Pretty in Pink!

We had absolutely beautiful weather this afternoon and we decided that it would be absolutely criminal to stay indoors so we finished up all of our chores and headed outside into the sunshine. And, what better way to salute the sun than with a gorgeous, fabulously pink, frothy, frilly, tutu!

We haven't ventured outside much with Evie this year, it's been so cold and on the days when it's been above freezing, she'd been sick and we've been worried about getting her out in the cold. Needless to say, Evie thoroughly enjoyed her time out in the fresh air!

We didn't go far, in fact, we just headed out the back door onto the lawn. Evie had a lot of fun chasing after her ball and watching a neighbor's chocolate Lab running up and down the grass chasing after his ball.

She enjoyed switching from the squishy grass to the solid ground, stepping up and down onto the paving. She has become a very accomplished and confident walker (and runner) in such a short space of time, it's incredible to see all of these changes happening literally in front of our eyes.

Here's Evie jumping on and off the patio area...

There are lots more pictures from today here and of course, there will be many, many more tutu pictures, after all, who can resist a cutie pie like this dressed up like a beautiful ballerina!?

I don't like Oreos

Evie has been really poorly again this week, with yet another ear infection. She had her 12 mo check up last Friday, complete with shots and started showing signs of fever and general unwellness and crankiness on Saturday. I took her to the doctor Tuesday after she showed no signs of improving and sure enough, she had developed an ear infection that was not there on Friday when she had her check up. She is now back antibiotics.

It's been a struggle to get her to eat anything - presumably because her ears and jaw are sore - I have tried just about everything. I finally decided that if I were sick, I would want chocolate, so I craked open the Oreos. Poor Evie took a couple of pieces and then wailed.

I am quite certain that she will develop a taste for them, but suffice it to say, for now, our kid does not like Oreos!!!

Playing in my PJs!

Sunday mornings are fun in our house. We start the day with a wonderful pancake breakfast, complete with maple syrup and bananas and a big glass of milk to wash it down. Afterwards we all hang out together in our PJs and play until Evie takes her nap.

Evie seems to know that Sundays are special and that PJs are made for rolling around the floor in. When we eventually get her dressed, she behaves and plays completely differently.

Here she is lolling and running around the place in her spiffy PJs that her Aunty Kate, Uncle Jim and Cousin Betsy got her for Christmas. They are so comfy-cozy that Ken and I wished we had a pair each too!

After watching Daddy make pancakes for all of us, it's Evie's turn to mix up some delicious treats!

Mmm mmm, delicious! Thanks Evie! Here's to fun-filled lazy Sunday mornings!

Fun at the Park

We took Evie to Meckauer Park this afternoon. The day had started out quite bright, but we soon discovered that this was an evil trick by the sun to get everyone outside to freeze! No sooner had we arrived at the park than the sun disappeared never to return!


We lasted about 15 minutes or so, giving Evie a quick turn on the swings and slide (accompanied by Daddy of course).

After toddling around for a bit and 'playing' tic-tac-toe, we reluctantly bundled ourselves back up and headed for home. It has been such a long and cold winter, what a mean trick that sun pulled on us. Next time you come, it had better be because Spring is here!

Brrrr, bundled up for an afternoon at the park

Runny and red noses a plenty!

Roll on Summer!

Evie's 1st Birthday Weekend Extravaganza! (Part 3)

On Saturday, your aunt and uncles came to visit to wish you a happy birthday (they also called you on your birthday)! Uncle Rick, Aunty Yaya and Uncle James all came to see you. We ate our lunch together and then we all sat around and played for a while.

Uncle James arriving

Evie always has big hugs for Uncle James

... And Uncle Rick

...And Aunty Yaya!

Mummy and Daddy got you an Evie-sized kitchen for you to play with because we know how much you love playing with the kitchen cupboards and refrigerator! You also love to watch Daddy cook and now you can cook up a treat for Daddy! To go with your kitchen, we got you a singing teapot which came with cups saucers and a plate of yummy cakes, we’re sure that you’ll have lots of fun having tea parties with your bears and of course Elmo over the coming months!

"Let me wash those dishes!"

