Apple

Maggie loves apples.  She refused to eat apple slices, she wants the whole apple.  She eat all the skin off first and then eats it down to the core if she is really hungry.  Henry happened to get the remains of her half eaten apple and refused to give it up.  Needless to say, we now have two apple eaters.

What a mess!!!

Okay, I started out my day excited to document all the messes I clean up everyday but after the second mess I was already exhausted.  I thought I could prove to Sara and to myself that I actually do things during the course of the day.  The funny thing is... while cleaning up one mess... another mess is being created in the other room... pausing to take pictures only begins to compound the problem.  Pretty soon, there are two or three messes to cleanup and photograph.  Needless to say... I gave up rather quickly.

Cousins at Calico

This morning we went to Calico Basin for the first time.  It was hot and I was happy to have remembered sunscreen.  Aunt Jenna (my cousin), Uncle Mark and Cooper were in town visiting.  Mark actually took most of the pictures above.  Later at the house Jenna took Maggie to the market.  Later, they returned with a balloon labeled "Happy Assistant's Day!" apparently, that is the one she wanted.  Later Sara got home and we had an amazing meal, courtesy of Jenna.  More later, Mom (Cindy), Aunt Tasha and Paige arrived, just in time to join in the meal.  Late, later our guest went back to LA and we were left alone to reminisce

Easter dress

Smocking and dress provided by her Grandma Torgerson.

When the family gets together

Who knew taking a picture with the children could be so difficult and fun... and this is the edited version.

Pretty in Pink

Strange traditions

This is the first Easter Maggie encountered a strange story about how the Easter bunny bringing eggs and candy to children.  As a child, I could always count on finding an egg in each my shoes.  I also remember taking an empty basket around searching for hidden eggs.  Our search started inside the house but continued out in the yard.  The eggs were so well hidden that inevitably one or two eggs would be discovered weeks after our search ended.

I guess in some parts of California, the Easter bunny doesn't hide eggs but just scatters them about in broad day light.  I also discovered that instead of hiding each egg, some bunnies just stuff a hidden basket with goodies.  This is strange way of doing things.  I was also surprised when Payton discovered her basket, but instead of finding it full of candy, it was full of toys. 

It never occurred to me before, but I guess no Easter bunny is the same.

Henry's first suit vest

Henry's first suit vest, courtesy of Grandma Richins

The hunt

This story begins with a basket and a few happy children...

The hunt begins

Cool tree swing

I think this is the first time I have seen Maggie and Chase play together.  I thought Chase's strategy for pushing Maggie was quite ingenious.

Windy day

Monday we visited to the bird preserve... again... but this time we brought a stroller and Mom.  It was uncomfortably windy.  We should have taken our kite... next time.

Peas

One of my favorite moments of the day is watching Maggie and Henry playing nice with each other.  Nobody can get a bigger smile and laugh out of Henry than his big sister.  Maggie enjoys stealing frozen peas off his plate and it always seems to get a big smile out of him.