March Madness

We started the month with ten 2-year olds coming to play at our house for the morning. We had been planning on a Turtle class play date at the park but it was rainy and the temperature dropped about 30 degrees in the span of about an hour. 

Tea party with the girls!

As if the little turtles weren't enough, next Jake had his friend Miles from his kindergarten class come over that afternoon. I'm pretty sure we had something else that night too but was so exhausted I can't remember what it was. 

Allie has benefited nicely from this season of soccer. She really loves the sisters of some of the players on Jake's team. Mia and Gali are both older and wiser at 3 but Allie loves being with them both! Mia is beyond sweet with her and she bonded with Gali over Peppa Pig during a team dinner! 

We took a long overdue trip to Houston to see Alex's grandmother, Lisa and her boys and Noonie & Papa! I did a very poor job of taking photos during the trip. Sorry!

After seeing Alex's grandma, we then headed to Lisa! Thanks to Rosie (Lisa's nanny who has known Jake since he was a little baby and was excited to have a girl around) we had a grown up night out at the Rodeo. Somehow we ended up at the Usher show in a suite and it was pretty awesome!

Cartoons and cuddles....Just missing Drew.

I don't know how we missed pictures with Noonie & Papa but we met them for breakfast and then went and hung out with them more back at their house. Jake & Allie think they're magic because they always have presents!

After we got home from Houston we went to meet Uncle Warren and Bubba for dinner. Warren was in Austin for SXSW (music and interactive festival) for work. It was a quick but very nice visit. 

Even though she sure is cute with her bee and butterfly, I could do without having to wash these creatures off her face. Mom's love face paint...Not!

For Jake's spring break he attended a week long soccer camp. He did a great job and loved every minute of it. I was especially proud of how he was excited to go even though he didn't know anyone or any of the coaches. Love my big boy!

Let's face it, Purim is really a wonderful excuse to get another wear out of Halloween costumes.

We met the Lozier's for dinner at Waterloo on Friday night. It was a nice night and the grown-ups got to have a drink and the kiddos got to play outside! John & Jake were much to focused on eating (and a passing bee) to smile for the camera. 

The girls on the other hand were all smiles but that might have something to do with the ice cream!

Allie and I met up with Hailey and Mollie for a morning playdate at the new Whole Foods. 

Meet Baby Baby Baby. And yes, that is her full name. 

We've been promising fish to the kiddos for at least a couple of months. It's either really great or really horrible parenting but it's been a godsend. But...we finally had to give in and make good on our promise. 

Watching the transfer

And we have fish!

Meet Chicken Nugget (left) and Spaghetti, pronounced by Allie as Pasgetti. Each morning we've had them I'm thrilled to see them swimming around and not floating!

*I'm happy to report that at the time this blog was finished and sent both fish were still swimming!

After two-weeks off for spring break the Green Phantoms were back in action. Jake had a great game and scored a couple of goals! I love my little soccer star so much!

Ready to kick off!

My soccer star sharing a post-game snack with his biggest fan! 

Sharing a post-soccer snack

It was a decent start to March Madness with Oregon beating BYU and then facing Wisconsin. Unfortunately for me this battle of the Diller girls goes to Rachel. We went out to watch the games with Texas fans Mike & Mollie (aka Hailey's parents) and had a really fun night despite both our teams losing. 

On Sunday we celebrated our friend Gordon's birthday with a wonderful child-free (thanks Bubba!) brunch at Moonshine. Then after a whole week of crying for Allie and vice versa we let the besties have their fix! 

After soccer pictures, Jake met up with us just in time for ice cream. Smart boy!

Tuesday has become Bubba & Jake day. Bubba picks up Jake at school which Jake loves and there might be ice cream involved!

I was out of town for a night for work and apparently Bubba, Alex, the kids and Baby, Baby, Baby had a rockin' night out.

Daddy loves his Allie so much he fed her Peppa obsession with a backpack all the way from England!  

Jake's obsession remains legos and particularly the mini-figures that come with the sets. 

In the count down to Hailey becoming a big-sister we saw the Gray's for the third Sunday in a row. They love each other so much we can't keep them apart. Allie and I went to breakfast with Hailey, Mollie, Mike and Grandpa Gray while Jake and Alex were at a birthday party. 