You had lots of fun showing everyone your new toys (while showing off the gorgeous outfit that Aunty Emily bought you) and then your uncles reciprocated and showed off their new toys…. (Kiddo, I’m sorry to say that your Daddy and your uncles are all dorks!)

And now for some music!

And here are the boys with their toys...

Get used to it Evie... boys and their toys... it never ends! LOL

You were given a musical drum that taps out the alphabet as well as an Elmo and Cookie Monster giggle and sound station; you got a rainforest musical chime and lots and lots of wonderful books to add to your collection! You are such a lucky girl Evie and are much loved by everyone.

"I'm getting the hang of this present opening lark!"

Evie bangs the drum!

Making fun sounds (with Elmo in tow of course)

Thanks to James, Rick and Yaya for sharing in Evie's special weekend!!! We had so much fun with you all. We really missed you Emily!

Evie's 1st Birthday Weekend Extravaganza! (Part 2)

Your birthday celebrations continued when Daddy came home. I’m not sure who was more excited to open your presents, you, or Daddy but you both certainly had lots of fun doing it!

You were given so many lovely things Evie. Your Nanny and Granddad Musgrave sent you a musical stage that plays music and has a big mirror that you can look into and sing at. They also sent you a talking book that has nursery rhymes and other fun stories as well of course as your bike.

Your Uncle Jim, Aunty Katy and Cousin Betsy sent you a musical play table and a push around toy – such a lucky girl! Of course, you had just as much fun climbing on top of the box that the musical table came in as you did playing with the table itself!

What a busy day you had Birthday Girl! So many wonderful memories were made. We hope that you enjoyed your day as much as we enjoyed celebrating with you!!!

Evie's 1st Birthday Weekend Extravaganza! (Part 1)

Today is your 1st birthday Evie, and what a day you had!

Mummy and Daddy spent all of last night decorating the house to get it ready for your big day. Daddy blew up all the balloons and Mummy tied them to all of the windows! We found a huge mural that had all of your favorite Sesame Street friends on it (and in particular your bestest friend, Elmo) and put that up on the wall too.

It was so much fun to see your face when we brought you downstairs this morning, you noticed each and every one of the balloons, banners, streamers not to mention of course the 3 foot Elmo in the room!!! (All of Mummy and Daddy’s hard work paid off!)

Daddy had to go to work this morning, but not before giving you your first 1st birthday present (we saved the rest of your presents until he came home). Here you are trying to figure out your popcorn walker! It’s pretty and pink and makes lots of “Pop, pop” sounds when you push it! You haven’t quite got the hang of it yet, even though you can walk beautifully, but we expect, you’ll have it mastered before the weekend is through!

You found your second present pretty quickly. This beautiful tricycle was sent to you by Nanny and Granddad Musgrave. It was very difficult to wrap up, so instead, we put it in the living room with a big bow on it for you. You were very excited to see it, and Daddy and I can’t wait to take you for a test run on it!

Mummy had to work this morning too, so we had a quiet morning but at lunchtime the real fun began because your friends started to arrive for yours and your friend Maddie’s birthday playdate!

Here are some of your friends enjoying their lunch before the real fun started… cupcakes!!!

Here you are looking beautiful in your birthday bib and tiara! We got a matching set for Maddie too, so that both of the birthday girls would look special.

After lunch, you played with your friends. You have lots of wonderful friends Evie and many of them came to see you today to help you celebrate. You had lots of fun playing with one of your friends’ feeding chairs – which was very funny because you had lots of new toys to play (not to mention your friends) and you were fascinated most by a chair!

After some play time, it was time for your cake. Maddie’s mom, Ana, picked up the most delicious cupcakes for us all. They were quite enormous and so we had to cut them into smaller pieces for you all! We all sang to “Happy Birthday” to you and then Maddie before you tucked into your cupcakes. You weren’t quite sure what to make of them at first (you even tried giving Noa some of yours) but you soon realized that they were absolutely yummy and you ate yours all up!

Later on in the day some of your friends had to leave, but others arrived, so we had cupcakes all over again! Noa, especially enjoyed hers, so much so that she got ‘caked’ in cake and needed a bath afterwards!

Evie, you had a wonderful first birthday made all the more special by spending it with your friends. And the best part of all is that this was just the beginning of your celebrations… there is much more to come!