A Princess Goes to Tea!

Lexi got to go to a Disney Princess Tea today. She went with four of her little friends, Julia (almost 2), Allison (almost 5) and Sarah. It was held at a local church and the girls got to drink from fancy glasses, eat sugary treats and meet the Disney Princesses! They all dressed up and Lexi was so very excited she could hardly contain her self from hopping around at home.

Of course... we got there and she got shy. All these kids! All these costumes! All this chaos crammed into a small area! Then out walked the Princesses... Jasmine, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Snow White and her very favorite... Cinderella!!! She had a sweet little smile like she was meeting royalty!

The Princesses walked to each table individually to talk to each girl, get a photo and give their autograph. First came Sleeping Beauty... nope, no photo. Too shy! Nope didn't want to meet Ariel, Jasmine or Belle. Closest we got was Snow White that she would let me hold her next to her for a photo. But she scanned the room for Cinderella and kept an eye on her as she moved across the room.



She was happy with her "tea" (apple juice) in the fancy cup! And the cookies and candy was yummy of course.

But where was Cinderella? Why wasn't she coming faster?

Wait! Here she comes!!! Closer (big grin), closer (giddy girl in her seat)....

Hugging and posing with Lexi! Aren't these the two most beautiful Cinderella's you have ever seen? Lexi was so in awe!

And then...

"I want my pictures with all the princesses now!"

Of course!!!

But you know her mommy would do that for her. She was now all grins and giggles. Why didn't Cinderella just come by first!!!

Boy did it snow!

It sure did snow! Shawn and I know just how much as we drove in a lot of it the night before on our way for our date night (dinner at Neruda's and Legally Blonde at the Fox). Funny... seems like dedication that the Fox has a policy not to cancel shows until you have to drive on roads that don't even appear to be plowed! But we got there and back safe and I had a very nice evening with my husband.

We got up to a lot more snow!

(click to see larger)
The kids had a blast as we bundled them up in the snowsuits. Where were these when I was a kid? And why don't we as parents have those? No soaked jeans layered with sweatpants and long underwear like when I was a kid. No wet feet and numb ears! No need to stand in front of heaters and whimper as your pink fingers become normal colored again! They had so much fun it almost made me forget how very much I hate winter weather. Almost...

Time to take a tired little Lexi in for her nap. Yep, that is daddy pulling her in the little sled thing that Margaret gave to us last summer. She asked me to unwrap her and put her to bed. So we did... until tomorrow.

First Day of the Big Snow

Here is our first day at home of the Big Snow of '09... hoping by giving it that title then it will be the worst we get all year! Anyway, myself not being a big "cold" air person I wasn't too keen on heading out in it and Shawn was working in his home office. So we wore away the morning playing here in our pj's.


I broke out a toy that I had been saving. Play Foam.... This has to be better then that Moon Sand. Oh that stuff was messy! Granted the kids loved it and it doesn't dry out like Play-Doh. But maybe this is better. So here we go... Lexi is trying to make a snowman. Now this is nicer then snow! It is warm in here versus out there!

Nicolas shows off the snowman head he made.

Here is one of our family of Foammen!

Ahhh... now here we go! Daddy wanted to clean the driveway off before grandpa came over to watch the kids for our Fox night at Legally Blonde. Lexi and Nicolas get bundled in their snowsuits. I love snowsuits! Why didn't we have those as kids? I mean, warmer, they stay dry... no wet jeans and layers to strip off. They are amazing!!! Shall I pull up last months photos of Lexi crying when her hands stung from the cold wet snow soaking into the knit gloves. Not this time! NO knit anything this time!

Ummm.... Nicolas is not plotting how to correctly manuever this shovel to knock his unsuspecting sister down into the snow. Really! See the next picture... they are such a team (smile).

Nicolas and Lexi help daddy with that last bit of snow ... oh... it was worth it, really! I know it snowed another 4+ inches after they did this but it had to be easier to clean the next day, right?

Lexi Is Testing Out Career Choices... Hairdresser or Doctor?

Sitting on the floor right now as Lexi combs my hair. I happen to have the computer so will remember to write this down. She makes me laugh so much but I always forget to get it written and that moment fades. Let this little ditty stay!


Lexi: Hello, how are you today.

Mommy: Fine, thanks, how are you?

Lexi: I am good. I am going to just comb your hair now and then another doctor is going to come in and comb your hair. Is that a good idea?

Mommy: That sounds great. Thanks!

(you have to hear the way she says i-d-eeea .. it is so cute.)



