In Your Easter Bonnet...

... with all the frills upon it
You'll be the grandest lady
in the Easter Parade!

*Pre-reading warning: This is going to be a LOOONGGG post with LOTS of photos. I can't help it. It's Easter!

Break out the bunnies - it's Easter Time!

Because C has lots of experience with the Spring celebration, she was quite excited to get to the candy and treat part of the day. She even told AK all about it, and agreed to "help" her find some eggs when Clay came over later.

First things first. The Easter Bunny came to our house, much to C's excitement. Mommy and Daddy listen on the monitor to the realization:

C: [with normal morning grumpiness] "Mommy... I waked up. MOOOMMMYYY."
C: [obviously noticing basket on the stool next to her bed, and with renewed enthusiasm for the morning] "Mommy Look! Look Mommy Look! The Easter Bunny CAME!"

It took everything in my power not to run in there the moment I heard her wake, but it was worth it to listen to the discovery. She was so excited and amazed. And genuinely thrilled that the Easter Bunny had come to see Anna, too! And he left a basket by her crib (can you believe it?)!!

Next, we had to get all dressed up. Go to church. Come home. Have mini photo session.

Maybe we didn't have to do that last part. But how could I resist when they looked like this?

Of course, getting the perfect shot of these two beautiful girls proved to be somewhat of a challenge. Case in point:

Ah well, not looking at the camera maybe, but still beautiful.

Sweet Caroline even tried to get Anna Kate to look at the camera with her. But the lens hood (that round thing in the grass) was way more interesting than the crazy lady with the camera.

Finally, everyone had had enough. Right Anna?

"Right Mom!"

Wait - just one more. Of our big girl, looking at the flowers. As she pointed out, they were pansies: "Your favorite, Mommy!"

The Morrises arrived, and after a quick change to our egg-hunting clothes, we were on our way again.

Caroline quickly started filling her basket...

... with some breaks to see what was inside (and sample it too perhaps).

She got a little help from Dad, too...

and even shared a few treats...

Clay was off and running too. Quite the egg gatherer, that kid. And quite the heartbreaker, too:

And we can't forget Anna! Though no getting in the grass for her this year. Next year though, watch out! I have a feeling she's going to be able to hold her own.

A beautiful day and a wonderful celebration with these sweet children and our friends. Couldn't ask for a better holiday.

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Our Irish Lasses

There were no prettier girls on either side of the pond this St. Patrick's Day. And unlike in previous years, there were smiles at every turn. Hooray!

Caroline in particular was a huge fan of the day and was thrilled to tell everyone about her "clover" shirt (specially ordered for the day with a "C" for our girl). She was extremely disappointed that mom didn't have clover pajamas for her too. Note for next year.

(Mommy loves the last pic in particular. Oh if life could always be that funny).

Even sweet Anna Kate was decked out for the event, courtesy of Grandma who found these precious and hilarious shamrock leggings.

No worries, AK, you'll get all the kisses you can handle

There was no green milk (or beer for that matter) this year, but we're plotting for next year already. Harp and Fiddle wouldn't frown on bringing a 1 and 3 year old there, would they?

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Celebrating Love, Shoe Style

We love a celebration. And a celebration of love? All the better.

Due to the record-setting snow we saw in early February (and the cabin fever that resulted), the planned Valentine's Day party at the Shoe was postponed to allow parents to, well, get our act together.

Thank goodness.

When the day of the rescheduled fete arrived, we were ready to PARTY! The Red Suedes (C's class) admittedly was a little more lively than the Booties (AK's class). But who knows? Those babies could have been rocking out (no pun intended) while nobody was watching.

C's mom showed up in true paparazza style, ready to take some pictures. I even got to see the famed Charlie perform. Caroline went around the room kissing everyone and telling them "Happy Valentine's Day."

What happened if someone didn't want to be kissed? She chased them down, lips puckered. Apparently, that's the rule of Valentine's Day when you are 2. You kiss everyone whether they like it or not.

A fun afternoon with my munchkino for sure.

