Birthday pictures

We got back the disk of Sam and Zoey's birthday pictures.  We did one session for both.  There were some scheduling issues, like extreme cold and such, so it got pushed back a bit.  Zoey was a handful and required some bribing to get her to cooperate.  But we got some great shots.  Here are some of my favorites.

Easter in Phoenix

We usually spend Thanksgiving or Christmas (alternating years) with Nick's family.  We all decided those are such hard times to fly and the kids miss out if Christmas is away from home.  So we planned to shift to summer travelling, but this year was an Easter party hosted by a family friend, so we decided to all meet up for that.  Based on ticket prices and length of trip, we ended up spending a week out there.  I do not know how anyone travels regularly with young kids.  There were so many issues and so much on the docket that poor Zoey was so off her schedule.  But there was a lot of fun and unfortunately not enough pictures.  So below is a brief outline of our trip.

We ended up flying out at 5:20 pm our time.  The girls were exhausted and of course there were issues with the hotel.  It took forever to get a pack and play sheet and then they brought up a flat sheet off a king bed.  So it was a super late night and of course they woke up at normal time, which was 4 am Phoenix time.  But I did (nicely) complain and we ended up with a pack and play sheet and $50 food credit.  

The girls did pretty well on the plane.  Zoey wore the headphones about long enough for this picture, maybe 15 minutes total.  But snacks and books kept her mostly placates on the trip out.  Of course, they messed up her tummy, but that is another story.

Thursday was a more relaxed day with an early nap at Grammy and Poppi's, lunch, a bit of shopping and early bed time.  Friday was family picture session at 6 pm, so that required a late nap  at the hotel, which was rough.  Zoey is usually such a good sleeper, but overtired and out of her element meant up to an hour of crying.

Saturday was the picnic/party at 2, so back to early nap at hotel, which was also short thanks to construction above us (it was awful).  But Zoey had a blast hunting eggs, she is a pro now. 

Sam enjoyed herself too.

Sam and her cousin Isabelle.

The grandkids of all the family friends.  Those related to us are Jessica (first on back row in purple shirt, white sweater, braided pigtails), Isabelle (pink and white stripped skirt), Luke (teal shirt, plaid shorts), Logan (stripped shirt and khaki shorts, next to last), Zach (salmon shirt, blue shorts, last one you can see) and Devin who is blocked by Nick's brother but I will show her later.  You can see in this picture Zoey is pushing her way out with her hand on Logan.  Subsequent pictures have her in motion and then out of frame.  Sam is clutching the bear she got as an egg hunt prize.

After the party was play time, some dinner and bed.  We got up the next morning at a more reasonable time (I think we made it all the way to 7).  The we (well Zoey and I stayed outside) had mass at 10 followed by brunch. The bigger kids then hit the hotel pool while Zoey had a nap.

Sam and Zoey on Easter.

 Sam and her cousin Devin had a great time playing Monday.

Zoey had fun too.  This was the empty pool but she also stepped into the full pool and soaked herself.

Zoey and Luke. Zoey was so confused about all the people.  She did learn Grammy and Isabelle, but I kept getting asked, "Mama, who dat?" and I think she just called Luke him/he mostly, but she did say Luke a few times.

Samantha loved spending time with Uncle Terence.  She talks about him a lot and prays for him every night.

The flight home was rough, but we made it and got the girls to bed at a reasonable time.  Sam popped up a lot and had a really hard time waking up for school, but should be back on schedule soon.  It was great to see everyone and the girls loved their cousin time, but I will be happy to sleep in my own bed for the foreseeable future.  Travelling is not for wimps.  

Happy Easter!

Zoey ABC's

Zoey has learned her ABC's.  Getting them on video has been a bit challenging.  I missed the first few, but the dancing was so funny I wanted to share this video.

March blows by!

Wow, already March 25th, yikes!  Here is a glimpse of our March so far.

Samantha's friend from ballet had a cheese party.  Here are the girls in the cheese photo booth.

My mom found a new toddler helmet for Zoey at her church sale.

We also went to a festival at my parents church which had free slushies.

They also had where you could get pictures with a bunny.  Sam looks super excited, Zoey was upset.  Nick says it looks like she is saying, "Tell me again how a bunny has anything to do with Jesus?!?"

We were super busy with playdates.  I hosted 4 PALS events; a tour of the SPCA, a moms night out to paint pottery on pi day, a shamrock craft, and a trinity shamrock and resurrection eggs one.  We also went to a lot more.  Here is a picture from the bell pepper shamrock stamping one.  Zoey got her first taste of jello.
 

