The Firebird

Charlottesville is wonderful for a host of reasons.  One of my favorite things here is a little radio program called "Tell Us A Tale".  They read stories and play folk music!  We were listening the other day and they were giving away tickets to a children's presentation of "The Firebird".  We called in and got the free tickets.  When we told Evelyn we were going to a ballet her first two questions were: "Can I dance?" and ""Can I wear my skirt?" (her favorite dress-up tutu).  I quickly informed her of what went on at the ballet (sitting still and watching)....well, little did I know.  Someone listens to three-year olds!  The program was a little mini-ballet lesson a meet and greet with some ballerinas in costume and watching them do a dance from "The Firbird".  Evelyn was in heaven!  She still talks about "her" teacher "Miss Sarah".

They even made a craft: a crown with a "Firebird" feather and jewels.

Evelyn with Miss Sarah

Evelyn with Firebird and Prince Ivan

The fun continues...After the ballet, I had an errand to run and we happened upon a baking competition at a cupcake shop.  We got to taste and judge!  We ended this magical day with a hike and some splish, splash, sploshing in a creek.  We love Charlottesville!

Baa, Baa, Boo!

Easter

The tree in our backyard was in bloom.

Yes, it is too much to ask to have both children looking at the camera at the same time.

S

More Spring Baskets

Grammie came bearing gifts.....

Spring Baskets Part II and look, now Kathryn has her own!

Kathryn is obsessed with bracelets.

Grammie Comes to Visit

Grammie and the girls on "The Grounds" with "Mr. Jefferson"

We got to go to the Easter Egg Hunt at UVA.  More CANDY!

Evelyn displays her haul.

First face painting.

We also got to tour Ash Lawn, the home of James Monroe

They had sheep, chickens and peacocks.  Kathryn was excited about the sheep.  "Baaa" is her favorite word.

Spring Baskets

Evelyn had been asking for weeks....Here is the much-anticipated Spring Basket!

All the spring essentials, spin-wheels, sidewalk chalk, bubbles and CANDY!

Kathryn is just excited to be sitting in a big-girl seat.

Sisters

Evelyn and Kathryn are really starting to have fun playing together - it is so precious!

Kathryn and Evelyn now have matching car seats.

Nerds!

Both Evelyn and Kathryn like to read the dictionary....we are so excited!

March Madness

Not basketball, but pretty exciting....

Evelyn tries out the tee ball set that she got from Grandpa and Grandma Elaine.

Paul went to a monster truck show with some guys from church...Madness indeed.

Dance Dance Revolution

Happy Birthday to Me and Melissa :-)

We have really enjoyed getting to know our next-door neighbors. It turns out that Melissa and I have birthdays at the beginning of March. We got to celebrate together. She made a delicious strawberry cake!

Spring!

It seems like Spring came early this year. There was an unseasonably warm winter and then the flowers exploded by early March.

Evelyn standing under the trees in our yard...this was just the beginning.

Squishy Face

I have noticed that with your second child you are not so much concerned about recording every milestone...sure every kid rolls over, but can every kids do this?

So Sweet!

...and do other things good too.

Evelyn took swimming lessons this winter and had a great time.

Poppie giving Evelyn her first chess lesson.

For kids who want to ride good...

As soon as we unpacked the baby bike, Kathryn started riding it and hasn't stopped!

Evelyn on the other hand, took a while to get the hang of pedals for her trike :-)

snow vids

Dorothy, you aren't in Ohio anymore :-)

Snow

It snowed a couple of times in January and February.

Paul with the Abominable Snow Baby

Our neighbors helped us build a snowman.

Kathryn's snow mobile.

Evelyn braves the elements with Hello Miss Kitty Cat

I think they'll be warm enough....

Valentine's Day

We spent Valentine's with our friends the Chases. Theresa make pink mashed potatoes!!!!! So yummy, but not as yummy as her cupcakes :-)

Harrison, Theresa and Julia "Magoolia"

Evelyn with her Valentine potatoes.

Sweet Valentines

Kathryn's First Birthday cont.

We were so glad that Grammie, Poppie and Aunt Priscilla could come and help us celebrate.

A couple of vids....

Kathryn's First Birthday

Kathryn turned one on February 8th. I like to think of her as a little Valentine! She has always been so sweet and mellow. It is such a joy to have her in our lives.

Kathryn with the lamb cake...I would just like to point out that this cake is actually standing up! I'm getting better at this :)

Kathryn taking her first tentative bites.

Kathryn on her actual birthday :-)

I tried to get her to wear the bow...that was a lost cause.

Such a happy girl!

Holidays cont.

Grandpa and Grandma Elaine came for New Year's and brought more presents!

Kathryn the Purple Princess.

Evelyn with a "Hello Miss Kitty Cat" umbrella

Kathryn unwrapping :-)

Holidays cont.

We celebrated Christmas in Birmingham with Poppie and Grammie.

Kathryn and Poppie

The gang's all here.

Evelyn and Kathryn on Christmas morning.

Cute clothes...crazy kids!

Holidays

Forgive the order.....

Aunt Priscilla came for a visit in early December and we go to go ride the carousel downtown that dates from the late 1800s.

The girls help with Christmas decorations.

Grandpa and Grandma Elaine came all the way from Chicago for Thanksgiving!

Evelyn Turns Three

We celebrated Evelyn's third birthday with a dress-up party! She loves to dress up!

Kathryn was asleep for most of the party, but she did get to do a little dressing up too!

Evelyn sporting the crown she made (all her friends got to decorate their own crown).

Evelyn with the Dread Pirate Marcus and Mooie Louie (both friends from church).

Evleyn with the girls...Jane and Regan as themselves and Caroline and Ali as Rapunzel and Tinker Bell.

Evelyn's Tower o' Cupcakes.

What a blessing to celebrate Evelyn's third birthday! She is such a gift. We are delighted daily by her energy and curiosity. She asks amazing questions and loves to make new friends. We are so thankful for these past three years and are looking forward to seeing how God will work in her heart and life.