Chip's Birthday

Chip turned 3 a few days ago but he had his birthday party 2 weeks ago during spring break. 

We had him come over before the party so that his mommy could get things set up. 

 They played "catch" (more accurately called drop). 

 They tried to have Calvin pitch and Chip bat without success. 

 So then they both batted and I pitched. A little more successful. 

 Then it was on to the party!

 There was music and dancing. 

 And the parachute was a big hit. 

 That's chocolate cake all around his mouth. 

 Then came the pizza. 

 Then came more shenanigans. 

A fun and crazy party!

Easter Round 1

I have some catching up to do before posting our pictures from our great trip to Portland. 

April 12th, Calvin went to an Easter egg hunt.

He wouldn't wear a cute Easter outfit but wanted to wear his ears. 

 The Easter bunny was not liked last year so I wasn't sure how it was going to go this year. 

 He clearly got over his fear of the bunny (maybe because he hopes to be him someday). 

 Then it was on to hunting for eggs. 

 Among other friends, Chip arrived at the party once the rain started. 

 Calvin was excited to show off his umbrella, too. 

 The rain didn't slow down the hunt. 

 Then it was time to look through the eggs. 

 After too much chocolate consumption 

 we attempted a group photo with the bunny. 

The bunny looked worried (rightfully so). 

 Two kids went ok. 

 Three was a little more of a challenge. 

 Here's a better idea of how it went. 

 Then Calvin painted a souvenir egg. 

 It will be orange, of course. 

 Then we had to have a snack, of course. 

A fun start to the Easter season. 

Classtime

I got to volunteer in Calvin's class, again. 

 They were very good, yet again. 

 They were also happy to finally get to go outside again. 

 Calvin and Spencer and most of the other kids spent the whole recess digging up buried treasures. 

 They couldn't get enough of it. 

 The sensory table had Easter goodies in it. Calvin is putting puff balls in his ears here (I've been putting drops and cotton balls in his ears lately). 

 They loved to play with the Easter grass. 

 They pretended they were firemen driving the engine. 

 And listened to storytime. 

Another cute day in class. 

Not-So-Baby Jolene

A week ago, "Baby" Jolene and her parents came to visit us up here in Milwaukee. As we quickly discovered, she not really a baby anymore.

Calvin had to show her his many hats and helmets. 

 It took her a couple tries to find which one she wanted. 

 She settled on the firefighter helmet. 

 She wore it backwards, just like Calvin wears it. 

 Calvin saw the opportunity to play the stretching caterpillar game with another innocent victim. 

 He convinced her to hold one end while he stretched it out. 

 She was a good sport (and managed to not get hurt). 

 After some reading, 

 we ventured outside for a walk. 

 Calvin showed Jolene the lions around the corner from our house. 

 Of course, eventually they had to get out and do it themselves. 

 Good teamwork. 

 Miss Independent had to try pulling it, too. 

 They did a pretty good job sharing (one for you, three for me). 

 Calvin did not want to share his car 

 but agreed to this compromise. 

 Then tempted her with his other toys so he could ride in the car. 

 He showed her his big boy bed, which is good for snuggling 

 and causing trouble. 

 Books to the rescue. 

 She wanted to try on Calvin's shoes so Calvin thought he should help her get her shoes off. 

 He was very successful. 

 More successful then she was at getting his shoes on. 

For Calvin, she was the perfect combination of interested and influenceable. 

She's getting to be such a big girl.