Happy Easter!

Maliana ~

Can you believe it actually snowed on Tuesday this week?! To say the least, this mama was pi$$ed! That night when I packed your lunch, I wrote this note to throw in your lunchbox to hopefully give us some good 'juju' for the rest of the week. Wouldn't you know...it actually worked and warmed right back up again! ...whew... I don't know that I could handle a single bit more of winter this year!

And speaking of the weather, you even had this to say about the weatherman...clearly not completely understanding how weather works yet. But cute, nonetheless.

~ "We have an AWFUL weatherman, Mom. He keeps making it so cold!" ~ Mali
#notquitehowitworks 

In spite of the cold weather, we braved the elements to get Pipsqueak to the vet. It seems like we've had one or more animals at the vet each week for quite some time now. Hopefully, this will be it for a while. The particular vet on duty is a family friend of Mark and Jenny (next door) so she was really sweet and even let you help out with Pip's exam. Awesome!

checking Pip's eyes

Hump day was fairly normal but our Wednesday evening was anything but...we not only colored Easter eggs and made brownie birds' nests to take to Aunt Connie's, but the three of us (you, me and Tina) all piled into her truck and did a last minute dog transport (a Great Dane!) from Springfield to Sunbury! When I got the call to do it, you raced inside where Daddy was doing yoga, squealing and telling him, "I get to go on a mission!!" So adorable!

best part of baking? licking the spoon!

Lady the Great Dane

just after she decided she wanted to ride in my lap
for the entire ride to her new foster

I think she was checking on you sleeping in the back seat

a staring contest while at the gas station

Thursday was the start of our weekend since there was no school or work on Good Friday. We changed our plans last minute and instead of going to the Wilder Skate Party, we headed to Sky Zone with Tina, Sam and Erin. We all had a lot of fun bouncing up and down for nearly an hour (ok, the grown ups not as long as you crazy kids, but still)!

we all slept very well that night

Friday was your day of fun with Lao Lao...you went to Inniswoods, out to her house, to Easton, and then to Melting Pot for dinner. You were busy little bees and had a blast together! You were good and sugared up when she dropped you off and high-tailed it home ~ thanks, Lao Lao! I think her parting words were, "These are the moments when it's so nice to be a grandparent!" Ha ha.

buddies, fueling up at Gena's for breakfast

checking out a sculpture in the children's garden at Innis

Saturday we attended a baby shower for Ziying and Zuchao. You not only got yourself dressed but picked out Daddy's outfit as well, St. Paddy's necktie and all! Daddy was burning up in his ancient wool suit coat from the 1990's, but he was such a good sport about it as long as it made you smile!

we call this look "country-fried Ellen (Degeneres)"

such handsome cuties!

We are also very excited to welcome Lucas, Ziying and Zuchao's little guy, due in 5 weeks! It was a nice shower and you even got to take home a prize for guessing how many M and M's were in a baby bottle!

the happy parents-to-be

Audrey came over for a visit that night and you both were in rare form, laughing so hard at each other's antics that you could barely breathe. It reminds me of my times spent with Audrey, growing up with her as a kid. I am so glad that you are around someone who clearly knows how to be in the moment and enjoy herself. It's always good to know how to do that!

such silly girls!

On Easter Sunday Daddy and I were woken up with a start to you excitedly shouting, "It's Easter!" We got up early and came downstairs with you to begin your egg hunt from the big bunny, himself. After leaving this note for him the night before...

...you were stoked to find an Avenger's scooter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles helmet, as well as some model rockets that you and Daddy can build together! You found all of the candy-filled eggs, but immediately flushed the 'floaters' that old E.B. had left you in the potty (aka jelly beans and Robin's Egg Whoppers). You weren't nearly as amused by that little joke as Daddy and me, actually I think you were pretty disgusted that a dude as cool as the E.B. would do such a thing. Ha ha.

your first glimpse of the scooter and helmet
after following the trail of candy

more surprised looks...

a 2-wheeled scooter ~ just what you wanted!

Easter Mali

checking out your loot

poor Suzy...such a good sport

getting ready for your first scooter ride!

pausing before you cross the street...
all business

no bunny ears but here's Abby in
the bright Easter sunshine

We headed over to Aunt Connie and Uncle Pat's later for the annual Wilkinson family Easter dinner. It was delicious and fun as usual. Always a nice time to spend with that side of the fam bam.

you guys look like you're ready for the 1980's!

Papaw, probably teasing you girls

waiting for your pieces of Aunt Connie's
yummy Easter bunny ice cream cake

Easter cousins

let's go hunt some eggs!

cousin Timmy helping you out

cousin Kelly helping you find an egg

sweet Sammy was sharing an egg with you

Wilkinson Easter 2014

right here you told me, "Don't worry, Mom.
I've been climbing trees for years!"

Once home, we just hung out. You played with your buddies outside until dark. Summer is just around the corner, I can feel it. It was a beautiful, sunshine-y day...looking forward to more of this gorgeousness in the near future.

I love this picture...you all were hunched over
some bugs that you had just found

And speaking of summer...our neighborhood is evidently going to have to be on their best behavior because Jenny (next door) gave you a whole package of "tickets" for when you're patrolling on your police motorcycle...and you've already written a few tickets to some unlucky citizens. So look out, neighbors...here comes the law.

Jenny, bestowing upon you the power of "the ticket"

uh oh, someone just got busted

Love,
Mama