A quick visit to Wilmington

This week the girls and I took a quick trip up to Wilmington to visit my parents.  We flew up on Monday and rode back with them today since they were heading down for Harper's birthday this weekend.  I'm not sure which was more enjoyable...trying to keep Harper still and happy on my lap for the 1.5 hour flight or riding in the backseat, between the girls' big car seats for 7.5 hours.  :-)  Either way, it was a great few days and I'm so happy that we got to go up there.  At home I stay so busy and never stop.  However, when I'm up there I enjoy relaxing, visiting with family and actually getting to lay down during nap time.  

This week was gorgeous so we spent some time in the blow up pool. 

We also got to spend some time visiting with Paxton, the little boy my mom keeps.  Handley and Harper both adore him.  Handley was holding the bat upside down and trying to hit the ball, so Paxton had to come to her rescue and show her how it was done. 

Every time we loaded up to go anywhere I loved looking back and seeing all 3 of them filling up the backseat.  I asked my mom if it brought back memories of her having 3 young kids in tow?

One afternoon we went to Chick-fil-a and Harper enjoyed her very first kids meal.  She almost ate every single bite of her nuggets.  And if you look closely in the picture below, you'll see she was in the middle of enjoying some ice-cream when the cow came by to say hello. 

Bless her heart...when we went into the playground area she wanted so badly to keep up with the older kids.  She tired her hardest to climb up the giant steps to the slide and had fun just squealing with excitement and watching Handley and Paxton play.  

We also got to visit with my aunts, uncles and cousins.  We all went to dinner at Capt'n Bills (my uncle's restaurant) for dinner.  Handley loved playing with my cousin's daughter, Blythe, and Harper got to enjoy her first taste of hush puppies and sweet tea!  

Now we are gearing up for Harper's first birthday on Saturday.  Stay tuned for lots of pictures from our fun filled weekend. 

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday.  The girls woke up to find all the goodies the Easter Bunny left for them.  

We spent most of the day with Gigi (Papa had to work) and had a delicious lunch.  Handley was excited to learn that the Easter Bunny had visited their house too!

There are some gorgeous flowers nearby so we took advantage and snapped lots of pics! 

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

This morning was our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  I somehow volunteered myself to head it up this year, but I had a lot of help and it turned out to be a great event with awesome weather! We had over 65 kids, 3 huge plastic Rubbermaid tubs full of eggs for them to find, and lots of fun for all!   The Easter Bunny made an appearance and after the hunt there were cookies, cupcakes, juice boxes for everyone to enjoy.  

Chloe, Avery, and Handley after the hunt

Harper with her birthday-mate and next door neighbor, Calvin

I plopped Harper down in the middle of the "under 2" section and she was happy to grab a few eggs and play with them. 
She really loves her basket and even tried to put it on as hat. :-)  Too bad I didn't get a picture of that! 

Handley and Addyson

***The lavender dresses the girls wore to the hunt today were the ones my mom made for them. They looked so precious in them, but as soon as we got home they changed into some play clothes.  Anyone who reads my blog regularly will see the girls in these dresses again tomorrow for Easter Sunday! 

A fun day at the park

On Friday we tried out a fun park in Brookhaven called Ashford Park.  My friend Tiara was meeting some friends there and she invited us along too.  We packed a picnic lunch and had a made a day of it.  The park was packed.  There were no parking spaces left so we had to park on a nearby street and walk.  Harper and Dylan were happy to stroll.

The park was really unique.  Aside from the regular play structures, the had a giant sand box and tons of toys there for kids to use.  There were sand toys, riding toys, tricycles, etc.  The girls were in heaven.  

After playing we spread out the picnic blanket and had lunch.  It was Harper's first picnic and she really wasn't too interested in eating (until I pulled out the animal cookies). 

This gorgeous weather has been wonderful.  Even though we went from 50 degrees to 80 degrees, I'm not going to complain.  I am loving all the sunshine and all of the fun things we get to do on these nice days. 

Pre-school Easter Party

Today was Handley's class Easter Party.  It was such a fun day for the kids.  After saying their blessing they enjoyed a yummy pizza lunch.  

Then it was time to head out for the Easter Egg Hunt!  I'm so happy we were positioned to see the kids running into the garden because it was priceless.  While Handley was one of the few really into finding eggs at the playgroup egg hunt, that was not the case today.  All the kids were excited to take off and fill their baskets.  I love this picture because it shows them all coming out the door and making a mad dash for the eggs. 

I love this picture too!  Before the kids discovered the eggs that were actually a little more hidden around the garden they were all gathered in the middle and looked like little chicks pecking around as they collected their eggs. 

As you can see from Handley's bucket, she racked up and filled it to the top!  To be fair, the teachers divided the eggs evenly while the kids were having cake after the hunt.  We still have more than enough candy filled eggs to last us a while though. 

Have I mentioned how AWESOME Handley's teacher is?!?  Mrs. Deborah is the GREATEST and we just love her.  I know Handley and I will both be sad when this year is over.   Today she brought in 2 baby chicks and 2 baby ducks for the kids to see and hold!!!  They were so soft and sweet.  Handley was excited to get her turn and did great holding it gently, even though it was trying to wiggle. 

Here is an adorable Easter card she made for us.

Fun at Gigi and Papa's

Last night Handley got to spend the night with Gigi and Papa.  Today she had a fun filled day with dying Easter Eggs, lunch at Chuck E. Cheese, and a special treat of getting her finger nails painted.  :-)  

She was excited to bring home her eggs and put them on our counter as decorations.  I was excited that Gigi let her get messy dying eggs at her house so I didn't have to do it here. :-)

Play Group Easter Party

This afternoon was our play group Easter party.  The hostesses, Sarah and her mom Jessica, had planned a perfect party!  There was an Easter egg hunt, lots of snacks and goodies, and the Easter Bunny even made an appearance.   

As soon as we went outside to find the eggs Handley took off.  I didn't even need to give her any direction.  She knew just what to do and set to fill her bucket with as many eggs as it would possibly hold.  Hands down she won the prize for collecting the most eggs. 

When the Easter Bunny came around the corner Handley took off running to see him.  She gave him a big hug!  
Not everyone felt the same way though.  Several other kiddos (including Harper) weren't thrilled to see the Easter Bunny up close and personal.  She was much happier back in my arms and actually interested in seeing him as long as I was close by. 

 It was a great afternoon and the perfect way to practice for our big neighborhood hunt next week!