Easter and Beck's 3rd Birthday!

The Butterfly Festival at the Water Conservation Garden...

Speaking of butterflies, we were headed out the door for preschool when Ellery noticed an injured butterfly flopping on our front porch.  She wanted to rescue it from being squashed by Nola's huge paws and thought taking it to school (where there's an abundance of caterpillars) would be a good idea.  "So she can be with her family."  So, we scooped her up and Beck held her in his lap during the car ride.  Once we got out, the butterfly took flight!  We couldn't believe it!  The kids were watching and cheering for her when a bird swooped down and grabbed it in it's beak, took it to the branch right above our heads, munched on it and swallowed it down.  Elle was stunned and Beck was sobbing.  Well, we tried.  A bird's gotta eat.


Zach and I snuck away to Catalina for my birthday.  It was the perfect way to bring in my 33rd year...

A big thanks to my mom for watching the little ones!

Time to dye eggs!  West Elm set the whole thing up and it was awesome.  Eggs, dye, stickers, glitter, paint, googly eyes, jewels... they had it all.  And the mess stayed there!...

We hit up Inflatable World on the way home.  Elle impressed me with her bravery.  She didn't think twice about these huge slides...

What to do when your little brother hesitates?  Push him of course...

Easter weekend was packed full of fun.

Easter Part 1: (Sat) was at the Huggin's lovely new home...

Easter Part 2: Easter Bunny came!...

Easter Part 3: Egg hunt at the Tobias'...

This is Zach's favorite shot of the day.  Auntie Mars said yes, mommy said no...

 Easter Part 4: Egg hunt at the Cavan's...

  

Cupcake delivery to our local fire station...

Easter Part 5:  BBQ at the Salewsky's...

South Park Walkabout...

Heading to the Busker Festival in Seaport Village...

He started soccer!  He's one of the youngest and it surprised us at how well he listens to his coach and follows directions.  He's not too bad with the ball either...

Road work on Russell = Tractor time for the kiddos...

We went to Noah's 3rd birthday party and Beck stared at this cake for the first 20 minutes.  Right after I took this picture I noticed the "N" was broken.  I didn't see it happen but I'm pretty sure he had everything to do with it...




Lucky for Ellery, she got to come too.  They had a puppet show which the kids loved!...

Here's Beck's buddies, Aaron and Noah...

 Go Elle Go!...

With summer break and kindergarten fast approaching, we're trying to get out there more than ever!  I'm already starting to mourn my uncrowded, mellow, most-of-the-kids-are-in-school dates with E & B...

Feeling like a big boy with his new backpack.  Thanks Grandma Kathy!...

Jordan's first time babysitting!!  She had already taken the CPR/babysitter training course from the American Red Cross and showed up with her babysitting manual.  How cute is that?  She did awesome!  Even had the beds made, dishes done, kids bathed and Ellery's hair brushed!  AND Marla doesn't want her getting paid until she completes so many hours.  Oh, and did I mention the kids LOVED having cousin Jordan over!...

Ellery drew this to go on top of her friends birthday present.  Sara (the birthday girl) and her met at Jibe Studios where they dance together...

Sara's pajama party...

Ellery and Taylor, also from dance...

We spent Beck's actual birthday at Legoland with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dave...

Pure joy...

I love this picture.  Again, pure joy.  But it might have something to do with that skirt.  She saw it at Target and pleaded with me to buy it.  I rarely buy her any clothing because we get everything we need and more from Jilly and Claire but I caved.  This was the third day in a row that she wore it.  And whatever shirt she's wearing has to be tucked in because god forbid that sparkly waistband gets covered up...

Breakdancing...

We rode the coaster up to Encinitas for a street fair.  I love the outfits this girl comes up with...

The boy loves bacon!...




Our beautiful day out and about, wore him out...

 My baby turns 3!...

 

Beck's hope of miniature golfing for his birthday party got rained out.  Instead, we had a last-minute party at our place and a movie date...

Yes, he can be stubborn and he can throw a decent tantrum BUT he's charming and hilarious and delightful and sweet and quite the character.  The other night while tucking him in, he grabbed my cheeks and said "I'm gonna keep you fu-evah."

Some of my other bedtime favorites, "I wanna see yur face all day.  You so really nice.  You my favorite girl in the wide world."  And after giving me a juicy kiss, "me marry you."

I remember how tickled Mallary was when she found out I was having a boy.  She said, "there's just something about a boy and his mama."  Now I get it. 

Beck, I'm gonna love you fu-evah!