Happy Birthday, Memo!

April is a busy birthday month for us. The day after Jack's is Memo's birthday. Memo got a very special birthday surprise this year from Jack & Jay.

Happy Birthday, Memo!

Crowd shots of Jay dancin' in the street

And again

Screen shot from the live feed. Don't overlook Dy in the corner! She was there too.

Dumper rumpins with a pretty sweet poster.

And we are officially finished with April! On to May...

Jack's Fifth Birthday

After celebrating with his friends at his party over the weekend, our big boy turned five on Monday! After getting to be the Super Star at school he came and had some pizza for a birthday lunch.

After a scrumptious dinner of the favorite "big pasta", we had cake and ice cream. I ended up baking a second cake b/c the first had been demolished at the party.

Blowing out the candles.

Next up, presents!

Jack opens his soccer ball.

Jack and Clara check out the new clock, by far the biggest hit of the party.

What time is it?

Jack's Birthday Party

On the Saturday before Jack's fifth birthday, we hosted a party for a few of his friends in our backyard. Other than playing on the swing set and around the yard, the activity was for the children to do a little gardening. 

Jack's only request other than a vanilla cake with vanilla icing was potato chips.

Jack blows out his candles.

Jack and his friends Thomas and Emmy eating cake in the treehouse.

Jack and Thomas washing down their cake with some juice.

Clara and Rosalind enjoying their tasty birthday cake.

Orson with his Daddy trying to avoid feeding Syd. 

Back from the treehouse for more snacks. 

Once again Meghan snags her party chair, this time to eat an apple. 

Easter Weekend

After having Nay-nay in Raleigh for several days during the week on her spring break, we traveled up to Richmond to celebrate Easter with the family and share our illnesses with everyone.

On Saturday we had lunch at the Carsons complete with an April birthday cake for Clara, Jack, & Gigi to blow out the candles!

They were quite tricky and did not go without a fight.

Next the children hunted for Easter eggs.

And once they were finished gathering, they immediately cracked them open to partake of their delicious treats inside.

Great picture of Gigi and the kids despite the fact that no one else is remotely looking at the camera.

On Easter Sunday it was rise and shine to see what the Easter bunny had left.

It seemed a post-breakfast/candy nap was needed once everyone crashed after their sugar high.

The it was a gorgeous spring day to head over to the Easter parade.

The kids enjoyed their ice cream and a quick pic with Nay-nay.

Thanks to the snow days during the winter, we lost our Easter Monday holiday, so Monday we were back to the grind. This picture of Jack was taken on our walk from from school. He always loves to run ahead with his water bottle and wait for us at the bus stop. I believe he even said at one point that it was one of his favorite places in the world. High praise indeed.

Apparently the sunshine coming through the windows was too much for Meghan as she donned sunglasses for a little Lego play.

Last but not least playing dress-up, looking adorable as Dorothy.

Clara's Seventh Birthday

Our tulip bloomed just in time to say happy birthday to Clara!

Our big 7-year old. Unfortunately after such a wonderful party weekend, on Monday Clara was actually sent home from school early with a high fever, and she felt awful. Of course as luck would have it, Nay-nay arrived that evening just in time for yet another round of illness. By the morning of her birthday, Clara seemed to be in better spirits and got to spend the morning with me and Nay-nay because Jack and Meghan had school.

She had certainly rallied by afternoon when it was time to open presents. First a few from Nay-nay and Pop-pop.

American Girl outfit!

And the best for last, Clara recognizes that box.

Josephina!

Meghan snuggles for a quick pic with Nay-nay.

Looking cool on this rainy April evening in their sun/rainbow glasses, respectively.

Daddy's home from work, and it's time to open her presents from us. A dress for her, a dress for Kaya.

Clara opens one last present from Mommy & Daddy.

Trying out the new two-wheeler! Meghan is very excited about it too.

On a facetime call with Gramby & Su-su later on, Clara pretended she was on television with the American Girl doll box.

Sadly a couple of days later, Meghan was stricken with whatever germ Clara had. She was all about snuggles with Mommy. I think it's safe to say she's got "sick eyes".

On the couch before dinner time she fell asleep. This picture cracks me up because it reminds me of Memo sleeping on the couch.