Birthday and Easter

We have welcomed an unexpected guest; Mr. Sunshine.  He sat with us in our grassy strip today while Chowder rolled around in the driveway and Violet watered the dandelions.  I planted the tiniest garden ever; two strawberry plants and one primrose.

What a pleasant afternoon to reflect on the fabulous chaos of Violet's birthday, and Easter.  

Ok-- here's a quick summary....  

This was the first year that we had a real "kids" party for Violet, and as luck would have it, she enjoyed herself!  With both sets of grandparents, and around 10 small friends along with their mommies, we had a grand wild time.  

The next day was another little get together, with family.  Grandparents again charmed her through the day, along with uncles and aunts, and a few cousins.  

It never fails to amaze me how wonderfully caring and generous everyone is around Violet's birthday.  It is an incredibly amazing thing to see your child so loved.  Really, it's more than we could ever have hoped for.  

   

In heaven with GrandmaGrandpaSprague

Moving on-- With my parents here through Easter, we took a much needed holiday with them at the island.  Thank goodness for parents, and for islands.  Tyler and I have had a lot on our minds and plates lately, and the clarity that comes with a few nights on the island is incredibly cleansing.  Also, more hands to help with Violet--  everybody wins.  

Easter was fabulous.  We went to the Bunny Bounce at the zoo-- something that Violet has been looking forward to All.Year.Long.  In fact, if it hadn't been for the Bunny Bounce flyer on the back of her zoo magazine, I'm not sure we would have gotten through potty-poop training.  The only way we could get her to sit on the pot long enough for it to happen was to read about the Bunny Bounce.  

Eventually she memorized the thing, and so lately she has been reciting it to us as she does her deed.  TMI?  maybe.   

In short, the Bunny Bounce was a great big deal this year, for many reasons.  She got to pet a bunny (highlight of the year), and find basket-fulls of little plastic eggs.  Also, we got to watch a Sloth-Bear rip apart a meat-filled paper egg and an easter basket. 

Then, back to the island.  More fun with the grandparents, and delightful beach walks.  

Here's something:  My daughter, now 3, can suddenly draw with a stick in the sand.  So she covered the shore with smily faces as Tyler and I watched the seagulls float by.  

Violet's sand drawing.  

Our kingdom.

Dream Home.  Great view; Great price.  :)