Easter Bunnying

 Our blue-haired girl got to celebrate Easter this year with Grandma and Uncle Bobby.  Our bald-headed boy got to celebrate with them too.

We did our egg hunt on Saturday morning because there was a chance of rain on Sunday.

Her jubilation during the entire thing was just so catching.  She had an absolute blast finding all 30 eggs.

 Bennett was sleepy and cuddled up with Uncle Bobby during the hunt.  It was so sweet.

Chocolate stained lips were the look of the morning.

John had been talking up the Easter Bunny all week, and I kept fielding questions of "Where's the Easter Bunny?  Where's the Easter Bunny's mommy?"

When she went to do her egg hunt on Saturday she was pretty crushed when the actual Easter Bunny wasn't waiting out there for her, so we took her to meet him at the mall.  She looks terrified (he was creepy), but she was genuinely thrilled.

Personally I found this little bunny to be far cuter.

Saturday night we got a text inviting us to an impromptu egg hunt put on by my friend's older kids who wanted to play Easter Bunny.

Orelia loved this Easter egg hunt too, and there were tons of eggs to go around.

After a few serious minutes of egg hunting, the distractions of the play set were too great.

Orelia and I love spending holidays with our best friends.

She was very serious about the egg race, though didn't seem to notice her egg falling after the finish line.  

It was a very happy Easter spent with family, friends, and various forms of the Easter Bunny.

Always Them

 I had a bit of a rough week last week, but it's Sunday and a new week is beginning.

 And no matter what is going on in my life, there is always them.

 Every night, no matter how the day is gone, I can think of them and smile.

 Their laughter.  Their eye lashes.  Their soft hair.  Their toes.

 There is always them.

 And with two kids, there is just a fuller heart to boost you up.

My sweet children (and amazing husband) are the best pick-me-up there is.

The Tank Top Life

Spring has sprung in Palo Alto, and Orelia has been prepared for months.

She hasn't worn a coat since January and now strictly only wears tank tops and "tank top dresses."

Orelia's strong opinions on clothes cannot be overemphasized.  Her feelings can change on a whim, and are particularly likely to change if she can look "like you."

Thankfully, Noni was already wearing a shirt in just the same hue, so Orelia didn't need to change for the tenth time that day.

I took these pictures the day Noni arrived back in town after her trip to Hawaii.

Orelia can be slightly prickly about taking too many photos, but she was more than happy to cozy up to Noni for pictures that afternoon.

If The Thinker were a two and a half year-old blonde...she would be sitting next to her Noni pondering life.

When the underbite comes out you know she's being feisty.

And angelic the next moment.  Toddlers.

Here's to many more spring afternoons spent cuddling on the porch in purple tank tops.

Bucket o Friends

These are our afternoons lately.  The warm sun.  Me and Orelia outside while Bennett naps.

Orelia carrying around her bucket of friends.

She "picks up" her friends one by one and places them in her bucket for a ride around in her purple convertible.

A lot of car seats must fit in that purple bucket.

When her friends are really lucky they get to join her for a ride on the swing.

Hopefully they like swinging fast, because that's Orelia's preferred speed.

Eventually the bucket is discarded so she can climb a bit easier.

Then it's just me, Orelia, and the setting sun.

What a blessing to be able to raise a toddler here.

Her only complaint is that the swing can never be fast enough,

And she would strongly prefer Mommy join her in her climbing and sliding adventures.  Sorry, daughter, but that's just for you and your bucket of imaginary friends.

Siblinging

It's truly amazing to see Bennett and Orelia grow more into their sibling roles as they get older and interact more.  Baby brother and big sister now and always.

To say they adore one another would be an understatement.  They are truly happier together, which makes Mom and Dad happier too.

Orelia is my little mimic and comforts Bennett in the words I use.  It always makes me smile.

"It's okay, buddy, we're almost home."

"I love you so much."

"You're okay.  I'm here.  I'm here."

She loves comforting him and he loves being comforted by her.

We are crossing our fingers and toes that their relationship continues in this same direction.  I'm sure there will be lots of squabbles, but hopefully they will always love each other the way they do now.

I'm so proud of Orelia as such a patient and loving big sister.  Bennett is one lucky boy.