A Weekend of Birthday!!

We started birthday weekend (actually, it was more like birthday week since LittleL.G.'s birthday was Tuesday) Thursday on MiniM.E.'s actual birthday.  Gram was there to celebrate, but it wasn't our "big" celebration, in fact, there wasn't even any cake.  MiniM.E. got to choose the day's activities so we had ice cream for breakfast, went to the TreePaad, had breakfast for lunch and she had plenty of time to play with Gram.  Both girls opened their birthday presents from Mommy and Daddy when Daddy got home from work.

new camping chairs

MiniM.E. was so excited because ALL she wanted for her birthday was an American Girl Doll, and she finally got one after months of waiting!

LittleL.G. was most impressed with all the paper lying around for her to tear into confetti sized pieces (which I am still finding all over my house).  She loves the toys she got now, but at the time I think she was a little bewildered by the whole experience.

We didn't do a cake celebration because Thursday was also Daddy's birthday, so we went out for his birthday dinner while Gram stayed home with the kids.

On Friday MiniM.E. had school and we did some preparing for the weekend party.

LittleL.G. enjoying her chair

Saturday we had a small party for both the girls with fancy cakes and a big tent and lots of balloons (per MiniM.E.'s request).  Originally she also requested that the party be just us, but with all that work we had to have at least a few extra guests to make it worth it, but we tried to keep it small so the girls wouldn't be too overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, the day was super chilly and windy (but no rain!!) so most of the party was inside and we didn't make much use of the tent and balloons.  At least they looked pretty from the windows.

The highlight of the party was definitely singing and cake.

what are we all waiting for?

why are all these people singing and staring at us?

 

let me help you with that

It was so cute to give LittleL.G. her smash cake because MiniM.E. has been so excited about it since we started talking about parties months ago.  She couldn't wait to watch LittleL.G. go at it.  I was hoping (mostly for MiniM.E) that it would be a little more exciting than MiniM.E.'s first birthday smash cake (which she did not smash but offered to us in the most adorable way), and it certainly was.  

YES! CAKE!!

post cake "cake dance"

 MiniM.E. is at the age where present opening was the most important part of the party.

After some of MiniM.E.'s friends left, LittleL.G. took a book break with Aunt Donna

Sunday MiniM.E. and LittleL.G. had a few more small gifts and opened their big gifts from Gram and Grumpy.  They are two spoiled little girls.

And to top of Birthday Weekend MiniM.E. had her "just us" party with a cake that she decorated all by herself.  She loved every minute of her 4th birthday.

Today she woke up so sad that it was all over and "all the fun people are gone and even Daddy has to go to work!" *sigh*  But after talking about it, she realized that even though sometimes we feel let down after big, fun events, it's better to have all the fun and feel disappointed it's over than to not have it at all.  I think she's already looking forward to birthday #5.

Happy 4th Birthday MiniM.E.!

I couldn't believe LittleL.G. turned one two days ago, and it is almost as hard to believe that MiniM.E. is already four years old!  

Happy 4th Birthday!!

You are my brilliant, compassionate, funny, wiser-than-your-years, four-year-old.  It has been an incredible four years watching you grow and learn.  Every day you experience everything with your whole self, and while days when you are sad or frustrated are hard, it is so rewarding to see you completely filled with joy or excitement or pride.  Every day you teach me something new about you, myself or the world around us.  I am so proud of you for the little girl you've grown into and I can't wait to keep growing with you.  Happy Birthday, MiniM.E.!!

A Field Trip and A Birthday Party

Yesterday we had a very busy morning.  We started out at the State Park for a school field trip where our nature guide led us on a walk and we all learned about how to use our five senses to explore nature.  The best part was choosing crayons from a bag and finding things in nature that matched the colors.  MiniM.E. got pink the first time and it was really tricky! Not a lot of pink in nature.  But she finally found a leaf that was pink-ish and was so proud of herself for finding something that was the trickiest color. 

It was a long walk for little legs and MiniM.E. got tired towards the end (and a little complain-y) but we had a good time- what a neat idea for a field trip!

While the rest of the class stayed to play at the playground and have snack, MiniM.E. and I jumped in the car to drive down to Ellm's Farm for a birthday party.  We were a little late since we had the field trip at school so we didn't have as much time to play as MiniM.E. would have liked, but she got to do the zip line a few times and we went on a hayride and picked out pumpkins and got to ride the moo moo choo choo.

While MiniM.E. was sad to leave, knowing that Gram was going to be at our house when we got home made it better!

Happy First Birthday LittleL.G.!

I can not even believe that I am writing this post.

How can it be that a whole year has gone by?  It has to be the fastest year of my entire life.  And of course, the best yet.  How could it not be since I was fortunate enough to have spent it with two of the most amazing girls in the world?

LittleL.G., happy very first birthday.  You have added so much to our family the past year with your adorable giggles, sweet and compassionate personality, and for your ability to make us all laugh when we need it most.  Your sit-down-dancing has got to be one of the cutest things on the planet, and my heart melts to see how much you love your big sister.  (And she loves you too, you know- more than anything!)  It has been an amazing experience to see you grow into your own little person and we can't wait for what the next year brings.

Flavor Feast, and Ellms (Take 3)

What an Indian Summer.  The past few days we didn't even want to play inside during LittleL.G.'s naps, it was so nice out!  We had great activities to keep us busy while we enjoyed the sunny, warm weather.

Saturday we went downtown for the Second Annual Flavor Feast.  Tasty food & family activities outside all day?  Yes please!

While Daddy and I enjoyed lots of food samples from many of the local restaurants, MiniM.E. did some art projects and ran around and LittleL.G. enjoyed people watching.  There was a free trolley ride which MiniM.E. loved.  

And of course we rode the carousel.  LittleL.G. is still not a fan.

Yesterday we decided to go to Ellm's since it was a day off from school and it was supposed to be beautiful weather and the dads were at work.  In the three years we have been coming to Ellm's I have never seen it as busy as it was yesterday.  We had to wait in line to get in, and people were still waiting in line when we left.  Thankfully our girls were all very patient in line, and once we got inside there was enough to keep everyone busy that nothing was too crowded to do (except get cider donuts, which I have promised to MiniM.E. on a future date).

It was a nice mommy-daughters outing.  And even though we didn't stay for more than a few hours yesterday, we'll be back Wednesday for birthday party.

Bike Ride and a New Playground

Wednesday after work we met Daddy at the Zim Smith trail for a bike ride.  Now that MiniM.E. is two-wheeler proficient, we thought she might enjoy a bike ride.  Which she did, for about 7.5 minutes.  Good thing we brought the kid seat for the bike and the bike trailer.

LittleL.G. wasn't really a fan of the bike ride, but both girls had a great time at the playground we ride to (and the playground when we got back to the parking lot).

Today we visited a brand new playground. It is an all inclusive playground designed to be used by children of all abilities and it is RIGHT by our old house.  Which makes me a little sad that we don't still live there.  BUT it is definitely worth the drive.

baby swing and real swing together? genius!

And a visit to anywhere near the old house warrants a visit to the "old Hannaford" which MiniM.E. loves.

Sunnyside Gardens

Yesterday was our annual trip to Sunnyside Gardens.  

If you remember, we HAVE to go at least once each fall for the wagon photo.

2012

2013

2014

2015

pretty soon we'll need a bigger wagon!

The best part of the visit was definitely the hayride:

The train ride was fun too, but too short lived and everyone wanted a second ride but it was too expensive!  The girls were adorable, they insisted on sitting all together:

It is a really cute place to visit each fall.  Everyone was having so much fun it was hard to drag them away to go home for dinner!