Leia always says the craziest, most mature things, that totally shock you to hear coming out of the mouth of a 4 (now 5) year old, and yet she's always using them in the proper syntax. This week she said to me, "I wish Daddy was here to guide us for my birthday." Which was true, we do like to have Josh's support and guidance, especially on these kind of events and parties. Then she said, "My heart never breaks, except when Daddy leaves, then it breaks." (Good thing I didn't tell Josh that one when he was gone, that would have absolutely killed him!) And finally, "Mommy, can you please give me a necklace? Daddy gave me a necklace so I can remember him when he dies, Grandma gave me a necklace so I can remember her, and now I need one to remember you." Wow, with a lead up like that, I better go give her a really awesome necklace!! I gave the girls their birthday present a day early, because I wanted to get it all set up the day before the party. It was a new slip 'n slide with an actual waterslide ramp. Of course Leia insisted on trying out the new slide right away, even though it was bedtime and it was totally dry. It was quite comical to watch the two flip down it, since their bodies were sticking rather than sliding. Leia absolutely loved loved loved the Moana decorations on the birthday cake, but she didn't actually like the cake or frosting at all, at the birthday party. She tolerated it slightly better the next day, but she's more into whipped cream frosting right now (which was what I put on her cake last year and she didn't like it then!) Leia was so sweet and well behaved with grandma all weekend. She loved her new soft dress that grandma brought (since the last few dresses did not go over too well because they were too "scratchy"). She's now wearing the new soft dress every single day. When we had to take Grandma to the airport, Leia basically ignored her when she said goodbye, but then instantly started balling the second she was gone. I actually have a theory that she finds the goodbyes really painful and tries to ignore them by being rude and stand-offish, but really it's her defense mechanism. She's completely aware that the person is leaving, even when ignoring it, because she always freaks out right after. Leia was super sweet when Arwyn was really tired and cranky and scratched her bug bite to blood. Leia ran to get a stool to get her a bandage and ice pack with a towel. She is still erupting with a temper when I take away TV, but generally acting so much better and is more pleasant to be around. Leia is always so creative and planning oriented; as soon as the party was over, Leia already had big ideas for the treasure hunt for her next birthday party. We haven't even finished cleaning up from the current party, and the next one is already all planned out!
Arwyn was so excited and happy to have all her favorite friends over for her birthday party. She kept herself totally entertained the entire time. She was also super friendly with my friends Jen and Clint when they came over. She was just talking up a storm and showing them all her stuff. Totally won them over with her sweetness and charm! Arwyn went to her first movie theater movie, and sat through the whole thing on Grandma's lap. She made some fabulous art projects on their trip to the KidsZone museum. She's getting really good at drawing the letter "A." Arwyn also kind of ignored Grandma's departure hug, but as soon as the door closed, she said she wanted a hug from Grandma! She cried too, just like Leia, and we had to call Grandma to come back out and say goodbye all over again. Arwyn is getting really fast on her scooter, and good at using it's brake feature. Arwyn and Leia always fight about who will go first at giving out compliments and appreciations at our family meetings each week, which makes me happy that they are so excited about it. And Arwyn usually says the same things every week ("Good job Leia to eating your dinner. Good job Mommy to cooking dinner. Good job Daddy to cooking dinner."), but she actually came up with some new ones this week!
Arwyn was so excited and happy to have all her favorite friends over for her birthday party. She kept herself totally entertained the entire time. She was also super friendly with my friends Jen and Clint when they came over. She was just talking up a storm and showing them all her stuff. Totally won them over with her sweetness and charm! Arwyn went to her first movie theater movie, and sat through the whole thing on Grandma's lap. She made some fabulous art projects on their trip to the KidsZone museum. She's getting really good at drawing the letter "A." Arwyn also kind of ignored Grandma's departure hug, but as soon as the door closed, she said she wanted a hug from Grandma! She cried too, just like Leia, and we had to call Grandma to come back out and say goodbye all over again. Arwyn is getting really fast on her scooter, and good at using it's brake feature. Arwyn and Leia always fight about who will go first at giving out compliments and appreciations at our family meetings each week, which makes me happy that they are so excited about it. And Arwyn usually says the same things every week ("Good job Leia to eating your dinner. Good job Mommy to cooking dinner. Good job Daddy to cooking dinner."), but she actually came up with some new ones this week!
