Egg Hunt 2012

Our friends, The Blasys, were generous enough to host an Easter egg hunt at their house this afternoon.  They have such a beautiful property-a huge, gorgeous lawn, a pond full of perch, and woods that go on for many, many acres.  It was the perfect setting to hunt for eggs.  All the kids were so well behaved and had a blast filling their baskets, jumping in the bouncer, playing baseball and fishing. 

 

 

 

Florida - Week One

We've been visiting my parents in Florida for the last week.  Dave flew down with us on Thursday and headed back to MI on Monday.  The weather has been mostly great (except for two of the days that Dave was here).  We've enjoyed lots of walks on the beach, dinners out and a little bit of shopping.  Dave and I even had a few hours alone together in Venice, which was nice. 

A few days ago Grace received a special package from Aunt Sue full of fun stuff.  We've been enjoying playing Memory and Go Fish.  Grace has been running her own store with her own money, scanning items and bagging them.  She'd be content to just stay inside and play all day.  Fortunately she also likes to make sand castles and walk to the park down the beach.  She has also enjoyed our visits with Aunt Kay, Uncle Dick and Treva.

Yesterday we drove to Busch Gardens, and although we were disappointed that many of the activities we had planned required children be 5 years of age or older (which was not on their website), we were still able to find more than enough things to see and do.  Grace particularly enjoyed the Sesame Street area where she got to meet Abbey, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Big Bird and Grover.  She of course loved seeing the animals, too-Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Hippos, Giraffes, birds, and the list goes on.

Can't believe how fast our first week has gone by!

Playing in the waves with Daddy

After a stormy night, crab traps washed up on our beach

Lots of Grampa time here

The birds-Dad's favorite part of Busch Gardens

I loved watching these hippos swim

This lioness stared me down the entire time-I was a little scared

This dog and Cheetah have been raised together

Grace said sitting in this safari jeep was her favorite part of B.G.

Pajama Party

I never thought at age three Grace would be going to her first sleep over, but she did and we both had a great time.  Krista (Gracyn's mom) hosted the party and did an amazing job. She curled and styled the girls' hair, did their make-up, and also served as a tattoo artist.  The girls ate more twizzlers, cookies and popcorn than I thought was possible while Krista and I watched Ryan Gosling in The Ides of March.

At ten o' clock, after hours of playing "shark" in the basement, the girls crawled into their sleeping bags and hit the hay- everyone but Grace.  She tossed and turned with me by her side, then finally she told me I could go upstairs (to the guest bed).  It wasn't five minutes later when I heard the pitter-patter of two little feet coming up the steps.  (I was kind of hoping she would come up).  I didn't have the most restful night (every little noise the girls made downstairs woke me up), but it was worth it and they all made it through the night. 

Dancing to the Shake it Up theme song

The princesses enjoying their dinner (pizza)

Gracyn

Mia and her sister Sophie live right behind us.

Libby, Sophie, Caty, Gracyn, Mia and Grace

Putting on her own show

Sophie and Mia

Santa House 2011

Last night we braved the elements and went downtown to the Santa House in Midland.  It was freezing and so windy, and we debated (multiple times) throwing in the towel and coming back another night, but we stuck it out and eventually made our way inside.  After just moments inside, we were all sweating with our coats in hand, while poor Santa sat dressed in his coat and hat (and pants, of course), probably close to heat stroke with child after child climbing up on his lap.

After an hour of  waiting, we finally got to meet Santa and he looked so much like the "real thing", he almost made me a believer.  He was, of course, portly and had a real beard and a very gentle spirit. When we were at home Grace told me she was going to kiss Santa's beard.  Iwas so glad she changed her mind by the time we arrived. 

When it was Grace's turn to meet Santa she became pretty upset, saying she did not want to sit on Santa's lap. But she was brave and let Dave hold her while she talked to Santa, and  very quickly she relaxed and started smiling.  She let him know that she wanted  "a phone and a camera."  Santa told her he'd be bringing her some surprises, but that she needed to help out around the house and pick up her toys.  Hopefully she'll take his words to heart.

Jolly Old St. Nick

Candies are a sure way to her heart

Santa's Bells

Getting in the Spirit

As much as I've wanted to, it's been hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit this year.  Because of the holidays, orders are coming in like crazy (which is a good thing), and I don't have time for much else. Grace, who usually is very good at playing independently, has reached her limit, too.  Now when she sees me open my laptop, she wants to sit on my lap and snuggle, and how can I say no to that?

We have managed to sneak in a few Christmastime activities here and there.  During the last hour of the last day of this year's collection, we dropped off our shoe box for Operation Christmas Child.  I can't recommend doing this enough-it has made a real difference in Grace.  It's helped her to understand that there are children in the world that don't have families or homes or food, and who don't receive gifts for Christmas. It's a very tangible way of showing that we care about others and want to help.

We let Grace pick the gender and age of the child we would give a box to and she chose a three year old girl. The three of us went shopping to fill our box, but let Grace pick out most of the items.  She never cried or made a fuss because she couldn't keep things for herself.  She was excited for the little girl to receive her gifts, which made my heart  happy. The best part is we get to track where the box goes and possibly have contact with the little girl who receives our box.
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Since I had two photo sessions on Saturday and the weather looked terrible for Sunday, we decided to get our Christmas tree Friday afternoon.  We met my parents at Doumel's Tree Farm.  While we waited for Dave, Dad cut down their tree.  I ended up going back to the pre-cut section and buying an 8 foot Fraser Fir that looked nicer than anything I could find in the field.  Grace enjoyed trudging around in the snow and watching the dogs at the farm chase each other around.  After the men folk loaded up the trees, we headed off to Bennigans for dinner. 

Decorating our tree has been a three day process.  Friday we bought the tree, Saturday Dave hung the lights, and this morning Grace and I decorated the tree together.  I can't count how many times I heard Grace say, "Wow, it's so beautiful!"

Last week Grace remarked that she wanted to write a letter to Santa.  She has been saying that she wants a camera, a phone and a green puppy, and apparently Santa needed to be made aware of this.  So, while Grace told me what she wanted to say, I wrote the words down for her.  She was pretty excited!

I'm hoping that I can get the majority of my work done in the next few days and that I can really enjoy the weeks to come. Three is going to be such a fun age for Christmas.  I can't wait!