Feeding their babies while waiting for breakfast

Jake and Alex were out a basketball game. Jake loves it! It's a shame it's unlikely he'll go pro. While the boys were out, Allie and i met up with Bubba for some shopping and then Trader Joe's. Bubba was excited to show Allie the little shopping carts at Trader Joe's and I'm just always happy to just be at Trader Joe's.

Our birthday shout-out for March goes to Aunt Judy! We love you!

Happy April! 

February went Flying By!

February started cold but became beautiful and validated why we moved from the East Coast! It's hard to be upset about a few days when kids are wearing shorts to school in mid-February!

Before the sun came back, Allie showing off her new boots (although you can't really see them) The girl likes her shoes! This morning she was rockin' some new pink puma's that she was ridiculously excited about. 

You saw Jake's 100th day of school collection but on the 101st day of the school year they celebrated with 101 Dalmatians.

Alex, representing the rest of us, headed to Santa Fe to celebrate the wedding of his cousin Ashley, to her love Adan. Also pictured, their little love, Felix. 

We all wished we could have been there, especially Allie who wanted to play with her little cousins, Felix and Rafa. They're only months apart and so cute when all together. 

We missed Daddy on Valentine's Day but I was happy to have my little loves with me!

After three days of board meetings I was beyond thrilled to be able to make it to Jake's Valentine's Day party. Bubba joined us and it was so fun to see Jake and his friends. 

Making cards with Carter

Sweet boy! 

Ms. Weinberg thought of everything, they even had a photo booth!

Getting a valentine from Charlotte.

After the party we came home and walked (well, Jake scooted) to the JCC to pick up Allie. It was a beautiful day and we had to be outside!

That weekend, before daddy came home from Santa Fe, we had a great time at Jake's friend Cash's birthday party. 

It's soccer season again! Jake is now on the Green Phantoms with a mix of new and old ECP friends. Alex got a promotion and is now the head coach or Coach Daddy! 

Allie and I opted for some girl time with two of our favorite girls Hailey & Mollie for pedicures. It was Hailey's first pedicure and Allie showed her how its done! 

I can see these besties going for pedicures for many years to come! 

Pink. Her signature color!

Alex was away for almost a week for work and I sure appreciate all that he does, especially in the mornings and making lunch. I really dislike making lunches. It was also super helpful to have Bubba around to help too! And Starbucks helped one morning too!

The Green Phantom's first soccer game was a win and a great start to the season!

Go Green Phantoms, Go Coach Daddy and Go Jake!

 After soccer we headed down to Trader Joe's, I'm still so thrilled its here. Clearly, Jake didn't read the sign before posing for the picture!

That afternoon I was happy to attend a baby shower for my friend Mollie who is also known as Hailey's mom. Hailey is getting a baby brother in April. I've given away most the majority of Jake's baby clothes but had a few favorite items I was waiting for the right person to share with. Auntie Rachel gave Jake this adorable little outfit. It's amazing that this boy once fit into that!

Allie loves Joshie! Josh, big brother Harlan, mom and dad all came over for dinner on Saturday night. There was lots of Allie and Josh running around chasing each other which is ridiculous. It was so fun and there was something about the two of them running to the table and choosing those seats. This might be one for the wedding slideshow. 

There is something so wonderful about Sunday mornings! Allie found Jake's old Elmo tent  (thank you, Shana) while wearing Elmo PJs and decided it was an excellent place for Peppa and her friends!

Peek-a-boo!

On Sunday Alex and I took Jake with our friend Brian, his girlfriend and his daughter Lilly to see the Lego -movie. Only Alamo Draft House would have a dedicated Lego station for pre-and-post movie play! Jake sat on my lap the whole movie (which is the best ever) and by the way, "Everything is Awesome!"

And while we were at the movie...this was happening! Bubba and Allie hit the town (well the bagel shop and the park) and a good time was had by all!  

February is a big birthday month for our family so birthday wishes to: Mimi, Dorry, Auntie Rachel, Brenna, Josh Vivier and Russell!!! 

Happy March!