Our Easter

Our Easter was a whirlwind of activity that seemed to last all week long. It included preschool parties and egg hunts, PT egg hunts at the playground, egg-shaped Rice Krispy treats, and the usual Paas egg dye all over the kitchen. Now a week later...The easter grass has taken root and continues to grow...no matter how much I vaccuum... it's just another little reminder of all the fun we had last weekend, and what we can look forward to again next year.


We went to our church for the Saturday Easter services, to avoid all the Sunday crowds. I tried to get pics of the kids before we left, but they were not into it....Here's our best attempt.







Hooray for pretty Easter dresses that hide beat up sneakers underneath! :)





After church, we took the kids to a nearby playground that we love. It's a fully accessible playground, that has taken everything possible into consideration, and BOTH of my kids LOVE it!




Neither of them would stay put long enough for many pics...but they had a blast, and got filthy dirty in their Easter attire. I loved seeing them have so much fun.





Sunday morning started with full Easter baskets and groggy bugs in their jammies. It was fun to watch...







I wish I could bottle him at this age...He is so sweet, so eager, and so excited about everything...you can't help but feel like a kid too.





Later we had my parents over for lunch and the egg hunt. It was so much fun! First we hid the eggs for Mason, and watched as he tore through the yard, secret-agent-style, seeking out the hidden treasures. It was hilarious!





Ahhh...Success!





Madison's hunt was a little more subdued....Mason took extra care in hiding her eggs, and then proceeded to point out where each one was as she approached it. He just couldn't help himself! She didn't seem to mind one bit...She giggled and squealed with each new find.









Once they were all found, she stood there and looked carefully at the whole group.



And then she decided to throw them each on the ground...Well it was fun while it lasted! Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

The Little Things

It's easy to get excited about the big things in life...the first words, first steps, promotions, graduations...These things are always a big deal, and are pretty exciting for everyone involved. I love the big things as much as anyone, but sometimes it's the little things that really bring me the most happiness. Flowers on Valentine's Day are great, but it's the unexpected roses, for no reason at all, that I remember the most. I'm a sucker for the little things...


Like tiny bird's nests that magically appear in a hanging basket.



Like my little guy playing his first big game.





Or my little girl taking it all in...



It's the anticipation of what's to come.





It's seeing her do something she shouldn't be able to do.




It's the thrill of the hunt...



It's a spring spruce-up for a tiny walker.



It's a little chair, for a big transition.


Last week this little chair was given to us from the preschool Maddie will be attending in the fall. She has mastered getting in and out of it, and given me one less thing to worry about while she is there. She looks so proud when she sits in it...It's her space, her freedom, her chair. Thank you Pam...This small act of kindness has meant more to me than I can express.

I love the little things.

Family Picnic 2011

This past weekend was packed with the usual errands, birthday parties, family visits, and church services that normally keep us busy and excited about weekends...but the highlight of the weekend was a special event that I've been looking forward to for awhile, and it was a blast. We went to the annual SBGNO family picnic at Lafreniere park on Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect, the kids were excited, and my parents were joining us this year. Mason had packed his Elmo kite, along with every outdoor sporting good he owned. He. was. ready.

Last year was our first time attending this event. It was also our first ever event with the SBGNO, and I'm not gonna lie, I was a little overwhelmed. It was the first time seeing the walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches...and I wasn't sure if I was ready. Maddie was a happy, chunky 10 month old, and I knew once I saw all the other kids with different equipment, I would have to picture my little girl one day having it as well. I didn't want to. I wanted her to stay little, and for things to remain uncomplicated. A year ago at this same picnic, sitting under the exact same tree, I wondered how I would feel when it was my little girl with a walker.

Now I know.



I couldn't have felt more proud.



Maddie walked all over those grounds, through dirt, grass, and hills...and she was proud too.





Mason, true to form, played with all the kids, oblivious to any differences between them. He raced them, he flew his kite, he played putt putt, kickball...you name it. They both played hard, and this was what we saw in the rear-view mirror while heading home...




It was an amazing day for all of us...and this year, as I watched a little girl with her crutches reach the top of the massive hill we sit near, I couldn't wait for next year when I hope to see my girl do the same.