Easter Saturday

The Day before Easter was full of activity!  

Bing Bong hosted an Easter Egg Coloring Party for artists large and small...

Auntie Jaz, Auntie Alisha, Uncle Chris, Cousins Malcolm, Margot, and Hayden all took part!  

It was the first semi-warm day of the year, and we were able to craft outside in the sun.  

Created eggs included sparkle eggs, Domo egg, devil egg, ribbon egg, swirl egg, troll egg, and Haylee egg.  

Later that afternoon we attended an Easter Egg Hunt for Disabled Children.  

Some of Blu's baseball buddies were there.  

They hung out while they waited for the starting whistle.  Too cute!

Then they were off!  

Blu collected many eggs.... and then dumped them all out.  Ha!  This will forever be one of my favorite pictures - such a typical Blu thing to do!  

After Blu's hunt, the siblings got a shot!  

Haylee got a ton of eggs, and generously gave away many to kids who didn't get very many.  

What a blast!

American Sign Language

Every other Saturday morning, our family gathers for a group American Sign Language class all centered around Blu! 

Not only is Blu learning signs for animals, shapes, colors, emotions, objects, and people - so is his family and largest support network!  

Though Blu learns a bit of sign in school, he has genuinely excelled since we began this tradition last winter.

  

A couple of weeks ago after class, I was outside playing with Blu in a pool full of different colored balls and practicing some signs. 

He blew me away by putting together his first FULL sentence!  He signed, "I want yellow ball!"  Wow!

My Favorite Gooner

Snow Tubing

In late March we bundled up the kids and went to the snow!  

We took them tubing at Ski Bowl along with Haylee's bestie Syriah, Aunti Alisha, and Cousin Hayden.  

It was Blu and Hayden's first time ever in the snow!  

We tubed down long, fast runs.  

The girls had a great time, and Blu only signed one word repeatedly the whole day - "MORE"!!  

He did so well that near the end of the day he got to go down the hill all by himself!  How exciting!!  

Honestly, I don't think he even knew the difference, all he cared about was going FAST!  

Andrew and Alisha raced down some of the upper runs, while Haylee and Syriah went wild on the double tube.  

What a fun day for all!

The Nature Pond

We have a wetland area near our home fondly referred to as "The Nature Pond." 

It is Saleh's most favorite place to walk on weekday evenings.  

It is ripe with native vegetation, ducks, and birds. 

Neighborhood Playground

We are fortunate to live in a great neighborhood with many parks and playgrounds for the kids (and the dog). 

On a sunny winter day we walked over to one of mentioned playgrounds to get out some energy. 

New Year's Eve

Phacee (Phil and Tracee) hosted New Years this year...

We had great snacks, wine, and karaoke. 

Happy New Year!