Jack's Birthday Party & Easter Sunday in Richmond - April 2011 Catch-up

After our weekend of birthdays, we spent our spring break week in Richmond. One of those days we went to the Richmond zoo.

The peacock was really squawking. Clara was quite adept at copying its sound.

Feeding the giraffes was *very* cool.

Jack and I also fed the camels.

Clara rode the merry-go-round with Pop-pop.

Jack spent a lot of time outside at his (what was then) new water table.

At the end of the week, we had more birthday fun, this time celebrating Jack's entrance into the world of two.

What a cool dude.

Someone (or two) is excited for cake.

Happy Birthday, Jack-eee-booooy!

Now he's blowing out the candles.

 Playing with his new remote control car.

Easter Sunday we woke to our favorite bunny. 

Hello!

The kids tried out their new sunglasses from the Easter bunny, relaxed in the sun, and spent some time at the water table.

 Though we were headed back to Raleigh today after quite a festive spring break, we ended the week with a blast at the Easter parade. Nay-nay squeezed in the back between the kids for the trip downtown. 

Clara and Lucy!

Luke and Clara

And now I'm all caught up! It only took me a year. :)

Gigi's Ninetieth Birthday - April 2011 Catch-up

In the midst of Clara's many birthday parties, we managed to squeeze in some time to celebrate Gigi's ninetieth birthday, wow! On Saturday afternoon we attended a tea in her honor at the Westminster Canterbury.

The birthday girl in pink with Aunt Virginia, Randy, & Su-su

Bobby, Jack, & I

The digs were a little fancy for these two goofballs.

On Sunday, Gigi's birthday, the James family extended gathered in Charlottesville for a birthday brunch at the Boar's Head Inn.

Su-su, Gigi, and Randy

Great-grandkids abound with the grandsons thrown in there for good measure.

Our table at the Boar's Head.

Clara in the throne chair.

Jack's turn to be prince.

Clara and Andrew hit it off.

The family

On the grounds of the Boar's Head Inn

Clara chasing Hanna

King of the mountain.

Perfect end to the day with ice cream.

New Tricks

A brief interlude in real time... It seems that when I play catch-up all kinds of exciting things happen that force me to break my recapping stride and dabble in the present. 

This weekend Clara learned a new trick on our monkey bars. I can't believe how strong she's gotten!

Then there's little Meghan, or HarLar as Clara has taken to calling her, she's really found her balance and is sitting up like a pro. 

What a difference a month makes, she just rolled from back-to-front on Easter Sunday and now she's up on all fours, revving her engines, getting ready to wreak havoc on our world.

Warm weather and new birthday presents, ie sand baking set, have brought back an old game with a new twist: water buckets 2012, making stew.

Meghan looks on in the exersaucier.

 It's hard to believe that it's mulberry time again!

Guess who at any given time did not have very many berries in his bucket!

Enjoying some stroller time while big brother and sister scour the greenway for snacks.

Just following Teddy Roosevelt's advice.

I can see that getting a Christmas card picture this year will be a breeze.

The village ruffians.

Clara's Fourth Birthday! - April 2011 Catch-up

Clara's fourth birthday celebration spanned several days. We had her party with her friends in Raleigh on the 14th. Then on her actual birthday we attended the Arts Together Field day in the morning, traveled to Richmond in the afternoon, and continued the festivities with Nay-nay, Lucy, Memo, & Augs that night. The evening of the 16th we headed over to the Schaeffers' abode for a joint birthday party with Clara and (not-so-baby-anymore) Anna, who was turning one that very day!

April 14th: The Party

Jack enjoying the snacks. The boy loves his goldfish.

A gorgeous afternoon for a backyard birthday.

Molly, Sophie, & Clara on the swings.

Clara wanted pink and blue chocolate cupcakes.

Birthday girl surrounded by her friends.

Kaia, Clara, and Rosalind.

It wouldn't be Clara's birthday without an Easter egg hunt. This video is a bit chaotic, but it gives you a sense of the egg hunting going on.

April 15th: Happy Birthday, Clara!

Look at that pile of presents. Rosie, the train on top, and the "dressing gown" Clara is wearing were gifts she received from Kierstin the previous day.

Happy Birthday, Sleeping Beauty! What could be more fun.

All ready for field day.

Clara and Sophie playing in the field.

Later on that evening in Richmond, cake time!

A very satisfied customer.

April 16th: Party #3 at the Schaeffer's

Happy First Birthday, Baby Anna!

Clara and Anna opening their presents.

And by Anna opening presents, I mean Luke. ;)

Look at those beautiful cupcakes.

Four candles for our big four year old. Happy Birthday, Clara!