Easter: Take 2

Noah rides the Easter train with Grammy

Since we were super busy the week before Easter and we were on the road for most of Easter Sunday, we decided to postpone Easter until the following weekend so we could all be in the right mindset to enjoy the meaningful things about Easter, as well as the silly things, too. 

So before the "real" Easter, Noah took a trip to my old stomping grounds and rode the Easter train at the mall in Greensburg with Grammy.  We also got to attend Mommy's old church and spend the morning with Noah and Audrey's great grandparents opening baskets and eating a piece of chocolate or twelve.

Coloring of the Easter Eggs

Then when we got back home, we started prep. for Easter 2.  Each day we did at least 1 fun Easter activity. On Monday, we used some awesome Easter stickers to tell the story. So Noah and Audrey created their own pictures, complete with the cross, Mary, Jesus, the tomb and stone, etc.  On Tuesday, we painted Easter eggs and even found the old-school wraps that shrink up around the eggs.  Noah was quite intrigued by their shrinking (looks like Shrinky Dinks might be in his future!). 

Wednesday's lunch was split up and tucked inside Easter eggs. Noah and Audrey then had to find the eggs hidden throughout the house!  We hid grapes, chicken nuggets and peas.  They both ate everything out of those eggs! Had I known, I would have slipped in some brussel sprouts or something!

We planted our jelly beans!

On Easter Eve, we spent some time with family and then came home to plant some magic jelly beans!  Noah was thrilled to go out and check the next morning to see what had grown. Miraculously, 2 lollipops had popped out of the ground waiting to be plucked and enjoyed.  Since Mommy and Noah aren't a fan of jelly beans, it was a great way to use them up.

She enjoyed playing with the Easter ham more than her Easter basket.

We did the traditional find the basket and eggs on Easter morning after church.  Audrey was more interested in the ham for dinner than her basket, but she finally caught on when she noticed the chocolate lollipop.

All in all a great 2 weeks of Easter for us.  Someday, the kids will be old enough to know that Easter falls on a particular day, but until then, we plan to stretch out as many holidays as we can!

Grammy and Noah visit the Train Store in Greensburg

Audrey finally got into Easter when she discovered her lollipop.

Audrey learns shapes with her great grandfather.

4 generations of strong, beautiful women :-)

She certainly likes her food!

Noah checks to see what might be growing!

It's an Easter Miracle!  And it was raining on Easter morning, so the lollipops were still wrapped. What a practical Easter Bunny!

A Very Lewis Easter Egg Hunt

This year, we have been pretty bad about the Easter preparations.  With work, birthdays, then a trip planned to Greensburg, things get pretty darn busy.   We wanted to go to Easter Egg hunts, but they just never happen.  Weekends are jam packed and always seem to fly too quickly.

We wanted to do one at home, but it is hard when Dave doesn't usually get home until after dark.  No fun hunting for eggs you can't see.

So, thanks to Pinterest, we found our solution! A Glow In The Dark Easter Egg Hunt!

We let Noah stay up a bit late and let him go hunt for eggs in the dark!  Who knew some glow stick type earrings and some plastic eggs could be so much fun for a 3 year old? Sometimes it stinks that Daddy works such late hours, but it also forces us to be creative and have a lot of fun in the process! 

Oh, and our neighbors thought we were crazy, I have no doubt.  Oh well :-)

Noah Turns 3!

Noah, George and the birthday donut

On Wednesday, April 4, Noah celebrated his 3rd birthday!  Since it was a mere 3 days after his big party, he was still in the birthday mood that Monday and Tuesday, too.  In short, we pretty much celebrated his birthday week!

His super special third birthday started out with a chocolate donut.  He loves the phrase, "I'm hungry."  Then usually adds, "for chocolate," "for donuts," or "for marshmallows."  So Daddy surprised him with the requested donut.   He also got to open 1 of his presents in the morning before Daddy headed off to work.  A giant Curious George stuffed animal.  He and George were inseparable all day (and everyday since).

Once Daddy was out the door, so were the rest of the gang.  We headed to Monkey Joe's for some birthday jumping.  We had been there for Noah's 2nd birthday and several times since, and he was always very timid.  Apparently he had some birthday confidence and was making friends with everyone he met, and was jumping and sliding by himself. George, of course, also jumped.  As soon as we left, Noah informed me that he missed Monkey Joe's and thought we should head back after our nap.

Noah chose his favorite lunch. Milkshake and fries.  Luckily, I had pumped him full of fruit and cheese and crackers while he was jumping, or else his whole day might have been devoid of nutrition of any kind.

Noah, George, Daddy and the Cupcake Truck!

Once lunch and naps were over, we were in the car once again to meet Dave at work with a special surprise.  The Cupcake Truck!  Dia Doce is a local gourmet cupcakery in mobile form.  They recently won the show Cupcake Wars and have become a semi-regular visitor to SEI.  We love days when Daddy brings home cupcakes, but it was super special to go and see Daddy and eat cupcakes from the big truck.  Noah was in heaven.  He and Daddy shared a stout cupcake outside in the sun and Noah picked a lemon lavendar cupcake to take home for later that night.

Noah also got to pick his favorite dinner.  Ham, Cars macaroni and cheese, and peas.  We picnicked outside in the backyard and ran around until it was time for more cupcakes. (Note:  Noah only ever eats a half cupcake max at a time, so please don't think we let him eat way too much cake.  But even if we would have, we are A-ok with it for one day!).

