Happy Easter!

Marina slept late this morning. Something I never did on Christmas or Easter morning. When she finally woke up, she was reluctant to get out of bed - that is until I said, "Happy Easter!" Then she bounded out of bed and and headed downstairs.

The Easter Bunny apparently underestimated Marina's searching ability because she found the eggs pretty fast. Her baskets were a bit harder to find, but she managed it. We made really good time at home, so she could get to church and get more loot! The kids had an Easter Egg hunt and each received a bag of goodies for their efforts. As if that wasn't enough, "Miss Judy" at church provided a bag for each child at church as well. In there she had a tiara and a plush rose which she called a mermaid.

Overall, Marina collected a lot of new stuff. Just what she needed!

The End of Marina's Birthday - Finally!

The way Marina's birthday is celebrated is so different than what I grew up with. I would usually get to pick what I wanted for dinner, have a cake made by my mother, open a few presents and call it a day. The fact that my sister's birthday was the day after mine meant we'd do it all again the very next day - and often even the presents were the same! I used to think it was unfair because she already knew what she was getting. Now I realize, it was unfair to her, not me.

How I wish I were Marina.

Her actual birthday was three weeks ago. It feels like we've been celebrating her birthday the whole time. Not that I mind. Her birth was the greatest thing to ever happen to me.

Today, I had my family over for lunch to celebrate. First of all, you have to understand I have a small townhouse and a large family. The two don't go well together. I'm sure they all groan when they have to crowd into my house for Marina's birthday. At least I only make them do it once a year.

The highlight for the party for me was the cake. I made an Ariel one at Marina's request. I thought it turned out pretty good.