Kelsey's 3rd Birthday Party

This year Kelsey had her first friend birthday party. She decided on a Tinker Bell party. We just invited a couple of friends so it was small but so much fun. The morning of the party Kelsey woke me up saying, "Mom, I don't have a tinker Bell costume!" The poor girl was so distraught over this fact that we gave her one of her gifts. She did not know she was getting a Tinker Bell costume but very excited when she got it.

When all her guests arrived, we sprinkled them with pixie dust and played musical flowers. When each child got out, the girls got fairy wings and the boys got pirate hats. Our boys abandoned ship on us: Jackson decided to rake leaves with dad and the other little boy was scared of the pixie dust.

We went on a treasure hunt for the lost Tinker Bells

and then played pin the Tinker Bell on the flower.

We helped Tinker Bell fly by tossing the balloons up that

had Tinker Bell and her friends inside.

After out games, we decorated picture frames

Kelsey and her friend Eden.

Kelsey and Asher

Kelsey and Maren

Her friends gave her some great presents.

Kelsey watched me decorate the cake the day before.

She wanted the fairies all together like that.

I thought it was a little busy but it

was her cake.

Blow out the candles and make a wish!

It was the perfect little party and so fun. It completely wiped

Kelsey out and she fell asleep at lunch.

She opened the rest of her presents later in the day.

Tinker Bell opening Thomas the Train tracks.

She is a versatile girl.

Happy Birthday Kelsey.

Look Who is 3

3 years ago today I gave birth to a very... well to put it mildly "strong willed" child. Even from birth she stood her ground and even made the doctor physically push her arm out of the birth canal and put her in place because that's not what she wanted to do. One day that strong will is going to pay off and get her the job she wants or into the school she wants but until then she will continue give us a run for our money. If it's not her determination that is getting us it's her silly sense of humor that is. She is quite the character and keeps us laughing with what she comes up with. She usually is a pleasant girl and quite polite. She is always the first to tell me thank you for dinner. She has a sense of style that's well.... just Kelsey. Who else would wear a tiara, a dance leotard, a tutu and pink cowboy boots to pick up Jackson from school? Kelsey. We love our wild bananini and glad she is our family. Happy Birthday Kelsey!

Kelsey's birthday

Kelsey's 1st birthday

Kelsey 2nd birthday

Kelsey's 3rd birthday

Bryce's First Two Teeth

I woke up this morning with my usual smile

But I have something new and it took awhile.

For no one noticed this change right away

but there was a tooth in my grin today!!!

Bryce actually broke his first tooth on

October 17 and the other tooth on the 19th.

I am just getting around to documenting, but now we

actually can see them better. I can't believe he is already

8 months old! He is growing up so fast.

Happy Haunting!

We thought we'd share some of our pictures from Halloween with you. Naturally, here in Hellertown they like to celebrate the spooky holiday by holding all the festivities on the last Friday of the month, regardless. That means that all the tricks can be out of the way by the time the little kids go back to school and the big kids go back to work! Not a bad idea, especially when the holiday lands on a Sunday!

Jackson in his school's (abbreviated) parade- it was for the morning kindergarten classes only.

Jackson's class photo. Pretty reasonable mix of characters... and their halloween costumes were diverse, too! Thankfully there were many parents there to help out with the festivities.

Princess sisters walking in Jocelyn's preschool parade. Kelsey thinks she actually attends school and just joins in the school's activity as if she's already enrolled. It is nice to see them enjoying each other's company.

Bubba the pumpkin. Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks!

Princesses in full royal gear, ready to roll out!

This princess somehow managed a personal bodyguard. He even has this toy that makes a bunch of Darth Vader sounds and quotes. The heavy breathing was a hit with the trick-or-treat crowd.

Here's our little crew. Don't ask me how Kathryn convinced me to let Bryce get stuffed into a chick costume, tights included. I'm sorry son, we'll have to try to make it up to you later by getting into weight lifting, football, cars and other manly things.

Don't his eyes just reach out to you, saying, "I'm helpless, and I'm a chick. What happened?"

After our group costume for a Saturday night party was changed 3 times in the week leading up to it, I naturally put off any extra effort until about 5 hours prior to the party starting. Kathryn had finally decided she would be a witch. So, if you'll notice the stuffed lion in my hand, I decided we'd go as a Lion, a Witch, and a Wardrobe. Yep, painted it myself. The multiple bewildered looks were kind of amusing at the party. Other costumes were quite extravagant and expensive. I guess that's what happens when a poor resident attends a party at an attending physician's home! 

 

Kathryn really living in the moment. She started early trying to cast a spell on me. Just look at those eyes- kinda creepy, really. Once again, she was the life of the party, even if she had to be seen with some guy in a painted cardboard box. It was nice to get out and get some type of date in while our kids were being babysat. Thanks, Honey, for a great time! You can cast your spell on me anytime!