Joan is old!

Well, she's getting there! Joan's first birthday just passed and we had a practice birthday party with our friends in Bloomington. Soon, she'll be heading to LA for the real thing. We got her a small pig cake from the grocery store that symbolized her survival of the swine flu during her first year. She didn't really like it, though... The other photos are of her playing around the house. In parent news... Jude finished school and is ready for Mississippi State. He also just got into a poster design competition, so we're really proud! I just finished my book Ruby Makes Do which I will post on here shortly and I practiced baking a cake for Joan's birthday in LA which will have a watermelon theme. I think the homemade double layer chocolate cake with Butter Roux icing is fantastic and so yummy! Who knew I had it in me... Please enjoy.

April Showers and dresses with flowers

I've been so busy the last few weeks! We drove to Chicago to meet up with Uncle Art, Aunt Chloe, Uncle Adam, and Aunt Tara. First we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. It was a lot of fun! I got to see baby Chicks being hatched, and there was a fun play area for little kids like me. After we all explored the museum, we went to Gino's to get some authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza, mmmm. Once we got home, Mommy bought me a new spring dress, aren't I cute? Also, last weekend, my good friend Eliette Gesterling came to visit me from Springfield. She's two years old but she's pretty nice for a big kid I guess. We had so much fun.

Tuesday I'll be ONE YEAR OLD! I'll have some more photos to share soon from my first of several birthday parties.