2010 Memorial Day: Traditions Old & New

What's not to love about Memorial Day?

We are FREE to live and celebrate with family, friends, and great food!

What a blessing!

Every year we hit the donut shop early in the AM and the kids and Samuel positively devour their sweet pastries. 

I pick...

at the frosting that is. 

Which, in my opinion, is the only thing good about a donut!

Unless, of couse, it's creme-filled.

In which case you would eat the filling...get it?

{Okay, I'm back from my donut-frosting tangent.}

After our suger-induced hysteria we meet up with my family

for the local Memorial Day Parade.

Watching the parade is something I've been doing

for as long as I can remember, and it's so much fun to pass this tradition onto our kids. 

And as we stand for the flag,

hand over heart,

it brings back so many memories of my Grandpa Lopez. 

I know he's there with us.

Later we met up with Samuel's family where the Wylies host an annual Memorial Day BBQ in a truly spectacular country setting.  It is a great place to relax and visit and the kids have an great time exploring.

There are tire swings...

Little toys...

Big toys...

{Note the lack of helmet.  That didn't go over so well...}

Uncooperative toys...

Tears...

Chickens...?

Wild play areas...

...and of course, smiles!

We hope you had fun celebrating too!

Iris' Spring Tea

Tell me,

what good is a beautiful spring day

if not for an equally fabulous spring tea?

Iris and I were of the same opinion,

and so we sent out invites to all the four-year olds we know,

decorated our home,

baked treats,

and waited...

...for the fun to begin!

The doorbell rang...

and rang...

and rang...

and soon our backyard was humming with excitement!

The air was filled with happy squeals...

...a flurry of bubbles...

...and laughter!

We coul not have done it were it not for our fabulous helpers!

Thank you Ava...

Elizabeth and Isabella!

We took a break from the fun in the sun to decorate sugar cookies!

Never have you seen so many sprinkles...

...atop gobs and gobs of frosting!

There was a brief respite from the festivities to watch a little of

-what else?-

"Cinderella"!

We took our tea (fruit punch),

caramel corn,

petite brownies & cupcakes...

...al fresco!

Amidst the fluff of organza and lace...

...there was a lone boy!

We were delighted that Iri's Sunday School classmate chose to join us!  Though he was in the minority, I do believe he had a great time! 

Thanks for coming, Nathan!

As the "tea hour' came to a close...

...it was time for some games "on the lawn"!

We divided the girls into teams,

and in relay-fashion they attempted to fill water pitchers with

...what else? 

Tea cups filled with water!

Some were intent on not spilling a drop!

Others ran without care!

And still some tottered graceful as can be!

In the end though,

they had a smashing time!

The grand finale of was a riotous game of "Duck, Duck, Goose!".  They had so much fun, and we all died laughing when Nathan, at the conclusion of our game, took a flying leap to capture the runner!  Well done!

Then it was time to wait for mom's and dad's to collect their princes and princesses!

What better way to wait than with lollies?

It was a delighful day! 

And at the end, I positively flopped on the bed!

Thank you to all the mom's who stayed to help,

and for all the parents who let their little ones 

share this special day with us! 

We were so glad to have you!

And last of all,

endless XOXO's to my sidekick and best friend. 

He is happy to help in every capacity,

and most of all,

he makes us smile.

Iris and I are eternally grateful!

Happy Tea-ing!