April

April was another busy month around here!  After we returned from Kansas City, I left the next Tuesday to go to Corpus Christi.  It was my first official business trip EVER!  I headed to Corpus Christi to visit two friends from college and to see their amazing business, Tippi Toes Dance Company, for myself.  Sarah started Tippi Toes when we were in college, and her sister Megan joined her a few years later.  In the past few years they have begun franchising.  I found out about it when Sarah mailed me two Tippi Toes CDs for Haidyn to dance to.  Jonathan and I had been considering this business venture since December and were finally ready to make a real decision.  The last important piece for me was going to Corpus to see the company in action with my own two eyes.  And I was sold.

So…Jonathan and I are now proud owners of Tippi Toes St. Louis!  I am so incredibly excited and nervous and overwhelmed and excited!  It has been a total “God thing” as evidenced by all of the pieces falling into place the way they have.  I feel so blessed to be part of an amazing company whose whole mission is to bring joy to children through dance!  I couldn’t be happier!  I only took one picture of my trip (so sad!)…

Our view from dinner on my last night in Corpus

But I’ve been shamelessly plugging Tippi Toes around town with my own free advertisement…

Cookie picnic at the park (in Tippi Toes gear) 

After I returned we (Jonathan, Judy, Sarah and I) participated in the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon.  Jonathan ran with a relay from his work and the three of us were *supposed* to be walking the half marathon.  Once the marathon started, Judy and Sarah both wanted to run some of it, so I agreed.  Not because I enjoy running in any way (because I DON’T) but mostly because I didn’t want to get lost in the huge sea of 16,000 people that were there.  I ran about 5 miles, which is really good for me, then did okay walking until about mile 8.  At that point I was done.  I didn’t want to walk anymore.  I wanted to be doing anything in the world besides the half marathon.  My head was pounding, I was starving, my feet hurt, I was a mess.  Outwardly I kept trying to be positive, but all I could think about was how to find an escape route.  Knowing my lack of directional sense and the fact that we were in downtown St. Louis, I figured my options were to finish the race or get lost/robbed/killed in the Lou.  I finished.  But I wasn’t happy.  And I proceeded to puke my guts out once we got in the car.  At least I learned some things about myself that day:  1.  I am NOT in shape  2.  I do NOT like marathons, half or otherwise  3.  I’m not nearly as positive as I make myself out to be, especially when I’m hungry  4. Me and that pineapple goo I ate in hopes of filling my stomach at mile 8 do not get along  5.  I really prefer a Starbucks mocha and cuddling on the couch with my daughter over any form of exercise…I’ll stop there.

Later that week (after I got over hating the half marathon) we joined our friends Ava and Keren at the Botanical Gardens.

 Looking out of the beehive Enjoying a snack in the tree house Why do you think our moms put us in a log?  Weird. My cutie pie is getting so big!

We’ve really enjoyed playing outside this month.

 Haidyn discovered the joys of taking her baby for a walk Playing in her new playhousePopsicles are a big deal around here 

And we’ve started playing dress up.

 Putting hats on with Keller Sporting her bunny ears And (much to my dismay) she’s starting to have an opinion about what she wants to wear.  Those ruby red shoes are “it.”  It’s getting more and more difficult to find outfits to match…

Passover and Easter Weekend

We went to Kansas City this past weekend to celebrate Passover with Jonathan’s family.  Since we haven’t been on a vacation in what seems like forever, we decided to make the most of it.  We left on Thursday evening and stayed with Uncle Izzy and Aunt Kay for the night.  Kay’s daughter Kerry was in town, and Haidyn LOVED her!  (Note: a lot of pictures are from my phone, so I apologize for the blurriness!)

On Friday morning, we took a little family field trip to the Deanna Rose Farmstead in Overland Park.  It was a beautiful day and a really fun place to explore.  We’ll have to go back when Haidyn is older because there were so many things to do – pony rides, fishing, feed goats, lots of playgrounds and much more.

On Friday evening, Jonathan’s parents offered to keep Haidyn overnight so we could go out and do something fun.  We were so excited!  Then the night actually got here, and we realized how old and tired we were.  Instead of going out, we went to see Zayde for awhile before getting take-out and relaxing at the hotel.  It was nice to get a great night’s sleep and to be able to go work out and eat breakfast together in the morning…kinda like the old days, I guess.  Thanks to Papa and Savta for the night off!

On Saturday we went back to Kay and Izzy’s house for Passover dinner.  I really, really, really wish someone had video taped the dinner.  It could be a sitcom for sure.  Between Haidyn screaming her head off to get out of her high chair to Joseph falling face first out of his seat…it was totally chaotic.  But we were all really glad we could be there together and that Zayde worked through the chaos to do a lot of the traditional readings.  Kay and Kerry were really sweet to get the kiddos lots of fun stuff to play with, so when things got too crazy we just played.  Kerry even set up a little egg hunt…so fun!

Here’s a picture of my hubby and baby before we left the hotel.  Aren’t they so cute?!? 

On Saturday evening we headed back to the hotel, and Savta and Papa came to take the grandkids swimming.  It was cold but lots of fun.  I think Simone stole the show.  See for yourself… On Sunday morning after breakfast, Haidyn really wanted to hold Samuel’s hand.  It was so stinkin’ cute.  And he’s such a sweet cousin to let her follow him everywhere!

We got home on Sunday afternoon and were exhausted.  We decided after all the delicious but fattening food we’d indulged in over the weekend, we didn’t want to make a big Easter dinner.  But I still want to send Haidyn on her own Easter egg hunt…maybe before Memorial Day?!?  Happy Passover and Easter, everyone.  Hope your weekend was blessed!