Since the sun has been shining lately I find it hard to remain indoors. While Mom is busy tending to the household chores I am given free rein to run amok in the yard. Aside from playing in the sand, swinging on the swings, and chasing the dogs, I have a new favorite activity- jumping with Jax. I didn't think that Mom knew about my new hobby but I guess she has been spying on me through the window. Somehow she managed to get evidence that I am the one responsible for the paw prints on the trampoline. I have denied any knowledge for quite some time, but apparently Mom has been watching as I call him up to jump with me...
While I am out in the yard Macie spends time in the kitchen with Mom. Right now the family is trying to introduce her to the idea of a sippy cup, but she only holds it and tosses it around.
I guess all the time in the Bumbo has familiarized Macie with sitting and encouraged her to try it on her own. She is learning how to balance enough to sit up on her own- sometimes she gets wobbly and falls, but Mom says that we can officially call her a "sitter" now.
Lately the weather has been warm enough for the whole family to hang out on the deck. Mom still has Macie sit in her Bumbo when she is on the deck because she is nervous about all the debris outside, but Macie doesn't seem to mind as long as she is a part of the fun!
The best new thing to happen to me lately is Mom placing a step stool at the base of the trampoline. I think she finally gave in after all my badgering throughout the day to "put me on the trampoline," and this allows me to come and go as I please and I love it!!! I am glad that she trusts me with this new level of responsibility.
As you can see I am in no need of help from anyone (or in need of clothes for that matter- it has been too warm!)
Now my only dilemma is needing help to start swinging. I can pump once I get a couple of big pushes, but still have a hard time getting in the groove- I call for Mom to push me about 50 times a day- she wants to invent a mechanism that gets the swing moving because if it were up to me I would swing all day!!
I am not the only one enjoying the outdoors- check out how much Macie loves to play on the deck with me. Mom has succumbed to the reality that Macie is going to be exposed to all sorts of gunk both inside and out and has comprised by setting down blankets on the deck for her to lay on.
On days spent indoors Macie and I like to hang out with each other. Sometimes we play games, but other times we just sit and laugh together.
As much fun as we were having, I was still eager for the holiday weekend to arrive, and when it did I was ecstatic! I woke up Saturday to a wonderful surprise- Uncle Will had come to visit us from California, and to celebrate the whole gang went to the Zoo.
Mom dressed Macie and I in our matching spring dresses and we impressed the crowds at the Zoo. After visiting our favorite animals we enjoyed some of the Easter festivities. One of my favorite things was visiting the Easter Bunny!!
Macie enjoyed him so much that she didn't want to leave.
After hanging out with the Easter Bunny we got to watch a special pet show and learned about all types of exotic animals. It was not nearly as fun as the normal pet show, but it was definitely educational.
We all had an awesome time at the Zoo, and I LOVED spending time with my family.
Back at home we dyed Easter eggs in preparation for the Easter Bunny.
I did a really great job, and managed to not make too big of a mess for Mom!!! While I was busy picking out the color scheme for my newest batch of eggs Macie talked up a storm...
Both of us really enjoyed the egg dying project, and I couldn't wait to leave them out for the Bunny because I knew he would be impressed with my skills as an artist.
Later that night we threw Uncle Will a surprise party! It was super fun setting up the house and cooking him a special meal while he was out with Aunt Hayley. When they came home for dinner we jumped out and yelled "surprise!" The best part of the whole night was seeing the shock and surprise on his face- he had NO idea!!!
We had a great time celebrating but I had a tough time waiting for the best part- the cake!!!
That night I had a difficult time falling asleep- not only was my belly overly full of cake and goodies, but I was too excited about the upcoming Easter Fun! I woke up early, very eager to find the basket of goodies rumored to have been left by the Bunny the night before. Mom re-directed my attention by letting me watch a special movie in my bedroom while she made a pancake breakfast in the kitchen. I stayed focused on The Little Mermaid for about 40 minutes, but couldn't wait much longer so I headed downstairs. I was told that once everyone in the house was awake we could get the party started. Once I had managed to gather the whole crew we sat down for Easter breakfast and even Macie joined in the feast. She had a few bites of the banana walnut pancakes, but didn't seem to enjoy any eggs or fruit from the table.
When we were all finished with our feast Mom moved the partition that was blocking the doorway and I ran wild into the family room to see what treasures were waiting for me to unveil.
Can you believe all the great goodies the Bunny left for the family?!?!?!
Once I was done opening my basket the family all sat on the couch and opened their Easter Baskets. To Mom's surprise her basket contained some interesting items that the "bunny" had not put there- check out the awesome "bumpits" that she found (thanks to Aunt Hayley). All three of us tried them out, and BOY do we look Jerseylicious!
When we were all finished opening our baskets the Easter Egg hunt began. There were eggs all over the backyard and I frantically ran through the yard trying to find every last one.
Here I am mid-jump trying to snatch the egg out of the tree. I guess the Bunny thought I had go-go gadget legs or something because that egg was pretty high.
Aunt Hayley and Will joined me in the hunt and helped me find the tricky ones.
Mom watched as I picked up the hard boiled ones and threw them back down stating that "I only want the ones with the treats inside." Unfortunately those words hit a little to close to home for Mom- I guess she used the same logic with Grandma Judy and Pa when she was little.
While I was busy finding the 40+ eggs in the yard, Macie had an Easter egg hunt of her own.
When all the eggs were found I sat at my picnic table and surveyed my lot...
Mom put a stop on my candy binge just before I OD'd, and encouraged me to take baby Annie for a ride in my new stroller I got form the bunny.
By mid day we were all exhausted from the long morning of fun and food so we took naps.
All of us woke refreshed and ready for some more holiday fun so Mom dressed Macie and I in our dresses and had a photo shoot!
Dad and Mom couldn't believe how cute the two of us looked together, and Dad said this was his favorite Easter yet, as he got to spend it with both his girls!
While the turkey dinner was finishing up in the oven the family took an Easter stroll around the block so that I could push my baby in the stroller.
Despite protest from most parties (using the camera timer was a big pain) involved we took a group shot to document our first Easter together as a family.
Back at home Mom set the table and put the finishing touches on dinner. While Mace slept Dad and I spent some quality time together playing my new favorite game Big Buck Hunter. I am getting quite good with a rifle and Uncle Shawn may not be the sharp shooter of the family any more...
Macie didn't nap long, and was soon back in the mix having fun with the rest of the family. Listen to her silly laugh, it sounds like she is hyperventilating...
When dinner was finally ready I said grace for the family before we dug into the turkey feast Mom had prepared!!!
I was disappointed when I learned that Mom had not created an Easter desert- she claimed we had all eaten enough sugar throughout the day, but I disagreed and boy am I glad I did because she let me take a big bite of my chocolate bunny.
Going to bed did not take much coercing from Mom and Dad- I was exhausted from all the holiday fun. I had a very special Easter with my family and am grateful for all the blessings we have been afforded.
The coming weeks are promising to be warm and sunny so the family is looking forward to more outdoor fun. We have heard that Ohio is most beautiful in the spring and can't wait to see it for ourselves.
