Easter Weekend 2014

This year our Easter festivities kicked off on Friday.  Savannah had been on Spring Break all week and she used every ounce of patience she possessed to hold off until then for dyeing eggs.  We bought an egg spinner that was supposed to create a tie dyed effect on the eggs and amazingly it somewhat worked.  Plus this was a lot less smelly than the traditional vinegar bath that we normally do with the eggs.

our new technique for dyeing eggs in a spinner--tie dye effect

S teaching Walker

"back off Sis, I got this!"

We woke up Saturday morning to a steady rainfall which meant both the church and the country club would hold their egg hunts inside.  I say "hunt" in the loosest sense of the word because really it was a competition to see who could pick up the most eggs that had been thrown all over the floor.  If only the excitement of this game transferred to picking up toys all over the house then my house would always be tidy.  

The first "hunt" was at church and each child was able to pick up 15 eggs.  Walker got the hang of this game really quickly.  After we collected our eggs we headed to the fellowship hall for a few snacks before we left for the country club "hunt".  There Savannah and Walker were split into two different rooms so unfortunately I missed out on watching Savannah pick up eggs.  Walker's room was a bit chaotic due to the fact that there were too many toddlers, too many parents, and too many eggs to slip and fall over.  I imagine Savannah's room wasn't any better especially since there were more kids and bigger kids fighting over the eggs.  There definitely wasn't a battle in W's room.  In fact, he would pick up eggs and put them in other kid's baskets.  We managed to find the golden egg for Walker but unfortunately Savannah's two year streak came to an end.  Oh well, there's always next year.

Church egg hunt

W only went after the blue eggs

country club egg hunt

let's see how these taste

W's new best friend, the Easter Bunny

his first golden egg

After the "hunt", we went upstairs for lunch, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, and time for Walker to stalk the Bunny.  He absolutely LOVED the Easter Bunny.  Every chance he got he would make a beeline for the bunny and we would have to pull him off.  It really was quite comical.

corn dog lunch afterwards

Sunday morning everyone (except Michael) was up bright and early.  Savannah was ready to rush downstairs to see what all was in the basket.  This year she got her favorite plush My Little Pony, the Frozen character set, a couple coloring books, dress up magnet dolls, and of course a couple of chocolate bunnies.  Walker got a personalized book, an airplane, a blue ride-on car, and chocolate bunnies.  Both my children inherited my sweet tooth so they were more than ready to break into the chocolate but I managed to hold them off until after lunch.  

We all got dressed in our Sunday best and attended the early Easter service at church followed by brunch at the club.  Michael spent most of the weekend sick but his appetite came back in full force at brunch.......talk about someone who gets their moneys worth at buffets :)  My favorite part of brunch is always the petting zoo that visits with bunnies, chicks, baby ducks, guinea pigs, and a baby sheep.  I think Savannah could have sat there all afternoon holding her bunny.  Walker on the other hand started terrorizing the critters after about two minutes.  

checking out the Easter Bunny gifts

W was a big fan of the Frozen toy

checking out his new ride

petting zoo after brunch

W preferred the baby sheep

the best family pic of the day

my two sweet babies

MJ is looking HUGE compared to us!

After brunch we returned home and got ready for our backyard egg hunt.  By this point Walker was done with the whole egg hunt thing and he just wanted to swing and play in the sand box.  Savannah took her time and managed to drag out the hunt for about 10 minutes.  It was definitely the longest egg hunt I've ever witnessed.  I think without Walker's interest/competition it wasn't as much fun for her.  I'm sure next year will be another story.

ready for the backyard egg hunt

W found a couple before he lost interest

Such a fun family weekend!  I really love any occasion to celebrate and pass along traditions to my family.  Enjoying these times through Walker and Savannah helps to make me feel like a kid all over again.  

WEA at 16 Months

Sigh.......another month has quickly passed us by.  Walker is now 16 months old and is becoming quite the active, rambunctious toddler.  He never sits still and he is always getting into something.  The house has never been messier and I've never spent so many wasted hours cleaning, but we love him and his messy, sticky, curious hands :)

"This sticker is really bothering me!!"

"take it back, Mom!"

my big 16 month old boy

WEA's 16 Month Milestones/Achievements/Random tidbits:

~he is climbing on any and every thing.  I have had to remove all chairs that can be pushed around because he likes to climb up to the stove and sink to play.  

~he is finally a regular at the gym's stay-and-play.  It only took over a year but now he goes and plays with his friends and has a great time.  

~he really is a messy little guy.  I have to change his clothes multiple times throughout the day because he either gets food, dirt, mud, water, or any combination of the aforementioned on himself.  

~he loves to play outside: baseball, basketball, kickball, sand box, swings, tricycle, water table, and just running around.

~he loves to brush his teeth and he does it several times a day.

~he says a few words pretty regularly: Mama, Dada, hot, Sa (for Savannah or sister)

~he also likes to scribble on paper while we're sitting at the desk.

~he loves to read books before nap and bed.  

~he's very good about knowing he is ready for a nap.  Sometimes, even before I'm ready, he will grab my hand and lead me upstairs to his rocker in his room.  And when he's ready for lights out, he pushes the book away and point to the lamp.  

~he is becoming a picky eater once again.  The little guy who used to eat off my plate now won't even touch what I'm eating. 

~he has switched over from soy milk to whole cows milk.  This has lead to a 2 pound weight gain which is very obvious to my aching back.  

~poor little guy has spent the last month battling ear infections.  We're still on our fourth round of antibiotics.  At least all these frequent doctor visits have proven the weight gain.    

~even through all the painful earaches he is still the sweetest, happiest, most lovable little guy.  He gives kisses all the time and he always runs to give a big hug whenever we enter the room.  

playing at Savannah's school

just relaxing

fun times in the sandbox

my little helper

my running coaches

first time out in the sprinkler

he loves the water table

basketball

fun times in music class

I really can't believe how big my little man is getting.  He is at such a fun age where he is still like my little baby and yet two seconds later he's Mr Independent doing his own thing.  I often tell him that he's getting too big for his britches.  Please slow down little man!!  This mama isn't quite ready for you to grow up!

Finally.......Springtime!!!!

I think the eternal winter is finally behind us.  Last week we had several days in the 70s and as soon as that happens you know what follows.........sprinkler time!  Savannah and Walker had so much fun playing in the backyard with the water table and running through the sprinkler.

And just because I love to see how Savannah has changed over the years, here is a little throwback.

Spring 2011

Spring 2012

Spring 2013

Yay for warmer days!!!  We have so many exciting things to look forward to now that spring is here and summer is just around the corner.