more bday celebrations!

Just to keep our December really, really busy we decided to have a family celebration on Lucy's actual birthday. The morning started (early..what's new!) with a present from us. She's still working on how to hold up 3 fingers instead of 2.  :)

 Her reaction to her new Rapunzel doll and horse was priceless. She always gets so excited.

 Then we headed out to the local bakery for donuts for breakfast. While we were there she got to choose her birthday cake. I'm usually so good about baking homemade cakes and cupcakes for the kids but I was just too tired (and lazy) this time.

 After breakfast Grandma Kathy came up for a special girls adventure. Kathy, Lucy and I headed to the mall to surprise her with Build-A-Bear. At first she was a bit overwhelmed, as were all of us! There were so many bears to choose from but once we narrowed it down she chose a perfectly pink bear.

 Helping stuff the bear and making it smell like bubble gum.

 Giving her bear a bath.

 After looking at several different outfits she finally chose a bright pink, sparkly Hello Kitty Dress with sparkly purple shoes. It's a bit much, but was perfect for the birthday girl. She got to ring the bell and they even sang her Happy Birthday. So fun!

 To finish off girl time we headed over to Panera Bread for lunch.

 Later that night my family came up and Lucy got to open all her presents before dinner. This was her special card from her great grandpa.

 Dinner was at her favorite pizza place, Uncle Petezas!

 She chose a beautiful (and delicious!) snowflake cake.

 Carter got to help his little sister choose her candles and blow them out.

 And...her new Minnie Mouse dress! Happy Birthday Lucy!

Read more...

a gymnastics bday party!

To celebrate Lucy's birthday this year we thought we'd make it extra easy and take the party elsewhere. With December being so busy already it was nice to not have the extra planning on decorating, cleaning and organizing. All we had to do was grab a few streamers, make some cupcakes and show up to the gymnastics gym!

Lucy chose a Minnie Mouse themed party this year...one of her favorites right now.

 I made her a special mini-cake she could eat while her friends ate the cupcakes.

 Right before the party started, she was so excited!

 A few of the kids at the gym. The funny thing is most of our friends have boys so with 10 kids attending the party, there were 3 girls and 7 boys. They all get along so well and help each other out, love these kiddos.

 The giant trampoline was a big hit for all the kids. Lucy spent about 20 minutes on it and refused to get off.

There was this awesome inflatable dragon that the boys loved. They all crawled though and jumped around before coming out the other end. The girls...wouldn't even get near it.  :)

 The big foam pit was another big hit. So fun to watch the kids jump carefree and then get stuck trying to get out!

 Katy and I have been friends for over 15 years, lived with each other for 4 years and now get to enjoy watching our little girls grow up together. So glad her and Ava could come to the party.

 Jessica is another amazing friend of mine, who just so happens to also watch our kids when I'm working. I feel so lucky that we found her when we moved to Bothell...her family has become like family to us.

 Me with the birthday girl! My big 3 year old!

 An attempt to get all the kids together for a group picture. They each received a ribbon for participating and Lucy got a gold medal! So cute.

 I totally forgot a fork. So we had to compromise, yet she didn't seem too upset.

 Presents!

 The 3 girls of the party...so cute, love these little ones.

Read more...

lucy = three.

In 2 days my baby girl will be three. Three years ago we welcomed this little sweetheart into our family and it completely transformed us. We were used to having a loud, active toddler boy and suddenly a cuddly, calm, cozy girl was in our lives. I am amazed at how quickly 3 years have passed. And each year goes faster than the last. I can not even imagine our lives without Lucy. She brings so much joy, laughter and love to our family. 

At 3 years old, Lucy loves all things babies. She is constantly cradling them, feeding them, putting them to bed, rocking them and singing to them. The other day I heard her say, "it's okay, mama's got you" to one of her babies. Cutest.thing.ever. (by the way, I don't say that and neither does the sitter so I'm not sure where she picked that up!). She loves Disney Princesses, Tinkerbell and Minnie Mouse. She loves to (still) suck her thumb and twirl her hair...or anyone's who is nearby. She loves to cuddle. A lot. After every nap we sit for 15 minutes just cozying up to each other. It's one of my favorite times of the day. She's a thinker, a talker and a joker. She loves animals. She loves books. She really loves her brother. She could eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for every meal. She's great at puzzles and loves to swing. She is cautious, thoughtful, a rule follower, neat and tidy, stubborn at times and has the biggest heart. 

