Happy Easter

Last night the Easter Bunny (me) and Jim colored and filled eggs for the egg hunt today. Of course, I asked Jim if he wanted to help and of course he didn't want to help. So, I began coloring pretty eggs for the egg hunt. Then Jim remember. He could mix the colors and make ugly colors to taunt me with. He was able to control himself and only make one "ugly egg". Which wasn't actually ugly. It just was just rather dark. He was happy with his creation. Here is Allison in garden at church "hunting eggs". I put one in her basket and she got the idea. It was pretty crazy with all the 0-4 years and parents in the side garden. The big kids were in the large garden in the back. It was quite chilly this morning. So, we got a few eggs and headed for the car.

Since it was Easter. The church was packed, and so were the streets. We had to walk several blocks to get to the car. Allison discovered one of her eggs made noise when she shook it. So, we walked at a snails pace as she shook her egg.

Sorry, these are out of order...here is Allison in the nursery. She holds court at the snack table. She usually gets upset when I leave to go upstairs. But not today! She made her way around the table to a seat and began to gorge herself on cheerios and goldfish. It is embarrassing!! The caretakers must think I don't feed her before I bring her to the nursery. Each week, when I sneak down to check on her. She is hovering at the table eating snacks like it's only chance to fill up for the week!! She doesn't get goldfish at home for this very reason. She would live on crackers and cheese, if I let her!! If she knows we have crackers in cupboards. That is all she wants to eat and mealtime is a power struggle. I'm sure you all know how that turns out!

Back at home with no major dirt disasters!! Her dress is still pink and tights are still white. Truely, an Easter miracle ;)!!

Happy Easter! Love Jim, Toga & Allison

Maundy Thursday

Our Church celebrates Maundy Thursday with a potluck dinner and evening service. Jim was away and the dinner/service was to late for Allison. But Allison and I took a dessert for our friends to enjoy after the supper. The weather was wonderful. So, I took some pictures of Allison in the front garden when we got home. She gave some big smiles for the people walking by when we were outside.

As you can see above. I did manage to get a few good pictures of Allison. However, I have hundreds of her looking at the ground!! Whenever I put her down and try to take pictures. There is always something on the ground that catches her eye!! On this occasion it was the dirt/mulch in the front yard. I had to take several pictures and move her around the yard to distract her from the dirt. She loves to entertain in person but she hasn't caught onto the camera thing yet. She smiles, flirts and talks to everyone when we're out. But you can't tell that from our photo collection.

National Arboretum

Today we went to the National Arboretum http://www.usna.usda.gov/ . It is only about 2 miles from our house. It's funny we don't have a lawn but 2 miles away, there is grass as far as the eye can see. Allison had a great time walking around, picking up rocks and sticks and playing in the grass. I tried to take some pictures of her in front of some of the flowering trees, but she was too busy to stand still. We need a new camera with a very fast shutter speed. If I ever hope to get any good pics of her. She is always on the move or she wants to take the camera from my hands. At least you can see how pretty the the trees are at this time in DC. Daddy was very happy that his girl didn't want to be held or ride in the stroller. She wanted to walk, so she could pave her own trail through the park. When I picked her up to cross the street she would yell and kick until she was back on the ground!!

Here she is happily running through the grass with a rock in her hand. She collected many rocks but none were tasted today. Maybe we are finally moving out of that phase!

Allison found some tall grass that was pretty tough for her little feet to move through. But she enjoyed the challenge. Sorry, I'm talking so much in the video. I think she was telling me to be quiet and let her enjoy her time in the grass!!

Hanging at the Rec Center

On Wednesdays we go to a play group at the rec center across the street from our house. We usually meet inside and the kids run around and share each others toys. But of course the day I put Allison in a dress and tights. The center was full and we had to play outside. It was spring break and the rec center was running day camps for the school kids. It was cold and windy but at least it was sunny!! The kids had fun running around the track and playing in the dirt. Here is some video of Allison walking around the track. Well, actually she was stumbling around with a rock in one hand and part of brick in the other hand. She seems to gravitate towards dirt piles and rocks. Big rocks are okay. It's the pebbles that are tricky. She likes to collect several and then tries to eat a few. So, far I think I managed to fish them all out of her mouth!!