Be the Memory Keeper

I'm sure I drive my family crazy making them pose for pictures, but I am so happy that I got some of these cute photos during one of our walks to the beach during sunset.  I think I need to print a few of these on giant canvases!

my sweet parents

How do you preserve your happy memories?

The Super Best Egg Hunter in the Land

Flannery won the egg hunt by finding the most eggs during our family egg hunt with Robi's dad's side of the family.  She was so proud of herself!  She found 52 eggs, whew!

Flanna's cute cousins

running through sprinklers before the egg hunt

hunting in the back yard at Flanna's great grandmother Nana's house

cousins with their baskets

What have you accomplished lately that brings you pride?

Create Some Magic

We had a few rainy days during our spring break, and so we brought out the bubbles.  The humidity made the bubbles last longer than normal, and it was really magical to watch them float through the yard.

We also tried out the new "colorful" bubbles, but they were awful!  Way too much dye!  They stained hands, feet, clothes, sidewalks, and even plants and rocks they landed on.  A definite fail!

I love this one!

too sweet!!!

What's your favorite "magical" simple kid toy?

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Two of them, in fact.

My very favorite children in all the world, in fact.

They were so funny spending all of spring break together.  Fighting like sisters, then laughing like best friends, then arguing, then giggling.  And when we got home from the beach and had to go our separate ways, the poor sweet cousins hugged and didn't want to let go of one another.  Super sweet.

We brought their cameras to see the sun set.  

I could just eat her up with those sweet curls. 

being silly is much more fun than posing

What beach do you love to visit?

Hippity Hoppity

We celebrated Western Easter with my sister and niece at their church before our Spring Break (our Orthodox Easter isn't until next weekend), and the girls wore their cute matching dresses.  As we were taking photos before church, we saw an amazing grasshopper--it was so huge!

After church, the girls hunted eggs and got SO many!  And Flanna was thrilled to get to see the "Real!" Easter Bunny.  It was such a hot day for an egg hunt!  You just never know in the south--will it be freezing or burning up on Easter?  I kept ushering the kiddos into the shade because I hadn't thought ahead to bring sunscreen.  I know, I'm such a worrier!  But I didn't want them to get a sunburn right before our beach trip!  (Oh, and Speaking of beach trip...I'll post Spring Break pics soon!)

How have you celebrated Easter this year?

A Small Family Gathering

Suddenly became huge!  Luckily my sweet in-laws volunteered to host Flanna's birthday party at their home, because we never would've been able to fit all these cousins at our place!  We were lucky that so many of our family members were visiting from out of town, and we got to see everyone in one fell swoop at Flannery's party.

It was a really wonderful day.  The kids played and laughed; the adults chatted and caught up with one another; the food was plentiful; and the weather even cooperated.  Flannery decided to wear her Belle dress to the "Princess Party," and I think she felt festive and beautiful (which she was!).

I'm so thankful to my in-laws and to all my family for making the day such fun for her.

Her favorite part of the day, I think, was blowing up the balloons to decorate for the party.  She was so proud of herself for being able to do that all by herself.  My favorite part was when she walked into the kitchen after I'd hung streamers, and gasped in delight!  So sweet!

centerpieces and favors all in one

the princess cake and cupcakes

Flannery and I made the cake, and her Grammie made the cupcakes...yum!

our homemade pinata was not long for the world

the cousins collecting pinata booty

cousins

opening gifts

the five year old beauty

What was your favorite birthday party from when you were a kid?  I used to love sleepovers the best.   Also, my surprise 16th birthday party was great fun.