Happy Easter

The girls and parents had such a nice Easter. We decided to stay at home and keep it small (which is really a big concept for us. We love to host for the Holidays and invite everyone). But this year was so nice and easy. We hosted my mom and the Tanners (we tend to spend most our Holidays together).

The girls are always so excited for Saturday to get their Easter baskets. Cakey actually liked the basket more than the toys inside. She walked around all day with her basket putting anything she could inside it.

This is my attempt at trying to get the girls in their matching Easter dresses.

The third annual Chatwin Easter Egg Hunt.

Hannah and Em were so sweet to help Cakey. Hannah was such a great help that day with the little girls. It is no wonder why my girls think that she is even cooler than Hannah Montana. They really do.Sarah's amazing trifle and my bunny cake. The children are so funny with the bunny cake, each has a part of the bunny they prefer to devour.

I really love this guy. Riles helped me write this blog. Everytime we scroll to this picture she says "Oh! Cute little mommy and daddy. You look so short."

Cakey's Hugs

"Mom, I wish everyone in the world could have a Cakey hug," said by Em, a very devoted sister.

Cakey gives amazing hugs. She wraps her arms around you neck and squeezes so tightly when she rests her head on your cheek. I agree with Em, I think her hugs are heaven.

Homecoming

So I did something that was a bit traumatic ... I went away for a big girls only weekend with friends (really it was just 24 hours). And Mike is the greatest Dad in the whole world. While my friends and I were getting massages and eating lunch at a kid-UNfriendly restaurant, Mike took all the girls to the Science Museum for 5 hours. They then ran errands, and he took them to dinner at a kid-friendly restaurant. Since the girls are not use to me being away from them for any period of time, bed time was a bit tough but he still managed.
When I came home the next day, Mike had flowers for me all around the house (which he kept spotless) and the girls had made signs that said how much they missed me. So Mike and the girls survived and even I survived (although poor Katie and Emily had to hear about the girls all weekend).
It was nice to go away for a "Mommy's playdate" (as the girls put it) but the best part was coming home.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Riles got so excited for St. Patricks' Day. She wore green everything: green shoes, pants, dress, even hair clip. She was so proud of herself. She looked so sad to hear that she has no Irish in her.
But the most exciting news of all was that there were real leprechauns at her school ... and they were so messy. They came the night before school and left little green footprints all around the school. They left their gold everywhere (gold glitter) and one manage to escape the leprechaun

trap the students made. His little hat got caught, however.

just a little update

Mike had to go to NYC for business recently on a weekend. We tagged along. Our good friends, the Welles, are such sports. We called to see if they wanted to go Manhattan with us the next morning. Without even blinking they said yes. So while Mike had his meeting, our girls and the Welles girls had fun at the Manhattan Children's Museum. "Hey do you think this helmet could protect me from Riles?"

Riles gets the best morning hair. Here is just another fine example.

Em keeps telling us that she doesn't want Hillary to be elected president because she wants to be the first "girl" president. Here she is with a picture that she drew of Mt. Rushmore. She likes to insert herself into the monument as the first "girl" president. Riles by the way says she is voting for Hillary! She says that Dante is and he knows because he is already 4. Oh' Riles!!
Sometimes these two really are best friends. Sometimes.

I am in love with the way Cakey walks. She walks belly first. She sticks out her baby Budda belly and charges full steam ahead. It is SO funny. She doesn't know how to stop yet. So she walks until she bangs into something or she falls. I am also including a picture of her cheeks. I love love love those cheeks.

Every snow storm Mike goes out to shovel the entire driveway in these pj bottoms. As soon as our girls and the neighbors see Mike out shoveling in those funny pants the children build their arsenal of snowballs and attack. Mike is totally outnumbered but has never lost! What a guy!! For the record, I actually like New England winters. I am use to them. I love them even. But even I am ready for this winter to be over. I don't think it is ever going to end. Riles has been sick lately (OK and maybe a bit grumpy). She fell asleep like this on the couch. I had to take a picture because she looked so peaceful and calm.

"Wow! Two grandmas!!, " an excited Riles yelled while seeing my mother and Jan at our home one day after school. This cheerful shout is often exclaimed when the girls come home from school. My mother and Grandma Jan (the best honorary grandma in the world) are often over. They love to visit with the girls and play games. The girls love the attention and love the love they give them. As much as we love Boston, these are the top two reasons why.