Only in Brooklynn's Wildest Dreams......

For Brooklynn's birthday we bought her tickets to Disney on Ice's Princess Classics - as soon as I saw this advertised I knew we had to take her!  Of course when you have a 3 year-old you can't tell her until the day before, or she'll perseverate about it for weeks. 

When I was younger my aunt Kathy would take me every year to Disney on Ice for my birthday.  Every year I looked forward to it, and was excited to share the experience with my baby.

Since the Hepps were taking Kiley we decided to meet up with them for dinner before.  Here's the 2 princesses enjoy their royal meal aka Mac 'n Cheese!  It was special to see them share their excitement.  Of course I couldn't get Brooklynn to wear any of her 3 new beautiful dresses - she demanded the ragged one.  Oh well!

 Then we were off to the "Cinderella Show" and found our seats.  Here's Brooklynn anticipating the show (or super scared of her dad's cheesy smile).

 Belle and the Beast

 The show was not complete until Cinderella arrived.  When she came out Brooklynn's face just lit up.  There's nothing as special as witnessing happiness gleaming from your kids' faces!

 Her pose most of the night

 And then Prince Charming...

I'm guessing it was probably one of, if not the best, night of Brooklynn's life.  She just couldn't believe all the princesses would be together, and she'd get to see them live - in person.  She was such a joy to be with and we were amazed she never asked for anything!  There were so many of those overpriced, cheaply-made toys and junk food around her, but all she wanted was the experience of the show.

First Zoo Trip This Year

We were finally able to get out and head to our favorite summer destination - the zoo!  We were lucky to have a nice 70-degree day to hang out with our favorite girls (and Connor).  We met the Hepp ladies and Katie and Connor to tour the animals.  It's much tougher to take both girls to the zoo now - last summer Chandler just sat and snoozed a lot in the stroller.  Now she wants nothing to do with it and want to walk everywhere!  The problem - she likes to run from me, and then there's Brooklynn dazed in her own world.  Overall success (even though I lost Brooklynn once for a few minutes - worst feeling ever).  Now I need to look into purchasing a leash for Chandler - I mean a "monkey harness" that looks much more socially acceptable. 

The girls on the train

 First time Chandler sat on her own (but stood most of the time)

 Brooklynn & Kiley checking out the polar bear right behind the glass

 She literally was a monkey trying to climb on all the exhibits

 Brooklynn checking out Baby Connor

So great to hang out with everyone.  We'll sure miss hanging out with Katie (going back from maternity leave) and Heather (who's returning to work as well). 

Now that I've Quit my Day Job......

I always remember growing up wanting to start a Mexican restaurant with my dad and brother.  I don't know what I was thinking - a white girl who can make tacos and a mild chili, but the desire to start my own business has always been there.  Of course it's always a scary thing usually with too much money and time to be invested.  When I decided to stay home with the girls I knew I needed to explore some new hobbies.  My "to do" list for this year was to take some classes, so I signed up for cake decorating and sewing.  Our daycare lady told me many times that I should open a bakery, but I thought she was crazy!  I have enjoyed baking lately - especially with my new KitchenAid mixer!  So I thought it'd be fun to pursue the cake decorating and eventually start my own business.  This is the perfect time, because I know I couldn't do it while working full-time and taking care of kids.  And I can do it during naptime for the girls!  I think we get stuck in our day-to-day routine and forget our passions and never get to persue them, so I feel so blessed to be able to do this.

I haven't decided what my "niche" will be.  I enjoy the baking and exploring different and odd flavors and fillings, but the decorating is fun too!  Currently I'm taking the fondant class, which is really popular.  I guess we'll just have to see where this road takes me.......

Here's a few cakes I've done the last month:

Amanda's Baby Sprinkle Cake 

 Cake for class

 Brooklynn's Cinderella cake

 Cake for class

 Cupcakes for the big birthday party

I know I have a lot of work and practice to put in, but luckily with so many little ones around with birthdays, I'm getting lots of practice!  I will just make a cake for any and every occasion........  Sonny's birthday......Good Friday.....whatever!

Cousins Weekend!

Friday night we picked up Makenzie for the weekend and drove to Bennett to have dinner with papa.  Here's some pics of our fun weekend!  It's always fun to get the girls together, and they all absolutely love it!

Cuddling time for movie night - Monsters Inc. 

 We woke up bright and early Saturday morning and took all the girls to the Denver St. Patty's Day Parade for the first time.  It's one of the largest in the country and now I can see why - it lasts over 3 hours with about 250,000 spectators.  Luckily we staked out a good spot at the beginning, but the girls didn't last but a little over an hour.  Chandler was too restless, and after attempting to join the parade numerous times we figured we'd better book it. 

 Lots of Irish bands and dancers - so neat to watch!

The girls had a great time and even scored lots of goodies - candy, beads, and horns!  Definitely a must for next year!

