Time for Tea

We set up a tea party for Alexandra's fourth birthday party. I have been collecting things for this party for a couple of years because I had planned on it for Isabelle's fifth. But she met Elijah in Kindergarten and declared that boys couldn't come to tea parties so she wanted a pony party instead. So, Alexandra reaped the benefits. My friend's husband even constructed a maypole for me. I was thinking a stick in the ground, but it is a fully working maypole with tethers and rings and everything. A lovely addition to our tea party.


The teapot cake turned out especially cute I thought. The girls were served by our hostesses flower cupcakes, eclairs and cream puffs. We had flower shaped tea sandwiches and apple juice tea.



The table had an array of vintage tea cup and saucer sets. Each girl was given a hat, a purse, and gloves. Later each on got a tea pot necklace.

They played put the teacup on the saucer, throw the tea bag in the giant teacup, lost my hankie, musical chairs and an array of tea party games. They decorated paper fans and sugar cookies.

And don't forget the tea. They were so cute with their little hats and gloves, holding their pinkies and klinking their cups together.

The maypole was definitely a fabulous addition to the party. Thanks Holly & Jack! The girls looked straight out of picture as they pranced around the pole in their Easter dresses. They really were adorable.

Happy Birthday Alexandra! You had a perfect little tea party for our perfect little 4 year old. You are so sweet and kind to your sister and brother. I love that you just say what you are feeling, when you are happy, when you are sad. You always show such love to everyone. I love your little scratchy voice, your cute little mad face. You are such an angel. Happy birthday sweet pea!


Alexandra's big present from Nani, Papa, Mom and Dad was a play house. She is in it all day long. She calls it her club house. It is equipped with sidewalk chalk, a picnic set, and decorated with curtains and flowers. Everything a little girl could want.

Happy Birhday Allie

My Alexandra turned four! She has been my baby for so long, it is sometimes surprising to see what a little girl she has turned into. When I picked her up to move her to her bed the other night, she just looked so long. I love that she still lets me baby her. She is insistent on cuddle time and I think the neck holding thing may never end, which is fine with me. She is like her sister in so many ways, but so different too. She loves being a girl, dressing up, makeup, singing, dancing, her dolls. But she is just a little more wild than Izzie. She has a little naughty streak that shines through. You really have to love her for it. She is so smart, and independent. She makes the perfect playmate. If Izzie wants the pink one, Alexandra enthusiastically says she wants whatever color is left. Izzie usually gets pink. More often than not she is the boy in the song, the prince in during make-believe. I heard that doesn't last, but as for now she is completely content. She is so unselfish and loving. She is patient beyond words. She will run errands with us, sitting in the car all day and not a peep. I love that she sings at the top of her lungs, out of tune and kind of screechy, but having a blast. She is the first to tell you that she loves you. Usually a series of confessions with hugs and wet kisses (on the lips) ending with "I love you thiiiis much" and "I love you to reeses pieces". She is so good with Oliver, although she is quite sad that she is not big enough to carry him around yet. She is so athletic and energetic. She is always so fun to be around. She says the funniest things all the time. I really have to start writing them down. I love my little four year old. I wish I could freeze them all in all of their adorable stages. It goes way too fast. Happy Birthday Allie!

I've been dreaming....

The girls got Disney's "Enchanted" which is an adorable movie about a Giselle who is looking for her Prince Charming. Isabelle got the huge white dress and we dolled up another wedding dress for Alexandra. So, I have had 2 Giselles around the house the last couple of days.

The singing is almost as adorable as the sweeping hand motions and high voice that the girls have been prancing around the house with. Although I hve to say "the Happy Little Working song" has made clean up time a lot more effective.


Little Allie fell asleep during her third viewing that day. Trying to become a princess is hard work.

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail

The Easter bunny came to our house during our very early 8 am church, so we wouldn't be late looking through Easter baskets. And we decorated way too many eggs, so the girls baskets were overflowing. I love Easter, and the warm weather was a welcome change from the freezing Pittsburgh Easters. I have to say Arizona winters are fantastic! The girls & Oliver had a fun Easter.

Cousins

Mike, Stephanie and their boys, Andrew, Nate, Will, and James came for a last minute weekend visit so mom could see all her grandbabies and the cousins could play.

Of course Izzie and Nate were like glue the second they got here. Those two have always had a special little bond-tey are 2 peas in a pod. Andrew is so grown up now, reading Harry Potter and sitting at the adult table. Alie and Bill took a day to warm up, but then they were outside at the table laughing, joking, and playing so cute together. Baby James is so big and so so happy. He is the happiest baby I've seen, he is so adorable. I can't wait for Oliver and him to be big enough to play together.

It was so fun to have everyone here. Mike, Stef, Jon, Mom, Ben, and I had a great time too. We had a fun barbeque, and a trip to build-a-bear. Nani treated them all to a new friend. Thanks Nani! It was a fun weekend, we can't wait to move closer.

Nani & Papa

My mom and Dad came for a "just because" visit. They both came for the weekend and my mom stayed for an extra week. It was so fun. There was no rush, no agenda. Although my mom did all the laundry and kept the house tidy the whole time she was here. Thanks mom! I was so glad my dad could come. He is always working so hard, I was glad to steal him for a couple days.

Plus I had to show off my baby who had already changed since the last time they saw him. My mom and I had a blast shopping, and playing with the kids. I actually felt like a real person again. It was so fun. I am going to try them to retire by us in Arizona or California so we can be closer. Plus Utah is too cold. Thanks for coming mom and dad it was so so fun!

Learning Photoshop

I finished my first Photoshop project attempt. I was pretty proud of my self, so, here it is.

I also got inspiration from my friend Brooke and made magnents (150 to be exact) for the favor for the Relief Society Birthday dinner. I was feeling very ambitious this month.

Ben

It is Ben's birthday today. So, I thought I would rave about him for a minute. I am so proud of him. He came straight out of school into being the only dentist in a practice. He jumped in with both feet and is doing such a great job. He flew all of the country between work, visiting us in Utah and interviews. He got into USC for a pediatric residency and he starts in June. This is an amazing program and he will be such a great pediatric dentist. He is so good with kids. He is such a hard worker and a perfectionist at his job. And he comes home after a hard day and is willing and ready to help at home. He cooks, he cleans, he does laundry, bathes kids, and all with a great attitude. I am so lucky to have him. He is such an amazing man and my best friend. We are going on ten years and I love him more than I can express. I love you babe. Happy birthday!