Easter Blessings

We started our Easter celebration with an amazing egg hunt with our church family on our friends' stunningly beautiful property.

Then we had a quiet Easter morning at home before heading to church.

Kaia Turns Two

I don't know how to spell cutie patutie, but when I look at these pictures that's the phrase that comes to my mind. This little one turned two years old today and, really, can one be any cuter?

Her daily babysitter, Teagan, started the day off right with a birthday balloon and cake. When I arrived home from work Teagan reported that Kaia refused the cake saying, "No, no. That cake's too messy!" I have no idea where she gets that from. After her nap Kaia and I read books and snuggled and sang songs. With her sister, Zoey, visiting cousins in Vermont, this alone time with Kaia is really precious to me. A little later we had dinner with Daddy and Poppi (Brian's Dad) and then opened a couple of gifts. It was a good day. We'll celebrate a little more when Zoey arrives home next week.

This blue dress is what Kaia wore for her two year pictures. She was a stinker most of the time, refusing to smile or do anything the photographer requested, but that's pretty much our Kaia: the cutest little stinker imaginable.

She is talking so much these days, surprising us with new words and phrases on what seems to be an hourly basis. Her baby lisps are still so cute and I just hate to correct most things she says because it's a sign of the baby going away forever. That makes me sad.

Kaia loves her sister and wants to be doing/holding/eating/watching/wearing whatever Zoey is doing/holding/eating/watching/wearing. That can be very tiresome for both Zoey and myself, but I do love that she looks up to her big sister. When they play and laugh together it brings more joy to my heart than I ever thought possible.

While Kaia is much more enjoyable as of late (i.e. she sleeps through the night on a regular basis, does not scream to be held all the live-long day, and her tantrums are fewer and farther between) she can still throw a tantrum like nobody's business. Mostly they are "fake-crying tantrums" now but, as silly as it may sound, they are a welcome relief from the real tantrums from her first 18 months of life.

I've loved Kaia since the moment I knew she was growing inside my body, but I really enjoy her now. She learns something new every day and laughs at herself and others. She loves people. Often when she says something about herself she then says the same things about every single person she can name. "Mommy, Kaia's happy today! And Walt is happy, and Beth is happy, and Poppi is happy, and..." The list goes on for several minutes until she starts to repeat herself. I love it.

And I love her. So much. Happy Birthday, Baby KaiKai.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar...

...helps pass yet another cold March afternoon.

Several months ago Zoey began requesting we have a carnival - one complete with pony rides, bouncy houses, cotton candy, and carousels. Though we tried to explain the many ways that this just was not possible, she was persistent  A few weeks ago she brought down her piggy bank to Brian and I and said, "Daddy, if I use all my money in my bank and all your money in your bank, then will we have enough for a carnival?" It literally broke my heart. But, my awesome sister had just told me about a party she had for her daughter, Maya, and I said to Zoey, "How about a Mary Poppins Party instead?" She thought for a few moments and, thankfully, agreed!

The girls watched Mary Poppins, ate popcorn, made spoonfuls of sugar, had dinner, decorated parasols, enjoyed being together in their pajamas, and snuggled with penguins. Zoey's cousin, Maya, surprised her and came right before the party - so fun. The carnival has been forgotten, for the time being.