Brooklynn's Stats

A couple weeks late, but we took Brooklynn to the doctor for her 3-year check-up.  This was the first time we've been to the doctor, and she was actually excited - looking forward to the Cinderella sticker at the end.  I was excited, because it was the first check-up with no supposed shots - a mother's worst nightmare.  She is happy & healthy with no issues.  Her stats were:

Height - 38.5 " or 3 ft. 2.5 in. (78th percentile)
Weight - 34 lb 6 oz (82nd percentile)

Just when we thought we were out the door the news came - there's a new pneumonia booster she had to get.  Everything was wonderful until the shot and the screeching blood-curdling screams and then constant tears rolling down her face.  There was still the Cinderella sticker in the end, so she quickly forgot about the horror of the shot.  She actually asked today if she could go to the doctor - strange! 

BFFs......

Last weekend we were treated with a special visit from Becky (who's been living in California since graduating).  We were able to round up the old Bennett gang (with spouses and kiddos) and hang out at our house on Saturday afternoon.  It was so great to see everyone and all the kids playing together.  I feel so blessed to have such a close group of friends that have all stayed in touch through all these years.  Most of us have known each other since kindergarten - wow!  Here's all the ladies (and the new babies - Connor & Gracie)

Becky and Brooklynn

The guys

After some pizza we headed downtown (kidless) for some adult fun.  Again a great time with more old friends!

The girls (old ladies at the bar)

What a fun night - sure seems like no time has passed!  Love you ladies and hope we can do it again soon.  Maybe a girls' trip to Vegas!?!?!

Thanks for the pics Beck!

Final Birthday Bash

Sunday was the final birthday celebration for little "B".  The party was for our families - always a nice time to get both sides together.  I worked pretty hard on her cake again this year, and of course it had to be Cinderella.  Here's the final product:

And she's ready to start the singing......

Diggin' in!

Chandler was having a rough time waking up from her late nap, so Uncle Andy thought he'd give her some cake to help her snap out of it.  Apparently chocolate always makes it better!

Onto opening presents - more princesses and more princesses!  However Brooklynn didn't seem to mind.

The most challenging part was getting her to continue opening, because she kept wanting to play with each present she opened.

The finale.....a new bike!  Sweet!

Brooklynn was determined to play with her new Ariel bath castle, so Aunt Carrie filled the sink for her to play.  Not soon after she was naked in the sink playing with the castle.

Then onto the cowgirl boots - yee haw!

And last was the new princess dress and winding down by reading her new princess book with daddy.

Saying goodbye to Aunt Carrie - so glad she was able to make the big day.  The girls already miss her tons!

So after 3 outfit changes, playing with all toys, and reading the books, it was time to say goodbye to the birthday celebrations for another year.  Brooklynn had a fantastic birthday and loved every bit - friends, family, and lots of cake!  Steve and I can't believe we now have a 3 year-old - no longer a baby but a little "kid".  It goes by fast, but is so much fun.  She constantly cracks us up, so we're excited to see what the next year holds for our little girl - preschool, playing with sissy, and lots of princess love!

Birthday Party #1

Saturday was the big "dual Cinderella princess gymnastics birthday party" as Brooklynn  named it.  We had a combo party with Hazel, who was turning 2. Brooklynn was anticipating this day for a long time, and when it came to naptime on Saturday she didn't sleep a wink and said to me, "Ok mommy I'm ready for my party", when I went in her room to get her up for the party.  The party was a blast - the kids got to run around on the trampoline, jump in the bounce house, and even take a walk on the balance beam.  I've never seen Brooklynn so happy and have so much fun.  It made all the hard work worth it! Here's some pics of the big day:

Princess Cupcakes

Brooklynn "dragging" around her little sister before the party.

 

 And the kids arrive......

 To the gymnastics room!  Hazel "the dare devil" takes the first plunge

 Chandler loving the trampoline

 "Come back Jackson (aka Prince Charming) - I love you!"

 Pure excitement!

 Brooklynn decided to body slam Kiley under the parachute

 Ready for candles......Brooklynn had to sing "Happy Birthday" to herself before everyone could join in.  I'll have to put the video up - too funny!

 Hazel blows out the candles no problem - some reason Brooklynn wasn't as successful.

 All the kiddos

 What?  Who said I couldn't have 3 cupcakes?

 After the party the girls immediately crashed in the car.  As the party finished Carrie landed at the airport, so we met up with Steve's family for dinner.  After a yummy Mexican meal the waiters came to sing to the birthday girl.  She's wasn't too sure at first, but was all smiles after they started singing the English version.

 And of course she loved the sopaipillas

We were exhausted by the end of the day, but Brooklynn knew it was only a warm-up to the next party on Sunday.  What a fun day!

Next up.......Birthday Party #2