BIRTHDAY!!

Nothing like doing this more than a week late! Better late than never, right??

Towns had her big 4th birthday a week and a half ago - and what a day it was! We were up with the sun that morning because we had lots to accomplish. J had been in Orlando and was flying into the Birmingham airport, and of course we had to be there to greet him when he landed...which didn't happen because he was early and we were late! The day got off to a great start, though. Bethany and I woke the birthday girl with a gorgeous rendition of Happy Birthday - as good as it can get at 6:15 a.m.! We put her straight in the car, where she had streamers and balloons waiting for her, along with a new car seat! We let her open one present that morning - won't tell you what it was because you'll think I'm crazy, but she was one happy camper!

We picked J up and had a mini photo shoot in the parking lot...surprised?! Then J took Cate and Bethany with him while Towns and I spent the day together at the zoo. With all the craziness that's taken over our household, one-on-one time doesn't come easy or often. It was all J's idea - and Towns was pretty excited to have her Mom all to herself! The feeling was mutual!!

First up was lunch - California Pizza Kitchen (her pick). She practiced her writing while we were there...

Afterwards, we went in search of new sunglasses - a birthday girl can't go to the zoo in the sunshine without shades. Or so I was told. She picked them out all on her own and they're a little Willy Wonka-ish (you'll see momentarily), but who was I to stand in the way of what a 4 year old wants on her birthday?? There's only one day a year she can get away with that. She would beg to differ.

Our next stop was the zoo, and it couldn't have been a more perfect day for it. It was absolutely beautiful weather! All Towns talked about the entire time was the gorilla, and I'm pretty sure we made our way to see him about 5 times before we left. She's always been fascinated by him for some reason. The two of them stared at each other for a good, long while...

And naturally she had to call her Daddy to tell him all about it...

This was probably my favorite part of the day - the conversation she had with the giraffes. She'd taken her sunglasses off so she could get a good look at them and then realized one of them was looking straight at her. So she proceeds with...

"What's that Mr. Giraffe? Oh. You want to see my new shades? And you want to tell me happy birthday? Ok, that's just fine because we're best friends." Hysterical! I caught it on camera...

She had the good end of the deal when it came to circling the place a hundred times...

She's such a little priss with those legs crossed!

We made several rounds around the whole zoo, and then took a break for not one, but two chocolate ice cream cones. One just wasn't enough! It was worth it just to watch her enjoy ever last bit of both of them!

We rode the train and played around for a little while longer before heading home...

She wouldn't let me get away with not sticking my head on the gorilla body...

The things we do for our children!!

We talked non-stop all the way home because it's rare that we ever are alone in the car and can carry on an uninterrupted conversation. Talking to her is like talking to a mini adult!

Bethany couldn't wait for us to get back home so that she could surprise her with this cake that she made all on her own with all of Towns' favorite colors...

Towns was shocked and beyond thrilled! After cake came presents...

Her most favorite gift was her new baby doll (this makes the 105th doll we own) and stroller (because we didn't already have 6 other strollers), and she couldn't wait to try it all out. All three girls got their babies and strollers and hit the sidewalk...

I think Bethany was the only one with her bottom half covered, but some things aren't worth fighting!

Have I ever mentioned that I love having girls?? I can't possibly tell you how much! They make me smile!!
All in all, it was the most perfect day! I love that little blondie below more than anything in the world!

Birthday Weekend - Round 2

Day 2 of the girls weekend was non-stop action! Bethany had a brunch to attend, we played with Hart for a little while, we went to Family Fun Day at the park, went to Cate's Mothers Day Out teacher's wedding, and ended the night with a Mexican fiesta to celebrate Towns' official last night as a 3 year old! Are you worn out just from reading all that??

Pictures from the park...




Cate has a radar for pooches, and it didn't take her long to find this one...

Since the girls were all dressed up for the wedding, we had to capitalize on the opportunity...







According to a certain little blondie, the world is a stage (she put on a show like no other on the front steps of the church)...

Time for the fiesta...

The chick on the right was ridiculously excited about the next day - her 4th birthday!
More to come!

Birthday Weekend - Round 1

The big birthday weekend was a super fun weekend with just the girls - J was in Orlando on business and was missed a ton! We somehow managed to make it through. I had to keep everyone busy so they weren't constantly asking me when Daddy would be home! Friday morning after we took B to school, we headed to Target for a new pool. The girls opted out of the obvious choice (a pink princess pool with a canopy) and went for the flower pool that sprays water...but I think they had more fun sitting on the side and bouncing more than anything! I seriously thought one of them - or both - would go flying at any second because they were bouncing so high...

Friday night we landed here...

Who knew an Italian circus would make someone like Cate - the child who hasn't been still and quiet ever in her life other than when she's sleeping - not move a muscle for 3 solid hours? It wasn't Barnum & Bailey's, but it was fun for a local circus! Bethany even loved it!




After such a big night, we all crashed and burned! Saturday was jam-packed and just as fun...that post will come next!

Happy Birthday, Towns!

We've had a weekend-long celebration for this little 4 year old, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Oh, and there might just be 400 pictures to go along with the story...are you ready??

Perfection

Life doesn't get much better than this...

•Bethany is officially an Oak Park cheerleader

•The girls are safe and sound with J's parents having a blast

•I'm lying on the beach next to my best friend in the world celebrating being married to him for 5 years

This is as close to perfect as it gets...

Easter

Our Easter was really great this year - all five of us together on Easter morning was pretty special. I think I say this every year, but Easter has to be my favorite of all the holidays. I believe it tops Christmas, which if you know me you know that's huge! The Easter story gets me every time I think about it. Of course Christmas is amazing since we're celebrating the birth of our Savior. But I'm pretty sure the resurrection of our Savior has got to be the most unbelievable reason to celebrate! At our house, we're well aware of Easter baskets being a little bonus and not the real focus of the day. But I must admit that the girls were rather anxious on Easter morning!

Cate found the Nerds in her basket and decided she better run for cover...we found her under the kitchen counter. She really thought she was fully hidden and we couldn't do a thing about her turning the Nerds bottom up! We just let her have at 'em!








After church, we headed to Childersburg to celebrate Easter with my dad's side of the family. We had neighborhood-wide Easter egg hunts at my grandmother's house when my cousins and I were little, so it was so much fun to have a yard full of kids now that we've all got our own families! The girls found ways to entertain themselves on the way...








Cate's a true southern girl - she loves sweet tea...


B was sweet to help the girls hunt eggs...

But all Cate wanted was Muffin...and all Muffin wanted was to get away!!


In other news, I'd like to officially say farewell to my cottontail friend whom I've seen approximately 147 times (or more) in the last couple of months. We've spent countless hours together. I think I saw more of him/her than I did my family! I'm kidding. Kind of...

I'm almost unable to contain myself...J & I are headed to the beach for a long weekend!

The word 'excited' is the understatement of the year!!!