easter!!!!!!! part one.

this year we decided jack was old enough to attempt egg-dying.  we were totally right on and only had one minor issue (he cracked an egg, 'cause that's what we do when we make pancakes or scrambles!).  we didn't have any spills - no ruined clothes, granite intact, white sink still white.  and we had FUN doing it!  that is what really matters, but the no-spill thing was pretty awesome for me :).

he's so big!

attempt at family picture
not used to the dslr, it's not easy to take self-portraits!

'cheeeeeese!!!!!'

check out his little face - total shock!

he LOVED dipping the eggs

then he put on some stickers

ah-ha!  self-timer!

she's fresh and clean - showered again!

eric's close family friend (they have a ton, all growing up and living in the same neighborhood since he as a tot - all with kids about his age, so fun and loving with tons of diaper and running away stories to share) threw laura a luncheon shower the weekend before the wedding.  it was so nice, at a lovely restaurant, and so great to meet so many people there to support laura and eric's marriage!

hostess with the mostest, karen, arranged these flowers

laura, Karen {hostess}, mom

cute present!
 in addition to gifts, each guest wrote down so words of wisdom for the couple.
laura was presented with an adorable scrapbook with each card.

flowers & favors

group shot!

cinco de mayo!!!!

it's BEAUTIFUL outside!  we'll be enjoying our classic great-weather-feast of carne asada, guac, and frosty beverages.  YEAH!  here's a pic of our reused decor - i'm surprising pete.  it's kind of fun to be super cheesy - jack likes it!  dinner pics this evening (depending on number of frosty beverages i intake):

unc jd celebrates his bday

the boys chatting

mom's layered funfetti cake - yum!

 Happy Birthday, Unc JD!!!!!

scientopia

our thrusday-play-date friend and sister-in-law to a good friend from high school, paige, suggested we check out scientopia in napa.  i believe it was gross outside the entire week prior to this outting and i know the kiddos (her little one, ava, is about 21/2) had been refusing naps all week.  this place was an unexpected, super-fun gem in a warehouse district (why or why are all kids places in warehouses around here?!?!?).  it was clean, had a ton of stuff for the kids to do and they serve coffee -- yes!

jack had a BLAST!  we will definitely be going here again!!

around the house.

i think freezing baked cupcakes and frosting day-of is the best thing i've ever done baking-wise.  i will never bake and frost the same day again.  (especially after i baked and frosted 255 mini cupcakes for laura & eric's dessert bar at their wedding):

jack's been setting the table for us every night (nonbreakables only).  when given the choice between the breakfast bar (and casual dinner spot) in the kitchen or the dining room, he picks dining room every time!  so happy we're making family dinner time important now :):

 i roasted a chicken and it was ah-may-zing!  later that night i made my own broth (stock?) for use later in the week.  yum!

laura's bach - part II, disney

did i mention that last night allyn gave us all matching shirts?  jack's said 'ring security'
mom's said 'mother-of-the-bride' while angelica, teresa, and i sported 'bride's girls'
we were known throughout the lands after a few hours

this was the first time i've had to wake jack up in a LONG time.  we had plans on meeting for breakfast as 7:30, getting to disney shortly after opening.  we stayed at embassy suites and had a full breakfast, then the girls (+teresa) grabbed the shuttle and mom, jack, and i took the car (much easier with a stroller, snacks, jackets, etc.)  we were exhausted from the night before (i really can't hang like i used to!), but rallied and made it to disney around 8:30, planing on staying as long as possible to really enjoy our 1-day ticket.

jack provided ring security -- alllll day.

we rode the train to toon town!

mother-of-the-bride & bride-to-be

jack's first roller coaster

'it was a little bit scary, but a little bit fun, but a little bit scary, but a little bit fun'

hey goof!  you're nice!  (goof loved it and gave a little 'garsh')
jack nicknamed everyone, including 'mick the mousy'

in line for dumbo

loving riding with aunt laura!

teacups with mommy

pluto hat!!!!!

'i spy mickeeeey!!!!!'

fading fast - after dinner

and he's out.... just in time for fireworks (which he slept through, btw)

all lit up

for the record, jack was a shmidge too short for big thunder
i went on it with my mom & teresa while he napped 

some other fun stuff pics:

getting our fortunes from esmeralda

bride & moh

the day after easter.

overheard from jack to pete over a jelly bean:  what? the easter bunny brought me some more candy?  that was so nice of him!

savoring a whopper robin egg
this kid LOVES candy

posts to come:

laura's bach, part II, disneyland

scientopia

around the house

she's fresh and clean!  laura gets showered again.

the easter bunny brings candy and eggs (shhhh, there's a chick inside!)

new business?  green family designs

all my single ladies...put your hands up!

this doesn't make any sense, but i was reminded of this song while composing this post! did you know jack LOVED this song in it's hey-day?!? loved. he bounced around to it every time it was on. to celebrate laura's last days of being a 'single' lady (which i've always thought weird to say because technically, you aren't 'single' - just not married - i digress), which we celebrated in disneyland! yay for moh, allyn, and her mama, teresa, for thinking up this crazy idea and making it a reality. we had SO.MUCH.FUN.

bright and early jack, my mom, teresa, and i headed to anaheim. with a car full of snacks, gift bags, suitcases, and one very excited 3yr old we drove down the 5, stopping WAY too many times for potty breaks, but totally loving the fact that we could stop whenever we wanted! i feel like driving with guys (over age 10) makes the numerous potty stops a little less likely - anyone feel me here? i have to stop ALOT.

sheila and her pepsi
stopping might have something to do with my matching 44ouncer...
naw, definitely not.

we made it down by early afternoon, had a late lunch, then started prepping the room for the guest-of-honor's arrival.  she and her bridesmaids left after work.  allyn, the fabulous moh, gave us strict instructions on set-up.

allyn made each of us (including jack!) a gift bag with a TON of great stuff

i recorded laura's entrance.  double fisting - camera style.  oh how times have changed.

bride is super excited -- so is allyn, check out her face (tank+black hat)

let the slumber party begin!

jack's bag had all sorts of activities
mug making, color books, airplanes, candy -- so cute

opening all her goodies - comfy socks, YES!

bride to be + future mrs. giacobazzi

laura's loot

color coordinated, hand/homemade treat sticks
DELISH!

we spent the rest of the night playing apples to apples, eating pizza, and lounging.  jack was a trooper and endured his first (and only, mr. jackson steward green) all-girl slumber party (and last bachelorette -- right?!?!?).

stay tuned!