Making Eggs Pretty

Took advantage of the sunny day to get outside to dye the Easter eggs (hoping for less mess!). Hazel had fun doing the eggs, just wanted to have more to do.

Just a pic of a sweet little girl. (I want those lashes!)

Getting the dipping down. Mixing up the colors, making the eggs marbled!

Look at all those pretty eggs!

Easter Egg Hunt

Hazel couldn't stop smiling at the Easter Bunny. She wouldn't talk, just smile. Shy girl!

Somebody's ready for an egg hunt.

Where's all the Easter eggs????

Ahhh, there they are!!

Whip Cream Just Like Grandpoppa

So Hazel is loving whip cream on her pancakes (who doesn't), so we have been making it from scratch just like her Grandpoppa used to do it....with the hand beater. She has fun whipping the cream and adding the sugar and vanilla to taste and always says "Just like Grandpoppa!"

3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How did it happen???? Our little girl is 3 years old! Not 3 days, not 3 weeks or months, but 3 years!!! When you hear these times go by fast, that is the truth. She has become such a beautiful, silly, smart, sweet, strong, deliciously kissable little love. We couldn't have wished for any better. She has amazed us in these 3 years, can't wait to see what the next ones bring!

Treasure Map

Hazel got a present from her favorite pirate friends, Captain Bogg and Salty (the background on this: she is very into imaginary friends right now. Sometimes it is hard to know who I am with because she swings between pirates, Pippi Longstocking, witches, being a big sister to her babies, and the list goes on! So we thought we would play on this crazy, fun time in her development). They left her a treasure map and a shovel to dig for the hidden treasure.

Following the map.

Arrg..."H" marks the spot. Those clever pirates!

The digging starts. This is when she talks about being the character Jeremy Jacobs from "How I Became a Pirate", one of her favorite books. He's a good digger...he is!

Ah-ha! Pirate Booty!!!

Gold coins, M&Ms, and pretty bag with a silver case full of jeweled earrings.

Party Games

Last year we used this monkey to play pin the banana which received some laughs for where the banana ended up. Thought we'd be clever and go with her pirate addiction and give the monkey a pirate hat and play pin the sword on the monkey....well....you can see my 11pm arts and crafts weren't all the way thought through.

What party is complete without a pinata!!!

The big kids really gave it some hard licks and that pinata wouldn't budge. We helped it along so the kids could reap their rewards.

Hazel giving Dalia some tickles and tackles. This was of course after some cake and candy.

Birthday Cake and Outside Fun

So, if you haven't guessed yet, Hazel loves pirates. This is the cake she picked for me to make.

Blowing out the candles.

Digging into cake....yummy.

Enjoying some sunshine and cake.

The cousins relaxing.

The After Party

The cousins hanging out in Hazel's "nest"...the window seat off the stairs. Nate is such a goof...the girls are thinking "boys are weird!"

Went out for a ride to burn off some of the cake and candy. Fun watching the three of them.

Princesses

May we introduce Princess Hazel and Princess Dalia. What cuties!

What Kid Doesn't Love Dirt????

We had a yard of compost delivered for our garden beds this weekend and of course our little helper was ready to dig in and get her hands dirty. We decided it was easier to let her go for it and have a blast, then to try to keep her out of it. She used it as a slide, climbing up one side and sliding down the other. She was pretty proud of her blackened hands and feet and tummy. Jim hosed her off outside before taking her in for a bath.

Morning Walk

I know, hard to believe, but we actually had a break in the rain this morning so we took advantage and went out for a stroll. Doesn't everyone go out in their footed jammies?

Hazel and her baby sisters, Lucy (in the stroller) and Andara.

Posing with her favorite canine, Tele. Best doggie on the block. Hazel brings her sticks to play toss with on our walks. If Tele isn't outside, Hazel leaves them for her under a fig tree. To thank Hazel for her dedication, Tele gave her a Christmas card with her paw print in mud on it and a framed picture of her surfing!

First Haircut

Along with the beautiful curls comes the battle of the hairbrush. How does it happen overnight...instant dreadlocks. We finally was able to get the ends of it trimmed.