Quotables #6

[C] "Mommy, I just looked in the mirror... and I look goooood."

[A] "Ok! I'll be back in a triple, double minute!"

[A] "You're right, it does smell good!! Like mozzarella…"

[C] "My knee has a bump on it, Mommy."
"That's your knee, Colette."

[A] "Colette, would you like to dance with me gracefully… in your heart?"

[C] "I've got pickles on my fingers from the bath."

[C] "I'm not LOUD, I'm TOWETTE!"

[C] "Your tummy is big. It's not even as big as Winnie the Pooh. It's even BIGGER!"

[A] "Darth Vader needs some socks."

[C] "Time to walk down the island!"

[C] Me: "Want a bite of my salad, Colette?"
      Colette: "No. I'm God. God doesn't eat things."

Hallelujah is our song!

Oh, my dears. Three sweet little ladies in pink all ready to celebrate the resurrection. As much as I love picking out their dresses, it worked out perfectly with hand-me-downs and already existing dresses. Miss Mlada's little smirk? My favorite. Then she proceeded to vomit all over me throughout Mass. I'm sorry I attempted dairy again, little lady, results are duly noted!

I went a wee bit overboard on Easter baskets this year. What can I say? The cuteness called to me and gifts are my love language. 

After Easter Mass, we made our first trip with the babe up to my wonder in-law's for Easter egg hunting and general Easter fun.

Colette was so excited to hunt for eggs, and Anni was such a sweet big sister, making sure to point eggs out for Colette.

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Triduum

I say this all the time, but I am all about tradition. Lucky for me, Catholicism is all about the tradition as well. This year, we added a Seder-esque meal on Holy Thursday. In the process, my girls became obsessed with matzah bread. I have swept up a whoooole lot of matzah crumbs in the last few days.

On Good Friday we made our traditional hot cross buns (and taught Colette the song while she waited desperately for them to bake and cool). We didn't make it to Good Friday services this year (different seasons, right? Hopefully next year), but we did do the Stations of the Cross at prayer time. Doing the stations are one of Anni's favorite things. It melts my heart every time we tell her we're going to pray them and her face lights up.

Then, of course, was our Holy Saturday tradition of dyeing eggs. One of our favorite people joined us, which is good since it took every extra hand available to keep a certain three-year-old from cracking every last egg. I mean, there are some definite cracks from the moment when she knocked over the container with every last dyed egg in it, but it could have been worse.

We had the prettiest eggs ever this year, thanks to my sister's visit (she brought five dozen eggs from their chickens with her, yum!)

Waiting is hard. Maybe that's the lesson in dyeing eggs on Holy Saturday.

Also, don't worry, Mlada was part of the fun as well. In between her less than lengthy naps, there were snuggles with our dear friend, and big smiles with big sister. (Every time Anni talks in her vicinity, the smiles emerge. Sisterly love!)

Anni's dragon egg, the last one to be finished, also won the coolest egg award. All kinds of fun crackles and layers of colors. I love having kids and getting to see all of their creations!

It's almost Easter! I hope your preparations have been lovely... there's so much beautiful anticipation around here tonight!

Family (Number Two) and St. Paddy's Day

 The second round of visitors arrived just in time for the loveliest of St. Patrick's Days. There was much cuddling of the tiny one by professional big sister, Z. For serious, she is pretty amazing.

In fact, Miss Mlada was well cuddled this week. Aunt Kaikee is a professional baby snuggler, so life was pretty good.

Because I was still in the midst of the crazy cold/laryngitis and Anni still had school, my sister and her family would go on adventures and then come hang out in between. There was quilting, running in snow, and a whole lot of a darling little boy fixing the house up once he discovered Colette's tool box.

And of course, there was a certain little lady's baptism anniversary. Life is good, my friends, life is good.

Family

Last week our house was filled with family. It was a beautiful thing! My big sister, her son, and my mama came for the first half of the week. Lucky for them, I had just started a lengthy and severe bout of laryngitis, so I was a little less talkative than usual. Aunt Tinie is always up for an adventure, so we all headed out for a little hiking fun the first full day they were in town.

Aunt Tinie and Colette took the three year old track together (which, by the way, was definitely further than the sick/postpartum track that I took with my gracious hubby). My mama, Anni, and my nephew adventured the furthest. From the bottom of the hill, we could sometimes hear their laughs drifting down... they had so much fun! Apparently, when she started to get tired, Anni would say, "I'm a Volk! I can do this!"

We all made it; though!

Oh, my, and one of the sweetest moments: getting to see my big sister snuggling her namesake.

There was also cookie making time (I know you don't see Anni, she still had school in the mornings while they were here.)

After a little lesson from Aunt Tinie,

and some extra help from her awesome cousin, she finished off the decorating of the peanut butter cookies all by herself.

My girls are so lucky to have their cousin. Because he's the oldest, we consider him their big brother (and he is their god brother since Tinie and her husband are Anni's godparents.) He is so patient and sweet with them!

There was lots of Grandma lovin'

as well as a tea party (because all the excuses to eat said peanut butter cookies were pulled out that day).

In conclusion... family is good.