The Zoo!

We spent one of our days at the zoo during our Mid Winter Break! It has been such a beautiful February and this day was no exception! The animals were enjoying the weather as well- just about all of them were out! I was bummed to not have taken a picture of the tiger because he had been moved temporarily from his usual spot and he was right out in front pacing around in his new "area" where we could all see him. He was not a happy camper but we sure did enjoy looking at him! We brought along our neighbor friend Ellie and the Koval's met us at the zoo as well so we had a fun time visiting with our friends. We have really enjoyed having our year membership to both the zoo and Northwest Trek- we are trying to decide if we should renew the membership? It is so nice to jump in the car and do this kind of thing. We shall see. We hope everyone is well!

We spent a lot of our time in the shark aquarium this visit. When we first arrived there were 6 sharks all asleep on the bottom of the water. Slowly they each began to wake up and the kids really enjoyed watching them swim right in front of them. Here you see Taylor and Ellie enjoying this shark swim by them.

It was such a gorgeous day outside! Look at Taylor- no coat and to me, all of a sudden, she looks so grown up! Our almost first grader!

Maddie spent a lot of time walking with her friends around the park but as we began the trek up hill she conveniently found her daddy's shoulders to ride on :)

Valentine Cards!

Taylor received a letter last week explaining that they would be having a Valentine party on Thursday. Ms. Ott asked that the kids write their names on their Valentine's by themselves as part of their homework this week. Taylor had originally picked out some Hannah Montana Valentine's but when she got the letter she thought she would like to make her Valentine's for her class and give the other Valentine's to her "outside school" friends. With her teacher and 2 aids, she had to make a whopping 30 Valentine's! I put together some paper for her, traced hearts for her to cut out, folded paper into cards, found some random fun foam hearts, etc for her and then let her start creating. I came home from work today and she and my mom had left me a note to go and look upstairs. I found all her cards completed and I had to share them because they are so thoughtful- she put in a ton of effort into them! She apparently worked on them all day today and even had a dent in her finger to prove it!

A part of her list from her teacher. The back of the page was full of names as well!

A sample of her Valentine's! I love them!

Chuck-E-Cheeses

Oh yes...I gave in to a Chuck-E-Cheese birthday party. I still can't believe it. Oh, how I love to throw a themed kids birthday party. It just wasn't allowed this year. I gave in. Maddie was very happy though! One thing I loved? No clean up! Here are a few pictures from her party. Enjoy!

Maddie and Macie enjoying a ride together! Such great friends!

All the birthday guests learning the birthday dance! I love Maddie's stance.

Maddie getting her birthday crown- she promptly took it off- "I don't like this crown".

The whole gang! I don't know if you can see it or not, but Maddie's friend Mateo (in the green shirt) is trying to hold her hand. It was all very cute :)

Maddie's Birthday!

It's hard to believe that just 5 days after my 30th birthday that I gave birth to our Miss Madison! What's even harder to believe is that she is already 4! Where in the world has the time gone? Maddie had a family birthday party the day before she turned 4. She had a great time with all her cousins, eating Nachio Chips, steak and boxed fettucine (her request). I love that Maddie doesn't like cake- it makes for an easy time for me! We had chocolate chip cookies and ice cream for dessert(Let's not forget that they were served on Spongebob plates!) . She had fun opening her gifts and she entertained us all by putting on a fashion show afterwards. Don't worry....there is more to come on Maddie's birthday!

Presents! :)

Here she is....modeling one of her new favorite outfits!

Let's hope that she leaves the boots at home when we hit the beach in Hawaii :)

Happy Birthday to our sweet little 4 year old!

My Birthday!

I celebrated my 34th birthday with the people I love most- my girls and Dave. I had one of the best birthday's I can remember in a long time- I still can't pin point why but I had an all around great day. I think it was the little things that made it so special! I was welcomed in the morning with a very long, sweet hug by Taylor and it just kept on getting better. I had sweet wishes at school, cards from some of my students, flowers waiting for me at home from Dave and a yummy birthday dinner made especially for me. The girls helped make a cake for me- my favorite, angel food cake, and Taylor got it into her head that she wanted to put rocks around it. She went to decorate it and I came into the room and noticed that she was actually putting the rocks INTO the cake! We quickly got that turned around :) Both the girls picked out a gift for me this year; I am oh so lucky to be the proud owner of two stuffed dogs that I get to sleep with each night and some new heart earrings. I love that they picked them out on their own and that they were so excited about the whole thing. It was an all around great day!

My very special cake made with lots of love!

Taylor and Maddie helping me blow out my candles. I was taking my job very seriously :)

I love these girls!