Hunting Eggs at the Farm

On Easter Sunday, after church, we headed out to the farm for fried chicken with all the fixin's, and a country-style egg hunt. (Yes, we know our kids are spoiled...but we justify it by helping them eat all their candy)

One of the many cool things about hunting eggs at the farm is all of the unique places that the Easter bunny finds to hide eggs.





Eli employed his previously learned "eagle eye" hunting technique.





My favorite photos from the Farm Egg Hunt. It looks like N is stealing an egg out of E's basket. In actuality, it is the big, yellow egg he just found in the tree (pictured above) and in his haste to find more eggs, he dropped it. Norah chased him down and put it back into his basket for him.













Taking a rest and sharing her candy with Uncle Grant after the hunting was over.

It was a beautiful day spent with family, and we all had fun. (We even got some kite-flying in!)

Hunting Eggs at Mimi & Papaw's House

AA & Uncle Trae came in for Easter weekend, so we had a big egg hunt in Mimi and Papaw's front yard on Saturday night.













Eli used the "Eagle Eye" tech- nique, spotting all the out-of -reach eggs, and taking advan- tage of various grown -ups for assists.



























Norah, confident in her egg-finding prowess, paused mid-hunt for a quick photo op.













To keep things fair, we gave the kids small baskets, so once they got to full to hunt more eggs they'd have to find a grown-up to dump the basket, making room for more eggs. Norah made use of both her hands, but the small baskets turned out to be a pretty good equalizing factor.





This was my favorite picture. It was the race to grabthe final egg. AA had just given Eli a hushed hint about the egg on the t-ball tee, but Norah overheard and came tearing from across the yard to lean in and snatch it before Eli even knew what hit him. But don't worry, it was a friendly, fair hunt. I was especially proud of Norah because AA and Trae had hidden several "Cars" eggs around the yard, and each time Norah would spy one, she'd call to Eli, or pick it up and take it to him, saying, "Eli, I found your BEST egg!!" Eli, in turn, made sure that Norah rightly received all of her "Princess" eggs, too.


Eli, examining his post-hunt loot. (And ingesting as much sugar as he possibly could before we invoked candy ration rules)













Norah, with her favorite egg-find--tiny chenille chicks, courtesy of Mimi.

My Funny Valentine

Yesterday, Norah and I had so much fun shooting photos to make her own, personalized Valentines. I thought they turned out pretty cute, though I can't take credit for being the creative genius who thought it up...I found the idea here earlier this week and knew right away we had to copy it!

If you're still looking for a fun, inexpensive, and super-easy Valentine idea, I highly recommend it. Just take a photo of the Valentine-giver with their hand (or hands) extended out, and balled into a fist. Add your message in a photo editing program (Photoshop, Picasa, etc.), upload your photo to wherever you get your pictures printed (I used Target through Shutterfly). After you pick up your photos, use a razor knife to cut small x's above and below the fist, insert a lollipop, and voila! (Norah helped me thread all of the lollipops through the x's, so she really enjoyed being a part of the project from start to finish)

'09 Costume Reveal

For the two of you who eagerly await my annual Halloween Costume Reveal, the wait is over!

Eli was a Garden Gnome, Travelocity Roaming Gnome, David the Gnome... or if you asked him, a "Hi Ho, Hi Ho!" We've been watching a LOT of Snow White around here, so I couldn't blame him for thinking he was a dwarf. (Norah also referred to him as a "Garden Wizard" before she got the hang of the word "gnome"...I think the pointy hat threw her.)

I think this is my favorite costume I've made to date. (Ok, never mind. I can't choose. I loved the Baby Mermaid, King Kong, and Madame Peacock, an aweful lot, too). And of course, the late night sewing sessions with Gramps in preparation for Trunk or Treat are always something I look forward to!

Please notice his super-cute leather pouch...and those crazy fuzzy boots...Jason was about ready to strangle me for this one. But I figured it was the last year I could get away with it. I'm quite sure E will have a strong opinion by next year, and it's likely to be very masculine, so Jason needs not fret.


