Going to Granny's

just not today :(

This morning I was putting laundry away in our room, when Natalie came in asking for help to pull her pants on. She'd changed out of her jeans, into a pair of cutoff capris that we picked up one day in Wrightsville Beach last April because she'd fallen into the water and needed dry clothes. She rarely wore them last year because they were way too big. Apparently she still remembers where she got them though because she was wearing them on purpose. Or maybe she can read? They do say "Wrightsville Beach" across the butt. Classy huh? I went into her room to find her suitcase out and open on her floor. Packed with (as she listed to me), shoes, shorts, her swimmy suit and a sunhat. She explained that she was going to Granny's to the beach. I have to say the packing was pretty impressive. I think she learned it from some early morning tv with Special Agent Oso. I guess tv's not all bad. Luckily she didn't flip out when I told her we weren't going to Granny's today. Instead, we went to a park that has a sand volleyball court and had a "beach" day there. It was fun, but it wasn't the same. We may be over that stinky virus, but now we're all beachsick. Granny, we're heading your way ASAP so we can get over our illness. :)

Just Can't Get Enough

Every time she puts on these boots I want to run for my camera. So today I did. She must've known it was gonna thunderstorm that night.

Her new favorite toy: sticks.

Sutton, 10 months

Ready for bed, and maybe the major leagues.

Sideways smiles. He is one happy kid.

Loves his Daddy. Just like when Natalie was a baby, no one makes him smile quite like Daddy.

Easter Sunday

Sorry Rest-of-the-World, I have the 2 cutest children on the planet!

Natalie's Easter dress was made by Granny K in 1981. If I can find the picture of me in it, I'll be sure to post a comparison.

The best part of the dress is the little chick inside the peek-a-boo egg. Wasn't Granny so clever?

Two suckers from Pastor Matt. Apparently, on holidays one sucker just won't do.

Just a small portion of all the little Easter cuties from our church.

Easter Firsts

Sutton enjoyed the grass in his basket as well as the little nerf ball the Bunny brought him. And Natalie, well, she liked biting into a hollow choc choc bunny.

Passover and a Seder Meal

For our Maundy Thursday service this year at church we planned a traditional Jewish Seder meal to celebrate Passover. It was fun researching and learning about the traditions that Christ would have taken part in during The Last Supper. It was fun preparing far in advance for Easter and getting to celebrate for more than just one day.

Transforming the fellowship hall with twinkly lights was really fun. Thanks for all your help ladies!

Springy Saturday

Garage Sale season has officially begun. McDonald's for breakfast, then off to see what we can find for mere change. Other than a few pair of shoes and a couple of tees for Sutton, these little toddler tables were the big purchase of the day. Stay tuned all summer to see all the "necessities" we will find.

Washing the car (and her puppy) with Dad.

Warm sunshine and suds. What could be better?

Church Egg Hunt

Last year, Natalie was elated to find each and every egg. This year, she was much more interested in the candy hiding within the eggs. It was hard to convince her to stop trying to eat the candy and keep hunting for eggs. There really is NO rationalizing with a 2 year-old.

Then there's Sutton Paul, who's just happy to be at the party. He liked holding/eating the empty plastic eggs, so it worked out great. Next year, his sister will probably have him finding eggs for her while she lays back and waits for the candy. Whatever happened to hunting for real eggs anyways? The prize was in the protein.

"The Friends"

I got Natalie out of the car in our garage, she saw friends in the culdesac and immediately started yelling at them to come inside. They couldn't understand her, so she ran over to them and invited them in. The three of them trudged through the garage and the house, then into the backyard...with Natalie leading the way, turning to make sure they were following her and saying, "Come on, come on."

In a matter of seconds, our back slab of concrete was full of neighbor kids. All personally invited by our little hostess with the mostest. Now, every time we get ready to go outside, Natalie looks for "the friends." I sure love that kid.

A Reason to Smile

We're smiling about the sunshine and outdoor playtime. But, Spring also brings..

the ice cream truck (this my be the cutest smile I've ever seen on her face)

and Easter Mail

Thanks for all the mail grandparents and great-grandparents. Natalie and Sutton love tearing into those pastel envelopes!

Partners in Crime

Apparently Natalie thought Sutton needed a little snack while he played. So, she gave him the entire container of stars. The cutest little convicts I've ever seen! Don't worry, they "cleaned up" nearly every morsel.

LiTTLe MoNKeYS

We had our first zoo trip of the year last week. It was perfect. Well, there was one small meltdown on the car ride home, but I won't tell you which of the 5 babies lost it. (ahemnatalie) Other than that, a truly PERFECT zoo day.

Spring, Where Are You?

We finally got to play outside for an afternoon! Natalie had a blast running through all the puddles. Keep in mind, these puddles were left over from snow melting the day before, but nonetheless, we enjoyed the first tastes of Spring.

Mr. Sun, is that you?

See the snow behind her in the neighbor's yard?

Outdoor toys are already much more exciting and manageable than they were last year.

And now there's a new kid in town who's ready to take his turn in the swing.

While we enjoyed our day outside, it was also fun to be inside at FuN RuN on a rainy wednesday. This place is great. There are four of these little wooden 2 story houses that are all attached with secret passageways that go up and down and all around. There are huge blow-up slides and bounce houses and a toddler room with mini slides and playhouses. It's in Liberty, in case you need a rainy day activity.

Speaking Natalese

Mittens are muffins

Diaper cream is sour cream

When her feelings are hurt, or if she just doesn't like what you told her she says "you're makin my feelings"

To ask if two words rhyme she says, "those just look like the same?"

When asking to leave her door open at bedtime, "leave it wide and open"

A little or a lot is "A little much or a big much?"

Backpacks are pack packs

A carwash is a washcar

And sidewalks used to be called walkie sides, but are now just sidewalks.