a hunting we will go

competition is the lifeblood of the wheeler family. and the annual easter egg hunt, though it seems all safe and "pastel," is no exception. summer awoke this morning, saw her basket on the table, and knew it was time to get her game face on. she practiced spotting small objects all morning so that her eyes would be sharp and no egg would go unnoticed at this year's MOD easter egg showdown. witness our little huntresses in action:

scanning the horizon for chocolately goodness.

don't let those dimples fool you. this girl means business.

(notice how mom really gets into this. those eggs that slip past summer's keen vision are immediately and vigorously pointed out by mom's eagle eyes, as she shoves other helpless children aside, preserving the bounty for her own little cub.)

after ruthlessly gathering our spoils, the wheeler girls pause for a brief photo op.

i believe i can fly

or not so much.

button up your overcoat

when the wind is free.

st. paddy pouty

i'm not exactly sure why i have such a hard time getting in to the "festivity" of st. patrick's day.

i don't color food green, dress my kids in a rainbow of emerald, set up elaborate treasure hunts, or create leprechaun mischief. and if you try to pinch me, i'll drop kick you in to next week. violence breeds violence.

anyhoo, it's probably because my gag reflex firmly believes that any food that is not naturally green should NEVER be dyed green.

and with thing one and thing two around, i don't need to go out and create imaginary mischief and blame it on tiny fantastical creatures. i gots the real stuff around to deal with.

all that aside, bryan insists on the corned beef and cabbage (and since he insists on so little, i oblige him in this small way). though, ironically, and for the uninitiated, this most famous st. paddy day meal is decidedly un-Irish.

and as long as i'm airing my march grievances, be it known that i hate daylight savings time. i think next year, the wheelers will not be participating.

making music

afton hearts the kazoo.

here, have a listen.

gooey

i am a *sucker* for cinnamon swirl bread.

anytime. anywhere.

so yesterday when i stopped in to whole foods for some grass fed beef
(yes, we saw food, inc., and yes, it changed the way we eat),

i walked out with this beauty:

and the beef, too, but it doesn't photograph quite as well.

calisthenics

afton's morning stretches.

family circus

the bearded lady.

baby zoltar.

chores

the early arrival of spring this year,

meant the wheelers were busy today working on chores.

first, out to the garden.

where daddy labored diligently pulling weeds.

while his girls found time to bike ride,

and sunbathe.

then, spring means sunshine, and too much sunshine means
summer's chatting with her dolls when she should be sleeping.

so we're up to our old tricks foiling summer's window.

yes, the wheelers are a lot of things. classy is not one of them.

and finally, we packed up the baby swing and jumperoo.

the bad news is that this means afton is almost ready to crawl.

yikes.

ready or not, spring is here.

low key

march is a pretty chill month here in wheelerwonderland.

and believe me, with three feisty females around the house,

we soak up just about as much "chill" as we can get.