Easter pics

My only disclaimer is my camera is truly not right. I bought the new lens and it still doesn't work right so I hardly get the pics I'm trying for. I hate that this fun holiday didn't capture the pics I wanted but I did get flash filled, not looking at Mommy pics galore. Also, it looks like we had our egg hunt in the middle of the night but actually, it was more like 8:00 in the morning. Pjs, puddle stompers, an Easter basket and we're ready to rock. All morning it was rolling thunder around here. From finding the Easter Bunny's note, to digging through her basket and then straight outside we went for the egg hunt. Lots and lots of fun was had by all.

It's nearly Easter!!

And we've got big plans around here! I've been talking to Eloise about the Easter Bunny for weeks now. We've been drawing pictures of him, watching Easter Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes, talking about the chocolate the big bunny is going to bring her, and much more. She's now asking for the "Easter Bunny"on a daily basis - I have myself to thank for that. What can I say?? My enthusiam is contagious.

We've planned an egg hunt, dying eggs, baking cookies, hiding a basket of course, and all of the fun stuff that Easter brings. Of course I'm a little over the top with holidays but I can't help it. Eloise is at a great age where she gets excited about what's going on but she really doesn't quite understand what's going on. Lol. So with all of this build-up, I'm happy to say, it's almost Easter!! To celebrate a pinch early, you must check out this hilarious Jib Jab of The Larson's (and Eloise's friend Brody) and The Clarks. Could there be a better way to gear up for the big bunny's debut???

St. Patty's Day Fail

I'd share with you a super cute picture of Eloise all decked in green from today. But, ummm.....Oh that's right, I completely forgot that today was St. Patrick's Day. And that she was having a special green party at school in celebration of the lucky saint.  Ugh!  Mom of the Year status for this one, seriously. Unreal. There was not one child, teacher or employee in the entire place that did not have green on today. Of course, except for my daughter, Eloise. The Leprechaun's Lackey.  You know they put her on party-clean-up-duty for that mistake.

Honestly, at some point I'm going to get it together. I really will. Because by now, the Rookie Mom Status has completely worn off. Rather, I'm just a complete moron. A moron mom who had her daughter decked in pink and polka dots on St. Patrick's Day.  And the total irony??  She has red hair AND is Irish. Lord save me. Or someone save me. I mean, really.

Happy almost birthday Gramma!

Love, Chloe

(and good news....my new lens arrived! Pics of Eloise wishing Gramma a happy birthday tomorrow!)

Charlotte snow

Charlotte had a white Christmas, the first in 60+ years. That's pretty exciting stuff for this neck of the woods. And it was really pretty. I went running today and there was hardly a car on the road, the branches were covered with snow helping them droop over the streets as I passed by. It made it feel cozy even though it was cold. But was really cool was how calm and quiet it was out there. Really a perfect day to be out for a run. It left me a lot of time to think about this Christmas and what a fun time it was for Eloise. I'm with most when I say Christmas is really for the kids. It was so fun setting up shop around here, getting things just right and then watching her explore her new playground of new fun activities and toys. She had a blast which means we all did too. She's at such a great age that honestly, she cracks us up constantly. Whether she's trying to talk (which she does really well but there are many other times throughout the day where she's not interested in actually speaking words. she has her own Monkey-tongue and dialog and she just ramble away. hilarious.), dance to songs, transfer one large pile of stuffed animals from one room to another individually, and the list goes on.  Christmas was particularly fun because of how she is at this age so all in all, we had a great time! 

And then to actually have it snow on Christmas day, although late at our house, was really very cool. We woke up today to 3-4 inches and Eloise loved watching it fall while she perched herself at our front windows. Occasionally she'd say "rain" but we helped her understand that today is wasn't rain, but snow.  Then she'd run around and say "snow, snow, snow" and go from window to window making sure her Tee Tat was inside rather than out where it's "buuuurrrrrrr" cold. Again, hilarious. 

Here are some pics to show our fun in the snow today.  Eloise LOVED it and did not want to go back inside. What a difference 11 months makes. Here is last January's snow to compare. As you can see, Eloise had a much better time this go round:) (btw - I've quickly figured out how to outfit a southern kid for a snow day.  You make a snowsuit out of fleece footed PJs, of course. Layers underneath the PJs. Layers on top of the PJs. Stuff her feet into oversized shoes. Add in a hat and mittens and away you go!)

First no mittens...let her get a feel for the cold stuff.

And out come the mittens.

My personal fav. Getting an icicle from Daddy.

"Eloise, where does the snow come from?"

Merry Christmas!

Our plan came together perfectly for Christmas morning and today was everything we'd hope it would be for Miss Eloise.  With my mom's and Mike's help, we put Eloise to bed last night and transformed this house into an entirely new playland for the Monkey.  It started with putting away all of her existing toys.  Then Mike put together her VERY cool train table, then a fire truck, then we set up her new table and chairs complete with puzzles and an oversized Dora. Last, we brought down all of the presents and ta-da.....Santa visited 2517 Bay Street and we were ready to go!

Eloise is still a bit too young to understand Santa although she quickly picked on saying "ho ho ho" when we said his name.  (must have been the 3 failed attempts to see the big guy:) But either way, I knew if we completely changed her play area, she'd flip out with excitement. And that's exactly what we all experienced early this morning. My mom and her new dog Lady spent the night and together with Mike and me and Sweet Pea, we all shared in a wonderful 2nd Christmas with Eloise.  Here are a bunch of pics.

After Santa arrived!

Some of Santa's elves.

And....this morning! She ran to the train table (and spent most of the day there) so we know it was/is a BIG hit.

Also, Eloise has a new BFF.


They even kiss and hug:)


Last year I insisted on having a "Monkey and me" pic in front of the tree. So I thought we'd keep the tradition going. Here's how we started out...


Give her Mimi and although not happy, she was a little better. Lol! Merry Christmas, everyone!!