Easter Lunch

Anastasia was pretty excited to eat lunch in the fancy restaurant with Uncle Mark. Lunch itself was unremarkable, not as good as other meals we've had at 701, but the company was excellent. Anastasia was in a playful mood when she posed for pictures with Mark.



As we were finishing lunch, the beautiful weather beckoned us outside. We bought another bottle of wine to share on the lovely patio at 701 that overlooks the Navy Memorial and its fountains. Anastasia was very happy to be free to roam the fountains with Mark.



Our little lady was very interested in the fountains.



Then she came over for photos with me, which involved her tickling me.



Myney and Mark were happy to just enjoy the sunshine.



Orlando had to work, but he was able to come home early and enjoy a glass of wine on the patio before a thunderstorm rolled through.

The Easter Bunny Delivers

Easter morning dawned warm and sunny; a welcome change from the chilly rain we've been having. The Easter Bunny had brought a ton of presents and candy. New shoes, books and a set of garden tools in just the right size for little girl.



After opening all the presents, it was time to find the eggs we'd dyed the day before. The Easter bunny had hidden them pretty well. This one was in the broccoli plant.



Once the eggs were located, and some candy eaten, Anastasia was very excited to try out her new garden tools. No need to put on actual clothes, rain boots and pajamas work just fine.



First task was to plant some sunflower seeds, which we'll germinate inside before planting them in the front yard for the summer.



Then we had a transplanting task to take on, moving marigolds from the raised bed in the yard and replacing them with the mini rose plant that Anastasia picked out earlier this spring. She did a great job digging below the marigolds to get them out.



Then she used her trowel to shovel the dirt back into the hole and watering the rose plant in its new home.



After we'd planted the marigolds in the planter on the deck, it was time for a bath to wash off all the dirt before our fancy lunch with Uncle Mark.

Meeting Peter Cottontail

Not long ago, Anastasia was very skittish around people dressed up in character costumes. An Easter Bunny costume was the cause of this face when she was 18 months old.



So when she asked to go see the Easter Bunny a couple weeks ago, I was dubious, but since we were going to the mall anyway, I agreed to swing by the Easter Bunny's little garden seat. No line meant that she got to hop right on his lap and then tell him that she was pretty excited to see his eggs. And she smiled for the camera!



She was proud of herself for overcoming this little fear. I was pretty proud, too.

An Avid Reader

Anastasia is very proud of the things she's been leanring at school. She's now sight reading a lot of words, and her writing is getting better all the time. The other day, she asked if I would help her read Go Dog, Go. In the end, she didn't really need much help. Orlando was able to get a little of it on video.



She's very eager to read well enough to read herself the chapter books that she's currently enjoying at bedtime. It won't be long, that's for sure.

Meeting Moria

Last month, I drove up to New York City for a little mini family reunion. My beautiful niece Eliana and her wonderful husband Shachar were hosting an open house to give family and friends an opportunity to meet the newest addition to their family, baby Moria. Eliana is a beautiful mom to a beautiful baby.



For me, it was also a chance to get to see my sister Marla and her husband Mark. It's been almost 18 months since I've seen Marla and several years since Mark and I were in the same room together, so catching up a little with them was great. I managed to not take a good picture of Mark, but I got this great shot of my sis.



I didn't do a great job as photographer on this trip, failing to get a picture of me holding Moria, though she was in my arms for almost an hour. I did get this shot of her sleeping in my arms. You'll just have to trust me that it's the crook of my elbow she's in.

Circus, Circus

It's been a banner couple months for entertainment for our little girl. Last month it was Disney Princesses on Ice, this month, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Baily's Circus came to town. I haven't been to the circus since I was little, so I was very excited to get tickets. Sadly, Orlando had to work, so he missed out again.

We got there early enough for a bit of the pre-show on the floor, where we got up close to one of the elephants.



Anastasia was very excited, though I don't know if she really knew what to expect.



The show started with a grand parade of all the performers around the "big top".



Anastasia's excitement turned to complete awe as the show moved from the parade into the performances. First up were the tigers.



Then the contortionists.



The high wire act was great, but hard to get pictures of. They even did an uphill wire walk in a tower of three!



At intermission, it was time for cotton candy. The hat came with the candy, and Annie didn't seem to mind that it was too big for her.



The motorcycles were amazing. They got 7 of those things in that tiny globe, and had them moving in intersecting circles. We were all amazed.



Anastasia was getting very worn out and she asked to go home shortly after the motorcycles, so we didn't get to see the elephants come out and do their act. Still, Annie got a baby elephant souvenir, so it was like we were bringing them home with us.

Orlando was at home waiting, so Annie told him all about the amazing things she'd seen, and then went to bed with her elephant (dubbed Ariel) and a great big smile.