Where-oh-where Could those Easter Eggs be?

Easter in Ohio

We spent Easter in Cuyahoga Falls, OH with Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob. We had a nice dinner and a relaxing day.

Here are 2 actual Winright family portraits. :)

Coloring the eggs with a special marker before dying them is extra fun (and messy).

"Look, there's where the Easter Bunny hid my basket!"

Peee-Ewwww...he even hid one in her shoe.

Helping the beloved cousin Anne make "present" rolls (aka crescent rolls) for Easter dinner.

Toby's Bday

Clare had a wonderful time making daddy's birthday cake, and even put the candles on all by herself!
She made yellow and blue (Notre Dame) colors for the frosting.

Ta-da!

The Puddle Jumper

After a nice warm March rain, Clare got to put on her boots and go stompin'. Sometimes, it's the little things.....

La Fheile Padraig (Happy St Patrick's Day in Irish)

We started celebrating St Patrick's Day on Saturday, March 14th by going to O'Malley's to hear live, traditional Irish music. Clare liked the songs from her "homeland".

Captured her enjoying herself.

Having a snuggle with daddy (I think someone's a little tired).

Tuesday, March 17th on our way to the Dogtown Parade with our friend Alex. (Dogtown=Irish section of STL where thousands of people go on St Patty's Day.)

Okay, so probably not a good pic to have your kid holding a bottle of whiskey, but they didn't know what it was and had fun pretending to be leprechauns.

Thousands upon thousands of people. The parade go-ers were 5 rows deep.

Striking a pose to sport her Irish garb.

There's our beautiful Irish lass.

Later that day......to the Royale (our favorite neighborhood hang-out) to hear more Irish music. Apparently, the harpist is in the top 5 of Irish harpists in the world.

Both of us enjoying the day and the festivities.

St Patty's Festivities Video

Sat, March 14th at O'Malley's listening to live Irish music and Clare trying to get the clapping parts right.

This is our Irish Lass O'Dancin' to live Irish music on St Patty's Day!

Bowling-videos

Bowling's Right Up her Alley!

This morning, Clare saw a commercial for bowling and decided that that's what she wanted to do since she had never been bowling before. Since it was Toby's spring break, he managed to take a little time out to go bowling with us. We went to Flamingo Bowl, which is downtown STL. This is the the average bowling alley--they serve sandwiches, appetizers, and martinis! We had a really good time and Clare loved it! She bowled a pretty good 67!

"Go ball go! Go ball go!"

Waiting to see the knock-down.

So happy!

Jumping and cheering with excitement!

SLU Women's Basketball Game

On Weds, 2/25, we took Clare to a SLU women's basketball game at SLU's new arena. We stayed the entire game (we were surprised Clare lasted as long as she did). We had a really nice time.
Seats really close to the action!

"Defense, defense" Clare would yell no matter who had the ball!

She loves that Billiken.

Resting on her daddy's shoulder. Way past someone's bedtime. Toby usually goes to bed at 8:00. :-)

Clare's "neighbor" birthday party

This past Sunday (2/22), we had Clare's annual "neighbor" party, where we invite our close neighbors, but we're finding that our definition of "neighbor" is branching out into other parts of the city. See the video at the bottom.
A very happy guest of honor.

Dancing with Chris.

At her request, Liz made a yellow T-Rex cake with red polka dots.

Opening presents with the help of neighbor-friend Abby.

Clare entertaining our newest neighbor Elam (3mos).

(L-R) Abby, Clare, Chris, and Annette (Clare's babysitter)

(L-R) Chad, Jeffrey, Carrie, and Phil

4 Years of Clare

The "real" birthday....

Happy 1st!

2nd.....

3rd.....

4th

Interview with an Almost Four-Year Old

I think this speaks for itself.

Happy 4th Birthday Clare!!!

I can't believe our baby is 4!!! Where has the time gone? We had a busy morning. It was off to playgroup to celebrate her birthday--with a TRex cake and a pinata. Then, it was also her good friend, Anna's, birthday party--coincidentally, Anna had a dinosaur party, too! No wonder they're such good friends. After the party, we were greeted back home by Gma Jeanne and Gpa Larry who arrived from Des Moines to help celebrate her birthday. Clare was all smiles and had a wonderful birthday!!!
Waking up to find a T-Rex balloon and a dinosaur birthday bag of gifts!

"I LOVE these! Thank you, thank you!"

Birthday party at playgroup. The pinata was a big hit (pun intended).

She picked El Paesan's Mexican restaurant for her birthday. She got to wear a sombrero and this man serenaded her! She said, "this is what makes a birthday happy."

Patiently waiting to open gifts (while daddy goes back to the restaurant to retrieve a certain lost blankie). Enjoying grandpa as he reads her a new book!

More Bday Weekend Fun!

Clare had her mind set that she was going to take Gma Jeanne and Gpa Larry to see (A T-Rex Named) Sue exhibit at our Science Center. So, off we went on Saturday morning!

Can barely see Clare as she is dwarfed by Sue.

The paleontologist at work: chipping away at REAL dino bones.

Liz and Toby had a fun that weekend, too. Tickets to see Joel McHale!

It was so nice to have Gma Jeanne and Gpa Larry babysit while we have a (much needed) Valentine's night out to see Joel McHale.

Unfortunately, Toby ended up with a stomach bug the next day and we had to postpone Clare's annual neighbor birthday party. To pass the time, Gma, Gpa, Clare and I went to the zoo! It was kid's day (when is it NOT kids day at the zoo??) and Clare got her face painted.

TA-DA!