Pre-Birthday Celebration

A couple days before the big 3rd birthday we made a "Countdown to B-Dub's Birthday" chain that Brooklynn could take out a link each day as it got closer.  She was pretty psyched for her "Cinderella Birthday Party."  Here's she's showing off her chain:

 Friday Steve took the day off, so we could all go to the Childrens' Museum together.  The girls had a great time (as always).  Chandler just loved the stairs and bridge/slide.  Look at that excitement!

 The girls were so funny loving on each other!

 The monkeys are caged!  woo hoo!

 Chandler was showing Brooklynn how to stand on the stools, and then they started grooving to the jazz music that was playing.  Too funny!

 I think Steve is getting sick of the tea parties.  Suck it up big guy!



Shock and Awe!

Since Brooklynn is such a girly-girl it was only a matter of time before she worked her magic on her daddy!  He has caved (no make-up application yet), but the finger nail polish came this week.  She loves to have mommy paint her nails and in return paints mine as well.  This time we were able to talk daddy into the fun.  If the boys could see him now - well they can thanks to the blog! 

Finished product!  Steve didn't know how to get it off for work, and I really didn't want to tell him, but I'd hate to have the bread winner of the family get fired.

After their "man"is, they had some good book-bonding time reading "Nosey Rosie".  Why the funky hats?  They are replicas of Nosey Rosie's hat in the book (great gift from Aunt Carrie & Uncle Josh). 

Chandler doesn't want to be left out either!  Look at those beautiful piercing blue eyes!  Love her!

Next we'll work on daddy's make-up and maybe even getting him in that hot dress.  Of course he'll do anything for his little ladies!

Brooklynn & Rosie

Last Saturday we met the Deegans and Bronsons at the Butterfly Pavilion to see some creepy insects.  Our one and only goal was to get Brooklynn to hold Rosie the tarantula.  After checking out the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (ewww) and lots of huge spiders, Steve took her over to Rosie.  I was so nervous that she'd freak out and be forever scarred.  I remember taking Makenzie years ago and her witnessing a girl scream at the top of her lungs when they put Rosie in her hand and all the kids in the room bailed! 

I figured if she needed to see mommy do it first I would try to hide the fear (which you always have to do as a parent) and buck up to hold the man-eating disgusting thing!  But she was excited and did a great job - and I didn't have to hold Rosie!  Thank God! 

 So amazing!

 Brooklynn in her usual duds but now with a sticker that says "I held Rosie".

So proud of you baby!  Maybe you can help mommy do it next time.

Already a year.......

As we were watching the Super Bowl this year, we were reminded of our memory of the Super Bowl last year - cheering on the Saints at Children's Hospital.  Even though staying in the hospital for 8 nights with Chandler was scary, we always knew we'd be going home soon and we'd have our healthy girl back.  Being at the hospital made me realize how lucky we are to have such healthy kids but also how lucky we are to have this amazing hospital just down the street that does amazing things for kids everyday!  While we were there they had so many activities for kids - crafts, video games, you name it!  We were able to walk out those doors and hopefully never have to return, but many of those patients and families don't get to say that. 

Each year Alice 105.9 (local radio station) does a radiothon for the Children's Hospital Miracle Network, and although we've been donating for years, being there and witnessing the amazing things they do made us grateful to be giving.  As I listened to the radiothon today it made me think about our experience.  Here's a link to the website and their touching stories they share:

https://secure.thechildrenshospitalfoundation.org/site/c.jfILKSOBJsG/b.4751651/k.AD81/Support_Radiothon/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=jfILKSOBJsG&b=4751651&en=bkLLJ0OHLaIULaOKJ9JQLcN1LuL3LeNXJlIWKaNSKmIVKeM6H

Our Sledding Adventure

Last year we were able to get the girls out once for some winter sledding, but this year (until recently) it's been such nice weather that the small amount of snow we've been getting melts so quickly. Last week we got a few good inches of snow and some cold, so we packed up the girls one afternoon to sled. Brooklynnn was so excited to finally go sledding again, but her excitement was short-lived.

Chandler sporting her sweet snow duds

 There wasn't much snow by the time we got to the rec center hill, as most had melted and it was pretty worn by other sledders.  Brooklynn went down 3 times, screaming the entire trip all 3 times.  Chandler absolutely loved it - our thrill-seeking one.  At least Brooklynn was able to smile at the end - happy to be going back to the car.  We'll keep trying......

The Day has Finally Come......

Well.......finally....it happened!  I finally won a game of Catan.  What is Catan you may ask?  It's one of those strategic, take-over-the-world, dorky games that we absolutely love!  Our fellow Cataners Amanda and Zach are usually some serious competition, especially for me.  But last Saturday luck was in my corner and I killed it - crushing everyone!  I hate to gloat too much, but I wanted to make sure to savor the victory and had to get some pictures as proof.  

It's not whether you win or lose, but winning is so much better!

The official game board