Easter Weekend - Part 2

We awoke Easter morning to light rain outside. The moisture intensified the colors of the awakening springtime blooms, and accentuated nature's rebirth. It was the perfect backdrop to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I love Easter. I love the truth that death is not final. I love the comfort that accompanies my certain knowledge that Jesus Christ is real. It's one of my favorite days of the entire year.

In addition to celebrating our Savior, we also celebrated the heathen Easter bunny cuz that's fun too - and he brings cool stuff.

We couldn't get Sissy out of bed to claim her terrific heathen offerings, but luckily Baby had enough excitement for both of them. 

We started right in on the chocolate bunny. Naturally.

And then cooed over our new baby doll. I dare you not to say, "Awwwww."

Michael and I gave up sugar for Lent. So, after 40 days of abstaining, it was delightful to imbibe in candy, chocolate, and monkey bread for General Conference. 

Well, delightful until I felt like I was going to vomit. 

We went to my cousin's house for our tradition of watching Conference together. My nausea had subsided by then so I was able to graze on peanut butter M&M's. Thank goodness. 

Baby and Sissy did the requisite sit-ups during the singing. You see - if you're gonna spend the entire conference session eating garbage, you gotta squeeze in some exercise.   

We closed out the day with dying eggs. (Sissy is currently obsessed with Hamilton. Is it obvious?)

It was a wonderful day of spiritual and physical feasts - thank you Honey Baked Ham, et al.

Happy Easter!

Easter Weekend - Part 1

Easter celebrations began for us with Good Friday being a day off from school. We did the religiously responsible thing and observed at the trampoline park. 

Then, on Holy Saturday, we did the religiously responsible thing and observed with an egg hunt. (Our holiness overfloweth.) It was supremely hot outside, and I was sweating like a sinner not properly observing Holy Week. I strategically laid out the bajillion plastic eggs so Sissy would have no ammunition to complain about the ease of finding the eggs. 

I even had my nephew-in-law lay Sissy's golden egg high up in the treetops. She was pleased with the caliber of our hiding tactics. 

Then we escaped to the air-conditioning to explore the spoils.

Sissy's golden egg held a Loki and Sylvie mini-fig. Righteous!

Baby's silver egg held a couple of Neat-o cubes. Righteous again!

It's a day like this that really makes a person appreciate religion. Happy Easter Eve!

(PS Don't stand too close...I could be struck by lightning any minute)

Fool's Errand

'Twas a fantastic April Fool's Day at our place this year. The day snuck up on us but we still managed to squeeze in some foolery.

I put this on Sissy's sandwich container

And these in her lunchbox

And on her toothbrush

Vincent reappeared 

And I made Alexa say annoying things when her alarm went off.

But the best part was filling the cupboard with ping pong balls. (Too bad I forgot about it and opened the cupboard before Sissy found it. Ping pong balls rained down on me and I yelped in horror. Mykey and I frantically shoved those buggers back in before Sissy emerged to unload the dishwasher. I was SWEATING by the end. It ain't an easy task, I tell ya)

Sissy left some poo on the floor

She faked a horrific pencil stabbing accident

And dyed my soap the deepest shade of black imaginable. My sausage fingers soaked that dye right up and I couldn't scrub it off.

She also took her water-squirting pen to school and covertly sprayed passers by in the hallway. Suckers!

It was another successful day of hijinxs for us. 

I hope next year is fantastic as well...this old lady is running out of ideas.

Aristocats

Sissy joined the theater once again to perform in the show Aristocats Kids. Unfortunately, she was sick during auditions so she didn't get a speaking part. Wah-wah-waaaah.

Sissy didn't mind. She was happy to be in the ensemble, singing and dancing with no responsibility. Plus, she declared that she had decided to retire and this would be her last show. So who really needs a speaking role anyway? Amen, sister.

But then...someone dropped out. Who would fill the role? Dun, dun, duuuun.

How about Sissy?

She was recast as one of the alley cats named Hep. Her catchphrase was, "Crazy, man - crazy."

Sissy said she felt ridiculous in her costume of giant cat paw mittens and clip-on tail, but Booney loved it. 

Baby also loved it. She was captivated by the songs and had a great time. And! The people sitting next to us didn't show up so Baby had her very own seat with plenty of room to kick and squirm with impunity.

And! My nephew-in-law and great nephew were able to join us for the performance. I wonder if the barfing is his review of the show. Kids can be cruel. 

And! The requisite Bottle Caps were waiting for Sissy after the show. I threw in some Junior Mints to soothe the embarrassment of wearing giant cat paw mittens.

It was a fun evening for all.

Congratulations to Sissy on her final show!

St. Patty's

It was St. Patrick's Day and this happened.

I don't know who's running the weather show up in the clouds, but I find this unacceptable! Baby did not agree. Thankfully, it was melting by afternoon. Whew.

Other than the excitement of the snow, our St. Patty's Day was pretty lowkey. I recall when Sissy was younger that St. Patrick's Day was a lively event at our house. She would sketch out and set up elaborate leprechaun traps and I would plan elaborate leprechaun responses and top it off with a themed dinner.

That was then. 

Sissy is older now and doesn't want a leprechaun. Booney is also older now and doesn't remember to plan for holidays. Or perhaps she remembers but is tired and slightly lazy so she doesn't do it...you can decide.

I did manage to rummage through the closet and find our St. Patrick's Day dress-up garb. And I did actually plan a green dinner. (Twas the night before mind you, but let's not split hairs.)

Baby went nuts for the green Jello and Mykey went nuts for the green shepherd's pie. You're welcome.

We had a marvelous day and no one was pinched. 

Sissy did admit that she's excited to build a leprechaun trap with Baby next year.

That makes my heart happy. 

We're coming back for you, Molly McGee!

About Baby

A few tidbits about my baby:

She recently dug her little hands into the Vaseline tub and rubbed it on her face. I caught her in the nick of time before she petroleum-jellied her entire body. Flashback to January 2015 when her older sister did EXACTLY THE SAME THING.

Baby loves the rain. With or without an umbrella, she wants to be in it. She really just loves the outdoors in general. 

Baby treats her little cousin with tenderness. Of course, she instantly wants any toy that he has and sometimes feels jealous when I hold him, but she talks to him sweetly and often gently rubs his head.

Baby loves to wear pretty dresses. And she loves to be showered with compliments about just how pretty her dress is. 

Baby is a showman and her impersonation of Booney is impeccable. 

Baby tells me my hair is pretty or that she likes my shirt, she pats my back and tells me she loves me, and she still lets me hug and kiss her to my heart's content.

She is a joy.

Nerds Unite

It was time for Ye Olde Lego Convention. 

The nerds were a flutter with excitement. 

They arose early to stand in line.

They took a selfie in the piercing sun.

They geeked out with the geeks.

It was sublime.

Meanwhile...

Baby and I went to the park. In pajamas. She is currently on a regular-clothing strike.

I drank a soda in the piercing sun.

It was sublime.

Let's hear it for the nerds!