A Magical Fourth Birthday

Our sweet Brees Elizabeth turned four on Saturday, despite our protests that she stay this little forever. At four, Brees is the funniest little person I know.  She talks ALL OF THE TIME and makes us laugh constantly with her witty commentary.  She is a lover of the great outdoors, the first to wake up in the morning, and an expert gardener.  She loves ballet, singing, and doing any kind of painting/crafting project.  She is curious and sweet and we are so thankful that she belongs to us!

She woke up really early on her birthday and was so excited when she got her first birthday gift from her sister: a beautiful Elsa dress!  She put it on immediately and didn't take it off for the rest of the weekend.  Shawn and Isabelle spent the rest of the morning at a basketball tournament which gave me several hours alone with the little kids.  They "helped" me bake Brees' birthday cake: a french vanilla cake that we made blue to fit our Frozen theme.  We also made cupcakes, frozen hearts, Kristoff's ice cubes, and a platter of "We finish each other's sandwiches".  Brees helped me put up a few decorations, hand me downs from our sweet friend Lucy's Frozen party.  It was a quiet, relaxing morning and I was so thankful to have that time with her before her big party that afternoon.  We talked and laughed and I let her lick the bowl and eat as many chocolates as she wanted.  It was a very special start to a very special day.

Before we knew it, it was time for our family and friends to arrive for Brees' party. Brees didn't know it yet, but two VERY special guests were on their way all the way from Arondale.  We gathered in the living room, talking and laughing and trying to distract the kids as we waited for the most important party guests of all.  We heard a knock at the front door, a very familiar knock (the exact knock from the movie to be exact).

"Brees, I think there's someone at the door! Let's see who it is!"

She followed me to the front door, completely oblivious to what was going on.  When I opened the door, her little face lit up as she realized that Elsa and Anna were standing on our front porch!!  She literally gasped, her eyes wide open, and just stood there in silence.  After a minute of complete shock, she screamed, "Elsa!!!  It's you!!!!" and wrapped her arms around her favorite princess.  She tackled Anna next, screaming in disbelief.  It was the most magical moment!!!

She welcomed the princesses inside and immediately asked Elsa, "Do you really have ice powers? Please don't freeze my house, okay?  You have to promise.  It's my most favorite house ever, okay?"

The princesses were amazing: we were able to literally sit back and enjoy the show.  They played games with the kids, read them stories, and sang songs.  They gathered in a circle and all started to sing "Let It Go" together.  Within seconds, Brees ran out of the room crying.  I chased after her, hugged her close as she cried on my shoulder "But Mommy that's MY song!  I've been practicing that song for Elsa for a LONG TIME!!!". I couldn't help but laugh as I assured her that she would have her moment. As I carried her back into the room, Elsa and Anna had already picked up on what was going on and asked the other girls to sit in a circle around Brees, giving her her moment to shine.  She stood in the middle of the circle and went all out, singing with Elsa at the top of her lungs.  It was priceless and the whole room cheered!

The princesses gave the girls special pixie dust and told them to make a wish, a wish they could only tell their parents about.  Brees ran to me and said "I wish for a special doll", before running back to stand next to Elsa.  They closed their eyes and blew pixie dust all over our living room and I was actually really happy to have all of that positive energy in the room.  We moved into the dining room to sing happy birthday and open presents and enjoy our pretty blue cake.  I was so thankful that my friends and family stepped up and took over for me: my friend Mandy took all of the pictures, Gracie cut the cake and Ashley passed out plates.  Shawn and I were able to just sit with Brees and enjoy the moment and that is totally my love language.  One of my favorite moments was when Brees opened a special Elsa doll from her cousins, the very same doll she had just wished for with her pixie dust, and screamed "Mom!!!  It happened!!!!".

It was a day that I don't think that any of us will ever forget, one of those days that just sticks to your soul and reminds you of how blessed we are to get to raise these children.  When you see the sparkle in their eyes, when you witness their pure innocence and joy abound, it is inspiring.  The magic that we experienced that day will make me smile every time I think of it.  Shawn and I feel so blessed that God chose us to raise this incredible little girl.  She teaches us so much each day, encouraging us with her kind nature and inspiring us with her curiosity.  Happy birthday, little Breesie girl.  I hope that you experience a little magic each and every day, sharing your love and positive energy with every person you meet.

