A Brush With the E.B.

Today Lizzy and Peter dressed up in their Sunday finest to pay a visit to the E.B. This could certainly be a case study on some sort of psychological analysis, because they couldn't be more opposed in their viewpoints on the big fella. Almost as soon as we got out of the car, Peter started waving his hands and saying "No! No!" Okay, maybe he was just being contrary (not unusual for a guy quickly approaching two), but I think although he is a man of few words, he's on to us more than he let's on. Lizzy called out, "Come on, Peter!" which is usually a sure fire way to get Peter to quickly chase after her. You could see his internal struggle: I want to be with Lizzy, but why does that scary bunny have to be there! Peter circled the bunny, staring at him apprehensively....not accepting any of his bribes or high-fives. Lizzy on the other hand, was quick to take the bunny's compliments and gifts and sat right next to him, smiling at the camera, chatting away. After much cajoling, a little voice in my head said, "Why are you trying to make your baby sit next to a weird bunny in a vest and glasses? It's kind of creepy, right?" We ended up ALL being in the picture, and it wasn't half bad. Peter even warmed up to the bunny, if only from a distance, waving good-bye to him. Maybe next year we'll get a smiling picture......

Easter Basket Fun

Lizzy spent most of yesterday afternoon making her Easter Basket for the Easter Bunny. She began with a big piece of paper that she colored in her signature "Lizzy-style" using lots of splotches of color. Then I showed her an old teacher-trick of how to turn a flat piece of paper into a box, and she glued sequins around the outside. Then we finished with the handle and put grass and gorgeous sparkly eggs inside. Lizzy is such a careful worker! She took a LONG time to carefully do each step, and was really proud of her basket when she finished. It was really fun for me to get to spend this time with her, listening to her chit-chat, and watching her work so hard. I had one of those moments when my heart just fills up looking at that sweet face and enjoying her company so thoroughly.

Ella!

Today we had a visit from some very special friends! Megan and Brandon and Nicole and Ella came over so we could all admire brand-new baby Ella. It was a pretty easy thing to do. Ella could not be any more adorable! She is just perfect, with a beautiful little face like an angel. She is so good-natured and easy going, I don't think we heard a peep from her all afternoon. All the mommies loved holding her, but turns out there was an unexpected baby lover amongst us.....Lizzy! Lizzy held Ella on her lap for most of the time, and the two cuties watched Snow White together. Ella even fell asleep in that contented arms-thrown-up way that tiny babies do. Lizzy was so gentle and such a snuggler! Even Peter, who has a legendary jealous streak, was smitten. He sat next to the girls for a long time, pointing and saying "baby" and "b! b!" (binky). Either our theory that he loves whatever Lizzy loves is true, he knew a kindred binky-spirit when he saw one, or he recognized a true beauty. Either which way, I think it's safe to say we all loved baby Ella!

Line 'Em Up

Peter has a new love....cars! He plays with them very similarly to how he played with his first true love....blocks. He loves to put them in and out of bowls, push them around in Lizzy's old strollers, roll them down seat cushions, and line them up over and over. Here he is at Grandma's house with a whole new batch of cars to play with. Of course when we told Grandma how much Peter loves cars, she immediately dug up some old cars she had at her house and Peter got right to "work." I remember when Lizzy used to like to play with toys the same way. Still to this day she will line up all the crayons she uses to color a picture into one very long, very straight line across the table. Either we've got two very OCD kids, or there's something to be said for developmental milestones. I'll pick the latter;)

Two Girls and a Chick

Yesterday was a gorgeous day, so we decided to go for our first spring bike ride. I love riding my bike, but haven't been able to do it very much because last summer Peter was too little, and it was too hard for me to manage both kids. After seeing me in my helmet, Peter was a little wary, and it took a little coaxing to get him in the seat. But once he was in, he really enjoyed the ride, and was relaxed looking all around. He also wasn't too crazy about his helmet (perhaps because it's Lizzy's old helmet, and has little chickies all over it), but like the good sport he always is, he put up with it. Lizzy even joined in the ride, with daddy jogging along next to her for safety:) It was Lizzy's first "street" ride, and she was a champ. She's really getting the hang of riding, but is pretty unaware of all the street dangers around her, including curbs, parked cars, and traffic. Guess we'll keep practicing. Hope we have many more fun rides this spring and summer.

Reading Girl

I was reading Lizzy's magazine with her, and it came with this little put-together book at the end. We had fun cutting it out and stapling it together, then I read it to her a few times. Very quickly, Lizzy insisted upon "reading" it herself, and she felt so proud of herself and read it over and over. What a memory! It was the tiniest of glimpses into what she'll be like as a reader, but it was amazing to see her curled up on the couch with her own book, "reading" through it, and really enjoying herself. I'm excited for the future when she'll really read books to me:)