A Poppin' Birthday Present

The girls got this box of balloons for their birthday from Uncle James, Aunt Jenna, and Olivia.

They had to pop the balloons with their initial on it to claim their gift.

Super excited to find money!  (And please excuse the outfit.  She picked it herself and some battles just aren't worth it when you have a day at home!)

Paige was working hard! And she was super fast at popping all of her balloons.

Paige's loot!

Lainey's loot!

What a cute idea!  The girls LOVED it!  Thanks Uncle James, Aunt Jenna, and Olivia!

Birthday with the Grandparents

It was Grandparents Day on April 20th at Paige's School, so both sets of their grandparents came for the weekend.  (Though once again I have no pictures of any of them.  Grandma's - if you have pics with Paige will you get me a copy?)

So because they were all going to be here and it was exactly between the girls' birthday's we decided to celebrate that weekend.  Paige to a new "2 wheel scooter" from Nana and Papa.  She has been wanting one since last fall and they've been hanging on to it for a long time for her.

They gave Lainey a Strawberry Shortcake Polly set.

Uncle Mat, Aunt Myra, Skylar, and Ariana gave the girls new S.S. dolls and Walkie Talkies.  They LOVE their "Talkie Talkie's".

Both sets of Grandparents went together and got the girls each a set of Barbie Furniture.

They were so excited to open each new piece of furniture.

This isn't your normal furniture.  The lights all turn on, the water actually works from the faucets, washing machine and bathtub, and the bed plays a lullaby.  I would have totally loved this a kid.

Now is when they got their big present from Mommy and Daddy.

Daddy made them each a dollhouse!!!!  He did an awesome job!  As you can see they are very big and come with working lights and working elevator.  Yes, a real working elevator.  Can you even begin to imagine having this as a child?! 

As you can see they were pretty excited and loved setting up all their new furniture.

You may even catch Daddy playing at night after the girls go to bed!;)

All set up in their new home.

The two have slide together to look like a big house and Mark painted it the color of our house, complete with a red front door!

Alaina's Actual Birthday!

My baby turned 4 on Thursday, April 5th.  We love to make their day special, starting with hanging streamers in thir bedroom doorways after they go to sleep.  We also decorate the kitchen table and hang banners and they get to wear a special ribben for the day that says, "It's my birthday!"  We then spend the day doing whatever they want.  She chose to go to the Children's Museum with her friends, a kid's meal for dinner, and Texas Roadhouse for supper.  After supper we came home to celebrate.

Paige got Lainey a fish aquarium lamp (fake fish, of course).  It was a hit!

Mommy and Daddy got her a fairy jewelrty box.....her big present was coming in a couple weeks.  Post to come.

She made it super easy on my this year and wanted a rainbow cake with marshmellow clouds and flowers with yellow frosting cuz its sunny.  I think it turned out pretty cute and she was happy!

Lainey's Birthday Party

This is probably the last year that Lainey and Zach will get to share a birthday party.  They are best friends are truly love to be together.  Zach is just a few weeks older than Lainey.  This year they had a gymnastics party.

It was so perfect.  They had "coaches" lead the group through warm-ups, 3 different obstacle courses, then had some free play.  Lainey's favorite is the rope swing.

Watching the demonstration.

The whole gang.

The birthday boy and girl.  So hard to get real smiles on command.  Zach wanted Zebras for the boys and Alaina picked pink elephants for the girls.

She was so excited about her pink super hero cape from Zach.

It was a great day and she had so much fun celebrating with her friends!

Happy 4th Birthday Alaina!

Oh sweet baby girl....I can NOT believe you are 4 today!  I really do love you "too much".  It just doesn't seem right and I would freeze you this age if I could.  You are my "Sparky", my joy in the day to day.  You want to grow up way too fast and refuse to stay my baby.  All year you have been telling people you are 5.  I suppose turning 4 is a big disappointment today. :)

You are my music lover and often start dancing when you hear music being played.  I love that you break out into song throughout the day.  Your current favorites are Red Solo Cup, Barbie Girl, and Who let the Dogs Out.  (She heard the last two at a skating party a couple weeks ago and they stuck.)  You also make up random songs which just crack me up.

You have the BEST facial expressions and run to the beat of your own drum.  You can often be found playing with your babies...(all still named Baby Jesus), or getting into something I've told you not to get into.  Your favorite activities include riding your bike, playing at the park, going to the Children's Museum, visiting friends, and playing with your sister.

You are ALWAYS hungry or stirsty.  I'm thinking its more lack of something you want to do, than actual hunger.  Your favorite foods are brocolli, yes brocolli, macaroni and cheese, sandwich and fries from any fast food restaurant, and you chose Texas Roadhouse as your birthday meal of choice tonight.  Your favorite beverages are water, juice, lemonade, and milk (in that order!).

You love your friends and prefer to lead, rather than follow.  You have a confidence beyond your years and really need a good explanation before you heed orders or advice.   Paige has become one of your very best friends and it warms my heart to see you play so well together.

Lainey, you are baby girl and no matter how old you get, that won't change.  I am proud of you and the creative leader you are becoming.  God is going to take you places and you are going to bless others.  I love you too much!

Easter, Lainey's Party #4 and Paige's Party #1!

Nana, Papa, Aunt Amber, Uncle James, Aunt Jenna, and Olivia came Easter weekend to celebrate the girls' birthdays. 

The girls in their Easter dresses!

For the girls' party we had an Easter Egg hunt, opened presents, and had cake and icecream!

"But I can't reach it!"

"Now I can reach it!"

Poor Olivia has had nonstop ear infection for months, so we made sure to bundle her up!

Hurry, Alaina!

Aunt Amber will help!

Lainey found MONEY!

Paige found candy!  (Don't worry everyone got money in one of their eggs.)

Yummy Chocolate!

The girls checking out their Easter Basket goodies!

Cousin Livvy!

Time to open birthday presents.

New shirts and princess crafts from Olivia.

This is what they did when we told them to pose like a rock star!

Lainey got a "new" to her bike from Nana and Papa!

A new princess jammie gown from Nana and Papa.

She wears it every night.  I have to wash it every couple days!

Two Aunts and a Cousin

Time for Birthday Cake.  There were 3 candles for Alaina and 5 for Paige.  They picked out the cake together.