Birthday

My birthday was at the end of April. Shannon and Daniel made me a birthday cake that was seriously good. Thanks boys! Can I go ahead and request it again for next year? I think Daniel was a little disappointed in my birthday "party." I'm pretty sure he expected some kind of theme, balloons, party hats, toys etc...he kept asking me what kind of party I was having and if I wanted a shark party or a pirate party. In the end there was cake so he decided it was ok.

The two bakers

Blowing out the candles.

A moist chocolate cake with a stabilized whipped cream, chocolate icing, and toffee bits on top. (Even better because I didn't have to make it!)
Seriously - how do I get this man to cook more often?!

Nature Center

Enjoying some beautiful weather at the Nature Center.

The baby goats were so adorable.

The horse was just sniffing his hat when Daniel looked up.

Pet Caterpillar

Daniel has a bug box and he's always searching for something to put in it. He found a caterpillar on our drive back from North Carolina and Daniel fed him and kept him for several days. After much discussion we convinced him that the caterpillar would be happier outside.

Letting the caterpillar go up the tree.

He named him Doogie.

I'm So Glad...

I took this picture as Daniel ran out to meet Shannon when he got home one day. If Daniel is still awake when Shannon comes home then he listens to hear the train whistle and knows that Daddy will not be far behind. Daniel said "Daddy I missed you!"

I'm so glad when daddy comes home,

Glad as I can be;

I clap my hands and shout for joy,

Then climb upon his knee,

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this,

Pat his cheeks, and give him what?

A great big kiss.

(Daddy's Homecoming, Children's Songbook)

Friends

Daniel has a good friend Alyssa who is moving away in a week. We are sad that they are leaving! Alyssa has been the only girl in Daniel's Joy School group and she has always been the "little mother". What will these boys do without her!?

I thought this was priceless! Daniel just couldn't help himself - he had to give her a little smooch on the cheek.

Friends

Fun with Grandma

It was so great to have my mom here over Easter. We always love having her company and Daniel couldn't have been more thrilled.

At the beach enjoying a beautiful afternoon. I love this picture.

Give Daniel a bucket, some water and some sand and he couldn't be happier.

The amazing balancing baby.

A trick only a dad would do!

Grandma and Nora

A little love from mom.

A day at the park.

Nora and daddy - talk about melting my heart!

Nora with Grandma sporting her sunglasses.

Happy Girl

They planted some flowers together.

Thanks for coming Mom! We love you!

Enough Said...

Nora on April 15th holding her hands in a typical Nora fashion...very dainty.

Grandpa's Visit

My dad was in NY for one weekend last month while he helped with the Shanghai Opera who was doing a performance tour. It was great to see him!

Playing with bubbles

Bedtime stories

Easter

My mom was able to be here for Easter which made it extra special. I love this time of year!

Daniel and Nora - Easter Sunday

Grandma Kathy, Daniel, and Nora

Dying Easter Eggs

Grandma and Nora watching all the action.

A tradition dating back to when I was little: The blowing up of the peeps and Dueling Peeps! (We don't actually blow them up - we just see how big the get in the microwave. For the dueling peeps we put toothpicks in their beaks and then blow them up and see which one pokes the other one first.) I love this tradition. Daniel especially liked it this year.

Daniel watching the peeps get bigger and bigger...



For Easter Daniel and his Joy School Buddies had an Easter egg hunt: Daniel, Alyssa, and Dane eating a snack.

Pretending to be tigers or something...

Daniel's Joy School Group minus Jack who was sick. After the Easter egg hunt in the back yard.

Ready, Set, Go...