Sunday, March 31, 2013

HAPPY EASTER!!!

We had the most fun, relaxing family day at home with special lunch guests in the middle and spurts of sunshine.  
The kids had a blast finding their Easter baskets, even though Kate was convinced that the Bunny had not left anything for her because she did not see eggs outside in the grass.  
Max was thrilled to find his basket and even more thrilled to see that the Easter Bunny left a new lego fire engine under the basket.  He spent the rest of the day putting together and playing with his fire truck.  
Anna loved the eggs, did not care what was in the eggs, just wanted to open and shut the eggs and put them in and out of the basket (ahem, sounds a little like Max to me). 
During rain spurts we read our new books, played games, ate a special breakfast and cooked.
 
During sunshine, we ran around outside and caught a few pics.
Mimi and Pop Pop graced us with their presence for a few hours straight off an airplane from NYC.  They spoiled the kids with more books and introduced them to ballet through a special video they found at the MET.  
 We had the most marvelous dinner thanks to Chef Peter.  The kids did a spectacular job of setting the table and making lots of cute surprises for their guests (and themselves). The lemon-poppyseed flower pots were a hit. Our little Anna has been practicing her spoon skills, so today she had a "silver spoon" for her Easter meal. 
It was a very special day all around and we are so thankful to be blessed with a healthy, happy family.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Potluck Brunch and Egg Hunt

The Mudd and Kranz Families held our third annual Easter gathering.  This year we changed it up a bit with a potluck brunch - which was a huge success.   The kids played hard running, jumping, climbing, swinging and of course eating!  We had the most magnificent weather and our yards were filled with so much happy noise it makes my heart flutter.  It was such a spectacular day.
 We gathered for the egg hunt.  The kids collected over 700 eggs, found 20 golden eggs, completed a scavenger hunt and won lots of prizes.
Our youngest egg gatherer - Hadley (18 days old)
Thank you to all the families who brought so much yummy food and their adorable children!!!
Happy Easter!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

17 Months

Our little love is looking more and more like a toddler especially when she is walking with her hands in the air (love it), having a complete meltdown (lovely) or drooling because of the five new teeth she has sprouted (poor thing).
She is doing more walking and experimenting with walking backwards, rolling, falling and climbing to greater heights.  Due to her new found mobility, she had her first visit to the dentist because she fell and bumped her front tooth a little loose - thankfully, we think all is well...
She loves her baby dolls and baby bear. She feeds them all and fusses over their eyes, nose, ears, toes, belly button and mouth.
Anna has a small obsession with underwear - yes underwear - specifically Kate's underwear!  She gets at least one pair out of Kate's closet daily, carries them around, wraps her baby bear in them, puts them on her head, takes them in the car...:)
She has started doing more crafts with the kids like stickers, play-doh, water painting, and coloring. 
I like all her little words and phrases.  Her newest additions are "what is it, all dee (done), up, on, off, I did it, chick." She loves singing to the tune of Frere Jacques: "Where is Anna, Where is Anna".
The beginning of another fun month of bumps & bruises, giggles & wiggles, messes & memories - it just keeps getting better!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Easter Hat Parade and Egg Hunt

We love this event at preschool. The kids have been so excited about all things Easter especially the story of Jesus dying on the cross for us and "popping out of the rock" - cracks me up.  They tell the story better than I could - thank goodness for preschool.  In between visits from the librarian and the ministers to get their extra dose of liturgy this month, they worked on their Easter Hats for the parade and I must say the hats this year were phenomenal for all the classes. Of course the kids were more than thrilled to dash out to the playground to collect twelve eggs - which we counted twelve times (x2) before turning it to their teacher (and she counted then two more times (x12)) to get their bag of goodies.  

 Parading In
 Kate was whispering something to Max which made him crack up... :)
 The whole class
 I mean check out these hats - they are the "Frog" class! 
Ms. Eleanor and Ms. Ninette outdid themselves!
 Neighbor, Emma, in the "Owl" class
 Egg Hunt
Thank you Ms. Nicole for taking care of Anna while I spent a little QT with Max and Kate!!!