April

We kicked off April with Eliot's birthday.

Dad's birthday rainbow pancakes.

"I'm free."

Grandma's unbirthday present for Ira.  This Siberian tiger will explain why he's so fond of Tiger's further down.  Could this be the next obsession to replace dragons??  Wishful thinking.

Steak n' Shake for dinner.

The Party

If these pictures look strangely familiar, it's because we repeated Ira's party theme, games and decorations for Eliot.  I'm conserving energy these days.  Luckily, Eliot was thrilled to repeat the experience.

General Conference, the Primary service activity, and Easter were all wonderful.

I need to go back and read all the conference talks of course, but caught a fair amount.  And the Primary activity involved the children making cards, paper flower bouquets, and blankets for members of the ward who can't leave their home, and long term hospital patients.

Other April fun included....

checking out the Toledo Zoo's new aquarium.  Small, but really fun.

Our annual Beatnik Poetry Slam.  There were new faces and original works, interpretive dance charades, and hot chocolate sipping.

Home improvement projects,

Swim lessons. Both boys are becoming more comfortable in the water, especially Eliot after his water scare last Summer, when Anthony rescued him from what looked a little like drowning.  He was pretty terrified when we started lessons, but has come a long way.

The preschool's Earth Day Extravaganza.

A surprise restaurant in the basement.

Spring!

Unfortunately, a freak snow shower killed our tulip and daffodils a few days after they bloomed.  April is the cruelest month.  

Those two specs are the boys frolicking in a giant field.  Ira probably circled this thing about 6 times.  Freedom!

A Tiger's Game

The boys were mostly as thrilled as they look.

But at least the Stadium has a carousel!  Ira was pretty pumped about the Siberian Tiger in his understated kind of way.

Lots of drawing, mostly of maps.

And pretending to camp out.  The boys have been sleeping in their sleeping bags on the floor for about 2 months, sometimes covered in stickers.  Not sure why we bought mattresses.  Speaking of slumber, Eliot kicked night time diapers.  Wahoo!!!!!

And Anthony and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary!  We actually both sort of forgot until the night before, and tried to make up for it by getting each other flowers, which has not yet been an anniversary tradition for us.  Great minds think a like. 

We celebrated by taking the family to one of our favorite deli's, the Bread Basket.  What can I say, this pregnancy has made me periodically ravenous for meat. 

And I gifted Anthony a Traverse Pie Company pie.  Mmmmm.  If any of you come to visit us in Michigan, remind us to get you one of these puppies.

I've been slacking, so May update is on it's way.  Peace!