Ten (Because Sometimes Blogger Deletes Your Post and You Just HAVE To Repost It)

Isabelle turned 10 years old over the Easter holiday.  In the blink of an eye, a whole decade has passed since we first held our baby Belle in our arms, our forever first.  This past year brought tremendous growth and maturation, personal style and very distinct preferences.  She crosses her legs and bites her nails and loves to wear perfume.  She is the best big sister and is the most helpful girl I could ever hope for, always willing to lend us a hand with the babies.  Belle is an avid reader and almost always has a book in hand, reading to her sister every night before bed, a bed they now share per their request.  She likes to keep her room tidy but her closet messy, has a serious love affair with accessories, and takes the longest showers of anyone in the house.  Belle loves to be outdoors riding her bike, playing basketball, and exploring the woods behind our house.  She is a wonderful artist, dancer, and singer and has been working hard at learning the piano this year.  We are incredibly proud of her.

In celebration of her tenth birthday, Isabelle requested a bunny birthday cake and a trip to a local pizza/fun zone place with 3 of her best friends.  Thanks to Pinterest, I semi pulled the cake thing off, silently praying that no one examined the bunny ears (shaping mishap) or the nose (sunken cake middle, per usual).  But she loved it, proudly showing it off to everyone who came by our house!  Thank you, Pinterest, for making us mediocre, non creative type moms feel like superheros on special occasions!  The fun zone party idea turned out to be the best: the girls ran around playing mini golf, arcade games, bowling, and rode go carts.  Shawn and I walked around with the little kids "supervising" AKA playing Dance Dance Revolution with a baby strapped to my front in the Ergo.  Mama's still got it, kids.  We ended the day at our house, singing happy birthday and eating cake and ice cream.  The girls disappeared into Isabelle's room and gave each other manicures and some pretty questionable hair styles.  They were all so good and well mannered, you almost forgot about the incessant giggling and screeching at every turn.

We love you, Belle, so very much.  Happiest of birthdays, sweet girl!  

Brees Is Three!

At the beginning of the year, Shawn and I made a commitment to simplify the holidays this year, birthdays included.  Instead of big parties, we would go on adventures as a family, making memories instead of hosting big shindigs as we always have in the past.  The kids were completely on board from the beginning, loving the idea of picking their favorite destinations and activities all in the name of celebrating their big day.

This weekend, Brees was able to have her own special 3rd birthday adventure. She requested a "pink cake with purple stuff on top".  On Friday afternoon, while Belle was at school and River and Shawn napped, I made her a strawberry cake with purple cream cheese frosting. It came out horribly ugly (as all of my baking projects do) but really, really delicious.  She played at my feet the whole time I baked, helping me stir and licking the bowl clean.  It meant the world to me to have that one on one time with her on her special day, just the two of us in the kitchen.

After Belle came home from school, we dug out the party box (a box filled with banners and leftover decorations and streamers and party favors) and sent Brees to her room to "hide her eyes". Belle and I decorated the kitchen and dining room with a hodge podge of colors and sparkly things as a few of the cousins came in to help us celebrate.  We called Brees downstairs as we all sang "Happy Birthday", her little face all lit up as she took everyone in.  I made homemade pizza and we went through the entire cake as Brees opened up her presents: a Sofia doll from Belle and a balance bike from Mommy and Daddy.  She was so happy to have her pink cake, a new doll, and her favorite people all together.

The fun continued on Saturday when Brees woke up to her room filled with balloons!  She woke me up and said, "My room!  Balloons everywhere, Mom!".  We set out for a fun day, just the five of us, that included a trip to the bookstore, lunch at Brees' favorite burger joint, frozen yogurt, and an afternoon at the children's museum.  Every time we got into the car and made our way to the next destination, Belle would say, "This is your day, Brees!  It's all about you today!".  And Brees just smiled and laughed in her easy going, sweet Brees way.  It was such a special birthday weekend, so simple but full of quality time that I know we will remember always.We had the best time playing and laughing with our now 3 year old.
Doesn't get much better than that.

Happy Birthday Brees!

Time really does fly when you're having fun...

34: Let's Do This

I turned 34 years old on Tuesday.  Another year of my story has passed, a year where
I've learned more about myself and what truly matters to me.  I learned to have more
patience, to accept the fact that I have very little control over anything, and that I am
stronger than I give myself credit for.  I learned to overlook a messy kitchen and a pile
of laundry, I learned to say "no" when it was necessary and "help me" when it was required.
I learned that many of the convictions I stood by so staunchly in my twenties were not
nearly as black and white as I once thought.  I learned that it's okay to cry and have a bad
day and not always be the bravest of the brave even if that's what the people around
me expect.  I became a better cook but slacked on my housework.  I fell even more
hopelessly in love with my children and husband and became very aware of how blessed I
am to have such great friends and family in my life.  I had many successes, quite a few
failures, and embraced who I was and where I am going in life.  34: I can't wait to see what
you have in store for me this year.

