Blooming Blossom Time!

We had a lovely weekend enjoying the spring blooms. We met up with Kelly and Abigail at Green Spring Gardens for a picnic outside before heading inside for Cherry Blossom crafts, including painting lanterns, origami, creating a Japanese headband, and a cherry blossom silk painting.  Evie was also fantastic at the chopstick challenge, giving Daddy a run for his money.  Speaking of running, the girls had a great time making Dad play tag with the additional twist of having his eyes closed, which he found a tad bit challenging. 

After a scavenger hunt that allowed the girls to race around the park, they posed for some spring pictures.  Ellie has this new thing of doing some vogue poses which can sometimes make for difficult pictures as she is always on the move. 

She has also patented her "Walk like an Egyptian" move. 

At last, a simple smile without any hair blowing in her face! 

The next morning the girls woke up so early, we decided to take our chances with the cherry blossom traffic and go early into the city to experience the beauty around the Tidal Basin.  We amazingly found a parking spot and it was just a short walk to enjoy the beautiful blooms. 

Ellie and her demure look...

The girls and Mommy pose in front of the beautiful view!  We think this is the first time we've seen the blossoms at peak! 

There were a lot of distractions, as Ellie points towards either an airplane or a dog... 

Evie and her model pose with Mommy.  

We always like stopping by the George Mason Memorial on the way out.  Ellie models her relaxing pose as she settles in for a conversation with the man himself. 

Daddy and his girls... everyone is getting hungry for donuts by this point. 

Evie takes hold of the camera to take some shots of the family.  What a lovely morning!

And finally, Easter back home...

On Sunday we hopped over to Ba and Opa's for another Easter celebration. The house and garden looked beautiful with the many daffodils and bunny rabbits here and there. 

There are plenty of great hiding spots for the bunny along Ba's garden. Ellie had an eagle eye. 

She was excited every time she found a new treasure! 

Evie goes in low for the grab!

Ellie is amazed by one of her Easter gifts! 

The girls modeled their new spring hats and special dolls - Ellie has already named her "Violet," of course. 

Picture time with the such sweet princesses. 

Hey, how did Peter Rabbit get in this family picture with Ba and Opa?!? Guard your carrots! 

Then again, who could resist this sweet face?!? 

To end the celebration, Ellie and Evie tested out the backseat of Opa's new toy - his first Mercedes convertible.  Wow, Ba and Opa sure know how to treat the family like royalty! Thanks for a lovely Easter, Ba and Opa. 

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

The family traveled up to New Jersey this weekend for the annual McDonald Egg Hunt and had a lovely couple of days. The girls are eggs-perts these days at dying and decorating. 

Ellie carefully keeps her egg balanced as she transfers it to the drying rack. 

 

Meanwhile, Evie practiced spelling everyone's names on the eggs before they went into the cups. 

After all the eggs had dried, Daddy helped Ellie add some glue for a sprinkling of pixie dust, er... glitter. 

The girls happily delivered their Easter flowers to Grandma Bebe before the party got started.  Then, the cousins have arrived!  The girls could not be more excited!

The kids line up for our annual picture on the stairs, all smiles on a sunny day. Everyone is getting so big!  Stan (5), Julianna (6), Bryn (3), Molly (6), Ellie (3), and Evie (6).  But, luckily in this family, no one is ever too old for Easter egg hunts!

And they're off!  Evie pauses to show off her bounty so far but Ellie in the background is on the move!

Everyone is a winner today!  Popi hands out an extra treat for all the kids as a reward for some great hunting! After the kids' hunt it was time for the grown-ups, and this year Mom came in first! Daddy was close behind - better luck next year, Daddy. 

Evie and Ellie hold up mom's special craft this year - decoupage eggs that had all the kid's faces on them (and even Popi, Bebe's and Dolly's faces as well!)...although Ellie seems more interested in her jelly beans in her plastic egg. 

We also celebrated Ms. Molly turning 6 with some delicious cupcakes. 

After a delicious lunch, all the kids joined Bebe for some games outside.  This was Ellie's first time playing "Mother May I" and she looks a little confused. 

The girls were partners in crime during hide n' seek - looks like someone got caught by Daddy's camera here! 

Mommy and her lovely girls. 

Look at those delightful smiles!  I guess everyone was getting a kick of Mommy waving her scarf and jumping up and down (as you can see in the reflection).

Thanks to Bebe, Popi and Dolly for hosting another wonderful Easter!