Easter Recap And Photo Editing

Morning, everyone!

Let's start with everyone's reaction to my most recent post. Sorry to have entered into the bathroom talk realm, but it seemed entirely too interesting to keep to myself. And, I forgot to include what sparked the idea for the "Proof Our Kids Are Weird" subject in the first place. I was tucking Jack in to bed and realized that it was the night before Easter and I was singing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" to him. No further explanation needed, I suppose. And, according to Caroline, we didn't need proof at all.

On to Easter......

Oh, first, I've been playing around on my new favorite site (thanks, Shannon), http://www.picnik.com/. It's filled with all sorts of fun features for photo editing. So, because I'm an amateur, please be patient. Our photos all look a bit different in this post because I'm trying out various options. And, I don't have time to go back and re-do them to my satisfaction. It's raining outside and the little punks need lots of attention.

We colored eggs on Saturday. I'm sure you can guess how this all went down, so feel free to skip through.



The weather was lovely, so we sat outside and saved our carpet.





If you don't have these clever little tools, buy some next season. If your child's name isn't Lainey, he or she will grab onto these and avoid dyed hands.

Is there an "Ugliest Egg" contest? We'd win for sure.

Afterwards, I put my treasured bunny planter back on the table. Blake loves it so much. Don't you?

Yes, it looks better with plants, but it's been snowing since November and I wasn't ready for the risk. All in good time, my friends.


Fast forward to Easter morning.

Notice the "short" pjs. I won.

And, would you look at that?! For the 6th year in a row, that crazy Easter Bunny broke into our refrigerator, stole the carrots and accidentally left some in plain view during his escape. The kids were fascinated.

And, then Lainey was worried he would be hungry later in the day because he didn't finish all of them. Our sweet baby Laine.

Looks like he got a few bites!


We took a walk later that day at Antioch Park.

Some girl at work made fun of Blake for his pink polo, so he refuses to wear it there now. Only on Easter do we get to see this pretty little gem.

Anyone want to make bets on how far the little ones will make it if we let them follow Carter?

Our punks. I love these goofballs.

See the difference? Remember, photo editing.



Lots of fun little houses for the kids to cruise around in.





And, bubbles!!!!!! No one choked this time.



The fam. Will life be boring one day when all 3 kids smile and do their best to not look miserable?

And, this is what it looks like when we leave.


Despite the cries, life is good! Happy Spring to all of you.

Proof Our Kids Are Weird

*******While driving Carter somewhere recently, he saw the sign and asked, "Mom, when are we going to Hooters again? Because it's a nice family restaurant." Somehow I managed to gain control of the car after nearly veering off the road in total shock. If you know me well, you know I avoid such establishments. After inquiring further, I heard, "Pa took me while I was in Texas last summer."

Once more, I regained control of the car and reinforced my feelings on this restaurant and reminded him they were not for children.

"Anyway, I was talking about the bird."

Pa, I would ignore my next 20 or so phone calls until I recover from this one.



*******I absolutely love Spring because I gain about 2 hours of free time during the day that would otherwise be occupied with putting on coats, tying scarves, arguing over the need for gloves, adjusting hats and lacing up winter boots. Crocs make my life easy. They're so ugly, they're cute and I love them on children.

That being said, the littlest punks cannot EVER seem to put them on the right feet. I'm convinced (after Carter did this, too) that the "wrong way" feels more secure and so they're purposely do it.


*******The idea of summer pjs is totally lost on our youngest two. Jack cannot stop pulling down the short sleaves on his shirt, nor can he stop telling me "Deze pants too short." Lainey refuses to wear one of the 4 precious sleeveless nightgowns I got her without pants underneath. I give up.


*******Lainey now assigns each piece of excrement (you're welcome) a name and standing in the family. "Oh, mom, yook. It's a baby. And, dare's mommy and daddy and brudder!"


*******Carter's most recent favorite book is called The Unfinished Angel. He's begging me to read it. Not exactly a normal 3rd grade pick. Nor does it look or sound anything like his all-time-love, Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

But, he could tell you more about the basketball brackets than most grown men. I mean, who the hell is Butler, anyway? I had to google the location! Of course, Carter knew.

As Pa says, "It's like talking to one of the guys about sports. He knows it all."


*******Jack thinks the Easter Bunny might be leaving him a Turbo Snake Drain Cleaner in his basket this year.

No.

I have no idea why.


I can't make this stuff up, people.

Happy Easter. Back soon with pictures from egg dying, mass and hopefully a picnic outdoors tomorrow!

Bunnies Galore

Yall ready for Easter, peeps? It's almost here!

We ventured down to The Plaza today to see the famed old school bunnies and shop a bit.

Beautiful weather. Beautiful city. No complaints!



OK, before you see these next two of Carter, channel some Anthony Michael Hall from Sixteen Candles and tell me if you see the resemblance.




Foolish Carter. This will be blackmail one day.


Taking Lainey anywhere means taking her entourage, too.


We found the bunnies and some other creatures, too. Carter tried to feed Jack to the pelican.


He was too big, so Blake put Lainey's lovies in there instead. It's so fun to hear a 2 year old scream. Don't you think?


Promise she's not going potty.




Possibly one of my all time favorite Starnes kids pictures. Everyone looks so very much like who they are here. Right down to Lainey thinking she's the center of the universe and doing a curtsy for effect.


And, to put this one in perspective, look at our 3 last year at the same bunny. Jack sure has grown! The bunny's hands are on his shoulders below. Above, Jack is at his shoulders. More pics of our first visit to the plaza in 2009 here.


Our littlest brat stinker protested upon leaving Pottery Barn Kids.


And, finally was encouraged to leave with some help.


Thank God she's so darn pretty.


I love The Plaza because it's filled with lots of historical markers. Shopping + history in one place = true love for me. Jack? Not so much. Hence, the stomp as I was taking the picture.


This is a dedication to greater Kansas City 3rd graders. If anyone in this family cared slightly about these types of things, I would have stayed longer to figure out why/when/how/who, etc. No time, people. The Easter Bunny was up next.


We drove out to Bass Pro Shops and entered into the land of all things redneck. Can I use that word? Is that PC? I can't stand that place. As outdoorsy as we are.......I avoid this store at all costs.

However, they were doing free 4x6 bunny photos. Score.

This picture shows about 2% of the coaxing it took for Jack to go anywhere near the bunny. I don't think the staff there completely understood what they were dealing with until Jack swatted a bag full of jelly beans out of the bunny's paw. Nice.


Somehow, we magically left with a few decent shots. The one they printed out for us is hilarious.......Jack is slinking out of the picture just as it's being taken. Loved it. Our scanner has been broken for about 3 years, so I'll send the pic with Blake to work to see if someone in his office has one that works. Cross your fingers.


Oh, and it must be noted that Carter said, "Mom, this is a totally cheap bunny. He's wearing jogging shoes." Fabulous.

Next up? Egg dying tomorrow night.

An Egg Hunt on Saturday.

Then, on Sunday, mass and good old fashioned family fun! (and plenty of slightly dyed, unusual looking, deviled eggs)

Question Of the Week - The I Never Addition

I have never bungee jumped. This and sky diving have always interested me. Just haven't ever made it happen.


I have never worn fake nails. Unless you count the ones Monica and I made in elementary school with glue we left to dry on our rulers over night and then cut into fingernail shapes (pretty resourceful, huh?)......I never have. Not really my kind of thing.


I have never changed my hair color. I envy those who will take chances and do drastic things to their hair. I've never had the courage!


Your turn.

***What have you never done? (that most/many people would consider fairly normal)