Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Friday was my birthday!! Chip came home from work a little early since we were having friends over for diner. I had bought myself new sunglasses last week for my birthday present, so I was very very surprised when he gave me my gift -- he ordered me an ipad!! He was hoping to have it by my birthday, but they are out of stock so I'll get it in a few weeks. I am excited and surprised. Chip always does a great job getting me gifts and surprising me! Later in the evening we had a little get together with some of our best Texas friends. Rhiannon, Ben, Mathew, Carys, Abigail, Patti, Bryan, Emily, Jenn, Pete, Makayla and Madison all came over. It was Jenn's first time out since Matthew was born 3 weeks ago, so it was great to see her and hang out. Chip grilled chicken and sausage and I made and bought some salads and appetizers -- I kept it simple. I wasn't about to actually cook on my birthday!! I thought it would be fun since it was MY birthday to have a fun theme. I REALLY wanted to get Twilight plates, napkins, etc. But they didn't have them at Target and I was too lazy to drive to Party City to get some. So Lily picked out the Princess theme, which is just as appropriate. :) She even made me get a pinata! It is fun having a 4 year old party planner!

My Pinata.

All my birthday buddies. :)

I got first wack at the pinata!

Then Lily.

I let the kids get all the candy.

Rhiannon bought me this delicious red velvet bundt cake! It is SO good. We put a candle for all the kiddos that helped me celebrate.

I love these pictures and Emily and Carys' little heads peeking up at the cake. So cute!

It was a fun night and fun to celebrate my birthday with our friends.

Lunch with the Easter Bunny

Friday after school we met Emily, Elise and a few other friends for lunch with the Easter Bunny! We went last year too. It is a cute little luncheon put on by the city. The kids got a Chick Fil-A lunch and some goodies -- bubbles, a ball, cup, stickers, etc. Then they had an Easter story time and the big guy came out for hugs and photos.

The Easter Bunny is here! Lily is that blur in the center -- she was literally jumping up and down in excitement -- she has come a long way with mascot type characters.

Playing bean bag toss with Elsie while the line for the bunny died down.

bean bag hog.

Lily said, "The Easter Bunny was so soft, I wanted to fall asleep on him."

With all her friends.

Luke, Lucy, Allison, Lily, Emily, Elise and Grace.

Lily and Emily got the good spot!

Hugs good bye for the Easter Bunny.

Little Ballerinas

Last week at dance class they used the barre for the first time. It was so sweet -- they looked like real little ballerinas. They have come a long way from the beginning of the year and are using legitimate ballet moves in their dancing -- not just running around like Lily did at first.

Catching Up . . .

Sorry I have been a bad blogger lately. But between working from home, Lily's scheduled activities, our social schedule, errands, etc. It is hard to find free time to blog -- actually, it is impossible to find free time. And I am not one of those people who can stay up later at night to get things accomplished or wake up earlier in the morning, I really need my beauty sleep! :)

But things are good. We've had school, dance, swim lessons are going well. Chip and I have gotten out for a few dinners with friends, we took Lily to see the movie "Hop", have had play dates, shopping dates (Rhiannon and I actually took all 4 kids to lunch at Cheesecake Factory and the mall not too long ago -- it was fun, but crazy!) I haven't just fallen behind on my blog, but my picture taking as well! But the next week is filled with Easter events, so there should be tons of new photos and stories to tell!

Here are a couple pictures of my sweet girl helping me clean up. She loves to help me clean, but refuses to clean her own mess which is beyond annoying. :)

Bluebonnet Photos

Yesterday my good friend and professional photographer, Rhiannon, took photos of us in the Texas Bluebonnets. She posted a sneak peak of a few photos from the session on her blog. Check it out:

http://rhiannonevansphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/california-girlsand-guy.html

I am loving them so far and can't wait to see the rest!!!

It's a GIRL!!!!