Noah's favorite part of the birthday festivities may be the singing!

Noah got to open his presents, a book entitled Curious George Flies A Kite and his very own angry birds kite.  We had some twilight kite flying and then it was time for bed.

All in all, a pretty awesome 3 year old birthday if we do say so ourselves!
Happy Birthday, Noah!!

He blew out all the candles.

Waiting for us to sing again!

Noah, George and the kite book.

Noah opens his new kite

Late night kite flying

Sister is quite a fan of the cupcake truck, too!

A Very Happy Caterpillar Birthday!

Wall banners

After waiting for what seems like forever, Noah and Audrey's Very Hungry Caterpillar party came and went in the blink of an eye.  It seems rather appropriate considering their childhood will probably do the same.

Caterpillar on canvas

We were so thrilled to have all of the original Lewis 5 here for the party.  They came from OH, PGH and NJ to help Noah and Audrey celebrate their big days. Grandma and Grandpa Lewis came in too, as did Grammy.  Also gracing us with her presence was N&A's great, great Aunt Barbara.  We realize that not only are N&A lucky enough to have 2 great grandparents that adore them,  they also have a great, great aunt who will smother them with love whenever she gets the chance!  How lucky are they!?  Then some of our dearest friends in the area were also able to make it despite crazy schedules.  In short, the company was fantastic and in typical party fashion, we didn't get to spend enough time with anyone. 

Caterpillar Birthday Banner

Audrey is in the prime of her Stranger Danger phase, so that made for a clingy little darling. It didn't help that her top tooth broke through her gums the very next day.  She was Mommy's snuggly shadow for the day.  Even though she didn't get to show her winning personality much, Mommy never minds the extra snuggles.  There will be a day (in about 3 lbs!), that I will not be able to carry her all day, so I will take it while I can.

Butterfly Canvas

Noah loved playing with his cousins and friends, and showing off his downstairs play area, including his prized train collection.  Since we weren't downstairs with him very often, we just hope he shared!  Noah also loved getting the chance to interact with adults.  He is very comfortable going up to an adult and having a full conversation, and he certainly got to do just that during his party.

We are so thankful for all who were able to come out to the party!  We are also very appreciative of Mrs. SaraH for helping with amazing graphic design for our theme, Mrs. Faith for her fantastic cupcakes and that delectable melt-in-your-mouth butter cream, and Mrs. Hannah for helping us out with decorations!

All in all, it was a lovely and very memorable party!  It was a perfect theme for a semi-healthy toddler party and totally gender neutral.  We are certain that next year's theme might be a bit tougher to come up with, but we are excited to start planning the next Little Lewis Birthday Bash!

Noah and his Lewis Grandparents making the base for the cupcakes. What a fun art project for them to do together!

Our lantern caterpillar who just may live in our dining room forever.  

Adopt a Caterpillar Favor Basket

 

Caterpillar Cookie Favors

Caterpillar Food (yes, we know the Caterpillar didn't eat ChikFilA nuggets, but he would have if they had been available. We are certain of that!)

Food Detail

Caterpillar Cake Pops (Noah had a blast making these guys!)

Audrey's Caterpillar Smash Cake

Caterpillar Cupcakes

Noah loved everyone singing to him.  He loved it so much, we had to do it about 12 times!

Noah enjoying his cake. He insisted on the head.

Audrey was timid about the cake, which was surprising considering her normally voracious appetite. 

This was the messiest she got!  Mommy is not complaining!

Happy 1st Birthday, Audrey!

Love her soft features!

 Our precious little baby girl turned 1 on Sunday, March 25th.  The entire week before her big day, we tried to remember what life was like without her.  For the life of us, we couldn't.  We know such a time existed and was great (especially once Noah was in the picture), but for some reason, the best memories that flood our minds were those including both the kiddos. 

Also in the past few weeks, we have gone over and over in our minds, that terrifying/awesome night of her birth. We are still amazed that God had all of the details in place so Audrey could make her debut safely, for the most part. 


We went through all of the pictures and of course, we cannot believe how much she has grown and are saddened at how quickly time flies.  But what parent doesn't feel that on a daily basis, right? The sleepless nights, the immobile stage, even the diaper messes all seem like such a distant memory.  Le sigh. We love those baby days!

We were so thrilled that the big day happened to fall on a Sunday, so Dave had the day off and we could take her for a day on the town!  We had received a Please Touch Museum membership for Christmas, and this was the perfect day to activate it and let Audrey and Noah roam around together rustling up some adventures.


Get ready for the photos! (Wish I knew how to do them in a better format for y'all!)

Fairytale beauty

Daddy/Daughter cuddles as they checked out the classic toys.

Audrey hanging out the clothes. I think she is ready for chores at home now!

Our group shots are never very impressive.

Noah was very amused by the hall of mirrors.

What little boy doesn't dig the dump truck?

My baby girl!

Looks like Noah is ready for a part time job.

Remember what I said about our group shots?

Someone refuses the water smocks.  Future germaphobe?

Puzzles are Noah and Daddy's special thing, so they were delighted to find one here!

Climbing through the rocket ship!

Too much fun for the birthday girl. (But it was a record for how long we could keep at least 1 shoe on her!)

Fret not, she was back to her cute self after a bit of a rest!