Ayla's High Tea 5th birthday

I thought alot about the girl's birthday's while I was pregnant with Abram.  I knew that I would be planning, purchasing, and throwing parties while having a newborn & nursing.  Five seems like such a big age that I decided we should do something special.  

 A tea party for a few special friends.

It was perfect.  Well, except for the fact that I forgot to charge my camera and it was completely dead.  Luckily, one of my best friends daughter was attending (who is also a pro photog).  Big thanks go to Brittany for snapping tons of sweet pics for me.  She is a blessing!

Ayla invited 3 of her closest friends Meredith, Sophia, & Lanie.  Plus, Leah and her friend Ava (Sophia's sister) took part.  The tea party was a hit.  I still hear about it from all her friends and from Ayla.  We served lots of sweets and sampled 2 kinds of "tea" pink tea (pink lemo) and purple tea (sugar free kool aid).  We made sunday hats and each girl had jewelry, lip gloss and a parasol at their seat.

We started the party helping them and discussing proper tea etiquette.  Then we left them alone to sip their tea and talk girl talk :)  Ayla said her favorite part was pouring the tea herself.  My grandmother provided the china and tea pots.  

I love these girls and all the fun times we had.  I hope they truly are friends forever.

(apologize for tiny pics- since my camera was dead these are pulled from my snapfish account from Britt)

Five years ago my water broke unexpectedly 4 weeks early.  After a quick birth our first daughter was brought into this world.  Tiny, but healthy.  Ayla Joy.  She lives up to her name, because she is a total Joy.  She is by far the sweetest, most polite, and most generous little girl I know.  I feel incredibly blessed to be called her mother. 

Happy Birthday to our firstborn. 

Abram: 2 Months

How has 2 months gone by so quickly?

We took your first road trip.  Spring break 2012 to St Louis Zoo & the Magic House.  You traveled well and it was great to get away.

You are wearing size 0-3/3 month clothes, size 1 diapers (almost out).

Eating every 2-3 hrs during the day and 5-8 hrs at night.  You have slept all through the night a couple times and it was wonderful. Mama would be super happy if this continued- ha

You went through a growth spurt recently (you tanked up) wore this mama out- I resorted to eating alot of cookies and being grumpy.  Sorry! 

Your alert times are growing longer.  You swat at your toys.  Track sounds.  Rolled from belly to back at 7 wks.  Giggle.  Smile alot.  You mimic sounds and seem to want to "talk" alot.

Your personality is pretty laid back.  It is pretty clear when you are upset bc you have a super fiery cry! 

We love you to pieces lil man and couldn't be more happy!

The little stuff...

I feel like I have neglected to post on the "little stuff' lately.  I will post on the milestones and the big events, but haven't posted the in between.  Honestly, the in between is just as important as the major moments. 

Gus HAD to get shaved.  Poor wooly mammoth got all knotted underneith.  Here is a crack me up before and after.   He is starting to grow out now all cute and fuzzy.  I promise to never let it get that bad again.  I love his long hair!

Ayla is finishing up dance for the season and had her recital pictures taken.  Love this time of year.  So cute.  I snapped this before heading out the door.

Leah seemed to grow up overnight once she hit 3.  Seriously!! She is so smart and mature for her age it baffles Jeff and I.  She has a very funny personality that is contagious.  She is also just an inch shorter than her big sister.  Sheesh.

We have been indoors which means a few things.  The girls fight more, like all.the.time. More.  I bake alot, like ALOT.  Obviously, means I am not losing this darn baby weight. 

But when we do get outside we've had alot of fun.  Like bubble chasing :)

That sweet girl also wrote her alphabet all on her own.  This is a big deal for her.  She's never been super into working on things at home, until recently.  She has began burning through pre-k workbooks when she gets the spark.  I really enjoy seeing her work through things.  She's definitely a math girl.

Since putting this post together a week ago, I started focusing on dieting.  Or, let's just call it, being more careful of what I eat.  With Abram nursing so frequently during the day I can't quite stop eating! Or drinking.  Or thinking of eating and drinking!  Wish me luck.  I broke the seal on my Zumba for Wii.

Leah Hope: 3years

Oh Leah. What a very special girl you are. You personality is so big! It suits you well. Mommy and Daddy are proud of the lady you are growing to be. You are learning to be a compassionate prayer. You are strong and smart and sassy. You ask a lot of questions and get in trouble all the time! You are a Mommy girl, and I love that. Wearing size 8-9 shoes, 3t clothes. Your fave outfit was your hello kitty outfit last winter. You love to wear dresses and twirl. Working on dressing/undressing self. Brushes own teeth.
Your fave food is by far cheese. But still love salads and fruit a lot.

You are learning to trace letters well but not distinguishing many letters quite yet (can do A, L, O, X). You enjoy coloring, painting and play dough. Can spell your name sometimes. Can count to 20. Working on counting backwards.

Your favorite things are your stuffed dog/cats... baby dog/cat, big sister dog/cat, and mommy dog/cat. Love to run outside. Often chasing butterflies. Refuse to pedal a big kid bike, no desire. Coloring. My Little Ponies. Blowing bubbles. Anything girly or princess.

You became a big sister this year and it fits you well. You are wonderful at helping with some tasks and love to hold "brother".

How quickly a year goes by and how much I now realize you've grown and changed. I pray you are always this passionate, that you grow in your relationship with our Lord, and that you love as big as your personality is. Mommy can't wait to see what next year brings!

Happy Easter 2012

We had a wonderful Easter! Lots of love, time with family, ham, and treats. My kids (and us parents) were SUPER pooped by the end of the day. All in all a good time was had. I felt so blessed to watch our kids and cousins run around. God is good :)

I loved my kids Easter get-ups. My friend Abby joked that I had Abram's outfit picked out before he was born, but its true. It was the first outfit that really got me excited about having a lil man in my life.

For some reason my girls look like teenagers me to all the sudden. What is wrong with them? Stop growing!!!

Daddy's first Easter with some added testosterone... and I made them wear pink! ha Actually they look great in pink.

This is our only family pic we got. No gus, as he wasn't allowed to come to grandma's house. But, better than last year since I don't recall taking any pictures. Im trying to get back into my picture overkill stage.

He is Risen!

No pictures today. I have so much to catch up on. I just wanted to share a little recipe with you...

Resurrection Rolls

1can crescent rolls
Melted butter
Cinnamon Sugar
8 marshmallows

The mallow represents Christ pure & sinless. The butter and sugar are the oils & spices used to prepare His body for burial. Roll your mallow in butter, then the sugar mix. Place on your dough and wrap it up to create your "tomb". Bake 350 for 12 mins

Enjoy! Once baked your tomb is empty! He is Risen!

Share the joy of Easter with your kids!