We also went to a PALS egg hunt.

Zoey was a champion hunter and wanted to keep going, so I had to get her to help a friend to limit her to 12 because she got upset when I tried to trade out eggs.  She was also funny because she wanted more raisins in lieu of candy.  So proud of that moment!

And we went to a bunny mask playdate.

Zoey enjoyed the rocking dinosaur, she even climbed up herself.

Nick and I also went away for a couple of nights as a make up for our failed 10th anniversary trip.  Given that we are 2 months from 11 years, we needed to squeeze it in.  The girls did well with Nana and Papa and it was such a treat to sleep in and not worry about naps.  Thanks so much to my parents!  We went to Sebastian inlet thinking Nick might could surf but it was chilly, windy, and no real waves.

We saw some cool things and I got to go outlet mall shopping!  Here is a close up of a bird on our walk.

And we did hang out at the beach for an hour or so.  Nick in our umbrella tent.

I went hunting for shells.

Sam has been a touch under the weather, but is feeling better.  So we played outside some today.  Both girls got crazy static hair from the slide.

 Check it out!

 Hope everyone had a great Saint Patrick's Day and have a wonderful Easter!

Happy Birthday Munchkin!

I really cannot even believe it is March 1st and my babies are already 5 and 2.  How time flies!

Here are the faces of Zoey as she changed from 12 months to 24 months.  

We wanted simple for her party, so I just made it a glorified playdate at the park on her actual birthday.  She loves Hello Kitty and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so I combined the two into a cat and mouse party.  We grabbed McDonald's as a treat for her and had a quick picnic.  Then playtime in the park followed by some snacks, juice, and cake.  She was a happy camper.

I made 2 cakes, one for each character.  The Mickey Chocolate was the favorite.

I bought the girls matching personalized shirts for the party.  I had ordered them almost 2 weeks before, but still not gotten them the night before.  I emailed and ended up having to meet up with the lady to pick them up.  Made the day of the party extra hectic with all I needed to do.  But the shirts were perfect.

Zoey loves to swing and Papa was happy to push the birthday girl for a very long time.

I made Mickey Mouse hats.  Zoey would not wear one.

Nick and I made a cut out for photos.  Sam loved it.

I tried it out.

Even Papa took a turn.

Zoey stuck her finger in the cake to sample it.

It was super windy but we finally got the candle to light and she blew towards it, but needed help to get it out.

Then it was home for a quick nap and out to dinner at the local Hibachi.  We took Sam in Huntington and she loved it on her 2nd birthday.  She kept saying more fire.  Zoey was slightly less impressed, but she enjoyed it.  And she dug into her helping of rice.

She loved the birthday desert and attention.

                                 

And Nick got what may be my favorite Zoey picture.  I think he told her to make a silly face.

Zoey is an amazing girl.  She is mostly sweet, but does have a temper and wants things her way.  She is very verbal.  She speaks in full sentences a lot.  The day after her birthday we went to my parents for dinner and she opened presents,  When she was through, she turned to my mom and said, "I need another present, please."  She is a fan of the phrases "In a minute" and "Be right back", which is usually followed by "Need to run and errand."  Her vocabulary is pretty large, including words like refill and another.  She says Samantha well now instead of Sista.  She is good about please and thank you.  She can be challenging at times.  Sam had her moments at the around 2 mark, but was pretty easy to reign in until 3 and becoming a big sister and the moving and such.  I think Zoey may give us a run for our money this year.  But she flashes that smile pretty easily and can be very loving.

Zoey also had her checkup on Monday.  Sam recently had hers and is about average on weight and a little lower on height, but the doctor said she probably will have a spurt this Spring/Summer.  Not that we expect her to stay above average given her genes.  Zoey is almost exactly the same as Sam at 2, long and lean.  But she eats well and is just active, so no worries.

Zoey at 2
Favorite show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Favorite traditional song: ABC's
Favorite Grown Up Song: Shine on by Georgia Florida Line
Favorite food: French fries.  She is pretty hit or miss on most things.  She does not like most toddler foods like nuggets or pizza.  She loves fruit of any kind.  She eats salad, kale, broccoli, etc.  It is great, but unique for sure.
Favorite Book: It changes some, but regular favorites are Daddy Cuddles and Go Dog Go (board version)
Other facts: She loves to play with the kitchen set and the grocery cart.  She loves playing with Samantha, but is still working on sharing.  She loves being outside, swinging, sliding, and such.  Her imagination is blossoming.  Just like Sam, things cry and need a bottle.

Here is to an exciting year full of adventures.  Happy Birthday Munchkin!  We love you.