I'm A Little Tea Pot

It is so hard to believe that 4 years ago I became a mom. One of the best days of my life was having my beautiful daughter. I love playing dress up, doing puzzles, working on vocabulary words, playing in the backyard and cuddling with my wonderful daughter. God blessed us with our strong willed, loving, beautiful, independent, friendly, outgoing daughter. I am still amazed some days what a honor it is to be a parent. It is by far the hardest, most rewarding job I have ever been blessed with.

This year we had a princess tea party. I was trying to do simple and cute. I made small little bit size muffins, and triangle peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I set up the table and had pink sugar brimmed cups for their raspberry lemonade. I wanted to make everything from scratch because I enjoy it, not that Payton would know either way. It was fun getting ready for and it appeared the girls all had a good time. We had cake balls, cake pops, mini and regular cupcakes. I tried new cupcake recipes which turned out pretty well. We had strawberry cupcakes with white wedding icing, and snicker doodle cupcakes with cream cheese icing.

Trying to be creative I wanted something for the girls to have as their "thank you" gift and something else to do at the party. So we painted picture frames and I took everyone's picture so they can put it in their very own frame. The girls all go rings and a princess necklace or bracelet to wear at the party as well. The tea party was in the morning, then after naps was the family party.

The grandparents and my aunt and cousin came over for presents and more cupcakes. Payton was excited that she got to have 2 cupcakes in one day. The things that make little ones happy in life.

Table set up

cupcakes

pretty girls

so happy

Grace got to dress up for the first time!

my princess

Lyndsey and her princess

good job blowing out your candles

hard at work painting frames

 such beautiful art work

 they had a good time

 the moms putting on the finishing touches!!

 all the pretty princesses

 SMILE

family time 

 Payton and Addison

 Daddy and Cooper helping with presents

Father Daughter Dance

Yes she is Daddy's girl.  She looks like Daddy, loves to play with Daddy and insists on talking to him in the morning when he is at work.  There isn't anything better than a Daddy's girl.  She lights up when she has her Daddy time and she gets him all to herself.  Nothin makes a mothers heart more happy then watching the two of them together. 

Payton was very excited to have her own date night.  Just like Mommy and Daddy get together.  They went to I-hop for dinner because Payton wanted a funny face pancake.  Then off to the dance.  She danced the night away with her role model Hayley.  She follows that sweet little girl all around.  Hayley was a great sport and danced with her and gave her plenty of attention. 

Daddy and his girl

workin on her moves with Cooper 

Getting ready to go 

one more spin with brother 

The simple things in life are the greatest! 

Happy Valentines

Our Valentine's Day kick off was last night for dinner. We sat down as a family for dinner, which never happens anymore. My gift to my sweet heart was a good home cooked meal, which hardly happens anymore either. I started preparing dessert during nap time. Mitch got crab stuffed steak, mashed sweet potatoes, asparagus, red wine and for dessert chocolate raspberry cake. The kids got macaroni instead of cake, which they were happy with. After dinner was done boys had baths and in bed, I got to sit with Payton so she could sign all her Valentines. Mitch was doing ALL dishes while Payton practiced writing her name 15 times.

Coming downstairs the kids Valentines were on the counter waiting for them and I made them heart shaped French toast for breakfast. I even had a card on the counter waiting for me with chocolate covered strawberries in the fridge from edible arrangements. I am so excited, they won't last long.
We did everything "heart shaped" today, even peanut butter and jelly for lunch. I love that the smallest things make kids so happy. Just a couple of extra minutes on my end makes such a special day for them. (Well Payton was excited)

The boys and I joined Payton up at preschool for her party. The kids all had a great time, including the boys who were going around the room looking for new toys to play with. My mom got each of the kid’s presents, of course. The boys got their” I love you” shirts and Payton got the red heart leggings to wear today.

Family dinner

Mitch's yummy dinner

the start of the cake

the end result

preschool party

craft time

Cohen enjoying the preschool classroom

Cooper found blocks

Payton in her red heart pants, she insisted on getting a picture in them

the onry boys

my 3 sweethearts

here comes Cooper to try to grab the camera, his new fun game if he sees me with it

Payton walking with Cohen

Letters With A New Look

All of the projects floating about our house I have completed Payton's letters for her room.  I had her name in her baby room and then moved them into her big girl room.  I repainted them and put them back up all the wall just as they were hanging before.  I saw a pintrest pin that had letters in a frame.  So I went for the same look.  I took down her letters and got cheap plain wood frames.  Spray painted them white and bought 2 pieces of scrapbook papaer.  I cut the paper and glued it to the back of the frames.  I took out the glass and glued the letters to the paper.  I already had the pink ribbon tied bows and hung them about her dresser.  Just gave it a little extra and used what we already had.  She likes it and that is what matters most.

The new look

 A closer view

The old use of the letters above her crib