Easter Weekend

I didn't actually plan too much this weekend since we are leaving for Chicago in a few days -- but I saw a photo of these Easter nest cookies and had to try them:

I went to the Hope in the Face of AIDS benefit on Saturday night -- so Adam colored eggs with Izzie.  It was a beartiful event, and I was so lucky to have been invited by our friends Kris and Link.

As Izzie gets older her unique sense of humor really shines through.  I tried to talk to her about coloring eggs --  I asked her ' Iz, what color are eggs' and she says 'chocolate'.  I guess that is what I get when we make the cookies first :)

Here is some general family horsing around after Izzie went Easter egg hunting with Papa:

It was pretty hot out, so the twins stayed home with me.  Max and Soni are growing like crazy.  Soni is crawling, and is even getting up a few steps.  Max has been rocking his physical therapy and is rolling all over the place.  We suspect he will be crawling soon, since he is playing and pivoting on his tummy already.  

Izzie's 2nd Birthday Party

We finally were able to have Izzie's second birthday party.  It was SO much fun -- I will let the photos speak for themselves!

Ms Izzie in her birthday outfit.

Max and Uncle Link

Most of the neighbors attended the festivities

Our dear friends Urvi, Jim and Viana drove a hour to be here

Our talented artist Emma painted faces.  She was a hit!

The roller coaster Izzie got for Christmas was the hit of the party.

Out comes the pinata.

Uncle Juan made sure there were no casualties.

Terrible or terrific twos?

After several parenting books and much discussion, Adam and I decided how we were going to use time outs to discipline Izzie. We tried it a few times, and thought it worked well --  until today.... While doing errands Izzie started getting restless and said 'mama, I am ready for time out.' 

Back to the drawing board!

The Baldridge Farm

We were so fortunate to be invited to spend the morning at the Baldridge Farm.  We were invited by our dear friends Kim and Kinley, and the day was truly magical.  Elaine and Carl Baldridge are family friends with Kim, and they hold Farm Days at their home for the Foundation of the Blind --  a center for visually impaired children.  Kim usually volunteers, but today she was taking Kinley and invited us along. 

Here is Izzie petting a bunny (there were several animals who had just given birth)

Beulah was a sheep with alot to say :)

Sarah had just given birth to twins -- Carl says she was pretty uncomfortable at the end (I hear ya Sarah)

Again, Kim is a great teacher!

Izzie's loved the chicks.

There was an area where the kids could dig in the dirt, and plant seeds and flowers.

Izzie planted all the seeds at once, very efficient.

Magical...

She also loved feeding the chickens.

Collecting eggs.

Izzie walking in the organic garden.

Here she is washing the strawberries she just picked.

Izzie learning about braille.

Here she is squeezing oranges.

Picnic lunch.

We gathered flowers and veggies from the organic garden to take home.

Pooped!

What have max and Sonya been up to?  

Adam loves this photos because he thinks Sonya looks like she is going to kick some tush.  We now call her Mighty Mouse!

Spring fun

A few exciting things have happened in the past few days.  Soni has quickly gone from scooting a few inches to army crawling across the room.  A soon as I can figure out posting videos we can start adding new media to our family book.  Here she is checking out grass for the first time.

Mr Max has slept through the past three nights in a row (YEA!).

Max and Soni chilaxin' on the couch

Trivia Question: What was Izzie's first word?

'Shoes'

Now that Izzie is two I have to be creative about her educational activities.  She is a girl on the move, and can't stay still for a moment.  She is pretty good with her ABCs and can recite her numbers, but doesn't really know what two means -- just that it comes after one.  So here are some activities I came up with so she can practice numbers and still keep moving.

Hopscotch with sidewalk chalk

and counting fish with tongs during snack time (I could have picked this up from one of the mom blogs I read, but I cannot remember which).