Happy birthday, Natalie!

Happy birthday, Natalie!  I can't believe you are SIX!  Yesterday we had a little day of fun including such big events as getting your ears pierced! WHAT!?  I still can't believe you wanted to.  A few weeks ago you started mentioning that you wanted to do it and so I said "how about on your birthday?"  and you were aaaaaall over that!  So proud of you for getting through it.  The lady had to do one ear at a time and as soon as you felt the first one you started to cry but were brave enough to get #2 done.  SO proud of you, hunny.
Your first pair of earrings are 14k white gold crystal daisies...pink!

 After you were done we shopped around Claire's a little bit and you made a b-line for the My Little Pony stuff which you have been into for about a year now.  You found some adorable braided clips, a necklace/bracelet combo and a diary---with a lock.  Are we there already?  You told me that I was going to be the only one who could read your secrets.  :)  That will change soon enough, but I'm happy with that honor for now. ;)
After we went to your favorite place to eat lunch, P. Terry's (you LOVE their burgers and that's all you ever eat there) we came home and you watched a movie with Mama while sister took her nap.  After dinner and yummy cupcakes you got to open your presents:  A musical Elsa doll, Frozen undies and a HUGE bubble maker!  You were so excited and appreciative, I love your heart.

 You had so much fun (even though sister acted a LITTLE jealous during your day) it was still great and memorable for you, well for me at least. :)  I hope you always have beautiful days like these sprinkled throughout your life.  You are an amazing little person with so much strength, wit, intelligence and true shining beauty.  I LOVE you for who you are and what you bring into my life.  I'm so thankful that you are my little girl, my joy, my heart.

Again...happy birthday, monkey....I love you ---infinity.
~Mom

Happy birthday, Haydee!

Hayden is three....Yippee!!  You, my little firecracker, are growing by leaps and bounds.  I'm so completely proud of everything you have accomplished in your short little life. :)  We had a party with close friends and family the Saturday before your birthday...a unicorn party!  That is all you wanted for months before hand so I made it happen.   Here are a few pics from your special day!

 Unicorn cake!

You  had so much fun: ballons, cake, friends, cousins and unicorns!

We celebrated your real birthday outside playing with icicles!  It rained during below freezing temperatures so we had a bit of a "winter wonderland" of icicles all of the place.  

Before cold weather fun was mommy's traditional pancake breakfast complete with chocolate chips and candles. :)

 YAY!  Notice that you are wearing the exact same outfit you wore for your party 'cause you loved it so much I couldn't tell you no!

Ice, ice...Haydee

 My best picture/example of how much ice we had.  It was too much fun destroying all the ice in the backyard. Mommy had a little fun too. ;)

 Woa.

 "Mommy!  Watch...now take a picture!"  (as you through icicles into the air)  I just love you.

My little Haydee Belle...you are so full of personalty that it oozes out of you onto others.  You are stubborn and definitely KNOW what you want out of every single day.  You are our family comedian, always keeping us laughing.  Sometimes it takes a while for Daddy and I to get our point across but you are at least willing to learn your lessons.  You love to tell stories, mostly at bed time.  You ask me to start but then you quickly take over.  My little free spirit and my shadow all rolled into one.  You made us so proud and happy to have you in our lives.  Keep growing and being you!

Love you more than you know!!

XO

Mom

Teeth, friendship and new adventures!

The fall and holiday season proved to be very busy for Mommy.  Natalie started kindergarten which she really really loves!  You have thrived and learned so much in such a short period of time.  Reading, writing, math and science intrigue you and every time you come home with something you did at school I beam with pride.  Mrs. Woodfin is your teacher and you have a great relationship with her.  Your best friends are Evelyn (who you clicked with from the beginning), Emma, Sofia, Bennett (whom I think you have your first crush on----I think you forgot all about Adam Levine! ;)  You actually have so many friends and talk about them daily.  They all seem to really love you right back.   Last week you had an accident in the classroom where you slammed your mouth on the corner of a desk (a story you will likely be telling your grand children).  There was no permanent damage to your adult teeth (which haven't come in yet) but you are going to need 4 teeth on top extracted in the next week or so.  It was so scary for Mommy because I was visiting my Granny kind of far away so Daddy had to come pick you up as I raced to the dentist to see you.   It was much scarier to look at and you couldn't even look in the mirror which made me so sad.  Luckily you didn't have very much pain and you were allowed ice cream and pudding for dinner.  :)  THAT didn't  make you upset AT ALL!! ;)  We are pushing through it and you came out stronger than ever and I am so inspired by your bravery, Natalie.  You are who I strive to be like.   On a side note:  today is the 100th day of school!  We've had a few snow/ice days this year already and today is a two hour delay but you woke up in a rush to get to school for the celebrations.  so cute. ;)

Miss Hayden!  You, my hunny, are talking so much and have developed this funny little personality.  I would say you are growing by leaps and bounds, but only in the intelligence department.  You are still wearing size 2T/3T which I suppose is right on the mark for an almost 3 year old. :)  Can you believe it?!  3 years old in just 4 weeks!  I can't believe it.  You are still my baby.  I've been sort of putting off potty training you because you just haven't seemed ready.  Daddy kinda forced me into it, so I accepted that I did want you to lose the diapers cause frankly I'm sick of them!  I was pleasantly surprised by how well you've done!  The first day I put you in only big girl panties and you had a couple of accidents which is understandable, but you got better at going on the potty!  The next morning (yesterday) was rough, you didn't really want to, but got more into it as the day went on and had ZERO accidents!  You even pooped just before bed which was amazing to me since you seem to have trouble with it.  It freaked you out but you did it!  We made a huge deal about it and you are SOOOO completely proud of yourself.  I am so proud of you too!  You have by far exceeded my expectations.  I'm sure there will be accidents and much more learning but we are so on the right track!

I love both of you so much and can't wait to see how the rest of 2014 will pan out!  You are both my pride and joy and my cup is overflowing.

LOVE YOU!!
~Mom