Teach me to draw books

Merrick learning how to draw cartoons from some books we got at the library.

Gingerbread Men

The kids begged me to make some gingerbread men, they are pretty excited about them ever since they started seeing previews of the movie Shrek Forever After.

Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam

Merrick at church. He's getting so big.

Just another day in the Donovan Household

Some painting on Duck Canvas to be turned into place mats.

Topped off with some face painting ( Merrick's favorite character is Frankenstein but he pronounces it "Chickenstein"). This is his fierce Frankenstein look.

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge for playgroup

I loved, loved this day and although I want to do it again with no kids and preferably with Sean I really had a great time. Thanks to the sweet Katie Allen for planning it and for the other wonderful girls in my ward who were brave enough to attempt to walk the bridge with their kids.
New York, I still love you!!!

Riding the Staten Island Ferry

All watching the boats go by.

The boys playing peek a boo with our friend's baby boy.

Merrick's new thing. He calls this taking a silly picture.

Memphis being independent and wanting to put the straw into the juice box all by himself. Our friend Aleisha is the girl with the pony tail behind Memphis and she got the wonderful pleasure of speaking to a complete stranger the whole time while we were on the ferry. Good times.

Memphis turned 2

Memphis turned 2 at the end of March (can you believe it?) and so of course some celebrating was in order.

His birthday fell on a Sunday this year so we had to open presents first thing in the morning and then rush off to church.

I wanted to make my little cutie a nice birthday shirt with robots and the number 2 on it and this is the pose that he gave me when I asked him to show me his shirt. It's sort of a hold-my-breath and stick-out-my-chest kind of pose but I'm really glad I got it on camera. What a babe that Memphis is.

We ran out of birthday themed wrapping paper and all I had left was Christmas wrapping paper so you can imagine the confusion when out come the kids to see a mound of "Christmas" presents but explain that the presents are really only for Memphis.

So handsome.

Dearest Little Memphis,

What can I say, WE LOVE YOU!!! You are so easy to please and I can tell that you are very happy to be a part of our family. You love us and we couldn't ever imagine a day without you in our lives. Sometimes I just look into your eyes and feel warm all over inside and you give me your special bear hug that tells me I'm doing okay as your mama. From the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed you make us smile. You love to eat, you love to follow Merrick and play anything he's playing, you love a good nap but most of all you like to be outside. Your daddy thinks that you'll grow up to be a big football star I think you'll grow up to play any sport that uses a ball. We're excited to watch you grow and hope that you will continue to be full of life. Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Boy.

Lots of Love,
Mama, Daddy and Merrick