Maura's Birthday (April)

Way back on a sunny day in April.......

Maura and I had a special lunch at the American Girl store near Boston. We made reservations months in advance. We had two special guests, Maura's own American Girl doll and someone who was once my own version of a doll...Ashley!! 

A birthday crown for the birthday girl and a special chair for the doll. 

The food was delicious and the portions were not skimpy like I had read about. 

Check out the doll, it's all decked out in birthday accoutrements and a tiny cup of lemonade. 

It was a very special way to celebrate Maura's 11th birthday. Her interest in dolls will probably not last much longer, so I'm glad we had the chance to celebrate this way. 

My sister Leanne wrote a funny post today about my Mom. You should go read it. I laughed because I have felt that way SO MANY TIMES. I'm going to add in....Mom had six kids! Enough said? NOPE. She always had a  house bursting at the seams. For example, our family pool was a community pool all summer- filled with other people's kids who were often unaccompanied by any form of parental supervision! What a woman! She should have been recognized as the Volunteer of the Year....every year! 

So, I know I rock because I posted a post on the posting thing. April, May, June, July, August....5 months....NOT BAD!!

Susannie, if you're out there, I took this for you. "Are ya Bessie?" Those were great days!!

Maura's party

We held Maura's birthday party here at the house today. She wanted an Art theme, the color blue and together we were able to put on a party. The invite did indeed have all the info like time, rsvp, etc. but we stripped that off to show you here.

Cupcakes are apparently the new birthday cake.

The Art Studio.....

Treat bags...

She made up this game "Match the artist with his work" and found the pics all on her own. Of course, Eric Carle is in there with the greats!!

And this one she made up as well. Pin the paint on the palette.

We made Modge Podge canvasses, and after we were waiting for some to finish up they wrote all over the paper lining the table.

I thought this was cool, a streamer layer cake.


Finished products. You've got to love Glitter Modge Podge!!

Opening presents.

All hands on Saff!!

And....a Stuart update..

Dave holds him and secures him by his tail.


Cute, maybe? Sometimes? I don't know. To Dave, he is very cute.

Landon Turns Five!

The BABY is five! Oh no! The lucky little guy had two birthday cakes and two days of getting presents. Grandma got him Legos (he wanted them) and David jumped at the chance to assemble them. He briefly tried to explain to Landon how he was following directions but Landon cut him off at the pass and said "nope. I don't want to learn- you make it" So before you could blink David had them made. Well, it seemed that fast anyway. 

Some people get really awkward when you sing Happy Birthday to them. 

His present from Heidi and Kenneth. He loves it especially since it shoots things. 

We are crazy partiers.

I texted Adam while he was at school to see if wanted a pink or yellow cake. He asked the kid beside him what he should pick and the decision was pink. Landon wanted to decorate the cake and he was not afraid to take decorating risks- very bold with his use of color! See the sprinkles all over the counter around the plate?







We are saving his real party until his cousins come in mid-March.

My lil baby turns 3.....................

remember this?

August 11, 2004: I drove myself to the hospital and Gordie met us there; Ashley (who was 16 and not a city driver) drove my kids home from the hospital in the Expedition, took them home and entertained them til they got the news that Landers was born- what a great kid!! I am still impressed!

gorgeous baby

there's that rooting reflex - turns into "mom, my wants a yogurt"

little Maura with her bangs that she "sewed herself"

handsome big brother. He was only 8 and was really worried about the baby being born with a heart problem- not because anyone else was worried but because he knew this stuff happens.

Now....he's three years old. He cracks us up constantly even when he's being a small savage.

all bashful and whatnot with his birthday cake. (That's all you're gonna see of his cake because it was hideous)

we had a fun party for him, with lots of grownup friends :) who played with his new coloring books, PlayDoh, and Mega Blocks.