We Met Elmo!

Genevieve had a life changing experience on Saturday afternoon.  My mom and I took her to see Sesame Street Live.

I mentioned that Elmo was coming to town, and before I knew it Bob had procured the "Sunny Seat Experience."  We got 3rd row seats and a chance to meet Elmo!

Dad had no interest in actually attending the event, but he did drop my mother off at the theatre.   

We were shuffled down to the basement of the Murat Theatre, like the true VIPs that we are.  The room had been transformed into Sesame Street.  It was magical.

Just kidding.

We're not VIPs, and there were a couple of screen backdrops. 

There was a light up Grover that really got G jazzed.  

Abby Cadaby was singing from this little machine too.  She hit that button about 10 times.

And then things got crazy!

Elmo and Cookie Monster walked into the room.

That's when the "babies" were really separated from the "toddlers."

There were children flinging themselves on the floor, screaming and losing their little baby minds.  Their parents were thrilled they had paid extra for that fabulous experience.

My child was so ecstatic that she almost photo bombed everyone's picture.  She didn't quite understand that she couldn't continuously run and jump on Elmo.

Zoe was a hit too.

After our riveting hug session, I discovered that we still had 45 minutes until show time.

We colored.

Then it was time for the show!

Our seats were great!

She really liked her seat.

Then she got tired and sat with YaYa for a little bit.

This is my favorite picture of the day.

My mouth breathing has officially been passed down to my sweet girl.

Check out those gaping mouths!

We tried to get another picture.

That went super well.

We finished our memorable day with cupcakes.

Le duh.

Father/Daughter Dance

My school hosted a father/daughter dance on Friday evening.  Trinity and Genevieve supported the event.  

Our daffodils were looking glorious.

So was the hose.

Geesh.

The lights were out in the gym and the DJ was spinning some tunes.

She preferred dancing with her father, as you can see what happened when I tried to give her a whirl.

We were a bit concerned about where she learned this move.

She danced until midnight.

Really, she danced from 6:15 to 6:40.

A lot of 2% was consumed.

It was a great night.

Easter 2014

The Tennessee portion of the family arrived on Good Friday, and the whole family attended a little Easter party at the Country Club on Saturday afternoon.

My girl was grabbing eggs by the dozen.

Check out YaYa in full action photoging pose.

It's like she works for National Geographic or something!

I whispered sweet murmurs about an Easter Bunny into G's ear.  I even tried to tell her not to be afraid, that her momma once rocked that Easter Bunny costume as a 13 year old who would do just about anything for $50.

Including sweat her rear off in an Easter Bunny costume, whilst being antagonized by bratty children who pulled her tail.

I'm hoping that costume has been cleaned since '92.  

All of my efforts to calm Lady G were thwarted as soon as she got within 2 feet of those buck teeth and heavily blue shadowed eyes.

Caroline was amused as she wait for us to be seated.

And there it is!

A good swift kick to the ovary!

My darling sister caught this beautiful moment.  I need to submit this to someplace that takes submissions of ovary kicks delivered while trying to avoid costumed people.

We were ready to hunt.

After G learned that the bucket was not for fashion.

She was off!

She did have some help.  

Her parents trailed along behind her, ready to knock other children out of the way.  

YaYa had a heavy piece of equipment at the ready, in case a child tried to snag a plastic egg from G. 

Aunt Katie helped too.

Then that bunny showed up again.  

Despite my service as a former Easter Bunny, I was not given the coordinates of the golden egg.  

Talk about disappointment.

Saturday was also Bob's 66th birthday, which apparently means a day that my 19 month old drinks Starbucks iced tea.

That cake was amazing.

No joke.

On Sunday morning we were up bright and early to make it to 9:00 mass.  

We posed in the mulch.

That's a good idea.

We arrived at 8:55 and were promptly seated in the second pew.

The second pew, people.

That's where they put the fools who can't arrive early enough to not take center stage.

Oh my stars.