Then she orders me to not move as she runs off to Nicolas.

Lexi: Can I comb your hair?

Nicolas: Sure.

Lexi: Great, how are you feeling today?

I am laughing!!! I am laughing as she tends to cause me to do a million times a day.

Time With Great Grandma

Lexi, Nicolas and I went with Grandma Birdie to see Great Grandma for a little while. She likes to play games so we had fun with her.


Lexi may only be 2 years old but she had fun playing Dominoes too.

Nicolas and Grandma have a lot of fun.

Lexi's turn to play tic tac toe. Funny part is that great grandma and Lexi play by their own rules... who lays the last piece down. As you see here, Lexi got tic tac toe and should be the "winner". I pointed this out only for her to giggle, say "yeah, me"... and then keep playing. Great Grandma and Lexi had just as much fun playing by their own rules.

They are such a good fit! (Daddy Too!!!)

This morning I didn't have to take the kiddos to school. We pick up our little friend Chloe and take her most days to help out her parents who both work. But occasionally one of the parents finds themselves home and today was one of those days. Pam called to let me know she could pick up Nicolas. So, I got to stay home this morning and not take Lexi out in the cold as I brought the two preschoolers to school. Nice!

As we waited at the door for Pam I pulled out Lexi's farm puzzle to work on so that they didn't start making messes in the den (behind them). They still like playing library in there and climbing under that desk! So, Nicolas jumped right on the idea of helping his little sister work on this puzzle. They had fun! Lexi of course narrated every move she made. What a team they can make... if they want to (smile). Oh.... note her slippers! She picked them. Leopard print!

We finished the puzzle after Nicolas left. Funny part is Lexi acted like my guidance was useful.

But then tonight we came home from dinner and everyone got out puzzles to do on the entry floor. Shawn wouldn't help Lexi. And guess what... they had a race and Lexi won! Okay, her puzzle was 24 pieces and theirs were each 100. But still! She didn't need my help this morning. Little stinker. Literally! She was stinky by the time she finished.

Here was the cute little crew with their puzzles!

The Stethescope

Okay, I saw this on my good friend Erica's blog and wanted to also share it. Smiles!

Girls Just Wanta Have Fun!

What a great way to break up the cold night of winter. Nine great friends came over (we missed the rest of you... next time)!

We started off with food (recipes will be posted soon), drinks (pomegranate martini's) and good conversation. Funny... the soup swap that was to happen first took about two hours for us to get to. Who wants to stop talking when we get a chance to have child-free girl moments with friends. So many good conversations... including lots of talk about the new fabulous restaurant opening, Wang Gang's. Excited!

Thanks to www.houseparty.com, we got to watch the new TNT TV show "Trust Me" before the rest of America. It starts Monday, January 26th on TNT after "The Closer" (another show I love) . And got party bags of treats to remember the night with. The show was funny. And one I think we will watch again. The party is one I know I'll want to do again!


Nikki, Chrissy, Holly, Erica, Kim, Christina, Margaret, Taran, Trina and Jamie.

Holly won the first bingo that was sponsored by "Trust Me". So she is our Queen B... Bingo that is. Jamie and Margaret got the next two along with the boxed bottles of Bandit wine. Which, by the way, are rated pretty darn good. (hee, hee)

It was a late night that I loved every minute of! Thanks ladies!

Center Stage!

Every week a class at school gets to perform on stage during the assembly. What fun! This week is Lexi's turn. Nicolas said that Tuesday Lexi was more mesmerized then anything as she was able to see the entire school at her feet. But Thursday, Daddy and I stayed to watch her on the stage. I must admit that I did tell her that there was a bag of lollipops for her whole class if she has fun up there. And she did!

BTW, it was pajama day at school! We don't normally dress quite so casual!

She danced and sang!

And got to hold the bible during the Pledge.

Nicolas got a kick out of watching his sister too. He may not be quite as into being the center of attention but he found joy in it for her!

Take a Swim in January!

Little Bubba turned four! We had a blast at her birthday swim party at the YMCA in Maryville. Click on the above collage and you will see:

Kids loving the fact that their daddy's were in the pool with them to catch them and splash!

Kids loving that they get to put on swimsuits and floaties while it looked like it might snow outside!

Mommy's loving a chance to watch their little ones enjoying the water as they sit fully clothed hiding our white behinds!

Ryan gazing in awe at the adorable cake that rumor had it was made of ICE CREAM!

A grandpa that showed his stuff by playing harder with two preschoolers then all the daddy's put together!

and
Lots and lots of fun smiles on happy faces!

