over the river and through the woods.

to grandmas house we go.

we had a fantastic visit at nana & papa's house. bbq.bonfire.campfire breakfast.playing with cousins.steak dinner.family photos.

tonight we made it to grandma & grandpa's. Henry practiced driving the gator...we'll be taking it for a spin tomorrow. Marianne is currently having a super fun bath with the toy bath frogs grandma keeps in the guest bath.

uncle John and aunt Julie joined us here tonight and will be staying to hang with us tomorrow. We're so excited to have them here...they are the first of the Laflen uncles and aunts to meet Henry.

magnet art

Marianne's placement of magnets on nana's fridge.

2 states away

we made it. to the big MO.

2 states away from home. 2 kids on an over night road trip. 2 bloody noses [Marianne]. 2 screaming "I want out of this damn car seat" fits [Henry]. 2 EXHAUSTED parents.

But we're here and ready to help nana & papa celebrate 40 years of wedded bliss <3

Let's dance.

firsts

We had some firsts this week.
Tuesday Marianne had her first haircut. Well, technically she had a mullet-trim at age 1 while her hair was growing in but this was her first real cut. She was so excited to sit in the pink airplane chair and then she got a pink ribbon tied in her hair. I completely forgot to get a locke of her hair though...that is one of my favorite inclusions in my baby book. I'll have to get some next time.

Today (Thursday) Henry rolled over for the first time! it was even a back-to-tummy roll. I was so excited that I threw my hands up in the air and started cheering. He looked at me confused at first and then grinned so big...he knew he'd done something special. he'd been on his mat for over an hour when he finally rolled over that first time. I got him to do it again once I had camera in hand but he was exhausted and didn't give me any smiles. I'll have to post a video later...as the one I took today, he's in the buff (his favorite way to play) and I don't want to expose the little guy.

their elements

Henry has been spending a lot more time in the carrier since he is strong enough now to go forward facing. He would quickly get annoyed when he was in there facing my chest...now that he can see the action wherever we go, he is much more content to hang. So I've been snapping several pics of him in the carrier.

This weekend Marianne's friend, Ian, had his 3rd bd party at a gymnastics place in the neighborhood. She had a blast. Her flower girl leotard came in handy.

Henry is happiest in the buff. I gave him a few minutes this morning to kick around on the bed before getting him dressed for the day. I gave him a minute too long...he gave me a brown spot on the duvet. And another on the diaper before I could get it fastened. And then another on the changing pad cover before I could get the other diaper disposed and another clean one on his bum. I guess he likes pooping uncontained. Maybe it's a good sign for future potty training. Needless to say he kept me on my toes.

oceanarium

last thursday we went on a hunt around the yard for rocks, sticks, leaves, and weeds. anything that we could put into marianne's oceanarium (aka a basin filled with water). it was a wonderland for her fishies and she had a blast splashing around. we even made them a little cave using half of a plastic clamshell lettuce container. 

here's a series  on henry unsuccessfully trying to get his pacifier back in his mouth. 

he's flipping me the bird for taking pictures instead of helping 

defeated.

princess

Marianne drew this princess on her magna-doodle all by herself. She brought it into the kitchen to show me...I had no idea she could draw people. I'm impressed!

left for dead

poor polar bear is all alone in the far corner. usually all bath toys are to be put away at the end of bath. i guess tonight daddy figured he'd have her leave them out for him to play with when he showers tomorrow morning.

a bump on the head

fifteen minutes into her nap on Tuesday, Marianne somehow rolled out of bed and bumped her head on the rail. she ended up with a goose egg right between the eyes. after doctoring it with a bag of frozen peas, there was no chance of her going back to sleep. and then Henry woke up after only a short nap. we loaded up the stroller and walked to a nearby park. Her friend, max, and his brother, Finn, met us there.

where's the easter bunny?

it was a busy and fun easter weekend. saturday morning we went to a community egg hunt. it's pretty close to chaos. a lawn, half the size of a football field, dotted with hundreds of eggs and probably a couple hundred kids hovering at the starting line. it took less than 2 minutes and the field was cleared of every, single egg. but marianne had fun and whet her excitement for sunday...especially because the easter bunny was there and we got a glimpse of him. the rest of the day, she kept asking "where's the easter bunny?" i would explain that he was at home in his hutch resting for his big morning hiding eggs and bringing treats to all the girls and boys. she was convinced that he was going to stay at our house and be here when she woke up on sunday. the next morning when she found the trail of candy leading outside she followed it to the door and asked "where's the easter bunny? is he outside waiting for us?"

the candy trail...

she wanted to go hunt in there pjs so we threw on a jacket and boots and hit the trail. 

bed head. 

that sneaky rabbit.

 can't wait to see what's in there.

henry's thinking "next year, i'm all about it!"

then back inside to see what that bunny left in their easter baskets! bubbles...

books, books, books, blue bunny, and

oooh, i think i see two chocolate carrots! jackpot!

buzz light year...

(i couldn't catch it on video but marianne kept saying "thaaaaannnk you, easter bunny")

 a solid chocolate rabbit!!!

after breakfast, we went across the street to egg hunt with our friends, the andersons! 

maryn.

 garrick.

jerry was going to work the rest of the day (ahhhh, tax season) so i went for a quick run before he left. i went ALL BY MYSELF and it was glorious! i cannot remember the last time i ran without a stroller or a dog! it felt so indulgent. thank you easter bunny!

and the best easter gift of all, jerry didn't go to work. bittersweet for him, though, i think he was feeling the tug all day and didn't relax and enjoy himself as much as i wish he would have.

a beautiful day nonetheless...capped off with grilled steak and fried potatoes!!!! yum.