Spring has Sprung!

Dear Friends and Family,

I have to begin this post with some very sad news.  Chris' cousin Tim passed away this week after being seriously injured in a car accident.  He was a young man, married to his high school sweetheart, and they just announced at Easter that they were expecting their first baby.  I can't even put into words how sad I am for the whole family by his passing.  Tim was a devout Christian man who loved his family very much.  Although I know I'm supposed to be comforted by the fact that he is with God now, I can't help but feel extreme sorrow for all of his family and friends that will miss the genuine goodness he brought to this world.  When something like this happens, it reminds you how quickly your whole world can change.  So please pray for his family and especially his wife, Jessica and their unborn child. And, if you are anything like me, you will weep at how horrifying this tragedy is and hug your spouse, brother, and children extra tight at your next opportunity.

Such a beautiful couple inside and out. Tim, you were like a Saint here on earth and now you are in Heaven. We will miss you!

Ok, as for our other happenings...

Spring has officially sprung here in Maryland.  Whew! How did it get so warm, so fast?  Well, I'm not going to complain because I love getting to play outside and so does Claire! This week we got out the good Tea China set that my mom gave us and we had an extra special tea party.  Claire was thrilled when I paired dinner with tea! (Note to self: this may have been bad precedent - I don't want to wear a big, pink feathered hat during all of my meals to come...and yet Claire thinks this is an excellent idea.)

This "tea" (water) is delicious!

Such a careful pour!  Nice work, Claire!

 I give Claire a fair amount of compliments and encouragement on her daily tasks - I think it's so funny how she now also congratulates herself on a job well done.  She'll finish pouring and say, "Good Job!" She's even quick to give me a pat on the back when I help her with something. (Such a sweetheart!)

This weekend we had a fun birthday party to go to for Claire's friend, Kennedy. The local kids' gym hosted the party and Claire had a great time! She was a little overwhelmed at first, but once her sights locked in on the ball pit, she knew just what she wanted to do!

Claire, having a ball!

Most kids jump and swim in the balls, Claire thought of it more as a bubble bath and was content to just lay, buried in/surrounded by one of her favorite toys.

 The birthday party also had puppets and songs with bubbles - Claire's other favorite things!  It's amazing how many bubbles are generated from a giant bubble wand and a box fan. 

BUBBLES!

 Claire found more balls and thanks to our latest TV viewing, she knew just what to do with them!

Going in for a dunk!

A very careful dunk, that is...

 On Monday, Claire and I headed down to D.C. for one of our last "easy" trips to the Nation's Capitol!  We did the Air & Space Museum again (per Claire's request for their elevators and the funny sounds the toilets make when they flush there), the Botanical Gardens, lunch with Nan, and to see the cherry blossoms.  Needless to say we were both exhausted after that busy morning! Once we arrived home, I somehow managed the car to bed transition and we both got good naps! "Thank you, GOD!"

At the U.S. Botanical Gardens!

Claire fits in with the other pretty flowers!

Forget the flowers, there are fountains here!

I'm so glad I captured this picture of Claire and Nan walking together!  Nan LOVES Claire and Claire LOVES Nan!

At a stop light on the way home, I turned around and snapped this photo of my sleeping beauty!

 And after nap, the weather was too wonderful to waste, so Claire and I packed a picnic and headed for the beach!  Claire was so happy to be reunited with her beach buggy and all of her sand toys.

"Let's see....where do I start digging?"

Love, and big hugs to you all,
Bethie