I immediately started to pit out that little silk shirtdress I was sporting.

Well, Jesus Christ is risen today, friends.

And he smiled upon my li'l nugget and kept her calm during mass.  

Jesus and a whole lot of Cheezits.  

YaYa and Bob with their darlings in matching dresses.  

Here are the girls with their baskets of goodies.  

As usual, G was stunned into breathing only through her mouth.  

Caroline's other cousins came too for the hunt, along with their parents and grandparents.  

Nolan and Caroline really had a size and intellectual advantage and swept the yard.

Gracie and Ava are exactly 13 months older than Genevieve, although she is the same size.

They are petite, like their momma.

Those little twinsies are smart.

One of them went for the same egg as G, and G started caterwauling.  Ava or Gracie picked up the egg and kindly handed it to G, as if to say, "I get it.  You're bigger than me, but something's different.  You're like giant BABY." 

It was so funny.

Oh, and we normally keep a Yorkie the size of a large marshmallow Peep crated on the front porch for all of our holiday celebrations.

You just have to love that little Cece.

We had such a wonderful Easter! 

Spring Allergies and Other Excitement

I'll start by sharing my woes.  Last week I returned to school from spring break and spent the entire week with runny eyes, a runny nose, and a lovely cough.  Spring hates me.  By Friday I threw in the towel and stayed home.  There's only so many times that your nose can drip on your sweater while talking to a colleague before you decide to not show your bulbous red snoz in the workplace.

Boo hiss.

I met my loves at the post office on Tuesday after school.  Trinity walked in like a boss.

G worked the blue carpet and that greeting card area like a boss.

I nearly had an anxiety attack due to her socializing and running. I fear postal workers, by the way.  I wasn't sure how my daughter would be received with all of her antics.  The lady that helped us was a doll.  You see, we are planning a family vacation, and passports are in order.

Our wee one was the only family member lacking the appropriate credentials to leave the country.  

I've always maintained a current passport, as I find it vital to be able to leave the country at a moment's notice.  

Conspiracy theorist, anyone?

I'm embarrassed that it is taking an actual trip to get one for this lovey.  

Our friendly postal lady waved Grumpy Cat as G sat on a large US postal box to get her picture taken.  It was hysterical.  I can't wait to share the picture when we receive it.  

G has taken to traveling like this.   

Speaking of the post office, we had a special delivery on Saturday from Aunt Shirley for Easter.  

Genevieve's collection of soft animals grew by one.  She also tried to put on her new outfit.  

Thanks, Shirl!

Since I was housebound on Friday, I Nasalcorted and Advilled myself up for an outing on Saturday.  We visited the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which is always a favorite of mine.

They had Robert Indiana pieces on the lawn, in addition to his usual LOVE sculpture.  G climbed all over this one, jungle gym style.  Then her highly educated parents read the sign, "Please Do Not Touch."  

I never met a rule I didn't follow.

Lord how I swooped in and scooped up my monkey baby in a heartbeat, while frantically scanning the lawn for security guards with billy clubs. 

No security in sight!

We were safe.

She then ran on towards the fountain.  

Trinity took her in to see the interactive children's area, where they participated in some Light Bright activity.

I was in charge of watercolor impressionism.  I have to admit that I have never painted with the Lady G.  That will be changing henceforth.  

Our most verbal child approached everyone we saw and pointed at her new shoes and said "kitty."  

She's a prodigy, our Genevieve.  

We moved back to the lawn for Daddy-Baby wrestling.  

Our day was complete after my first trip to Brics, an ice cream spot in Broad Ripple.  My taste buds were compromised, but I could still taste creamy.  

Delicious.

G had vanilla.  

This morning we attended mass for Palm Sunday.  I always loved waving those palm fronds around as a kid, and in Sunday school we would tie them into crosses.  I wish I could remember how to do that.  

G was geared and ready to roll in her new dress from Abby and Papi.

Palm frond waving and hallelujahs can really wear a baby out.