Post Birthday's

My parents got out of town before more snow storms hit. It was a week filled with warm and cold temperatures. We ended up with the largest ice cycles we had ever seen on our house!

Brandon too escaped the week of snow and Riley enjoyed learning to shovel snow! Next year we are buying him his own shovel!

While my parents were here, Loli and Nat got their own closet! The one thing our little house lacks is storage. We don't even have a linen closet. The closet addition to the girls room was badly needed. We are not moving anytime soon folks. Plus, I am fulfilling my dreams as an interior designer! My girls fit in their room perfectly. The next step in the road ahead is bunk beds! 

Brandon, told me he's jealous of his sons comic room. I told him so was I, but that it would not be appearing in our room decor. Our room is the last place we will ever decorate. Kind of sad, but true. I still own furniture from my child hood that is slowly finding it'self  either at the trash yard or goodwill. 

Home projects are my favorite!

Riley's 6!

Riley is still at it with his cups. On our Snow day we did a lot of cup building.

 Riley in his fortress.

 Enjoying the snow!
On the day of Riley's Birthday, Nana and I took the cookies Riley picked out to share with his friends. He was so excited to get his Birthday crown and Pencil from his teacher.

 Homework time with Nanna and Opa! It was the only way we could get him to sit down and do it. Excitement for your birthday and homework do not blend well.

 Riley's cake that too had a colorful center. I also got the edible image from the King Soopers bakery and my mom had the cool idea of mashing up some of the M&M's and mix them into the frosting on the side.

 Only a leap pad and superman sheets can give you a face like this!

We did make it to Chuck e cheese on Riley's Birthday. I am sad I forgot my camera, but we all had blast! We went during school hours which made the experience laid back and fun! We all got into the spirit of playing games. This year I learned that sometimes less is best.
Ever since Riley has received his leap frog, he has found the joys of multiplying and the joys of punishment. It has become a great tool for learning obedience.  

I am so bummed I did not get a picture of the kids together with Nana and Opa. Nat how ever loved the attention she got and misses her cuddle buddies!

A Lolli Birthday!

My sweet little Lolli  had one rough birthday and weekend. It started with signs on Friday that another UTI was on it's way. I took her to the doctor and the doctor could not find anything, but decided to grow a culture over the weekend. In the end mom was right and I wish we had started her on antibiotics that day. The whole weekend was miserable for her and for those around her. The plans we had of going to chuck e cheese got cancelled. Luckily the fever and pain did not stop her on her birthday. When I told her to take a nap she couldn't bring herself to do it. She thought that she would miss her party if she did.  

 Lorelei's Birthday Cake!

I decided to do something fun with their cakes this year.

 The picture above with her hands on her chest tell a story. Riley told Lorelei "Lorelei you are six now!" With excitement and surprise she put her hand to her chest and shouted "WHAT?" 

 Lorelei was so excited for her Elsa doll from Nanna and Opa. When she opened the second doll she said "Another Elsa doll? Oh it's just Anna." 

Reactions to Lolli's comments and excitement.

 She loved the dress from Grammy.

A card full of loot and one 2 dollar bill that will never be spent because it was folded nicely into a shirt from Uncle Tim.

The next day we put our little princess in a cup fortress for her future prince to come and rescue her. It was also snowing and with how she felt we weren't going anywhere!

A Lolli post!

Don't let this sweet funny exterior fool you. She is full of love but many times a day her stubbornness breaks through. I realized the words of my mom coming back to haunt me. "I hope someday you have a daughter just like you!" Well, I can finally tell my mom I met my match and then some.

 Potty training has been a two year saga that is still running. I really wish Heavenly father would cancel it for me. We have had more accidents then I can count, withholding, many chapped bums and so far one UTI. Nothing is stopping this little lady from doing it on her terms. I finally told her that she will get no Gymnastics next year if she can't be a big girl. Since then I have seen some progress, but not in the way I would like. She only wants to go to the bathroom in public and on her own terms. This means closing the stall door on her own, frustration with me holding her over the toilet, and I definitely cannot tell her how to wash her hands. I just keep telling myself this too shall pass, this too shall pass...

 Plus sides to Lolli is the little mommy she has become. The other day as I was sitting on the couch, I told Riley to get into the shower. He would not move. I then repeated myself and still no movement. I repeated myself a third to which Lolli said "ugh, fine" She jumped up off the couch walked over to Riley and guided him into the bathroom saying "come on Riley lets get you in the shower."

 She adores Natalie and tells everyone that she is her baby. She kisses Natalie many times in a row, is constantly rubbing her head and loves pushing her in her swing. I'm sure if Lolli wasn't 29 pounds and her sister 18, she would drag her everywhere.

 The only thing Lolli eats in the morning is a muffin or a yogurt. She then TRIES to fill whatever hunger she has left with fruit snacks.  

She is a great imaginative player. Anything and everything becomes a live talking person. The other day I heard her crying and ran to see why. She then looked up at me with a tear running down her cheek and smiled. I asked her if she was okay. She then replied, "yes mommy" and then began to tell me that the dolls feelings had been hurt. Maybe acting is in her future . 

 Our favorite thing about Lolli is the abundant hugs she shares, her I love you's, and the excitement she gets over little things. Today Jump Street was the best place she had ever been and Cafe Rio was the best food she has ever had!

Over all this little Lady is full of personality and a whole ball of funnies. It will be fun to see what the number 4 has in-store for us!

The Year of Riley Part1!

Riley's 1st school Picture in Kindergarten! 

 Riley's first art piece he brought home from school. He told me that one of the birds is playing upside down.

 Since school has started, Riley has become more animated, excited, and very into math. I knew he had a love for numbers, but did not know the depth of his love. I hope it sticks with him because I suck at math! One of his favorite things to do is play games with me in the car. We go back and forth with addition problems. Brandon recently taught him subtraction. He is also obsessed with patterns, building, and spending time online with his learning games from school. Mrs. Jones has a class subscription for RAZZ kids a reading program and a Everyday Math program online. 

 This boy is fearless! He loved holding Rosie at his schools Halloween party. He told me she tickled his hand.

Riley is also upgrading to a new Bedroom! The little boy look is now becoming outdated. He now wants a superhero room. Here is a sneak peak into his future. I had a blast up cycling and mod podging his name with Marvel magazines!