Tuesday morning I had my 20 week ultrasound. Since I knew there was a good chance we'd find out the sex, I brought Chip and Lily with me to the doctor's. I was trying not to get too excited since Lily was a stinker and did not cooperate during her first ultrasound to determine the sex. Thankfully, this baby is already much less stubborn than Lily and apparently it was totally obvious that we are having another baby girl!!! I was thrilled. I would have been thrilled either way, but if Chip and I got to choose the sex, we both would have chosen another girl. So we were pretty excited!! Lily was hoping for a brother, but she is pretty stoaked to have a sister too. As far as I know, everything else looked good and right on track (I don't see my doctor again until the 18th), so afterwards we all went out for breakfast to celebrate!

Outside the doctor's office. Lily had to wear her new "big sister" shirt.

Our new baby girl!

Craw Fish Boil

Saturday night we went to Patti and Bryan's for a craw fish boil. We went last year and it was a lot of fun just hanging out -- kinda traumatizing watching everyone tear apart the poor craw fish and suck their heads, but whatever. Patti made quesadillas and appetizers for Rhiannon and I, who sat at the far end of the table and were the only "normal" ones who were disgusted by the whole thing. :)

When we got there the little guys were still alive and kickin'. I tried to get Lily to hold one, but she refused. She did stand by Emily as she held one, but notice the look on her face.

Sorry little guys!

Emily, Lily and Makayla playing.

All ready to eat. yum.

Chip got off work in time for the second batch. Donna is trying to hide from the photo, Chip, Pete, Lois (Bryan's mom), Patti and Taylor (Patti's nephew).

The girls had fun dressing up in all of Emily's princess clothes. Matthew, is just a good sport. :)
It was a fun night and perfect evening for sitting outside. The best part was when Lily slept in until 9am this morning since we stayed out late and wore her out last night!

Our Week

This past week was a pretty normal, busy week. Preschool on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Lunch, dinner and errands with Chip on Monday; dance and swim class on Tuesday; Yogurt outing with friends on Wednesday. But to add some excitement, both Lily and I had dentist appointments. I had to get 3 fillings :(. Lily on the other hand, is hopefully inheriting Chip's miracle teeth (no cavities until he was in his 30s!) and had a great check up. They even said she was doing a great job brushing (which made me laugh, because she isn't really). Her dentist office is like Chuck E Cheese. Seriously (minus the pizza). There is an open arcade section where all the kids can watch movies, play games and get their teeth cleaned together. Lily was still little shy and opted for a private room with me nearby. But she did get to watch "Tangled" on the ceiling TV as she laid there.

She looks so tiny in the big dentist chair.

Today she helped me clean the master bathroom. She refuses to clean up her toys and stuff, but was very excited to help me clean. I guess, I'll take what I can get!

Bowling

Lily and I went bowling tonight with Patti, Emily and Bryan at the swanky new alley that opened nearby. It was lot of fun (I didn't get to bowl, although I probably could have). Lily LOVED it. It was actually her first time ever bowling. We've talked about it and even tried to take her before (too long a wait, so we left), and finally today she got to bowl! She picked it up immediately and I only had to help her for her first roll. She knew when it was her turn, got her own ball every time and just bowled -- I just sat back and drank my icee! She even put her fingers in the holes properly -- even though she was just pushing the ball down the lane. :) The girls used the bumpers, so gutter balls were out which was nice. It took about 20 minutes for their balls to make it all the way down the lane (I am exaggerating -- but only a little), but they got SO excited when they knocked down pins. I was cute to watch them jumping around and high fiveing.

Rolling the ball down the lane.

She'd wait and watch it go.

By the end of the second game she got tired and used the kiddie ball thing that helps them get the ball down the lane. Emily used it through out both games, but Lily refused until the end. I was proud of her for not "cheating" most of the time.

Bowling Buddies.

I loved her little shoes. :)

Lily got 45 her first game and a 72 her second game! I tried to take a photo of the score sheet, but since Bryan only got a 75 he was embarrassed and erased it before I could document it forever.

Puzzle Time

Lily has been obsessed with puzzles lately. I even had to set up two TV tray tables in the living room, so she can sit on the couch and do her puzzles all day. Thursday morning we spent a good hour tackling this 100 piece Princess puzzle. It is a lot for her. She did get frustrated at times, but we hung with it and finished.

Above is the "Mom, you are driving me crazy" look. I get it a lot.

Teeny tiny pieces.