Red Suedes' Valentine's Day Party 2010 from Sarah on Vimeo.

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A Dumptruck, a Jumprope, and a Dog

...these are the things on Caroline's Christmas wishlist this year. We've been assured that she is only expecting a pretend dog, and when we asked what kind of dog she wanted, she said "White."

Though we couldn't get her to actually ask Santa for them at their breakfast meeting at Irish pub Ri-Ra.

Yes, the Connors visited Santa at a bar. For breakfast. The only unfortunate part was that they hadn't actually started serving yet. But that didn't stop CEC from getting some early lessons about good beer.

There was also singing, courtesy of a local high school ensemble. Caroline was fascinated.

And of course, there was the trip to Santa's lap. Even Anna Kate woke up in time to join in! The photo is priceless.

I wish I could bottle the look on Caroline's face and keep it in my pocket. It's just so... Caroline. And sweet Anna... oh my. You are just so... sweet. It kills me.

Yes, I had this photo made into a magnet and it is going on my filing cabinet at work.

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So Very Thankful

The DC-edition of the Connors family got a visit from the Melbourne-based Connors, who came to celebrate Turkey Day with us.

Well, and to visit their oldest granddaughter and meet the youngest.

Let's be honest. That's why they were really here. And who can blame them?

The meeting went splendidly....

Getting to know you

And then there was the actual meal. Most of us had the traditional Connors' Thanksgiving lobster and oyster dressing. And Sean even made a turkey. We slaved over nothing for the rest of the meal and went straight to Whole Foods. Thank you Whole Foods for keeping me sane.

Looks yummy, huh?

All the activity wore Anna out

Crashed out turkey

Lucky Caroline even convinced Grandmom and Papa Mike to make a trip to the park. Though it seems like they had some fun there too...

No doubt there are two little girls who can't wait for the next Connors meeting. Who wouldn't love time like this?

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Halloween, 2009 Edition

Our first holiday as a family of 4, and a mere 4 days after little Anna Kate joined us. Luckily, we had prepared for this one in advance (and at some points, even thought we might have a Halloween baby!)

There was plenty of celebration, with Grandma and Grandpa on hand to help out.

1st, on Friday, the Red Suedes Halloween party! Mom couldn't miss this one, so left AK for a playdate with her grandparents and headed to Caroline's school. Yummy treats - and a riot!

Caroline's Halloween Witch

Our cookie double-fister and her friends

Saturday brought the official Holiday. The butterfly fairy considered accessorizing her costume with a hat...

... but eventually settled on a butterfly bow (whew). Daddy and Grandpa took her for a very successful Trick or Treating. There were lots of comments about our adorable fairy and her cat bag, and the treats were flowing...

Anna Kate even got into the Halloween spirit. Princess Pumpkin Cheeks sported a very pumpkin-y outfit during the day, then dressed up as the cutest baby giraffe we've ever scene for the evening festivities. Of course, not as much fun to have to stay at home with Mommy and Grandma, but there's always next year.

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Labor Day Adventures

No no, not that kind of labor. Still waiting on that one. Thankfully.

This one came as a result of Caroline's school being closed for both the holiday and some teacher training days. So mom and dad split up CEC duty and headed out for one-on-one adventures with our little one.

First up, the ZOO with Daddy. As many of you know, C's dad is a guy who cannot resist a trip to the zoo.

Per the norm, there were lots of fun things to see, including, apparently, elephant tails...

They shared a hamburger...

And at least one of them did some running. Go Caroline, Go!

The next day took our star to the butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens with Mommy. This was not C's first trip to the exhibit, but we're betting she doesn't remember being there before. You know, since she was less than two months old and all.

This time was much more exiting. Caroline even made friends with a butterfly who liked her head. No, I did not tell her it was there. Figured it was better to preserve the health of the butterfly and the peace of the moment.

Think maybe the butterfly saw her doing her impersonation of one, and thought she was a friend...

"Butterflies go 'flutter flutter'"

Or maybe that saw this precious little girl, all dressed up in her butterfly get-up and found being close to her as irresistible as we do.

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