Spring Pictures

 My sweetie pie...ooh--wee, this little girl makes my heart M.E.L.T. :o)  She is so sweet and is becoming more independent each day.  I wanted to snap a few pictures of my sweet girl in her fun-loving state.  All these pictures are untouched, so some are a little too bright...just like Hallie's personality!

Easter Party!

I was excited to have the opportunity to fix lunch for Hallie's little class for their Easter party.  I immediately got on the phone with my mom for creative inspiration! :o)  Together, we came up with a cute little lunch menu.  Of course, I didn't even think to snap a picture. Oh well.  I cut out little ham sandwiches in the shape of flowers, eggs, and butterflies.  Hallie was very excited to eat a sandwich shaped like a butterfly! :o)  They had pickles, cheese cubes, carrots, and their choice of chips.  They loved it.  I was worried that the ham sandwiches wouldn't go over very well, but surprisingly, they did!  There were only a couple of little ones who said they didn't like sandwiches.  Oh well!

Butterflies

Hallie got a butterfly house from Gramps and RahRah for her birthday.  When we returned from Spring Break, the caterpillars had arrived at Gramps and RahRah's house!  We brought them home and watched them grow...and each little caterpillar quickly formed their chrysalis.  Hallie already knew the life cycle of a butterfly thanks to her being in my classroom the day I taught it last year and observing the butterflies in my classroom...she made her very own life cycle. 

(Picture from April 2010...my how she has grown!)

 So this time around, Hallie knew what to expect from her caterpillars.  And they quickly did their job.  Here are Hallie and Daddy transporting the chrysalids into their new home.

And rather quickly, those butterflies were ready for their new home!  We have an observer (see him camouflaged in the chair?)...he is very curious about the butterflies.  And actually tried to rip into their home.  Yikes!  Thankfully it's a little too high for him!  We'll let our butterflies go sometime today...there's still one chrysalis left!

Neighborly Neighbors

We have the most wonderful neighbors--Mr. Jim and Mrs. Rosemary.  They are just two of the sweetest people you will ever meet.  Mr. Jim is so much like my own daddy, it's hilarious!  If those two were able to run our country, we wouldn't have near the problems we have now!  Ha!

Today was an especially warm day (for March, that is)...and Hallie was outside riding her trike.  Mr. Jim said that he was about to turn on the sprinklers and that Hallie could play if she wanted.  That's ALL he had to say!  She had a blast, and I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of her fun.  During her fun, Daddy came home...and I got the best picture of him admiring our little girl.  He's not smitten by her at all! ;o)

And yes...she is fully clothed.  She is all about being spontaneous. :o)

Saturday Morning Fun

The Ladybug Game...this is Hallie's new favorite game.  And let me tell you, Jonathan and I love it, too!  It is the sweetest little game; and it was created by a first grader! :o)  This game is wonderful for your preschooler!  It will definitely be a go-to birthday present for us.  Hallie has learned so much--counting, reading the words "move ahead" and "go back"...she has learned to play fairly and to be a good sport if she doesn't win (though she usually wins!).  In the game, four ladybugs are trying to get back to their home.  You have to get past a praying mantis (either by sliding across the branch) or with a Mantis Pass that says "BUG OFF MANTIS" card (and don't be afraid to scream it)!  lol. Along the way, you collect aphids...and you'd better hope you have ten of them by the time you get to the angry ants or you'll be stuck in a continuous loop before ever getting home.  It is truly an adorable game that Jonathan and I don't mind playing with Hallie over and over again. 

(You'll have to excuse the appearance of my two models...it was Saturday morning and we had all just gotten up! HA!)

Hallie with Nonna and Pop

Hallie really enjoyed getting to spend two weeks with Nonna and Pop!  They picked her up from school every day at lunch time and spoiled her the rest of the afternoon.  What girl couldn't get used to that?  We were pretty spoiled, too, with laundry getting done and the house staying clean! :o)  While in Alabama, Hallie makes herself right at home at Nonna and Pop's house--and I know they wouldn't have it any other way.  

We love y'all and miss y'all already and are eagerly awaiting our next visit with y'all!!

The Museum of Natural History

 Thanks to The Busytown Mysteries, Hallie was super excited about getting to see mummies at the Museum of Natural History!  The only disappointment...they didn't mumble!  LOL! :o)  The girls had a fun time going through the museum...it hasn't changed a bit since the last time I went--at least 15 years ago!