After a lengthy affair of waffling between Ariel (which I shot down because I don't like doing costume "remakes"...mean mom, I know), a flamingo, "Martigan" (her favorite of Uncle Grant's goats), a ballerina, and a princess, Norah finally decided on "Little Bo Peep". I thought it suited her to a tee. She is all about ribbons, lace, and most importantly, PINK.

Papaw bent her her very own shepherd's crook from some metal pipe, and Jason painted it white. (I added the bows, because everyone knows that pink ribbons on a shepherd's hook are as completely practical as a tiny shepherdess bedecked in ten yards--yes, I said TEN yards of lace)







The kids had a BLAST at A&M Church's Trunk or Treat. The weather was beautiful (not a scorcher like last year) Eli kept his entire costume on for the duration of the afternoon/evening with nary a complaint. (I think once he figured out costumes= lots of attention and candy, we were golden)

N LOVED checking out what all her friends' costumes were, and she was very quick to compliment them all. ("I LOVE your cape!")

Here she is with "super" friends, Isaiah and Phoebe.

She also "LOVED" Zoe and Shelby's pink fairy costumes (which Shelby informed N was "actually a BUTTERFLY...See the wings?")













Jason caved some pretty awesome pumpkins to decorate our trunk.

Tinker Bell for Norah






And "Mee Mouse" for Eli




















Eli LOVED the fishing booth. (And doesn't it just LOOK like something a little gnome would be doing?)


But the favorite activity of the day was definitely the bounce house.

After about 10 minutes of trunk or treating, Norah said to Jason. "Dad, I really think I have enough candy." I looked at him incredulously--was this MY child? Doesn't she know there are people giving free CHOCOLATE away out there!? Jason, seeing my disbelief, smiled and said, "All she cares about is bouncing."

Eli loved the Bounce House too. It was his first time in one. For the first few minutes he was just fascinated that he could see me from inside, but still maintain his freedom. Then, he cut loose and bounceed to his heart's content.







My favorite quote of the day was from Norah.

A: Norah, who had the best costume at Trunk or Treat?
N: Me!

Ok, so maybe we need to work on humility a little... but it still made me pretty happy.

She Speaks!

Sorry for the blogging hiatus...I could explain myself, but the reasons for my absence really aren't that interesting ...so I'll cut to the chase (and for those who've told me you miss us, were about to send out search parties, threatened me if I didn't update soon, thank you for caring enough to notice I was gone).

We had a wonderful Christmas, in-town with our families. I definitely think this was the most fun year with our kids so far, and I only anticipate it getting better the older they get. (Norah especially loved her and Eli's sock monkey pajamas. In fact, any time she wore hers, she requested that Eli could wear his, too. And if we happened to dress him in his and she was already wearing something else, she would change hers to match him!)


On Christmas Eve 2008, our little boy turned one. He broke his birthday fast with 3-tier blueberry pancakes (sans syrup..after all, there was cake coming later). Total time elapsed from plate to consumption: 2 minutes 28 seconds.

That night, he had his very own birthday cake. No, I didn't make it. If you have a Christmas Eve baby and bake their cake every year, feel free to cast the first stone. Norah and Eli will have a joint party for both of their birthdays in a couple of weeks, and I do plan to make both of those cakes, so I figured I could cheat a little on this one. As you can see from the photos, Eli doesn't seem to show any signs of deprivation.

After the sugar rush kicked in he was all smiles. So funny. A little wrong? Maybe. But funny.
















Jason decided to commemorate Eli's first birthday by giving him a Braveheart warpaint-esque #1 in icing on his forehead. Thankfully, it eventually washed off. (Those who have had much experience with blue dye will know what I mean by "eventually")

For the record, we did not let him eat the whole thing. He mostly went for the icing (you know, the nutritious part). And the front 1/8 of the cake was eaten by Norah...she called dibs on his cake about 5 seconds after he laid into it. Poor second child has to share everything.

I leave you with a final photo of the four of us on Christmas Eve (post-bath and minus the blue icing). Here's to hoping I'll break the trend and be back with an update in less than a month!

