Easter 2013

It was a wonderful, busy weekend.  First up- an Easter Egg hunt at the Deerfield park with our sweet friends.

Then we had a birthday party with another Easter egg hunt.  Church on Sunday and then a wonderful family meal at Grandpa Al’s and Grandma Liz’s, complete with another Easter egg hunt.

What a blessed weekend!

Family celebration for Ella’s 5th birthday

The week before and the weekend of Ella’s birthday was a little stressful.  There were big changes at my work, on Saturday, we our third contract to buy our house fell apart, and when I got home from picking up her birthday cake on Sunday to take to Grandma Chris’, this happened-
I set the cake on the counter, pushed to the back, headed to the other room for a quick minute and came back to find the cake on the floor and Reese crying.  She had pulled it closer to her so she could see, but it ended up on the ground.  The stress (and maybe hormones) sent me upstairs for a mini meltdown of my own.
The sweet birthday girl took it all in stride and didn’t even get upset.

In the end, we had to laugh at all of the chaos and just enjoyed each other!
All Ella wanted for her birthday was a seat for her baby to ride on the bike with her.  She was so happy!


I did not get a family picture like I had hoped, but I was happy to get a snuggly shot with my sweet girl. 

Ella – I love that as you turn 5, you are so excited to learn and so excited to go to kindergarten.  We have to pull the Pre-K workbook away from you, you would do it for hours if we had time.  You love to play teacher, you have started eating much more, you and Reese love to play teacher together and I LOVE watching your relationships grow.  You have started to want to watch “tween” shows and we have had to cut back – too much emulating their sassiness.  I love that you still can’t get enough of our hugs and kisses.  I love that every night you lay out your clothes and put your headband on the floor at the top and tell me that is your head  I am learning patience as we  have to go through your preferences for clothes, socks, and shoes.  I love that you and I read together and are practicing site words. 
There is so much we love about you sweet girl!  You make our family so happy and hope you had a great birthday!

Ella turns 5!

Every year, every birthday, it really is hard to believe that they have hit another milestone.  This is going to be a big year for Ella---kindergarten is on the horizon!!

The big day was jam packed, we did a family 5K in the morning, had brunch with friends, then went to Austin’s first baseball game of the season.

After the game, was Ella’s celebration time.  Instead of a big birthday, this year, Ella had an almost sleep over with Lauren.  (neither is quite ready for the full shebang, so we just had Lauren stay until close to bedtime)  The fun started with a mani/pedi for both girls.

This outfit, the white long sleeve shirt and black skinny jean.  She calls it her Saturday/home day outfit and it is her very favorite thing to wear!  It may not matter that it is 80 degrees out, she is wearing it.

Nothing says spring in Texas like pulling out the baby pool

After a birthday girl chosen dinner of hot dogs, fruit, and chips, it was singing and cupcake time.

Ella can be a very patient big sister.  Reese blew out the candle the first time before Ella could get to it.

It was a day filled with family, friends, and a lot of fun.  I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our sweet girl!

Ella’s 5th birthday celebration–Spurs game

When we asked Ella what she wanted to do for her birthday, the only thing she said was “go to a Spurs game like Austin.” Reese and I did not make the cut, but Jeff, Austin, and Ella celebrated the big 5 in style!

Reese and I had a lovely daughter dinner date while the other three went to the game.  I always love when I get to spend a little one on one time with them.  Ella was most excited about the food at the Spurs game and although she was ready to leave after the first quarter, Jeff kept her interested and I think they made it all the way to the beginning of the 4th. 

Cousins, Abby & Lily, turn one!

Reese’s first trip to the dentist and our first time with all 3!

I was a little nervous and kept having visions of the first time I took Austin and Ella to the dentist at the same time, but this went better than I thought.  They still ran around towards the end like they had just been let out of their cage, but the staff reassured me that was normal and most kids seem to think it is an amusement park and not the dentist.

Austin even got some spring Break reading in before his turn.  He still will not pick up a book on  his own and read, but has become a little more engaged and even enjoys a few of the books he reads.

Reese climbed right in the chair when it was her turn for x-rays and cleaning as if she was an old pro!

Balloons and smiles for a job well done!