We kept my birthday very simple, just the way I like it.  After work on Monday, Shawn and
I made the 4 1/2 hour drive to Houston for his post-op appointment with the
orthopedic specialist.  We checked into a hotel near the hospital, ordered in pizza, and
watched a couple of episodes of "Sons of Anarchy" (our current television obsession) in
bed.  We arrived at the hospital early on Tuesday morning and were relieved to hear
that Shawn's arm is healing right on schedule.  He was given the okay to begin range of
motion exercises and he is now allowed to drive and take bathes: two small things in life
that are big things when you aren't allowed to do them!  My one request for the day: to eat a
big country breakfast.  As soon as we left the hospital, we found a nearby restaurant and
did just that, filling up on pancakes and bacon and chocolate milk.  We drove home
and enjoyed the time together, just the two of us, talking and laughing the whole way.
We made it home and picked up our girls, the four of us relieved that this is probably the
last time we will have to go back to Houston for a long while.  My sweet husband and
daughters surprised me with a homemade card, hand painted coffee mugs, and ice
cream before bed.  The next day, they made me a double chocolate cake and placed a
special birthday banner in the kitchen.  The candles proudly boasted "35", a mistake we
all laughed about, especially after Shawn swore that it wasn't a mistake at all, he just
couldn't find the number 4 candle.  We attempted to take a few photos, most of which
were blurry, crooked, and involved Brees doing everything but looking into the camera.
It was wonderful, the whole thing, crazy and simple and full of love.  Just how I like it.

 

A Nine Year Celebration

We've been purging lately, simplifying and cutting back on all the clutter in our
lives: materials, emotions, whatever the case may be.  After lying low for a good portion of
this past year, we are diving back into the world with a vengeance.  We are celebrating
this season in our lives by packing up the car every chance we get and going on one
adventure or another, taking in all the sights and sounds we encounter along the way.  It
feels so good to be out again.

This weekend, we celebrated Isabelle's 9th birthday with a weekend in the city.  Shawn and
I asked her if she would rather a weekend away with the family and her BFF/cousin rather
than another big party and she enthusiastically accepted our offer.  As I mentioned in
this post, we are limiting the amount of material possessions that enter this house, choosing
to make big memories together instead.  We gave Belle a whole list of activities to fill
her birthday weekend up with and let her choose the itinerary.  After she made her
selections, I went to work getting everything planned, packed, and organized.  It was a
jam packed, fun filled weekend in New Orleans with trips to the zoo, the aquarium, an
IMAX film, Audubon Park, the Insectarium,  a pizza party with our best friends, gelato, and
a stroll through the French Quarter Festival.  The weather was amazing and the
temper tantrums were kept to a minimum.  We walked what seemed like a hundred
miles, danced and laughed and made it through the no nap tears.  Basically, it was all kinds
of awesome.

I am one of those people who like to just go for it when it comes to trying new things, no 
matter how scared I am, because I am afraid that I may never get the opportunity to try 
it again.  This weekend, I saw the same crazy/gutsy characteristic in my girls when 
they enthusiastically agreed to eat bugs with me at the Insectarium.  We ate chocolate 
covered crickets, cricket cookies, and a couple of caramel worms.  They were delicious 
and the girls proudly showed their "I ate a bug" stamp to everyone they saw.  So proud of 
my fearless young ladies!

Even the butterflies showed Isabelle some love as we walked through the butterfly 
garden, swarming around her in the late afternoon sun.  A beautiful monarch landed on 
her hand and stayed perched there for a long time as Isabelle sat quietly on a bench next to 
the koi fish pond, savoring the moment, her little face all lit up.  Brees just looked up at her 
and said, "Sissy has a butterfly!!!".  As if she needed another reason to adore her big sister.  

We got home really late on Sunday night: exhausted, tons of laundry to do, desperately in 
need of showers and a car wash.  But we stayed up just long enough to sing happy 
birthday over the glowing light of a number nine candle and a batch of homemade 
brownies.  We said goodnight to our growing girl as she thanked us a million times for her 
big birthday weekend adventure.  And we hugged her just a little bit tighter, always our 
baby, forever our first.