a dinner of ham and crab legs (perfect combo ;)) and desserts galore. Chick cake pops were a big hit with lots of yumminess left over for today.

Easter 2010

Best Easter ever, a million and one beautiful pieces that made the day magical :) Not to mention the candy, best candy holiday ever too!

In the Dirt

It's fairly evident Josie loves being outside. Dad comes home, says "let's go outside" and off they go.. I hardly seem the for the rest of the evening. Tonight I find my perfectly clean (freshly washed shoes!!!) little girl sitting IN a pile of wet and dirty rocks EATING dirt off the shovel. Builds the immune system, right? So much for dad keeping a close eye.

Breakfast Rainbow

We couldn't have been luckier than to have today AND tomorrow as stay at home days, the weather is gorgeous! I woke up early and felt super motivated to open all the windows, let the house air out, washing all the bed sheets - and testing out my Easter breakfast on Josie.


Now, I do realize these pancakes may not have mass appeal to everyone, but they came out even better than I thought the would. I use Krusteaz whole grain mix and the Wilton color gels (just a dab) and behold, an Easter rainbow on a plate! I got the idea from my super duper creative friend Miranda. Josie seemed to think they were pretty great, don't cha think?



We're having overnight guests on Easter Eve so I'm feeling even extra ambitious when it comes to fun Easter activities this year. And with the weather forecast looking like the best I've ever known, I'm sure the Easter Bunny is going to have lots of eggs in the yard come Sunday morning.

And yep, I'm gonna press my baking luck and attempt about 50 little chick faces today... wish me much patience! (www.bakerella.com <- the creative genius behind such cuteness!)