Easter Bunny vs. Bed

Our annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt rolled around--Lorelei wasn't so sure about that wascally wabbit!

On her mark...

Get set...

Go!

Hey! But where's Gryffy?

Tough

Being the second child, Gryffy doesn't have as many activities to show off (preschool parties, recitals, etc.). So I want to set aside a post to honor our little man, the Gryffster (a.k.a. "Tough"--that's what Great Grammy "M" calls him).
Right now, Gryffy's 22 months old.  He has an attachment object--a small plastic zebra that he carries with him everywhere. Over the past month he's gone from saying practically nothing to beginning sentences! He loves to sing in the backseat of the car with his sister to the Signing Time DVDs, and he has a full vocabulary of signs, only Mommy doesn't understand them. Gryffy's teeth are finally sprouting too--two front teeth and one molar on the top, and three front teeth on the bottom.
When I think of Gryffy though, I think of the way he pulls my face in with his hands for kisses, the way he loves to play outside (especially in the mud) and slide down the playset into Lorelei with peals of laughter, how he very carefully eats a strawberry and trots over to the cabinet, pulling out the trash to deposit the strawberry's leafy tip (brilliant, thinks Mommy), how he squeezes his eyes shut and beams his big front teeth to showcase his stunning smile, and how he struts with his chest out, a walk he owns. And of course, the special bond between Gryffy and Lorelei--I can't even begin to describe how much they love each other, and how this makes my heart soar.
Every night, as I tuck him in, I say a prayer and blessing over my boy. And I tell him what a remarkable spirit he is, that he is God's child first, and I'm so blessed to be his mom. I know God has a tremendous journey waiting for our little buccaneer. What a treasure he is, just like his big sister!

Funny quote

Lorelei (as I sprinkle fiber into her drink): You sure you want me to poop again today, Mommy?

Luck o' the Irish!

The trolley--if you look really close, you'll see Gryffy in a side window, and Lorelei & J.P. in the front!

What a lucky St. Patrick's Day! Our friends, the Bell/O'Connell clan, were honored in the KC St. Patty's Day Parade with the Spirit Award, which goes to one family per year. It's a high honor, and it meant they got to ride a trolley... and WE got to ride with them! What luck! Gryffy waved out the window (Mommy guiding his hands) and Lorelei sat in the front window with her friend, J.P. Bell. It was wild!

We met Mark for lunch at Crown Center and visited the amazing Fairy Tale Village, but Lorelei threw a bit of a nasty fit. Okay, a really horrible, kicking screaming fit, because she didn't want to sit down at a restaurant (REAL REASON: she was exhausted).

For dinner, I made Irish Stew and Colcannon Potatoes--neither had much flavor.
And we ended the evening with Disney on Ice at Sprint Center. Lorelei was yelling for Tinkerbell and clapping furiously, Gryffy kept pointing at Mickey and saying "mouse!" They loved it. St. Patty's Day couldn't have been better!

Lorelei's 4th Birthday

Today we celebrated Lorelei's 4th birthday--a girl scout theme at Camp Connelly. The kids went nuts over Lorelei's and Gryffy's new present... for both their birthdays combined, we got them a swingset!  Lorelei, these past four years have been the greatest joy a mother could ever know. You are the best daughter and big sister and a great blessing in our lives, the girl who always lights up the room!  We love you Prissy!

From top left: Hannah, Savannah, Abby, Lorelei, Ashlyn, Noah

From bottom left: Nicholas, Grace, McClain, Gryffin, Drue, Sarah