Easter Egg Hunts

We hit up two neighborhood Easter egg hunts. One the weekend before in our immediate neighborhood of Graceland West and the other at the large Chicago Park District park near by. Oh yeah, and Juliet is walking. She started just in time to hunt for eggs.

Oh sweet baby girl had NO idea what was going on. But she loves carrying around bags so she happily roamed around with her bunny bag. The uneven surface was a bit advanced for her new walking skills so she occasionally fell, rolled down the grass, got herself right back up and then kept going.

Too cute!

Amelia on the other hand knew exactly what was going in. There was a park full of candy which she needed!

This was the second egg hunt at the large park. It was total mayhem! Juliet peacefully fell asleep in the carrier on Mark so into the ring Amelia and I went. The Chicago Park District just throws a bunch of empty plastic eggs into the park and the kids run for them. There were probably two eggs for every kid it was so packed. You then took your eggs into the park district gym to get a goody bag. Amelia was more interested in playing on the park equipment than getting eggs.

Have no fear. There was plenty of candy in the goody bag AND she got to have her face painted like a bunny.

Juliet woke up just as the festivities were ending but it was too nice of a morning to go home so we let the girls run around the soccer fields next to the park. Ever since an art project in daycare where they took photographs Amelia has been especially into taking pictures. Here is one she took all by herself!

 All weekend I had tried to get Amelia to cooperate so I could send JuJu and Poppy a picture of her in the new dress they sent her in their Easter care package. Literally the whole way home from dinner I tried to get her picture. Finally I realized that JuJu and Poppy would just need to get a thank you video since getting our sweet girl to cooperate for a picture was not happening....

Rainforest Spring Art Show

We LOVE our daycare's art and musical shows. Amelia's favorite part is getting to run around her school like she owns the place with all her buddies and eating dessert. The past couple of shows we have talked about going to dinner with Sophia and her family after the show but haven't gotten up the courage until this recent show. After the show we headed around the corner for Mexican food, Shirley Temples and adult beverages. The big girls, Sophia and Amelia did a great job and had a blast eating dinner together in a restaurant. The baby girls, Lyla and Juliet were both falling apart.... All in all I think it was a pretty successful dinner considering we had two three year olds and two (around) one year olds at our table! This show's theme was Alice in Wonderland. All the photos are from my phone so no framers...

Amelia's "bio"

Juliet's "bio"

At each show they have a large display of a fruit or vegetables which are part of the decor as well as the take home gift. As if I was going to get a picture of both girls looking at the camera at the same time....

They also always ask to have a certain type of photo sent in for each kid. This show we were supposed to send in "vintage" looking family photos. The great one of the Backlunds in Mexico somehow didn't make it :(.  In the middle picture my mom and Susan are sporting matching dresses and hairdos. The photo above it was my dad, his brothers and parents in front of the cabin shortly after they bought it.

Papa Visit

My dad was in a need of a weekend away and his birthday was coming up so he planned a long birthday weekend with his favorite little girls. As always visits with our family are wonderful but too short. On Papa's birthday we got the Happy Birthday banner hung, made pancakes and had a great morning at the park. When it came time to celebrate his birthday Sunday evening we were all a bit preoccupied. It literally wasn't until we were ready to sing happy birthday to him that it occurred to me that we hadn't even bothered to make (or at the very least buy him) a birthday cake. Have no fear, we stuck a candle in a pile of chicken wings and watched KU beat North Carolina to secure our spot in the Final Four. Way better than any birthday cake!

Baby J was ready for the big game but had to pass some time in the swing before the game started.

Gee, thank you Amelia for "helping" Juliet at the park.

Our fashionista continues to make us smile with her outfit selections. Here she is in her new Cubbies hat which Papa bought her. She frequently asks, "is it windy? If so I should take my hat." As the previous picture shows, she LOVES her Jayhawk track suit and Cubs hate. I do love them both but not together :). 

The birthday boy and his favorite oldest granddaughter  on his birthday morning. Papa was even decked out in Mardi Gras beads. Why? Because that is what Amelia told him he was supposed to wear. I wonder where she gets her bossiness from...

The Children's Museum is a perfect way to pass a rainy Chicago morning.

Fire women Amelia, ready to head into the burning building.

Amelia especially loves the water areas at museums. Here are her and Papa painting with water. Juliet  was observing...

Using scissors for the first time while making a "balancing toy" at the Children's Museum.