Suddenly spring

Like a large part of the rest of the country, New Jersey is currently experiencing amazing spring-like weather in the middle of March. I wore flip-flops today, people. Flip-flops! So naturally, we've been trying to make the most out the weather and get outside as much as we can.

This morning after music class we met Uncle John at a local park for a little nature walk. Charlie and Lily loved playing in the gazebos, climbing in and out of the (unfilled) fountain and tossing little tree seeds (what DO you call those prickly round things that fall of the trees!?) into the water from the bridge.
We've spent a lot of time drawing with sidewalk chalk in the driveway. Lily is quite the chalk artist.
And of course, Charlie and Lily make Daddy work to keep them entertained. (Notice how he's still in his clothes from work, lol.)
On Monday, after a fun afternoon outside, we hit the Chinese buffet for dinner. Charlie and Lily ate peanut butter and jelly (I couldn't even get them to try the egg rolls. Who doesn't like egg rolls?) but had a great time in the restaurant.
Last Friday (before the weather got so nice!) I was called upon to fill in last minute as the mission speaker at the PSE&G March for Babies kick-off. I had to bring Charlie and Lily with me to the breakfast, as I literally found out that I was going at 9:00 the night before the 9:00am event. They were SO good at the breakfast - smiling at everyone and chatting away, while carrying their toys around in March of Dimes donation buckets. They came up with me while I gave my speech and at the end Charlie yelled, "Thank you!" into the microphone and waved. He was so sweet! As we left Lily asked if we could go get a donut, and since they had been so good we headed right to Dunkin Donuts for a treat.
And by now you may be wondering why Lily is wearing a Sesame Street hat in every picture. Last week, one of Joe's students made him an Elmo hat. Lily took one look at it, claimed it for herself and wore it constantly. I mean constantly. She put it on the moment she woke up in the morning and, other than when she napped, kept it on until bedtime. Poor Charlie was left out, so Joe' student was kind enough to make a Cookie Monster hat for him. Which, upon seeing, Lily ALSO claimed as her own. So for the past week she has not been seen without either Elmo or Cookie on her head. Silly girl!