Easter Bunny and Egg Hunt 2016

On Saturday, the Heritage Center had a free Easter egg hunt, Bunny pictures, and breakfast event. It was really chilly this year, and we were on line for a long time so things got a little hare-y at the beginning, but the kids loved getting eggs and I loved getting pictures with the bunny. Yay! Thanks! 

Scary bunny pictures

One of the two huge and cold lines

Miranda bugging James on the toddler line

Haha, cuties


Miranda's toddler egg hunt was so fast! A minute of egg collecting on flat grass!
She got two eggs! She saw other kids got more but she was happy with her 2.

James's older kids egg hunt was a little more involved.

Some hidden eggs

Wow! He got so many!

I let them have mini cupcakes at the brunch since they had already had breakfast.

And we're off to New Jersey!

Lyla's 5th Birthday at Skyzone 2016

James had his first "school friend's birthday party" on St. Patrick's Day. A girl in his Pre-K class Lyla had her 5th birthday at SkyZone, a local trampoline park. It was crazy.

The birthday girl  Lyla with My Little Pony headband


Ellie, Lexi, James, and Natalia running on trampolines

YAY! Lexi gets air!

In the foam pit with Lexi


Playfully throwing foam blocks

James helping Lexi out of the foam pit- because he "likes" her

Bouncy basketball

Dodgeball area!

Photobooth with Lexi and Lyla

Photobooth fun!!

My little pony theme!

Pizza and cake- does life get any better than this?

Rebecca and James crack each other up.

Family Day- February 2016

We had a super fun family day on Saturday because it was unseasonably warm. First, I went with James to his indoor winter soccer class. Miranda and Kevin hit the playground outside the building. When soccer was over, James and Kevin hit the playground, while Miranda and I did laps in the park.

James in the playground treehouse at Heritage Park

Miranda and I doing laps.

She took over. Typical.

We went home for lunch, and Kevin and Miranda took naps. By the time everyone woke up it was late afternoon but we didn't want to waste the weather so we went to the beach. There's a really nice playground at the beach so the kids got to go to two playgrounds in one day.

Cedar Beach, my beach

James to unknown boy: "Then we have to kick all the sharks."

Miranda running to the swings

My job

Cubans on swings

Having a lot of fun

Kevin and me with Miranda photo bomb

Grandma Kathy's Birthday 2016

Grandma Kathy was here for the weekend. On Saturday, she went to see James play soccer, and she watched the kids so Kevin and I could go out for Valentine's dinner. On Sunday/Valentine's Day we all celebrated Kevin's birthday together and she enlisted the kids in baking a big chocolate cake for his birthday. Grandma's birthday is tomorrow but we wanted to celebrate while she was here, so we celebrated Grandma's birthday with brunch Monday morning before she left (really Kevin's birthday).

Miranda, Kevin, and Kathy

Grandma wanted to go out with* the kids which is not something we understood, but honored. We ate at the Flying Pig Cafe, and there were a lot of "Chinese fire drills." First I put both of the kids in the booth with me so that Kevin and Kathy could actually enjoy their birthday brunch. Just a few minutes later as Miranda was pouring apple juice into my lap, our coats, and straight into my darkening soul, my phone slipped from my lap and the front glass broke. So then Kevin confiscated Miranda to his lap.

Broken.

I'm not sad because no pictures were lost in the phone breakage
(Also because the 5s is free with my plan now.)

But then, James wanted to sit with Grandma, Miranda wanted to switch to my side and eat my food or at least spill hers onto my lap. So switch!

Grandma and James

Me, Kevin, and Miranda

Happy birthday Grandma! Sorry you had a tough drive back!

Bonus picture of Grandma at soccer practice

Nana Visits- January 2016

Nana and Bob came to visit. They got here extra early so they could see James's indoor soccer practice. Fun! Mom was mesmerized by the amazing soccer abilities of 4-year-olds! Ha!

Bob and Nana at soccer

Nana taking action shots

Practicing with a new coach

Lots of fun for the rest of the weekend. Bob indulged James's love of Life, which James rewarded by asking him to play 500 more times. Miranda was well-behaved and affectionate with Nana all weekend and they bonded. The Clous went for a brief wintry walk, and when we came back in Kevin lit a fire. There was also a lot of food.

Bob won.

Nana and her mini-me bonding.

Ready to walk.

Pointing at the photographer- Dada.

Mesmerized by fire.

Drawing together the next morning.