Pregame downtown fun

We like the Grizzlies a little bit around here. We've had to plan our attendance as a family this year around Caroline's school schedule, which eliminated most week night games. We had tickets for a Saturday night game a couple of weekends ago and decided to head downtown early.

We took the kids on a carriage ride. The girls picked out the prettiest princess carriage they could find. They were absolutely thrilled with the entire ride. It was so fun watching their delight.

The girls even got to meet and thank Barney after our ride.

I'm not sure if this happens at every home game, but there were some fun slides and bouncy things set up on the plaza outside the Forum. We spent a couple of minutes letting the girls get some wiggles out.

A friend once told us that his kids got really excited about sporting events when they had a specific team player to cheer for. I think I've mentioned before that Caroline's favorite player is Marc Gasol. She's a super fan! Who wouldn't want this cutie in their cheering section?

The Grizz are headed to the playoffs and we couldn't be happier for our favorite team!

Peter: 9 months

Length: 27.5 inches (26%)
Weight: 16 pounds, 9 ounces (4%)

How is it that my baby will be one in three short months?

Spring inspiration

My friend Brittany is always finding cute inspiration on Pinterest. She does such a great job of doing some of the things she pins. I realized that we had done a few projects around here that I had pinned, so I thought I'd highlight them.

We made large Easter eggs.

 

Source: familyfun.go.com via Emilee on Pinterest

I was certain that the girls would love this project. It was an invitation to make a huge gluey, sticky mess! Nope. They spent about 2 minutes participating. Kevin and I did most of the eggs. We had a great time.

For our Easter lunch dessert the girls helped me make some little bird nests. Yum!

Source: thecurvycarrot.com via Emilee on Pinterest

Here's ours, displayed on one of my most cherished heirlooms, my great-grandmother's Limoges platter:

Helen had to bring a snack to school a couple of weeks ago. It was "R" week, so we made a yummy rainbow. I don't think I officially pinned this idea, but I know my friend Laura made this snack. It was so fun to make and everyone at school loved the idea.

Carpool

I'm thankful for a very patient little brother and his beautiful blue eyes.

Easter weekend

We had a really great Easter weekend. We took advantage of the long weekend and headed up to Kentucky for a long-overdue visit with my parents and my sister and her family. 

Friday night, Papa planned a slumber party for the bigger kids. Hope there will be room for Lila and Peter in a couple of years!

Everyone woke up ready to hunt Easter eggs.

Papa gave wagon rides behind the lawn mower.

Peter had his first adventure swinging under the maple tree.

We got a good picture of the five of us. (It's a good thing, too, since I neglected to stage any photos on Easter Sunday.)

We ended the afternoon with a picnic lunch in a shady spot.

We headed home Saturday afternoon becauseI had to sing and ring Sunday morning. It was a wonderful weekend.

The "pink one" birthday

Several weeks before Helen's birthday I asked her what she would like for her birthday.

"A pink one," she said.
 
"A pink present? I think I can do that."

"No, Mommy! A PINK one!" she repeated. Obviously, I was missing something.

It took us several days and Daddy's interpretive ear to figure out that she was asking for a penguin. A big pink penguin, to be exact. I'm thankful she didn't expect a real penguin. I'm also thankful for Kevin's mad Google search skills. You can find anything on the internet, pink penguins included.

She saw a Rapunzel doll at Target like this one and started asking for it, too. Three times yesterday I saw her holding Rapunzel's hands, staring into her eyes and saying, "Rapunzel. I wuv you so much."

And a see saw! They have enjoyed this thing so much!

It was a really great third birthday celebration!

Peter: 8 months

This baby boy is growing entirely too quickly. I'm enjoying him so much!

 

Helen: 3 years

 

Helen,

Here it is: your THIRD birthday! You are so excited to be three! Honestly, you are excited about almost anything. It's our favorite thing about you.

 

You are my most social child. You make friends easily. You start conversations with everyone you encounter. You always want to go somewhere, do something, see someone.

 

Life is brighter and more fun and more spontaneous with you in it. It's just plain fun with you around.

 

A verse for you popped in to my head last night as I was thinking about your sweet life.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:16

Your father and I give thanks for your light-filled spirit. We pray that the light shining in you will continue to spill out onto those surrounding you, showing them that Jesus lives in your heart. We are prayerful that you will strive to give glory to God in all you do.

 

We love you, merry sunshine! Happy third bithday!

(Incredible photos taken by EBW Photography)

The last 6th birthday post

Who doesn't love to celebrate their birthday for days and days? I realized I hadn't posted about our celebration here at home and her special birthday snack at school.

We celebrated Caroline's birthday at home with one of her favorite meals: ravioli with sauce, salad, and bread.

Caroline is the easiest person in the world to shop for. It is so easy to find things I know she will love. I think I've said it before, but she is the best gift opener. She is truly delighted with each present she opens. So much fun!

I used the "easy button" and picked up Muddy's cupcakes. I'm running out of room for candles on the cupcakes. I guess I'll have to start making cakes!



Because she and Helen were sick the week of her birthday, her teachers and I postponed her birthday snack at school until after spring break - an entire 11 days of waiting. It was a really sweet time for me to get a glimpse of what goes on in Caroline's life at school. Her friends drew "warm and fuzzy wishes" for a special birthday book. There were lots of post of gold, disco balls, and kittens. Helen got to have snacks with the big girls (a glimpse of what her life at school will be like!).





Next up...Helen's birthday!

Sixth birthday fun

We had originally planned to do a small birthday celebration with a few of Caroline's friends the weekend before her birthday. But she got sick and we had to postpone and rearrange. 

Last Friday was the start of spring break, so I took Caroline and Shelby to the Children's Museum. They had a great time. 

The dinosaur exhibit was so interesting to the girls. They spent a long time reading, exploring, doing puzzles, and making dinosaur art.

 

 

Here I am with my "can't-stand-the-stroller-must-be-snuggled" baby. I'm wondering why in the world I left the Moby at home.

 

 

Then we invited Maddie and Elizabeth for manicures and pedicures on Monday.

 

 

 

 

And no birthday celebration is complete without cupcakes!

 

I am so thankful for these friends in Caroline's life. She is a lucky girl to be blessed with such sweet friendships at such an early age.