Fantastic 4th

We had such a fun family night for the 4th of July! After dinner, Jason and I decided to take the kids out to Research Park for a round of disc golf (something we haven't done in a long time). It was a gorgeous evening. There was just enough breeze to keep us cool, but not enough to hurt our game. And since Research Park is next door to the George Bush Library (our local July 4th Celebration headquarters), we also got to enjoy a free concert of several cover bands while we played.

The kids did great. Norah played disc golf with us for most of the round. Eli enjoyed the ride. He was so quiet for our whole round (at least an hour and a half) that several times I was sure he must have fallen asleep, but he was wide awake, taking it all in with a big grin on his face.

After getting our disc golf fix, we headed over the field that faces George Bush Library and staked out our spot for the fireworks show. We spread out a blanket and got comfy for the hour wait before the show. Thankfully, the library was still providing a free concert, and we packed a few things to help pass the time.

Norah enjoyed her mini kite thoroughly. She was so proud of herself, she kept shouting to anyone within earshot, "Look! I'm flying my kite!"




Eli rolled around, crawled, and smiled a lot. (Note: he's up to a whopping four teeth now, and he takes full advantage of each of them!)

We tried to get a family photo, but there wasn't anyone close by to ask, so we settled for a couple of partials.





We had debated all day about whether or not to take Eli to see the fireworks. He usually melts down at about 7:45pm, and the only thing that calms him is to put him in his bed. (That boy knows his bedtime and he lives by it!) Since the fireworks weren't scheduled to begin until 9:45pm, and they would be loud, I was really afraid he would just cry through them. Boy, was I ever wrong. He was completely enthralled. (And this was one of my favorite pictures!)

Norah's commentary during the fireworks was very entertaining, to say the least. As each colorful burst revealed itself, she'd shout, "Oooo! That was a pretty one!", "Ohh! Tha's a big one!", or my personal favorite description, "Ooooh! That was a messy one!"

We're Home!

First off, thanks to Jason for picking up the blog torch (with his own personal flare) while I was in the hospital. He did a great job, and in agreement with several of your comments, I agree, he'd be a great full-time blogger...but it will probably take a LOT more convincing.

We made it home from the hospital in time to enjoy a quiet Christmas evening with our newly expanded family of four. Jason, Eli and I arrived home around 3pm and we were joined by Norah (who had been staying with Grammy) a little after 5pm (she was mid-nap when we called, so Grammy waited until N woke up to bring her back).

Things are going great so far. I think we were all pretty interested to see how Norah would react to having her new baby brother in the house, and I'm pleased to report, she's been wonderful (she was a little unsure about him at first-glance yesterday at the hospital, but she's really warmed up to him now!)

She began by checking him out pretty thoroughly. Actual exclamations from her mouth during this period of decided approval:
"Awww, he'ssocute!"
"It'sso widdel!"
"Baby E.Y!" (her version of his name, which by the way, she will now tell you if you ask her)
"Baby E.Y.'s hat, on!" (This was a command which resulted in his donning the red hat she recognized from the last time she'd visited him in the hospital.)
She also LOVES kissing him. I bet she gave him 10-15 in a 5 minute (or less) time span. The kisses were usually staggered between exclamations of "He'sso sweet" or "Ohhhh, it'sso cute!".

Eli, by the way, is a great baby so far. He hardly ever cries, is a great eater, loves to sleep, and he LOVES to cuddle--all of which are traits I literally prayed for and was blessed with (at least so far) with both our children.




One of the sweetest gestures of sisterly love so far was when Norah (completely unprompted) ran and got one of her most treasured, new Christmas gifts--Rocket from Little Einsteins--and stretched it out to Eli, saying, "Share, toy", offering it to him . She seemed a little surprised that he didn't take her up on it, but shrugged it off and went back to kissing him.




