Hayden's 3rd Birthday - Part 2

The next two hours were spent bowling and opening gifts/eating cake at Andy B's. The three amigos and their cousins had a really great time bowling. If you haven't done a bowling party there, I would recommend it. It's cheaper than BounceU, Little Gym, etc. if you go with a basic party package. The rooms don't have any kind of party decor...I should've asked ahead of time and brought some balloons with us. The good news is that kids don't notice and don't care about those details at 3!

So I'm short on time today (there's a surprise), thus the large amount of photos with no captions. Enjoy!

Hayden's 3rd Birthday - Part 1

I need to be proofing right this second, so I'll just post a few of Hayden's birthday pictures right now.

The day of her birthday, the kids had pancakes with sprinkles and whipped cream for breakfast!

She loves her special birthday place that Aunt Miley made her!

Next on the agenda was a cartoon and then off to the gym to exercise!

It's a tight squeeze in the backseat of Momma's car! And FYI, Jax's seatbelt is in the process of being buckled in this picture...no I don't let him ride around with it like that. :)

The birthday beauty got her wish for a PB&J for lunch. She would have one every day if she could.

A few wrestling sessions and a nap later, our big girl was dressed and ready for her bowling party! 

To be continued... 

January Picture Post

I didn't take very many pictures at all in January. I think the combination of coming off the holidays and the fact that we didn't do tons of stuff due to, well, POLAR VORTEX probably had something to do with it.

We had the girl cousins over to play while Jax and Daddy went with Travis, Matt, and the boy cousins to Philbrook Museum for a kids' art day.

Our beloved friends, the Odoms, were back in town visiting family. We are so thankful they carved out an afternoon to spend time with us! Our kids have been friends since birth...it's so fun to watch them pick right up where they left off.

We went to Grammy and Grandpa's house to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. The 3 amigos have a blast helping Grandpa with the chores (both feeding the horses and the chickens) and building domino towers on the kitchen counter.

Our good friend Alan came all the way from Long Beach, CA, and enjoyed a freezing weekend with us.

Taking down the Christmas cards. I miss all of the beautiful faces we looked at throughout the season. 

And here's my boy, posing on his Pre-K PJ day and looking way too mature for my liking in the second pic.

I will attempt to go through Hayden's birthday pics and get a post up this week. 

The Last Day of 2

Hayden turns three tomorrow. And I am grieving just a bit. Okay, I'm kind of having a really hard time.

The last day of the second year of her life.

The last day of one of the cutest stages, full of wonder and joy and curiosity and downright fun.

This little girl brings life into our home like I never could've imagined. When I held her brother for the first time and looked up at Jason and announced that I "wasn't done," I had no idea what was in store for us. We both really thought we would have another boy. But here came Hot Sauce, loud and fussy and not interested in following the rules her siblings had followed before her. We found out early on that her zest for life was unquenchable. And she really does have a precious little sensitive heart. And her hugs? Best I've ever had.

So this momma has been doing everything she can to live in the moment with her youngest today. I wanna remember this age, her voice that reminds my friend Velvet of the sister on Aristocats, her stout little frame, her beautiful blond hair that's starting to get darker roots, her one precious dimple, and the raucous belly laugh she lets out daily. 

Two was a good year, Hot Sauce. A good year.

Our Favorite Coach

Rabu Leyva, head coach of the Memorial Chargers girls basketball team. We've known the Leyvas for years...some of our dearest friends...godparents to our kids...Kyna and I were pregnant all three times together!

I love this VIDEO of him from a couple of weekends ago at a tourney at the BOK center.

Last night we went to Memorial to watch them beat McLain. The kids were mesmerized by big-kid basketball, and we had so much fun in the stands with Kyna and the girls!

Job well done, Coach Leyva! We love you!

My Hot Date

This hottie took me to Fleming's Steakhouse at Utica on Saturday night for a belated birthday dinner. We had a ridiculously great time. Every year I tell him all I really want is to go out with him and get a sitter for the kids. Truly my idea of the perfect birthday!

On my birthday (Thurs), my friend Kim treated me to a free massage (she owns Forrest Therapeutic), and then the rest of the day I spent shopping. I had strict orders from J to not come home until dinner. He picked all the kids up from school/preschool and totally held the fort down until I returned. He's the best! And what's amazing about him is that hanging with all three munchkins is no big deal for him. He enjoys playing with them and having them all to himself. That's what makes escaping so enjoyable. I never worry if everything is going well at home.

Thank you, love, for making my 35th one of the best birthdays ever. Spending quality time with you reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with you over 14 years ago. Goodness gracious, I adore you so much!