Lucy - Happy 3rd Birthday to my favorite girl. You are one of my best friends and I love how we can just have conversations together - in the car, at the store, in your room. You are a great shopping buddy and have so much patience for others. I love your sweet giggle, your giant hugs, your silly jokes and your kind heart. You had a big year. You finished speech therapy with the great SLP Miss Katie and I am amazed at how much you've grown, learned and now speak. You mastered riding your tricycle. You potty trained yourself! You took swim lessons and were praised on how well you listened, held your breath and glided through the water. You made new friends, went on hikes, and were a pro camping out in the woods. You spent 6 hours on an airplane flying across the country and never made a fuss. You grew up and it was so fun to watch. 

You are going to have a big year ahead too- becoming a big sister. I can't imagine anyone who will do a better job than you. You were made to be a mini-mama. You are a helper, by nature and I couldn't get through the day without you sometimes. You will get to start gymnastics lessons, soccer and more swimming. I hope this year, as you grow, we get to learn new things together but still keep our same favorite routines. I will never tire of singing "Jesus Loves Me" to you each night as you twirl my hair and give me a kiss. I'm so thankful God chose me to be your mama. 

We love you Lucy Lu....Happy Birthday Sweetheart.

Read more...

interview with a 3 year old little girl.

Lucy got to have her first interview this year for her "favorite's" too!  Here are her answers at (almost) 3 years old. Love this girl.

1. What is your favorite color?  Pink and purple

2. What is your favorite toy?  Her Little People toys 

3. What is your favorite fruit?  Apples

4. What is your favorite tv show?  Minnie Mouse

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Oranges

6. What is your favorite outfit? Pajamas (yep, she'd stay in them all day if she could...and sometimes she does!)

7. What is your favorite game? Who Shook Hook

8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit

9. What is your favorite animal?  Monkeys

10. What is your favorite song?  Jesus Loves Me (I sing it to her every night before bed)

11. What is your favorite book?  If You Give a Moose a Muffin

12. Who is your best friend?  EB Woods

13. What is your favorite cereal?  Wheat Chex

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Swing

15. What is your favorite drink?  Water

16. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

17. What do you like to sleep with at night?  Pink blanket and her monkey/doggie

18. What is your favorite breakfast food?  Strawberry waffles

19. What is your favorite thing for dinner?  Chicken noodle soup

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Minnie Mouse

Read more...

a 5 year old.

*posting 2 days early..I just couldn't wait!*

My little boy is now suddenly not so little. He's 5. 5 years old. A whole hand. Half a decade. A legit kid. 

How did this happen so quickly!? These last 5 years have taught me more about myself than any other time in my life. I have been tested, tired, challenged, questioned and judged. But I have also been loved, laughed, bonded and filled up. It's incredible how a simple child can teach you SO much.

At 5, Carter loves all things Legos, Rescuebots and Superheroes. A true boy. He is active and loves to run, bike, explore, swing and climb. He loves gymnastics and soccer. He is so ridiculously curious; at times getting himself into trouble just to learn a little bit more about something everything. He is generous. He has such a big heart for his friends and family and genuinely cares about how others are feeling. He is social; always ready to walk right up to another kid at the park and ask to be friends. He is smart. Not just like "I know my alphabet and like books" smart, but really pays attention to little details, asks thoughtful questions and remembers certain memories and events better than anyone I know. He is loving, so affectionate toward Lucy and always ready to give a hug. He is challenging. My goodness is he a challenge. He keeps me on my toes every.single.day. This past year has been one of testing limits, finding his independence and letting his voice be heard. We've learned a lot about each other, given each other countless apologies when we've gotten overwhelmed and have learned how to work as a team to reach new goals together.  

And now he's 5. This will be such a big year in his life. Finishing preschool, becoming a big brother (again), starting kindergarten. As sad as I am to see his baby years come to a close (and trust me, I'm incredibly sad...like tears flowing down my face as I think about it again - thank you pregnancy hormones), I am so excited to see him grow in the next year. I can't wait to see what lies ahead, work through the new phases of life, build new memories and love this kid even more than I ever imagined. 

He made me a mama and I couldn't be more proud to have him in our family.

Happy 5th Birthday Carter Thomas. You are such a great kid.

Read more...