As I "swuggled" with her in bed after her story and prayers tonight, she rolled over several times to hug me and say, "I missed you, Mommy"--I didn't even know she knew that phrase, let alone the appropriate context in which to use it. I cried and hugged her, explaining that Mommy and Daddy had missed her too--it was our first overnight separation since her birth. I also told her how proud we were of her for being such a good big sister. Of course, I know she's only 23 months, and we're bound to experience a little sibling rivalry sometime soon, but for now, I'm happy that we have such a special memory of Christmas 2007.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Those who know me, know that Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the music. I love the decor. I don't even mind being bombarded by it as soon as the stores clear away the school supplies in September. I'd just as soon celebrate it all year long. (This was Norah's "First Christmas" photo taken last year by Jenny...I LOVE it, it is one of my all-time favorites!)




But this year...I've had a little more trouble getting into the mood. While I normally have to twist Jason's arm and beg him to tote our enormous tree down from the attic, this year, he volunteered before I asked. (And I am not entirely sure I would have asked him to do it at all, had he not done so) Then, the tree stood bare in our living room for an entire week before we decorated it (again, Jason finally moved the ritual along, by suggesting that we do it together as a family).



Now that every thing's up, I have to admit, I'm loving it! Norah, of course, makes it the most fun. We've been working on the word "ornament" since Thanksgiving, and she has it down, pat. She had a blast helping us decorate the tree (which resulted in a single, VERY ornament-laden branch in the lower, center portion of our tree), and she's inherited her mommy's love of Christmas music. (Especially "Pah-rum-puh-puh-pum", which she almost always sings along to).

We've been reading "The Nativity Story" together nearly every night for a few weeks now, so it was really fun putting our nativity ornaments on the tree, and naming each one together as they went up ("Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus...")--and no, the penguin's not one of them, that is her ornament from Uncle Grant and Aunt Paige this year.

As Norah grows older and understands more, I am beginning to realize how special it will be to share the true meaning of the "Christmas Season" with her (and baby brother, too!). I'm so thankful that Jason has helped get me "jump started" into our family traditions, because I can tell it will be a real blessing to see Christmas through the eyes of my child. I think i would have gotten there on my own eventually...maybe...but right now, I have to admit 'priority one' weighing on my mind is nesting and preparing for Baby Brother's arrival. I'm glad that Jason's looking out for Norah, too, so I don't jip her out of Christmas this year.

X is for...

X-mas...My absolute favorite holiday! (And yes, I could have used it for C, but I knew X was gonna be a challenge, so I saved it!) It's not just about the gifts. It's just a feeling that comes with the season--like it's impossible for people to go on with their busy lives and be their "normal" selves when the season is centered around remembering the birth of Christ. Everyone seems so much "nicer" at Christmas time--people are polite in the busy stores. They smile and say, "hi" more freely. If only we could be more like that all year long. Not to mention the fun that comes with choosing (and witnessing the opening of) the perfect gifts for everyone on my list. Oh, and wrapping! I love to wrap presents at Christmas and arrange the packages "just so" under the tree. I love the smell of cinnamon and cloves that permeates all of the stores (and even our home), reminding me that "Santa packs are comin'...Santa packs are comin'" I love trimming the tree (usually the day after Thanksgiving), and listening to Christmas music (as early as the day after Halloween). Most of all, I love catching up and spending time with all of our family, and hanging around together in our pjs, stuffing stockings, playing games, and eating special foods that only seem to make their appearance around Christmas (like Uncle Wayne's peanut brittle!). Last year, I loved reading a special "Nativity Story" board book to Norah, over and over again, and I'm looking even more forward to it this year, now that she's older and understands more (and the way she says, "Baby Jesus" just melts my heart!)...I'm excited just thinking about it! And of course, we can't forget Baby Brother...who's due to make his appearance just 2 days after Christmas this year, so we'll have one more reason to love the season!

X-Men...Jason and I are fans of all three movies (and are still holding out hope for a fourth). Jason and his brother, Grant grew up watching the X-men cartoons, so they know all the characters, story lines, etc. It's been fun watching Jason turn into a "little boy" when he explains the movies' back-stories to me. Just another fun thing to enjoy and bond over together.

Happy Belated Easter

Ok, AA, you demanded Easter pictures...so here you go. This was the coldest Easter I can ever remember! I was so glad I had bought Norah a little white sweater to go with her Easter dress. Jason and I both opted out of wearing our Easter duds, in exchange for something a lot warmer.

