yes, we colored Easter eggs.

Literally.

That is what happens when you're an ill-prepared mom. You hand your kid some hardboiled eggs and crayons, help out a bit, and then shove them back in the fridge. I'm just proud that I did all that 24 hours ahead of time.

Easter Sunday:

On Easter day, we had brunch after church and then went home to take the obligatory family photo and brave the humidity for a couple brief egg hunts. Despite the fact that we didn't make it to any hunts this year that actually contained competition, we felt it was still necessary to train her in the art, as next year she might very well need to hold her own. This is about candy, people. According to my sweet tooth, this is serious business.

(Of course, according to the gospel, Easter has nothing to do with candy. "Yes, however," says my sweet tooth, "while walking in faith-- and unless that leads us otherwise-- we must still remain pragmatists!") And hence commenced Josephine's candy-hunting training.

I took the pictures immediately above and below while she waited for Sean to hide the eggs for the first hunt. As a side note, the whole get-up (dress, hat, and bloomers to match) were a gift from Sean's paternal grandma, who found the custom-made dress in Groesbeck, TX. Since the wearing of this dress, Josephine seems perpetually attracted to gingham seersucker. I'm not sure what to make of that. I think it's mostly precious.
In the picture below, please note the oblong object wedged between the two main branches of this tree, approximately 3 feet above Josephine's eye level. Yes. An egg. One of Sean's many impossible hiding places, considering SHE IS BARELY TWO. Some of us take this art very, very, very seriously, apparently. I might have the sweet tooth, but he clearly has the competitive streak...

oh Zanna, we love you!

Happy Belated, Josephine!

A little over a month ago (April 2nd), Josephine turned TWO. Simultaneously believable and unbelievable. We had a great day celebrating; our families came into town and she had a couple playmates help her break in the new toys. Sean cooked up some delicious crepes and fillings, while I totally bailed on the cake-baking, opting instead for an Italian cream bundt cake from MadCakes. 'Twas all the yummier because it required no effort!

Josephine had a blast opening up her presents. It was the opposite of last year, where she just went from one package to the next, more interested in tearing off paper than in what the paper was wrapped around. This year she wanted to explore each gift to its fullest before moving on. She truly loved them all!

My parents brought down a playhouse (I'm so proud that they found it on craigslist!), for which I'd prepped a platform and some chalkboards. At the time I was mostly just happy to have cleared out a lot of wood scraps from our garage doing my part, but that's only because I had NO idea what a hit the playhouse would be. Josephine loves it; it has facilitated quite a lot of independent play-- something way more awesome than extra space in the garage!

Around noon, Zanna and Julien came over (Josephine's main playdate buddies). Josephine was delighted to welcome Zanna into her new abode, even giving her keys to the front door...
The wagon from Sean's dad was a big hit, too.
Stacey and Julien (who naturally received way more kisses from Josephine than he wanted):
Then there was the cake and singing... She did manage to blow out the candle!
Like I said, the wagon was a hit.
Josephine getting in on the action... Brad being a tremendously good sport...
A lovely day, on whole. Thanks to everyone for coming over and celebrating our girl! She still requests, "Eeen turn two, see ____??" naming everyone she can think of (other than Sean and me, of course).