Birthday - Part II

Rick was out of town for Piper's actual birthday so I tried to make the day extra-special.  The night before I decorated her room.  She didn't wake up while I was doing it but she did in the middle of the night and asked me why there were balloons in her room and then she looked up and saw the streamers.  I quickly convinced her to go back to sleep.  (Simon wanted those balloons in the worst way and because I wouldn't give them to him he cries from heartbreak.)

I also made pancake batter the night before so we had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.  I decorated the table too and gave her the special plate to use.

The special day continued with a trip to Toys R Us.  We got a birthday crown and balloon.  We also picked up some squirt guns.

Then it was on to the Children's Museum.  Piper is always requesting to go there so I made it a surprise trip.  After a few hours at the museum we had a snack at Panera.  I had wanted to go to the splash park too but I figured that Simon would need a nap by then.  It also was a little on the cold side.  So while Simon slept Piper and I had a squirt gun fight in the driveway.

We concluded the day with a mommy/daughter dinner at Olive Garden.  (I got a babysitter for Simon.)  It was a majorly fun day.

I'll write another post on her stats and what she's up to these days.

Birthday Party

For Piper's birthday we had a little tea party for her with some friends.  We decorated headbands, ate "princess sandwiches," strawberries, celery and carrots, hummus, and goldfish crackers.  Piper had requested a diamond/unicorn/rainbow cake (I ordered the cake obviously).  After the tea party we opened presents.  Piper got a musical tea set and a jewelry box with bracelets.

Audrey, Piper, Mary, and Evelyn

Happy Birthday Piper!

Berries

The kids and I went strawberry picking this week.  The berries weren't great due to recent rain but we had fun anyway.  We'll have to go again because last year's crop was so good.  Because I carried Simon in the front pack and had to squat to pick, my thighs were killing me for days afterwards. 

Piper wore the new boots she got from Grandma Vicki for her birthday.  She's had many compliments on them. 

Simon kept trying to eat the strawberry leaves.  At one point I think he got a strawberry because he had pinkish hands and some strawberry on his chin.

I've made strawberry/rhubarb crumb cake and several milkshakes with our spoils.  

You'll have to excuse the excess of pictures but the kids were looking especially adorable that day.  Indulge a mother.

Family Time

The fam out to dinner.  I love the looks on the kid's faces.

Our little "Natalee Pea"

Splash Park

Here's our first venture to the splash park for this summer season.  Simon enjoyed it.  He just sat and splashed in the broken fountain until he got too cold.  He likes kicking in the water more.  Piper had on her new swimsuit and swimcover too.  Good times.  Swimming lessons start in two weeks.

Beach Outing

We went to Rocky River park a few weeks ago, which turned into a beach party.  We left with Piper in tears though when she disobeyed my request to not go in the water.  It was proved to be too tempting for her, but I didn't have a towel and the beach rules also state no wading allowed.  This was Simon's first experience with sand.  I think he liked it.  He liked eating it so I had to be vigilant.

Isn't this a cute sundress?!