We tried to get a sweet picture of Norah in her blue Easter dress...this is the best we came up with. We made the mistake of waiting until after her nap, after church, so she was full of energy and in a super silly mood. I know it looks like she's screaming, but in actuality, she's fake laughing. She has this hilarious shrieking laugh that she only does when she's feeling especially cantankerous. Mom R once described to me how funny it is to watch a baby rooster teaching itself how to crow...I have to imagine that it must, in some small way, resemble a baby girl teaching herself how to belly laugh. Somewhat painful looking, but proud, and amused, all at the same time. (Not to mention very entertaining to onlookers)

Norah was certainly spoiled this Easter. Friday, Grammy gave her a sweet necklace with her initials engraved on it. (interesting enough, though her initials in monogram format spell NRA...this was unintentional and the Robinsons currently have no affiliation with the National Rifle Association) Then Saturday, a mysterious FedEx box appeared on our doorstep, containing 4 stuffed (non-edible, and thankfully, non-sticky) Peeps! Norah knew just what they were because she almost immediately started saying, "Peep! Peep!" when we opened the box. (I was glad AA, aka Peep Provider, was on the phone with us at the time to witness this sweet sound). The box the peeps came in had some fun facts. Did you know it originally took 27 hours to make ONE peep!? Crazy. Sounds to me like the guys making the first batch must've really liked peeps. I'll bet they finally got tired of eating the product after 27 hours, so they said, "Ok! They're finally ready. Whew! Those take forever to make!" when their boss showed up to see what was taking so long.

Sunday, we headed out to Uncle Grant and Aunt Paige's house (you wouldn't believe how much the guineas have grown!) for Easter lunch. Grandma (aka Mom R) had a sweet Easter basket chocked full of goodies for Norah...and one for Jason and me too! (Its nice to not have to grow out of all the fun stuff)

In other news, I'm still hard at work hand-quilting on Norah's quilt and it is really coming along. (Hence the less-frequent blog updates...sorry) I can't wait to post that I've finished it...but don't hold your breath! In the mean time, I'll at least try to keep the Norah updates coming.

Some (Early) Easter Fun

Saturday morning we took Norah to our church's annual Easter Egg Hunt. They had a mini petting zoo with a basket-full of baby chicks and ducks (and you know how Norah loves her dut-tees), as well as a couple of floppy-eared bunnies.











Norah decided within a few moments of arriving that she didn't like the $1 Easter basket that Mommy had provided her with. Instead, she spent much of the duration of the day trying to commandeer another little boy's duck-shaped Easter basket. (Thankfully his mom was a very good sport!)

















When the petting line thinned out, Norah got to pet a little black chick (just like one of Uncle Grant's)















And a bunny....























But we're pretty sure the baby duck was her favorite.














She even gave it a completely un-prompted little kiss!

And then there was the Easter Egg Hunt. Norah was the youngest one in her division (0-3 years old...there weren't any 0-year olds...go figure!) As you can see from the first picture, where she's walking right past a perfectly good egg, we got off to a slow start. However, the second picture is proof that she did get the hang of it. (And I was surprised that she actually knew to put the eggs in the basket that Daddy was holding for her)



We had to laugh though. After hunting about 3 eggs, she decided it was time to sit down, in the middle of the egg-filled grass, to open and inspect her eggs. (Jason's mom said that she inherited this style of hunting 1-egg, then opening, from her daddy) What was even funnier to me, was the fact that when she opened her eggs, she'd throw the "prize" on the ground. All she was interested in was the egg. It was way more entertaining to her than the candy or stickers!

It was an all-around fun morning, but this picture was one of my favorite moments of the day. To the left is just a small portion of the kids and the HUGE group picture that they were trying to take. And then there's Norah, running for her life. This was attempt 2 of 4 to escape the humiliation of the group Easter photo. Thankfully, Janice Garner was close by to corral her, and finally bribed her to stay put, by giving her a push toy to stand with (brilliant!). Oh well..at least she didn't put a bucket on her head.