Birthday Girls

Brooke turned two on Jan. 23rd. We met cousins for lunch and went to build a bear with the family. I can't believe my baby is 2! Brooke is all girl. She brings me ribbons and necklaces by herself to put on and reaches for her pretty dresses in the closet when we are looking for pjs at night. She sticks up for herself to her siblings. She is very cuddly and loves to pretend she is a puppy. We love her to pieces. It is a joy to watch her learn and grow every day.

The rainbow party was so fun. We did crafts, face painting, book exchange, rainbow tag, parachute playtime with balls and a color treasure hunt in the front yard. I ran around crazy and regret not stopping to take more pictures during the party. The kids were soooo cute and fun to watch. I hope the kids had as much fun as I did. I kind of have a party problem I know. The kids don't care at all and would be thrilled to be at a park with popsicle I know! But I love to do it and I hope they enjoyed themselves.

Grace turned 4 this year. She is the opposite of Brooke in the fact the she hates ribbons and necklaces and clothes for that matter. As soon as the party was over she was stripped down to undies, pigtails pulled out and comfy on the couch with her favorite blanket.

Anne and Sam have tons of friends in the neighborhood. They take off on their bikes and go from house to house. Grace has gone missing lately and we can spot her pink bike at the neighbors sometimes. We just hope she has clothes on when she goes for her visits. She loves to ride the wiggle scooter and is quite a site out in the front yard in her Elmo undies. I try to keep her inside and with clothes on but sometimes she sneaks away. I am sure that our new neighbors are thrilled to see our little streaker out front.


Anne turned 11 on March 7th. After going all out on birthday parties for one decade I convinced her we should skip a year. The rainbow party kind of did me in. These girls birthdays are the 7th and 9th of March so we can't do big parties for both. Anne had a great day and we surprised her with tickets to the Taylor Swift concert. She is a big fan and was thrilled.

How did I get such a wonderful daughter? I am continually impressed by Anne's maturity and confidence. I love to hang out with her. She can jump into any new situation and be just fine. She is getting so good on the harp and we beg her to play for us. She gets sick of the constant requests. She LOVES the new neighborhood and is always out on her bike with 5 other girls roaming the orchards and planning new adventures. She is enjoying sewing and recently made an apron, pjs, and pillow case. She loves to cook, her specialties lately are crepes, cookies, and scrambles eggs. She is such a smarty and can write a short story like a pro. There is one I really need to post because I just can't believe she can write so well (because I am so terrible!). They are so fun to read!

Life is going by so fast. I remember bringing Anne home from the hospital in snowy Chicago. I remember my baby Anne so well. I get so sad thinking of her growing up and moving on. She has informed me that she will NOT be living in AZ and needs to see the Green stuff and the White stuff. (seasons change, big trees, and snow). I keep reminding her that I am going to be a really cool Grandma and that is so mean to do to her children. She better not leave me!

I am so blessed to have these little ladies in my life. They are the sisters that I never had. They are my best friends and it is an honor to be their Mother. I hope to be a better Mother for them, I feel so inadequate so many times and know they deserve the best.

I love my Sam too of course!