Mother's Day

My Mother's Day celebration started on Thursday with a fun snack at Gianna's school. The kids made us brownies and presented each of us with gifts they had made. It was very sweet. Though it ended with tears when Gianna was sad that they didn't get to sing songs to the mommies. (Turns out the songs they've been practicing are for the last day of school, not Mother's Day as Gianna thought.)

On actual Mother's Day, a truly gorgeous day, we went to the local, annual Azalea Festival with Grandma and Grandpa who had come to visit. Gianna loved all the inflatables!

But I think both the kids enjoyed this fountain most of all. I think they could have stayed there all day. 

I love this picture of Mark. It sums him up!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I don't have any pictures of Doug on his birthday, just of the kids enjoying his cake. We didn't do much to celebrate, what with it being a Wednesday and Doug's 3rd day at a new job. But Gianna enjoyed making presents, cards, and cake. And Mark enjoyed eating cake, not surprising. Happy Birthday, Daddy; we love you!

Being outside

Spring has finally sprung around here and it's awesome. Now, if I could just bottle these temperatures and bring them out when it's stinking hot this summer. In any case, these kids are just loving being outside and I love how independent they are when we're out there. I can sit with a book while the kids chase balls, collect tree sap, and stare/bark at neighborhood dogs. I put down my book when it's time for chasing and ring-around-the-rosie. Mark nearly hyperventilates from excitement over those activities. I'll try to get a video sometime; it's too cute.


A boy and his ball; still his #1 obsession

Gianna loves playing ball too

Posing in a tree

I love this picture of her. It's very Gianna

Easter

We went to Virginia to see Nonna and Pop-pop for Easter and to return Julia to her family. The kids enjoyed playing with Julia's brothers and really loved egg hunts!

Gianna loved sliding with Rocco

The one name Mark could say, "Joe"

In LOVE with her new Tangled DVD

And she had to start playing with the Tangled "guys" right away

Hanging out with Nonna

Egg hunt! "There's one!"

She loved it!

"Hey! How did she get so many?"

And here's quite a long video of our egg hunt. Don't feel like you have to watch the whole thing :)

Spring break!

Okay, so I was really worried what I was going to do with both kids all week while Gianna was on spring break. But then Doug had the genius idea to invite his cousin Julia to come up and visit us for the week while she was on spring break. What a blessing that she wanted to come! We tried to do some fun things despite a lack of spring time weather, but mostly she was an awesome playmate for the kids at home and a HUGE help to me. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera for all the fun things we did: a couple of local egg hunts in the freezing cold, a trip to the Please Touch Museum (with everyone in a 50 mile radius, I'm guessing), and Doug took Julia to the Cake Boss in Jersey City. We had a really good time with her. The kids just adored her. Gianna wanted to play with her every waking moment and Mark asked for "Juuuu?" every time he woke up. So cute! I know they wore her out a bit, but I hope she had a fun time too!

Mark showed Julia his awesome, if disgusting, spaghetti-eating

Aunt Jenny's wedding

We all know what happens at a wedding right? I'll spare you all the details and just provide captions for the pictures (they're not in order). But I'll also say that we had a marvelous time and we're so happy for Aunt Jenny and Uncle Steve! We were so glad to be part of their special day!

Gianna and me before the rehearsal

Gianna and Bella doing their "I love the wedding" song and dance for the bride

Getting her hair did

SO excited about their flowers

"Cheese!"

Me and my little man at the cocktail hour

Mark all ready to go at Grandma and Grandpa's

Family photo #1

Family photo #2

Catching up

At the end of March we celebrated Gianna's half birthday. Can't believe she's 3 1/2 already! She gets almost excited for half birthdays as regular ones. I guess any opportunity for cake (i.e. icing...that's my girl!) is reason enough to get excited.



And so as not to leave Mark out. Here he is eating...er, inhaling....a banana.