Marching into Spring with Family, Friends, & Faith!

The month of March saw lots of practicing and rehearsing for me, hard work and travel for Steve, and lots of fun for Maelee with special times with friends and family.  I can't believe April is already nearing an end but here's a quick picture recap from last month.

Sharing bible time with daddy and Raggedy Andy

Fun at Bryant Park with best pals, James & Ethan

Sweet Alice's Tea Cup mommy & daughter lunch date

Little ladies in green, in honor of St. Patty's Day

In the middle of March, Maelee and I took a trip down to VA while Steve went to a church men's retreat in upstate New York.  Our good friends, Desiree and her boys, were heading to VA, too, so we were able to enjoy the train ride down together!!! The kiddos had a great time :)

One of the highlights of our trip was our dinner at the Narrow's seeing Too-Dad & Too-Mom, Sam, Kim, & Mason, and Aunt Viv!

Just a tad excited at seeing everyone :)

Especially her great Too-daddy!

Fun with cousin Mason

 

Sweet visit

Slideshow from our trip to VA:





The next weekend, Steve got some special daddy/daughter time while taking Maelee to an NYC egg hunt at our nearby Carl Schurz Park.

Playtime after the egg hunt- and Maelee finally loves the "twisty slide!"

The next day, our close friends came over for a little pre-birthday celebrating for me, and some more Easter festivities for the kids.

Egg decorating!

On my actual birthday, our little family enjoyed lunch together, then I had a rehearsal with the pianist for my recital and some good practice time while Maelee and daddy did some shopping.

Steve made it another very special birthday for me with 34 sweet notes hidden around our apartment, a delicious dinner, and June tickets for the NY Phil doing Stravinsky.  I can't wait!!!

Slideshow from some NYC March pics:

Then, the most special day in March was also the last day of March, where we got to celebrate our Risen Savior.  Another egg hunt, on the roof of the school where our church meets.

Looking for more eggs at home...

 

 Found the golden egg!  With a special treat inside...

Loving the bunny card from Mee-Maw & Grandpa

And the new bunny from Nana & Pop-Pop

That evening, we got to celebrate with our church community group in a delicious Easter dinner!  Quite a spread...

The gang :)

Slideshow from our Easter celebrations:

March had a lot of days but went by super fast! And clearly, April has too, and has been even busier... But in the midst of all the craziness, there are still sweet moments with precious memories. Spring has sprung!

2013 begins...with some frowns and some grins!

Ok, I know that's a cheesy title but it fits.  January and February both had their share of ups and downs, in various ways for our whole family, but to keep it on the lighter side, this post will stick to sweet pics of our sweet girl.

She wasn't always a little sweetie these past couple months...  We've got quite a feisty, stubborn, defiant little lady on our hands some days!  But, we did have our share of fun times. :)  We all passed around a stomach bug for about a week at the end of January, then poor Maelee had another bout of it for about a week in mid February...  but before and after those brushes with the bug were some enjoyable moments below.

Early in January, after Maelee got her first "reward" for earning 10 stars- a babydoll that opens and closes its eyes!  She was thrilled :)

Early Jan- Another sad farewell to more of our nearest and dearest friends :(  

The kiddos- James, Maelee, Ethan, and Tyler (who we miss dearly!!!)

At Alice's Tea Cup in early Jan- Desiree and I with sweet Brooke (Tyler's mommy) before their family's move back to GA.  Sniff.

Enjoying her new, post- Christmas paint set

Some hot cocoa overlooking the East River

Sporting the awesome South Africa tee from our dear South African friends (who we also miss dearly!!!)

Out to breakfast during a short but sweet visit from Nana in mid-January while Steve and I had a night out in Atlanta for Steve's work holiday party

One of the daddy/daughter duo's favorite games of racing back and forth down our hallway-

"5, 4, 3, 2,1- Off to the launching site!"

And here's a slideshow from January:

Then, February began with a lot of white!  Just a dusting of snow at first, then some heavier snow fall several days later.

A small glimpse the first weekend of Feb...

With a lot more to show the second weekend!

So much fun sledding!!!

And so much fun enjoying some hot cocoa after the cold!

A little pre-Valentine's Day PJs party with her little "school" group

Starting Heart Day off with some yummy heart pancakes

Then off to a nearby Nursing Home, sharing love and cheer with the residents

Our yummy gift from Nana & Pop-Pop

My little baking assistant :)

Taking in some fun cards, complete with lights and music!

Nothing but smiles and giggles for Nana & Pop-Pop during their quick weekend trip up in mid-Feb

One of Maelee's favorite NYC activities- the Carousel at Bryant Park

A little rain can't stop our party-goer before good pal Marissa's celebration!

Birthday Party Fun!

With best bud, Marissa

Ending the month with some of our NYC family- little "brother" Ethan and big "brother" James :)

And a slideshow from February:

I mentioned earlier Maelee's feisty side but also wanted to include some of the more comical developments from these past couple of months.  She is still quite the chatter box, and pretty much talks non-stop...  It is adorable and hysterical at the same time (if not a little exhausting at times, too!). And the "but, why's???" hit full force where just about every response from us was followed by the famous question.  But some of the funnier sayings are just expressions that she says that just sound plain odd coming from her.  She'd start off a statement with "Actually..." or respond, "Oh, ok" and for some reason, it just made us chuckle to hear.  Then lately, she's started making excuses for any reprimandable behavior we catch her on.  Example:

Mommy- "Maelee, remember, we don't grab.  Please ask nicely if you want to see what I'm holding." (as she yanks something out of my hands)
Maelee- "No, no, I was just trying to help you!"


Mommy- "Maelee, remember you need to be gentle with Parker" (as she grips his neck)
Maelee- "No, no, I was just giving him a hug!"

Oh, my- it begins already!  Not sure where she gets any sort of tendency to be defensive... smirk.

Anyhow, each day she says something new that makes us laugh and she really is Miss Personality.  We can't believe she's so close to turning THREE!!!  Wow.  The year has already had its share of tough moments, but her sweet smiles make us excited for what the rest of 2013 has in store.