What a dreary day!!!

The local weatherpeople forecasted a few stray showers today, so why did it rain non-stop from 8AM to 7PM?!? We were stuck inside the entire day... we couldn't take the kids to the playground during Sunday School, and the rain kept us from taking Cassidy outside to run around or ride her bike this afternoon. Needless to say, she drove us NUTS!! Terrible twos, my foot - it should be called the terrible threes!!
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Partway through the afternoon, I decided it might be fun to let Cassidy paint a birdhouse I'd bought a few weeks ago. She made one at Vacation Bible School last summer, and we've faithfully filled it with birdseed ever since. It wasn't the strongest birdhouse around, and the last storm that blew through left Cassidy's beloved birdhouse in pieces.
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Painting is a full-body experience for Cassidy, so we only let her paint outside or in the bathtub. You'll see why... here are the pictures I took!
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She started out so clean, but that only lasted about 15 seconds ->

We put her hair up because it kept falling into her face ->
She decided her hand could also use a fresh coat of paint ->

And the tub needed some color ->

And her leg, too ->

Almost done!! ->

The final product, a Cassidy originial! ->

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everybody!

We had a great weekend - Gymboree art class on Saturday morning, an egg hunt at Mama and Papa's church Saturday afternoon, treats from the Easter Bunny Sunday morning, lunch with Mama and Papa after church Sunday afternoon, and egg dying Sunday night! So fun, and so exhausting!!

Here are some pictures of the weekend...

Cassidy waiting for the fun to start ->
Cassidy eating a cupcake before the egg hunt ->

Mama clears the way for Cassidy ->

Daddy helps Cassidy reach for the tall ones ->

The Easter Bunny spoiled Cassidy! (who wouldn't?!?)->

Cassidy's beautiful Easter outfit ->

Our Dora dyed eggs ->

The stickers were meant for the eggs, but most ended up on her belly! ->

Easter Eggstravaganza!

Today was the City of Suffolk's Annual Easter Eggstravaganza. We've been taking Cassidy since she was 14 months old, and she enjoys it more every year. This year she made a picture out of her fingerprints, took quite a few turns through the "Playtona 500" bounce house obstacle course, gathered her fair share of easter eggs, and got to see the inside of a firetruck. So much fun!!

The biggest shock of the day was her visit with the Easter Bunny. We were floored at Christmas when she did so well with Santa, but chalked it up to Mommy's strategically timed bribe. HOWEVER, she proved us wrong today!!! Cassidy walked right up to that bunny, sat down beside it, smiled for the camera, then said a slow and leisurely goodbye after the picture was taken. Luckily, there was no one waiting behind us, so we didn't have to wisk her away too quickly.

Our princess is truly growing up! For comparision purposes, here are Cassidy's Easter Bunny pictures through the years. We buy them every year, and gave up hope of getting a good one 3 years ago.

Easter 2006, 14 months old (instead of commenting on the picture, Daddy asked "why did you do that to her?!?)->

Easter 2007, 2 years and 2 months old (wouldn't get near the bunny without Mommy, and wouldn't make eye contact with the bunny at all) ->

Easter 2008, 3 years and 2 months old (Ummmmm.... who is this child?!?) ->

My Mini-Me

Anyone who has spent any time around young children knows how they thrive on imitation, and Cassidy is no exception. I'll never forget the first time I realized she was imitating me. She was pushing her baby doll in its stroller, and was pretending to talk on her cell phone as she walked. I took one look at her and knew instantly she was pretending to be me.

During pregnancy, I have to give myself medication via a shot in the stomach every morning. I'm allergic to the serum the medication sits in, so the injection sites turn red and itchy a few days after the injection. Since I have to inject every day, my belly stays perpetually red and itchy from the first day of the pregnancy until two weeks after the birth. When you add in the itchiness every pregnant woman experiences from their stretching skin, you get one very uncomfortable Mommy!!

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In order to give myself some relief, I often walk around the house with my shirt lifted up over my belly. For some unknown reason, the fresh air and lack of fabric rubbing against my stomach feels good. Well, last night I checked on Cassidy as she was watching a movie in her playroom and this is what I found...

And once again, I took one look at her and knew instantly she was pretending to be me!!

Baby Campbell Needs a (fill in the blank)

Many people have asked how Cassidy is reacting to the news of her future baby sister. Our typical response goes something like, "she seems to be excited now, but we're waiting to see her reaction when Campbell actually gets here". This is definitely the truth - she appears to be very excited, but we're wary of the day that she realizes Baby Campbell will be living with us forever.

It's so sweet to watch Cassidy at the store... she is becoming very astute in determining what Baby Campbell should have. For example, last week she picked out a very cute Sunday dress for Baby Campbell. This week, it was 5 sets of hangers, the Veggie Tales Jonah movie, and a little package of chewy Spree candy. Suspiciously self-centered choices, yes - but thoughtful! We go along with it because we want this to be a positive experience for Cassidy.

Hmmm... Cassidy might be onto something here. I wonder if Matt would be skeptical if I told him Baby Campbell really needs a Lexus RX400h?