Easter "Hop"penings

I know it's been a few weeks since Easter, but this is the first chance I've had to sit down and write it all down.

It was a perfect Easter weekend.  Daddy flew in Wednesday night and stayed until the following Tuesday.  It was wonderful to have time together as a family, and TJ loved having some one-on-one time with Daddy while Mommy was at work.


We took a trip to Fisherman's Wharf (one of TJ's favorite places), and TJ wanted to eat at Bubba Gump's again.  After that, it was time for a trip around the carousel.  This time, Daddy got to go, and TJ once again picked the zebra.  Before the ride began, "You've Got a Friend in Me" came on.  TJ got the biggest smile on his face and he started singing it.  TJ loves singing that song with Daddy, and it was so cute watching them sing it together again. 

On Saturday, it was perfect weather for a beach day.  We made a quick stop at the mall so TJ could get his picture with the Easter Bunny.  He loves E.B.!  TJ ran right up to him, gave him a big hug, climbed up on his lap and said, "Cheese!"  It was so sweet.

We all had a blast breaking in TJ's new sand castle set at the beach.  It was a beautiful day, and we found  nice, quiet beach near our house.  It's secluded, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves.  That evening, we colored Easter eggs.  TJ had a great time, and he was very curious.  When he picked up a dyed egg, he looked at us and said,"How does that work?"  It's crazy how his mind works.

That night, Daddy was putting TJ to bed, and they were talking about Easter morning.  They were talking about all the presents he was getting from E.B., Mommy & Daddy, Ga & Pa, Aunt G, and his cousins, Mary, Joseph and Rory.  TJ looked a Daddy and said, "I don't believe it!" 

TJ loved all of his presents in the morning, but he was really upset E.B. came without staying and playing with him.  Mommy was sick, so we just had an egg hunt in the backyard, and Daddy went and got us hamburgers and milk shakes.  It wasn't anything like the Easter dinners we had at Ga & Pa's, but we were together, and that was all that mattered.

Since Daddy left, Mommy and  TJ have gotten back into the groove with just the two of us.  TJ is not like most 2-year-olds... he's very helpful, he's a good listener and he expresses what he wants and what he's feeling without a temper tantrum (90% of the time), so while it's hard work without Daddy and we miss him terribly, TJ & Mommy make a good team, and things are relatively easy.

Our home in Colorado is now officially under contract.  We are so relieved we won't be making a mortgage payment on top of rent, and we are so excited Daddy will get to come out after the closing at the beginning of June!!!  It can't get here soon enough!

April Fool!

That's our TJ... our silly fool!  He's such a goofy boy.  The things he comes up with to say... and do just cracks us up.  Case in  point: the kid has a new obsession with Mickey Mouse and Mommy's red shoes.  So, last night, he decided he would go to bed wearing both!  I mean, really?  Who comes up with this stuff?  TJ, that's who.
He also likes to do anything to make you laugh... giving funny faces, tickling you and breaking out in fits of laughter.  He knows his giggles are contagious, and Mommy can't help but join in with him.

This weekend was a busy one... TJ got to spend some time with Mommy's cousin Ross and his new bride, Carole.  I'm not sure if it was the M&Ms she gave him... or the French accent, but TJ instantly fell for Carole.  All he could talk about was seeing Carole again, and today when we dropped them off at their hotel after breakfast, TJ cried, "Carole, come back!"  It was so sweet and so sad all at the same time.

After spending the morning in the city... we headed over to South San Francisco where TJ's 'nastics school was holding an Easter Egg hunt.  TJ insisted on bringing his big sand castle bucket instead of his Easter basket.  He had so much looking for eggs and managed to spot a few.  After the hunt, the kiddos got free-play on the mats and trampolines.  All in all... it was a good time.

TJ continues to surprise us with his vocabulary and his ability to remember and process situations.  Today he started talking about Jackson.  We haven't had the dog for six months, but he still remembers him and can tell stories about him.

We're so excited for the week to begin because Daddy is flying in for a long visit on Wednesday night!

Colorado Visit

A few weekends ago, TJ & Mommy were able to head back home to Colorado for a four-day weekend.  We managed to have a whirlwind trip... visiting family and friends, and we learned... time there will never be long enough!

TJ had some much needed Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa time.  Unfortunately, Aunt G had the stomach flu, so we didn't get to see her, but he did get some play time in with Jack and his other buddies.

Daddy had to work because of the March Madness tourney, so Mommy & TJ drove down to Ga & Pa's house for a night.  TJ always has a blast there, and he eats well, too!  Pa made homemade spaghetti and meatballs, and our little meatball ate them up!

Mommy was able to catch up with her friends, too.  It was so nice to be back, but it was even tougher to come back to San Francisco knowing how much we miss everyone.  Last week was a little difficult for TJ... he had more downs than ups coming off our trip home, but this week, he's seemed to have bounced back.

He's picking up more words in Russian, and he's singing all of his ABCs.  It's so funny.  He LOVES singing songs.  "Life is a Highway" and "You've Got a Friend in Me" are among his favorites.  In the morning, he'll lay in bed and sing songs before calling for Mommy to come in.  It's tough singing him to bed now, because he likes to chime in and do a duet... then, forget about him being relaxed for bed! One thing he loves to do in bed before falling asleep is read... it's so cute.  His favorite book is about trucks -- go figure!

Later this week, Cousin Ross is visiting from Boston.  We're hoping the rain will let up enough for us to enjoy the outdoors and maybe head back to Fisherman's Wharf this weekend!  Then, next week... Daddy flies in to celebrate Easter!  We can't wait! Mommy & TJ make a pretty good team, but we're ready for Daddy to hurry up and get here!

Here are some videos of our little peformer!