here comes peter cottontail...

Most children are frightened of an oversized rodent sitting in a rocking chair wanting tons of children to sit on its lap.  Charlotte is not most children.

We went to Williamsburg yesterday, did some shopping and stopped off to see the easter bunny.  I really had my hopes set on a photo shoot with a real live bunny.  But I am really glad that we decided just to stop and say hi to the big guy.

She thought he was amazing.

And cried when it was time to go.

She was sad until we gave her these silly foam ears.

And then some delicious goodness from Sno-To-Go.  Soft serve ice cream mixed with a snow cone...amazing!

He thought so too!

Coming home, she was exhausted after a long day!

In honor of our cute little bunny meeting the easter bunny, here is my super simple directions for bunny cupcakes!  You need candy for nose and eyes, I used jelly beans this year.  Small marshmallows for the cheeks, and big marshmallows cut in half and dipped in sprinkles for the ears.

And tada, you have one bunny cupcake that kids of any age can make!  I have been making these for years with my school kids and they always love them!

Hope everyone has a great Easter.  We have plans for the zoo today with some besties and then a delicious dinner planned for Sunday.

-melissa

free memories

I just want to state that this is not an ad or a gimmick...I wish it was, then I would be making some money...but this is something that has really worked for our family.  Jay and I both are really great about taking pictures constantly.  I think we are so afraid of missing something that we always have the camera on hand.  Even when we do not have the camera we always have our phones that have a decent camera. It is great to take a lot of pictures, but printing them off and making them into something is just as important.  Today I received my third free photo book in the mail from shutterfly.  I think we initially got on their mailing list when Charlotte was born and we ordered her birth announcements.  I believe we even had a coupon for those also!

About every three months they send out a free 8x8 hardbound book promotion.  I have to say that I have used every offer that they have sent out, but typically I am trying to get it created before the promotion expires hours before it is due, always in bed, wishing I had done it earlier in the day and not at bed time.  I have decided that in twenty or thirty years I will not remember that I made every book in bed cursing myself for waiting to the last minute, but I will be happy to have the memories documented.

Ahhh, memories in the making.  It is already fun to go back and see how she has changed so much!

I really like that they are hard covered and bound just like a book, I feel they are a little heavier duty that way.

You can also limit the amount of time you use with the books.  You can choose to customize every aspect of your book or you can have them autofill a book for you.  The control freak in me loves how every page can look just as I want it! 

I know that Charlotte will love looking at these in upcoming years...but not yet, she is too rough!  Now my only challenge is to keep them just out of her reach!

Hope you are encouraged to sign up, make an account at shutterfly and maybe very soon start making free memories!

-melissa

a calm saturday

Today is the first day in more than a month that we do not have a huge list of things that need to be accomplished.  It feels good.  I started the day with a first time event in more than a year!  I awoke at seven  because birds were chirping so loud, not because of C, and yes at seven!  What a great start to a relaxing day! With that in mind I am ready to go for the day!  I have had some time to start thinking about projects that I would like to do in the next couple of weeks.  My creative juices and my sewing spirit is slowly coming back after the Christmas-30th birthday quilt-1st birthday sewing festivities.

Todays plans include:

playing on the front porch

going for a walk

reading some books (all made with hard cardboard, plot of all generally about colors)

heading to some fabric stores to start Beth's birthday quilt (yeah, remember that...it was awhile ago, did I mention she was patient!)

put the finishing touches on some birthday goodies for one of C's besties

and start working on some easter must haves!

I hope everyone has a relaxing and calm Saturday!

-melissa

and that's a wrap!

I know that Charlotte's birthday is over.  It is just so hard to believe.  I have been thinking, planning and scheming for this girl to turn one for months and now...she is!  I know that most of you are thinking, enough already.  But for those dear to our hearts that could not experience our fun bash, here are a couple of last photos.

Crazy how time flies!  Charlotte really did have a great time with all of her friends.  I think everyone had a great time- that is what happens when you get a bunch of great families in one tiny house!

Hmmmm...I wonder what theme she wants when she turns two?  Is it too early to start planning!?

-melissa