Easter Morning

While Grandma M has had eggs for J to look for when we get there, he hasn't gotten the concept that they are a HUGE part of Easter morning.  Or at least the whole idea of looking for them...

This year, the bunny, must have decided J was old enough to start to grasp the idea & the fun of it.  As we had a dozen eggs for this boy to find.  Most of them were sticker or putty filled, but there were a couple of Mr. M's favorite Cadburry eggs.

J did take some breaks to enjoy some of the big hits from his basket though too... Bubbles. 

And the alligator balloon...

He was soo confused by Mr. M trying to get him to keep looking after he'd found most of the eggs.  He couldn't believe there were more.  Next year he'll probably wonder why more were not left...

"I'm going to cut you"

J wanted only one thing this year... He wanted scissors. 

While we were in Marco, my Dad & I taught him Rock, Paper, Scissors.  It was a way to kill the obnoxious amount of time we spent waiting on dinner (& that was WITH call ahead... Busy season is nuts down there)

And that would be how J got the idea he could *cut* me with scissors, and it'd be okay.  I loved how he wanted such a simple thing.  And made a HUGE deal out of it.  It was that desire that actually landed a him out of my arms & on the Bunny's lap.  He was more desperate to ask for the scissors than he was to stay solidly locked in my arms.  :)

The Bunny did something new this year.  He left a basket with J's name on it.  This is a special reusable basket. 

A basket that next year, J will be encouraged to fill with toys & candy to donate to the less fortunate.  J has been so lovingly blessed by family, I've introduced The Giving Tree by Shell Silversteen and had him help me clean the basement this year to prepare to trim his toys & clothes for donation.  I want him to learn the joys of giving back to society.

Obviously, the Bunny has a special spot for J...

And I'm sure her heart sored when she saw how happy this boy was ignoring all his true toys to spend hours in bed with Mommy & Daddy learning the proper handling & technique for scissors. 

And it would be her own fault that he inhaled too much candy.

Easter Egg Painting

Mr. M was so excited for J to be old enough to participate in egg coloring this year.  He surprised us with buying the package as soon as they were available at the store & holding it till it was time.

Daddy hardened the eggs & got everything ready... Even picked J up from school after nap on a Tuesday (his scheduled day off, that he generally ends up working) & surprised me by having me come straight home to join the fun.

And fun it was...

J was so excited this year, so next should even be better as he is bigger & will grasp the concept a bit more...

It was messy, but oh so much fun...

Marco Wrap-up

Lizard Boy on the loose!

Actually, I fell in love with this shirt, and when considering what style to choose in J's new suitcase, backpack, lunch bag & canteen I drew from this.   J may not get to wear his Lizards next fall to school, but he will be able to sport them on his backpack.  (Granted, he does not yet know this, as Grandma & Grandpa P are waiting until school starts to send him off in style)

One thing I LOVE to do while in Marco is watch the sunrise & the sunset.  From the 12th floor (top) of the condo, I can see so far over the water.  Here are a couple I just loved...

A boy who loves his bubbles...

One of J's favorite things, since he was a tot, is BUBBLES.  He loves blowing them himself, watching you blow them, or simply relying on the batteries to create masses of bubbles.  So needless to say, everyone has bubbles for J.  It is such an easy activity to have handy when time needs to be killed.

And we certainly had time that needed to be killed while in Marco. 

J would let off a mass of bubbles, then stand there in awe watching how far they would fly.

And fly off over the Gulf they did...

I love this picture, in how you really see the bubbles....

T-ball

During soccer, Mommy was a bit stressed.  J would get discouraged if he was not the one with the ball.  He started out so strong, but as the weeks progressed the less enthused J was about going to play each week.

It was so bad, I almost didn't sign him up for t-ball.  In fact, Mr. M did it at the last moment.  And I'm so happy that he did.

J had a blast.  He was so attentive each week, even the week his Grandma M & Aunt Liz came to watch.  Okay, so maybe he kept visiting with them, but he was so happy they came to see him play.

I think t-ball was such a hit for him, because parents, i.e. Me, played WITH him.  He loved that interaction and quality time stolen in moments of structured learning.  Me too.

When it was for the season to be over, we were really sad, but definitely looking forward to next spring already.

And yes, J is already counting down till basketball next fall/early winter...

Crazy life is...

Yes, and as life would have it... I just get zoned back into blogging & my hard drive crashes at the same time I am buried in two projects at work.  Sigh...

You have been my little work buddy... Sitting there beside me with your McQueen laptop busily working & telling me:

"Just a minute I said...  Just a minute." followed by a huge, exaggerated sigh.

Okay, so maybe Mommy has been alerted to how she sounds when she is caught up in work.  I'm working on it.  Promise!

I'm preparing to take my first adult vacation with a friend.  I've never done this.  In college, I always came home to see Grandma & Grandpa OR they came to pick me up for a family vacation.  However, as I will turn 35 on Sunday, I've packed my bags & after work tomorrow I head out to Marco with my best friend (and Maid of Honor) from college, Anna.  We could not be more excited, and are already thinking plans that will include you & her two little ones next year.

Your plans are to stay with Grandma & Grandpa M on Thursday & Friday, then Friday afternoon you will spend it with Daddy, and on Saturday you will do your first overnight with Uncle Jon & Kim.  So many plans have been made & I could not be more excited for you.

Grandma & Grandpa P are busily working to recover from the tornado that hit the lake.  We are so very thankful for the Lord's blessing of so little damage & loss.  We pray for those who lost so much more on both sides of The P home.  

I'm going to get back to the pictures I wanted to get up from Marco, and then I have to follow up with the other weekend excitement.

i.e. Your creating a project for Grandpa P (i.e. hole in the wall) and getting bit by a Tick (read: mommy not sleeping for days since)