Lily's 3rd Birthday Party!

Lily had a blast at her party on Saturday. It was Backyardigans themed and we had pizza and cake/cupcakes. Everyone seems to love the icing I make for the cupcakes because it tastes like marshmallows. A lot of people ended up getting sick and wasn't able to attend the party. It's just the territory of having a birthday at this time of year. At least it wasn't Lily like it has been her past two birthdays. It actually turned out fine, that there were so few people there. It was a lot less overwhelming for her and less stress for me. We watched Wall-E, opened her goodies, and stuffed ourselves. She got a popup tent, a popup tunnel, sleeping bag set, sidewalk chalks, temporary tattoos for potty training, Toy Story 2, Sleeping Beauty doll, Queen Maleficent doll, A bathing suit and night gown, Slinky Dog, a helmet for her bike, bubbles, and a picnic basket with tea set. She was ecstatic! She slept in her tent that night, watching Toy Story 2, cuddled with her new bear and Maleficent doll. Why she wanted Maleficent is beyond me.... Just in November Maleficent scared her every time we went into the Disney Store. Then after she got Sleeping Beauty for Christmas, she's been going on about how she wanted that doll. Kids can be so funny...

More photos of Lily's party

Lily had a great birthday Friday. I let her sleep in because it was her birthday, knowing how much my girl LOVES her beauty sleep. After Lily woke up and got ready Mimi came over and we all headed out for the day. We went to eat at Panera Bread for lunch, because that's Lily's favorite restuarant! She loves the French Onion soup in a bread bowl there. It's funny, she has very adult taste. She could care less for McDonald's, but don't come between her and her "Anera." Afterwards we went next door to Marble Slab for her potty treat. Mimi treated her to a big sprinkle ice cream cone with Strawberry ice cream, her favorite also. She was so excited! When we finished up there we headed to West Town mall, so I could try to find the Queen Maleficent doll Lilliput wanted for her birthday. I was afraid I might not find one there, but score! I found one on sale for 50 percent off, $7.99!!! So I got her the doll and then we went to the play area with the kids. Boy, they LOVE going to the play area. Rowan's gotten really into it,and he gets around pretty well in there now. He played with some older boys and figured out how to climb up the slide all by himself and slide down. I love the play area because they love it, but I'm a big germaphobe! The whole time I sit and figure out when we'll be in the clear from getting sick from being in there. I didn't used to be like that until I had Lily, and got the stomach virus for the first time after becoming a mom. Boy, few things cause such chills down my spine as the thought of a stomach virus raging through the household. Ughh...  Anyways, back to the birthday, Lily was beside herself when she walked over to Libby Lou's and discovered them completely empty and closed. She teared up and said "it's ruined!" I decided to divert her attention by pulling out her coupon for Build a Bear. She decided to spend the money she had been saving on building her first Build a Bear. It's such a cute bear. She decided to put her in all Hello Kitty wear and she HAD to have big girl panties just like her. Lil's favorite part of building the bear was washing her in the tub there. She must have went back 5 times to wash her. She was so proud to pay her own money on the bear too. She made sure she was the one who handed the girl her money. She was so proud walking out with her new bear! 

Mamaw Prizey brought over the kids Christmas presents from the that side of the family's gathering we missed this year. They got some great gifts. Lily got a digital camera, some clothes, a Barbie Mariposa laptop, dress up clothes, and books. Rowan got a lot of clothes, Little People airplane, and a teddy bear. They loved all their presents! Thank you to everyone who sent them something! They always love Mamaw Prizey's visits because she always brings them prizes. That's how she got her name, Lily just started calling her that one day. I love to get to see Mamaw too. One of my resolutions this year was to go to see her more often. So far this year it just hasn't worked out because everyone kept getting sick and I don't want to get her sick on top of the headaches she gets. Anyhoo, Mamaw gave us a pressure cooker for Christmas. I'm really excited to try and cook some pinto beans in it soon. She said they only take about 30 minutes to cook in the pressure cooker, which is a lot better than ALL day. Last time I tried to cook some they sprouted while I was presoaking the night before, and I had to throw them out. So I really can't wait to use it! Aunt Angie also stopped by during her lunch break to bring Lillipute her birthday present. She got her the CUTEST little chinese pajamas. I put them on her for bed tonight. After everyone left Lily put on her dress up clothes and danced for awhile in the hallway.  She said she was doing ballet.

Productive Day!!!

Today has been a good day. I was able to work out on the wii and start this blog and a work blog with Mom. Plus, I was able to do some laundry and clean the house. It seemed to be fairly productive day. I love when I have those. Most days all I'm able to do is potty training, diaper changing, clothes changing, feedings, and some light cleaning. We turned off the cable this week, so maybe this will fair out well for me. The kids are doing some adjusting though. It's like taking their nicotine away (well Lily's.) She's been watching a lot of the same movies over. She seems to get bored after a little bit and goes to play. YAY!!! Hopefully we won't raise tv zombies after all!!! Right now we have no channels at all, until Aaron gets back from his trip to hook up the basic channels we already get in our internet connection through Comcast. It's been hard on me to not get to watch Martha every morning, and I missed the premiere of House the other night. Oh well, I'll watch it online in a few days when it comes out. Mom and I started a work blog today! It combines our work together for one blog. Here's a link, http://anatomyofadesignhound.blogspot.com . It's gonna focus on her design studio, my photography studio, refinished furniture we do, and neat finds! I'm really excited.