Cute Cousins!

One of my favorite parts about our most recent trip to Utah was how much fun Andrew and Madeline had with one another. They are at such fun ages and love each other. :)

On Monday, after Andrew & Grandpa took a golf cart ride to Wills and Mom, Caitlin, and I went running, we headed up to Sandy to meet up with Elise & Maddie at Southtowne Mall.

We rode the carousel, ate lunch, rode the train, and played in the little play area (with a goal to tire the little people out). They loved it and had such a good time together. 

Later in the afternoon we put all the crazy little ones down for naps at Elise's house and then we relaxed and chit chatted for a bit. While Elise headed to lacrosse practice (she is a coach), Mom and I watched the kiddos. They were darling.

Aunt Wendy brought the cutest bunny cookies to Easter dinner (and we were too full to eat them), so on Monday they both enjoyed their cookies immensely... with lots of messy faces and sticky hands!

Grandma read stories. Andrew really wanted to read the Pinkalicious story... so we found it in Maddie room, read it, and made little pink collages.

After Elise got home we headed over to Fuddruckers for dinner. I ate way too many fries with cheese. I was in heaven (and stuffed). I am still dreaming about all the good food I had on vacation. When I am at my house, nothing sounds good, so I barely eat anything... which helps with baby weight loss, but makes me a little depressed.

Anyways, sorry for the random tangent. Monday rocked. We were exhausted by the time we got home... especially since Caitlin screamed a bunch on the way home. Good times. I think it would make me more annoyed if Andrew got mad or grumpy when she screamed... but he doesn't... he just sings, talks to Cate, talks to me, or just chills. 

Love that kid... 

and I love that Maddie & Andrew like each other so much. 

Easter Surprises

This is usually the theme of my day...

Although I need one that says, "Keep Calm and Call Elise" too... since I call both almost equally as much. :)

When Kevin & I decided to do our recarpeting project, I started chatting with my mom about when would work to come out and stay with her. We quickly came to the conclusion that Easter weekend would be the perfect time. We immediately started planning all the fun things we could do with the little people while we were in town... most specifically on Easter when we were all together.

One of the things that I love about my mom is that she doesn't just do parties and fun things for show when other people are around and looking... she actually does cuter things for US (and the little kiddos) than for anyone else. This Easter was no exception.

She spent weeks ahead of time planning little details for Easter dinner... like buying adorable porcelain Peter Rabbit place settings for everyone to use (including the little people), and getting candy and cute little favor baskets to go at each plate. I couldn't help but snap a gazillion pictures. The table looked so pretty!

 

It is the little things that count and make events special... and my mom is the queen of remembering details. Jessie and I both talked about how special it made us feel that she went to so much trouble and extra work (especially since she works full-time) to make this Easter such a memorable family occasion.

Grandma Julie & Miss Cate on Easter Sunday

Not only was every detail of Easter dinner awesome, Grandma Julie also made Easter morning super special by buying Caitlin and Andrew the most darling personalized Easter basket bags :)

Andrew thought his blue bag was AMAZING and loved all the treats and presents from Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny plus Grandma Easter Bunny. Wow! What a lucky kid!

Grandma Easter Bunny also got a special treat for Kevin & I from our favorite cookie store ever. Any guesses? It had lots of frosting, so we were in heaven.

Grandma Easter bunny even got Catiebug some fun baby toys that were lifesavers on the airplane... although Cate was even more interested in Jessie's basket (and the mini eggs... she's starting young) :)

Pretend you don't see Aunt Jessie in these pictures. She said she wasn't camera ready yet and I forgot to crop her out of them. Caitlin loved hanging out with Jessie on Easter morning.

And so did Andrew.

Grandma Julie also made Andrew his most favorite breakfast foods ever- cinnamon rolls & cheesy eggs. Yum!

Let's just say, if there was a choice as to whether Andrew could return to Cali with me or stay with Grandma Julie... I would not have won. In fact, his was scheming all day Wednesday to figure out a way for me to let him stay.

Maddie feels the same way.

I wonder why? :)

After a big Easter egg hunt in Grandma's basement and too much good dessert, the day finally had to come to an end.

  

What a special day... made even more wonderful by all the love Grandma showed to the three little munchkins (and the rest of us, of course!)! 

I think I have the most wonderful mom EVER. 

And when I told Andrew that he had to wear a seat belt on the airplane or else the pilot wouldn't let him fly to California... he said, "and then I'd have to get off and I would get to stay here with Grandpa Kim & Grandma Julie. That sounds good."

Strike one for me.  

Hmmm... I think he thinks Grandma is pretty cool too. :)

Thanks Mom for the awesome weekend!

Building a better Brain!

Etta, co-blogger for my Toddler Approved site is hosting a Giveaway this weekend. If you're interested in fun activities for your preschooler, check out the giveaway here. She loved the book so much that the author gave her a free copy to give away. So fun! 

Wish I could enter! :)

A Royal Event

was held this afternoon...

hosted by Princess Caitlin & Prince Andrew

We had a little too much fun decorating and crafting to prepare for the royal event (see here and here for today's projects).

These chocolate digestive biscuits were my favorite (along with the shortbread). My brother, who served his mission in England, reminded me of their yumminess when we were chatting yesterday.  

The kids inhaled the tiny little sandwiches (cheese & jam)... but finished off the cupcakes first- of course!

When the guests arrived, Andrew greeted them at the door and said, "Welcome! I'm Prince Andrew." He wore his prince cape (blue pillowcase) for over 3 hours before he wanted to take it off. Amazing!

Our littlest princess loved her fluffy dress... and kept trying to eat it.

We started off the party by decorating crowns, then we ate treats, and then we watched Tangled and played.

His Royal Highness had more princesses in our house than he could handle!

and a few more princes arrived as well!

 

The whole clan cuddled on the couch and watched the movie while the moms got a chance to chat a bit... (I love Andrew's pained expression in this picture... sharing the couch with six princesses was a bit much for him :)).

Until the boys couldn't take it anymore and needed to play with some trains :)

This little princess had so much fun watching all of the kids... and especially loved all the little girls who took a moment to admire her dress (usually covered in drool or covered with a bib) and say hi.

It definitely was an afternoon to remember...

Catie bug and I have a date with our TV tomorrow morning to watch all the Royal Wedding rebroadcasted fun together while Andrew is off with his friends. :)