Party #2.

All day long Stella kept saying, "Birthday Stella". We had family, friends, presents, balloons, and cake--the only thing we forgot to do was sing "Happy Birthday" (Stella calls it songing). It didn't even matter that we celebrated 9 days late!








Thanks to Krista, Becka, and Camille for helping me with the chocolate butterflies--they turned out perfect! And Tami for the darling "2" birthday shirt (which is now covered in chocoate)!

Dress Rehearsal.

Presley has a tea pot dance in the local production of "Alice in Wonderland". Today was the dress rehearsal and tomorrow she performs in the matinee show. It is just too much fun to dress her up--and she loves it too.





"I'm a little tea pot short and stout. Here is my handle. Here is my spout. When I get all steamed up hear me shout, "Tip me over and pour me out!".

Stella is 2!

I can't believe my little Bug is 2! With her dad out of town, and both of my sisters coming into town later this week, I decided that we would have her official party (cake, presents, carousel rides) next week when everyone is here.

So today Stella got to wear the "It's my B-Day" pin, dinner and a present with the neighbors, and a small celebration with a cupcake and a gift from her grandparents.










Stella finally "got" that it was her birthday. If you ask her how old she is you will get several different answers--usually it is "10".

The most fun.

Presley was invited to a princess birthday party . . . .


She has not stopped telling me that it was the most fun EVER.

Aquarium.

Here we are back at the "aquarium". I miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but this will have to do (a one hour drive vs. a 16 hour drive). The girls loved it anyway.




Not a lot of looking at the camera--there were better things to look at. Nemo fish, sea stars, jelly fish, sea horses, local trout and sea monkeys. I think both girls liked looking at the South America exhibit--alligators, a python, tarantulas, frogs, and penguins.

Artwork.

For the girls rooms! Purses for Presley and Blossom Birdies for Stella. Thanks to Amber for help with the custom framing! I can't wait to hang them up!



Winborg Sisters (local artists with so many great pieces) and Pictureframes.com for affordable, custom frames.

The BIG Day.

Today Presley turned 4. She has been looking forward to this day for a l-o-n-g time, and it did not disappoint.



The day started out with a pin that said "It's my B-day!" that she wore all day, cupcakes and treat bags for her preschool classmates, and (I could not have planned this any better myself, it was simply scheduled for today) PONY rides at school!





The party was family, presents, and cake. Presley didn't hesitate and she started opening gifts right away. Dolls, swimming gear, books, crafts, tennis equipment--she got the works! Thank you everyone.


Stella woke up from her nap and when she came up stairs to see all the excitement I think she was a bit sad it was not her birthday--soon enough though, she'll be 2 in six short weeks.


Baby Guinevere made an appearance--we haven't seen her or Paul and Ali since the birth. We love her big round, beautiful cheeks!



The cake was much simpler than last year's Hello Kitty cake pops (thank goodness). I made a giant cupcake cake, complete with 2 cake flavors and a delicious Boston Cream filling (thank you for the suggestion Krista).


We all sang and Presley blew out her candles. Another year gone. I can't believe how fast this is going. I have to stop or I will start crying.

Skiing.

We have taken Presley (and Stella) skiing 3 times this year (cross country and downhill)! Presley is getting so much better (better = not complaining) and a bribe of getting a sucker at the deli has really kept her focused on getting down the hill without too may breaks.



Can you tell that Chris works a lot harder than I have to when we go skiing? One girl on his back, one girl between his legs, and me watching as they all go down the hill. I am not getting any better at skiing and I miss my snow board--but I do admit that it is easier to catch Presley as she comes down the hill on skis rather than on a board.

Addicted.

I am addicted to chocolate--and lately I cannot get enough. This yummy mess was courtesy of Nestle Toll House's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (but I made mine triple chocolate--semi-sweet, milk, and white chocolate chips).


Presley didn't even know her face was a mess until I showed her the pictures (licking the beaters will do that too you).


Poor Stella got sweet potatoes with her lunch and enzymes instead of the cookies--thank goodness she does not know what she is missing yet.


And I ate most of the cookies and the dough. It was that good.

Missed.

Grandma Lynn--the girls miss you! Presley and Stella spent some time yesterday drawing pictures of you on their Magna-Doodles.



Maybe when you come home you could bring the warm Vegas weather with you?? It is snowing here, again.