A Tisket, A Tasket

My mom's group hosted an Easter egg hunt today at a neighborhood park. The weather turned out to be absolutely beautiful, and Noah had a great time playing. It has been quite a while since we've actually hunted for eggs, and I wasn't sure how interested Noah would be.

He loved hunting for eggs.

And, he got pretty particular about what eggs he was going to pick up. Not too sure what his criteria was, but I think he could tell with a shake which ones held chocolate.

Did I mention I forgot to bring a basket? Noah didn't seem to mind. He's pretty good at holding multiple items at the same time.

Besides, he also had Momma around to help out.

Say Cheese!

I have been  meaning to sit down and blog some pictures from our fun weekends with our friends from Mississippi, but it is spring break this week.  And, let me be the first to say that spring break was way more fun in my 20s.  And, while I am seriously enjoying all this spring weather, I am left to wonder where exactly is my break.

Anyway, this weekend we had a great visit from our good friends Chuck, Jodie and Caroline.  Caroline and Noah really enjoyed playing together.  Caroline is still as cute as ever, but BUSY.  She keeps her Momma hopping.  She is so cute and is starting to lose that little baby look.  And, if it is at all possible, her hair has gotten redder and curlier and cuter than the last time I saw her.

See what I mean.  C-U-T-E!

Now one of the things I learned about Caroline this weekend is that she is an excellent picture subject. 

See Exhibit A. 

What a great opportunity, I thought, to get a picture of Noah and Caroline together.  I coerce Noah over to his big blue chair.  Think again Momma.

 

See Exhibit B. 

Noah could learn a thing or two about photo ops from little Miss Caroline. 

So, I tried again before bedtime. 

 Nope.

And, once more before they were leaving to head home... and I got it!  Unfortunately, little Carline got an elbow to the nose in the process. C'est la vie.  Better luck next time.

Love

Today, while outside enjoying the gorgeous weather, Noah walked up to me, put his hand to my mouth, looked me in the eyes, and said, "I love you."


My heart is full.


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Happy Birthday Katie B.

Happy birthday wishes to my sweet niece Katie

Who, once upon a time, loved tinkerbell

And the color pink

But now has a little too much of her Daddy in her.

And spends way too much time on serious cheering for all those little girl things.

Plus, she can do things like this.

And this. Can you say awesome?!?

Happy Birthday Katie B.  We love you and hope you rocked your cheer competition today!

Everybody's Doing It

Most of my friends with kiddos around Noah's age have already reached this milestone. Some as early as 18 months, but not us. Oh no... Noah doesn't climb out of his crib, I smugly tell them. He likes it in there. Well, yesterday... not so much. 

It happened just before naptime, and he was having trouble falling asleep.  Quick side note, I think I left you hanging on the no nap situation, but it seems that I put it out there and the universe threw me a bone. Naps are back on, but they don't always run smoothly... like yesterday. 

Maybe I am naive, but I am pretty sure he didn't really want to climb out, but must of fallen out while trying to make a statement like "Momma come get me out now or I'll jump," but I wasn't in there to see it.  He hasn't tried again, but he may be waiting to recover from the carpet burns on his nose and forehead. 

I wish I had more to say on the matter, but I have big boy bed online shopping to do. At least someone finds humor in the situation.

Mazel Tov

Today, I went to a wedding.  And, I love weddings. But, I especially loved this wedding.  Because of this girl right here.

My sweet friend Jenny.  Can you say personality?

 And, obviously style.  Her dress was amazing! 

She married a nice Jewish boy with all the pomp and circumstance of a nice Jewish wedding.

Including this... which I though was so awesome!

I cried.  And, I never cry at weddings.  But, this one was such a happy day for one of the best girls I know, that I just had to tear up.  And, since I didn't completely project my toast at the rehearsal dinner enough through the tears for everyone to hear, I will just tell you...

Jenny is one of the sweetest, smartest, and bravest girls I know.  I am so happy that her parents ended up in some small town in South Louisiana, and we got to grow up together.  I am pretty sure that Jon knows how lucky he is to have a girl like Jenny.  I am so proud to stand in her wedding and be her friend.

Congratulations Jon and Jenny!  XOXO

Happy Birthday MaMa Ellen

My grandparents live in a small whitewashed house with green shutters and a porch with two rocking chairs where my MaMa Ellen and I sit hours on end singing silly children’s songs and playing simple little games. There is a tree in the front yard, and it is perfect for climbing. It has sturdy branches and a place in the center where my PaPa Drew puts me and lets me climb around, and when I get tired, I just sit there until someone comes and gets me down. When I go in the house, I head to the kitchen where my ma ma is fixing me coffee milk and a black sandwich, a concoction of chocolate and peanut butter. After I finish eating, I help her hand wash and dry the dishes. I then go into the back room to visit my great-grandmother, who is bedridden. I climb into her bed and sit next to her, hold her hand, and talk to her about my day. My grandmother asks me, “Sarah, when I get old will you take care of me? ”

Always thinking ahead, I respond, “Of course, Mama, but I will have to ask my husband first. ”

When evening falls, I situate myself on a little pallet next to my grandparent’s bed and drift off to sleep with the events of the day still fresh in my memory. The next morning we are awakened by the ringing of the phone. It is my mom calling to see if I am ready to go home. I am not, so I stay another day and another until I run out of clothes or my parents make me go home. I go home for a few days and then come back, and the cycle continues until I grow up.

I become too old to play games, and the tree rots and has to be cut down until nothing is left, but a small stump. My great grandmother dies, and black sandwiches become to fattening to eat. My visits become scarce. I call as often as I can, and I still love to visit. Although my childhood cannot be relived, my grandmother is still my best friend.

I wrote this paper about my grandmother during my junior year of high school.  I am pretty sure I made an A on the paper for my touching tribute, but I do remember getting a comment about my weak ending (although, I can promise that my grandmother loved it).  Well, much more has changed since I wrote this paper.   

The white washed house with the green shutters is sold, and my grandmother moves next door to my parents.  My grandfather passes away, and my grandmother lives alone.  A fact which makes me extremely proud of here.  My visits become way more than scarce due to proximity, and I call, I hope, a bit more than I used to.  And, today my MaMa Ellen celebrates her 85th birthday.  And, just the same as when I was a child, I can still count on her for a kind word, a great story from my childhood, a bit of chocolate, a flying novena, complete faith that I can do no wrong, and a lot of love.

I love you Mama Ellen!  Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday!