Our Spring Break...the art of staying put

The boys school was recently closed for 11 days and up to the last minute we weren't sure if we would take advantage of that time with a short little trip or if we stay around our parts.  We decided to stay put and explore our NJ/NY area.  So, papa took a few days off work and then the boys and I bounced around on our own for a while.  All in all, we hit the beach, the Brooklyn Bridge, Rutgers Gardens, a new hiking spot, a quaint antique-ing town and Ikea because there were, of course, a few practical things that needed doing.  It was a pretty glorious way to usher in the spring time! 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! We enjoyed a nice morning in a packed church today complete with amazing music. And, we were surprised to find easter baskets filled with chocolate when we got home.  But, nobody took any pictures! We did dye some eggs, though, and we took pictures of that.  Callum...ever the inventive artist...got really into coloring on the egg with crayon before dying it (it was mama's idea but he made it look good!).  Check out his great orange and blue egg.  Jude joined in as well but only briefly and then he was more interested in jumping off his stool than in actual egg decoration. To each their own! Hope everyone had a great Easter or Passover.  The sunny weather certainly made it easy to enjoy!

The Everlasting Birthday Celebration

If we had it more together, there would be one birthday event...with cake and presents and in one big shebang the celebrating would be done.  But, that isn't how it works at our house.  The gifts trickle in over the course of a week and the birthday event with friends isn't scheduled for another week from now! So be it. 

But, we did manage to have a little birthday dinner for our resident 3-year old. Complete with his favorite pesto pasta and a new surprise (possible tradition?) of chocolate fondue...hence the chocolate face.  Dipping fresh fruit into chocolate sauce actually seems a bit healthier than a big slice of cake.  Plus, you can't beat the fun factor of dipping! 

Of course, there was a mini cupcake because this guy...who is now 3...woke up on his birthday, looked at the dining room table and said "BUT THIS IS NOT CAKE" when he saw his cheerios.  You can't deny that child a little cake, can you?

And...He's Three!

It happens in a flash. 1,2, 3! This feisty Irishman is 3 for sure.  He's got so much energy and never without a joke or a goofy dance move! And, yes, the tantrums are also never far behind.  But, he is up for an adventure and loves being out and about more than anything. 

Keep living it up, little man! We love you.

The Natural History Museum!

We had a blast this weekend at the American Museum of Natural History.  A wonderful friend of ours gave us free tickets, she gets them through her work.  The boys loved the planets exhibit, especially.

Jude's favorite animal: The Polar Bear!!

Callum and Jude as astronauts! 

OOh, scary!

 and scarier!

 It was a beautiful day outside, so we got to enjoy a bit of time exploring outside the museum as well.

And, those are mama's crazy boys!!