Just hauling a dozen 50 lb bags of sand down the hill to our back yard to full the sand box that gets washed away EVERY year, no big deal!
Lazing in the hammock.
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
Scrunch face!
Always nice to picnic by the creek!
Strawberry face!
Family selfie with Grandma!
Hammocks are fun, but also dangerous...seems like someone always flips out at some point!
Always tries to hardest to do anything but smile!
Finally, I got a nice smile!
Feeling carefree in her new hippy dress!
Loving life!
Love this beautiful girl!
Sister time!
Getting a little wild with the twisters!
Love watching these two snuggle up and play so well together!
You simply must look fancy when you head to the Village at Northstar!
I think this was at least the 3rd or 4th outfit change of the day!
This was Arwyn's favorite of her new dresses: Mini Mouse.
Panorama of the yard after 2 long days of prepping and cleaning up for the party (all by myself)!
Doing a little "dry run" test of the new water slide!
Lots of good crashes due to the stickiness!
Everybody loves getting birthday cards!
The big day is finally here...birthday party time!
Loving her new Moana dress to go along with the Moana themed party (and her new Moana themed bed)!
The other birthday girl, also in her new party dress!
Happy day!
What a great friend Ava is to bring a whole pack of bubbles!!
Wahoo, slip 'n slide time!!
Yep, it's fast! Works way better with water!
Watch out, here comes the Googs!
Splash!
Best buds!
Treasure hunting with your friend is always more fun!
We had another great hunt this year! Great time work looking for the treasures.
Hmmm, where could that bag of booty be?
Bingo, got it!
Our beautiful Moana creation!
We had lots of helpers for putting in candles.
Patiently waiting the big moment.
Daddy couldn't be here for the big day, so he watched via FaceTime.
Arwyn was also very patient, and very observant of the whole process.
Make your wishes!
Who wants cake?? I see lots of hands here!
Candle thieves!
My little buddy Audra.
Luna, Arwyn, and Ava...best buds.
Man, those sure are some blue tongues!
Blue hands AND blue tongues!
Time for presents!
Megan and Harkin, relaxing in the shade.
Back to the slide for Miss Arwyn!
Everyone was congregating in the shade.
Everyone smiles when it's cake time!
Fun to hang out with Katie and Jayda again.
The party wouldn't be complete without a few temporary tattoos!
Wonder Women!
Love to see this great smile. She will always be my Wonder Woman (and Arwyn my Super Girl)!
Tikki Can Bean Bag Toss Game...Leia needs a little work on her throwing arm.
Little goofs!
Leia's happy place...surrounded by presents and people to bring them to her!
Luna and Ava are just so cute. Arwyn has great friends.
This is was 5 looks like (when you are an amazon)!
Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet Leia! So full of energy, creativity, and independence, with a style that’s all your own. You are such a caring and generous person, and we love you so much!
Happy 3rd Birthday to my little Arwyn!! So calm, yet full of energy, so patient, yet full of spark. You shine bright and compliment our family so perfectly. Love you!
Good thing there's a weight on that balloon!
My gorgeous girls! Are they the cutest or what?
Charging!
Like her sister, not interesting in traditional athletic clothing.
Watch out for this bad ass scootin' gang!
Is this a glimpse of our future?
Loving her new notebook and pens for the daily car trip art.
And Arwyn is psyched to have her very own set of pens and not have to bum off Leia!
Emmett loving the water play time at school.
Leia and her friends on the tire swing.
Just watching these guys makes me dizzy!
Ask a group of kids to give you a thumbs up, and you're guaranteed to get a thumbs down. But it was a fun dinner with our neighbors anyway.
