Thought you would enjoy some pictures from Easter Brunch with the family. This time of year has made me very reminisent of my little Grandmother. I find myself continuing not only her traditions, but finding joy in the little things that she used to do in preparation for a family gathering. I can remember on Sunday dinners walking into her house curious to see what she had created to the table for the evening. Even though she is gone, she is still very much here.
Kate was wide awake and ready to find and open her Easter Basket right after seven o'clock. Needless to say, the Easter Bunny was very tired, but somehow got up and made coffee. The bunny filled the baskets with lots of fun goodies. We definitely had a "Charlie and Lola" and "Romp and Roll" themed basket. Books to read and color, toys that shake and tap, and of course the bells that ring. Kate enjoyed each item she discovered in her basket, which the Easter Bunny really appreciated because "she" had worked so hard to fill those baskets. 
Unlike Christmas, Kate, played with each toy before moving on to the next one. 
Last weekend we celebrated Ryan's 3rd birthday! It was lots of fun spending time with family and catching up. Kate and Ryan are hillarious to watch... Kate helped Ryan open his presents and he didn't seem to mind. They ate cake, played games, watched the Wiggles and listening to the two of them talk is entertainment enough! You can understand what they are saying, but at this age they are also in their own world. 
g, are you kidding me! This is way too slow! And now here I am thinking the same thing. (Dad / Mom, please do not laugh too hard.) I am sure this will not be the last time I realize that I sound, just like my parents. 
The weather has been amazing this week. We have tried to be outside as much as possible. Since this is our first spring in this house, I am also enjoying watching everything that is literally popping up out of the ground! There are bulbs coming up in every bed of mulch. I planted a bunch of tulips and daffodils not realizing there were so many already here. I also love the crocus. I remember at our house in Olde Coach Village that there were some in the front yard and when they came up, I knew spring was near.
All the flowers remind me of my little grandmother. Pansies were her favorite flower and have always been one of mine too. I love how during the grey and bleak winter they provide a happy face of color. After her stroke, I brought a small pot of pansies to the hospital. I knew if Grandma recognized the flowers, she was "still there." She managed to pick herself a pansie and enjoyed touching them. I know it was small, but it will ever be so precious to me. The spring flowers are a sign of renewal and hope, a reminder that even with change, life keeps on going. It has been therapeutic for me to share my grandmother's knowledge of flowers with Kate. For now, I have been teaching her the names of the flowers and she also helped me plant the bulbs in the fall. Grandma would have loved my yard. I remember thinking that when we found the house. The dozen rhododendron bushes and arch of forsythia bushes along the fence line, and all the crocus, daffodils and tulips! So, when I am out there, it is easy to be reminded of her. Before she passed, I was also able to tell Grandma that I was pregnant and she was able to comprehend and remember. I am really glad she knew that Stephen was on his way. 
I am sure the next 6 months will go by too fast and probably the next six years. I look at Kate and wonder where the time went! She looked at David tonight at the dinner table and asked who was he going to marry. After he explained that he was already married to me, she asked, "How do you get married. And who is going to marry me? Madeline is already married to Connor!" David's face - priceless. I did pull out our wedding album to show her all the pictures. We talked about the white dress, family and friends attending, vows.... who know what exactly sunk in. Needless to say it was a discussion I was not expecting so early, but pretty entertaining. When I was showing her a pictures of our friends, Cathy and Jerome, at the wedding, she wanted to know where Caroline (their 2 year old daughter) was. Funny girl...
If you have not been to the Richmond Metro Zoo, I HIGHLY suggest that you go. I recommend a weekday, when it is not too crowed. My favorite part is the giraffes! Where else can you go and hand feed a giraffe? During the first experience, we learned an important lesson, giraffes have sticky tongues... very long sticky tongues! Giraffes tongues are 8 to 12 inches long! In a couple of licks they can clean out your cup of "zoo treats." Every time I go, I amazed that I am eye to eye with a giraffe. The kids now feed the giraffes without hesitation. 
