Easter Fun

Happy Easter (a bit late) to all! We're just finishing two fun-filled weeks of parties, road trips, and airplane rides, so here's a quick recap...

Norah had her Easter parties at school before she headed out for a week-long Easter break. (She gets to celebrate most holidays twice this year, since her Monday through Thursday schedule overlaps with both the Monday/Wednesday/Friday party and the Tuesday/Thursday party.) The four-year-old classes decorate Easter bonnets for the school-wide Easter parade... she her bonnet in the picture below. She had quite the audience at this year's parade... Daddy, Mommy, Maddie, Grandma, and Grandpa all made appearances. Norah was very kind to include her little sister during the brunch portion of the party, and Maddie felt like big stuff sitting at the table in her own chair with all the other big kids.

The weekend before Easter we made a quick road trip to Davis for Picnic Day. For those that have never been, Picnic Day is UC Davis' annual open house, and all the departments offer activities and displays. (Plant Sciences, for example, had an exotic fruit tasting, while Entomology offered cockroach races and maggot art.) We had lots of fun visiting with Laura, checking out the exhibits around campus, and - of course - watching the Veterinary School's famous dachshund races.

After a few days at home relaxing and enjoying Norah's break, we headed to Festus on Thursday to celebrate Easter with family in Missouri. Luckily, both girls are good travelers. (Maddie was so excited by all the moving things at the airport... "Airplane! More airplanes! Truck! Bus! More airplanes!") Norah had tons of fun with her cousins - especially since Grammy and Grandpa Mike put in a new play structure right in their own backyard! We enjoyed beautiful weather, great food, and fun times catching up with everyone. Norah and Maddie got not one, but two visits from the Easter bunny, and they definitely ate (more than) their share of sugar. Thanks to everyone who helped make our visit special!

Finally, my spring and summer garden at home is starting to take shape, meaning out with the old (Dan will be sorry to see the kale go) and in with the new (my tomato seedlings are finally ready to move from the patio into the garden). Our blackberries and boysenberries are in full bloom, the apricots and blueberries are ripening, and our strawberries are ready to enjoy. We're looking forward to a tasty (if a bit more drought-conscious) summer!