Family Tales and Bunny Tails

 This is my static electricity, slide riding niece, Blythe.  She came to visit last month, and my heart actually hurts as I write this.  I know most of my blog is more about crafts and food-and I have over a hundred post set to post all craft and food related, but first....I realize anyone visit inghas their own little family to care about, but this little girl inspires me....

 She is the recipient of many a craft, and her personalty fills up my world.
Last year her mama and daddy added this little guy to the mix...

They live in a land far, far away called California, and they come for a visit once a year.  Thus far, we have also been able to get up to see them once a year, but it will never be enough time.  I was able to spend time with them each day they were here for the entire week, but a lifetime of daily Candyland games and singing made up songs wouldn't be enough.

I missed our traditional zoo day this year (boo to staff development days), but we tried out the Rainforest Cafe this year, which was a little scary at 3 1/2.  

At 14 months, Jonathan was less concerned about his surroundings being scary.  He currently stays at a home daycare and his provider is most comfortable speaking Spanish, which makes for interesting toddler babble.  Thus far, the only thing I understand is his request for agua.  He also likes to jam out to any music he hears that originates south of the border....so cute.  I think the hope is to continue this in his life and eventually enroll him in a bilingual program....which gives us 3 years to catch up to this guy.  At this point he's laid back and does those cute baby giggles.  

I had the family over one night for Easter dinner since we won't be together this year and for dessert we made bunny tails....(cotton candy with my little machine).  

 Blythe thought I was saying bunny tickles...until she saw the end product she got really nervous about a what a bunny tickle would be and wouldn't stand close for tail number one....

 We also did our annual craft, or 'crat' as Blythe let the rest of the family know we were making.  We've made an ornament together every year.  This year=macaroni art-so appropriate because home girl could eat (and does when allowed) mac and cheese for every meal.  I cut out some cardboard with a hole punch and I added some glue dots and let her select from some random noodles.

 I sprayed it silver, then added adhesive spray and had Blythe glitter it all up.

 She hung this proudly on Nana's fridge until she left....and then for ornament two....
This one she was the most proud about.....She told me she wanted three noodles only....
After the first one I thought she'd forget about this one, but she asked for it over and over again every day I saw her until I finally brought it....it's kind of my favorite thing right now....

Among family dinners and barbie playdates I stole my cousin Holly and cousin-in-law Lydia away.  We went downtown and I did a live craft segment on GMT.  I took the morning off intending to get out nails done and grab some lunch together at a tea room.  It turns out the show was doing a live audience this morning, and so they snagged my cousins to be a part of the audience.  This made for an even more interesting experience....so fun.  They were forced to dance with props.  

...and now I'm going to apply for jobs in California.  Then Tennessee.  Then Florida.   I can't take all this separation from these cute children.  Jobs, bills, and lack of lottery winnings is really holding me back, man.