Happy Birthday Bubba!

A Home for the Princesses

Lexi got a home for her princesses from Grandpa and MaeMae on Christmas. She loves the Melissa & Doug castle. It is perfect for her Disney princess dolls. It found a good home in our playroom. She has such an imagination. I need to video her rambling and talking for hours as she makes up stories, names, situations. She loves to play with others but she can entertain herself for the longest time with just her own imagination. We just sit back and listen and laugh!

Sleep Little One

Lexi finally graduated to the rail off her bed. Yes, a bit later then Nicolas. She was always just so happy in her crib so we didn't worry. She wakes up every day happy and would pull books in from her bookcase and "read" for up to 30 minutes. Well, she just started showing up out of the crib this past week having climbed the rail time after time all of a sudden. So the rail came off and a blow up bumper put on. She loves the bumper to cuddle. I don't know how she is going to have enough room with all the animals but she is very, very happy! Good night sweet love!

A Chance to Run!

The weather outside is frightful but inside it was funny and delightful! The kids are having so much fun playing with our new Wii game, Outdoor Adventure. They race, jump, whop moles, and much more. Great way to run these cold chills off. And notice Lexi's running attire includes a sequins skirt!

School Friends Celebrate Too

Nicolas heads back to school after the holidays ready to celebrate his turning five with his friends there. He was so eager to go to school loving each day. He got to bring a show and tell to share and a favorite book. Mommy forgot the book (surprised?) and grabbed four he likes to look at from the car to pick from. He picked "10 Speedy Race Cars" and got to read it all by himself to his class. I am so proud of our little reading five year old!

Out of the Mouths of Babes!

Okay, so many times I forget the funny things my kids say as the day goes through. But tonight... something really stuck with me. Sadly (and I laugh about it).

Tonight I got ready for tennis class. I got on my sweat pants (yes, people, I do wear them) and tank top and t-shirt. I got on my tennis shoes and came down the stairs to my darling husband playing with Nicolas after dinner. He looked at me and said:

Shawn: Hon, are those underwear bunched up for those pants?
Trina: No. It is just my..... (okay stopped talking here because I realized I was going to say something inappropriate for in front my child. But he caught it...)
Nicolas: Bottom, daddy, it's just her bottom.

How matter of factly he said it. And he hit the nail on the head. Thanks, Nicolas. I knew I had been eating too much of that birthday cake... and having trouble stopping.


Tonight, putting Lexi to bed has been hard lately. She has had this croup and has been getting coddled a bit more because of it. Tonight I came home from tennis and went up to tell the kids goodnight. Their lights were on dim as I was supposed to turn them off when I went it. Lexi was wide awake, at one end of her bed, stuffed animals and all at the other end as she played... 8:30 at night!

I told her it was time for bed. She saw the tiny pink crib cross that was hanging on her crib. She looked at it and asked what it was. I told her it was a cross representing where Jesus is watching over her at night, keeping her safe and giving her blessed dreams. This was something she has struggled with the last few weeks.... being alone in her room at night. She whimpered and said she wants someone real in her bed with her though. I told her that she had a bed FULL of friends here and which one does she want. She smiled, asked for her green bear and her white bear tonight. I gave them to her and her response was....

"Night, night mom! Merry Christmas." No whimpers. No fights.

Funny to me. Christmas is "Christ" mas. Well, there it was. Christ watching over my baby as I promised!

Another One Turns Five!

Sunday lent to Nicolas' first soccer practice since the holidays. He had fun but he wore out! And then, it showed as he got out of the car at Aidan's Fifth birthday party at the YMCA. To boot, it was as dodgeball party. How fun... if you have the energy!


Luckily, the dreary eyed boy did perk up once the balls started flying. And all the kids seemed to have a super time. Nobody was hurt in the making of this party!

Nicolas found joy in giving Aidan his present.

The cake was adorable. Aidan's mom, Chrissy, made a cute skateboard cake. And it was YUMMY!

Ryan Turns Four on the Dance Floor!

Our neighbor and good friend, Ryan, turned four on December 30th. Feeling the pinch of trying to throw a fun party smack dab in the middle of the holiday, his mom had a dance party at her sister-in-law's dance studio on Sunday a few hours after Nicolas. Boy what a fun day our kids had!

Ryan loves to perform and is so full of happy energy that a dance party was the perfect choice for him. After Nicolas fell asleep in the car and then had some time to wake up in a chair at the table, the kids got into the act. Lexi wore her little dance outfit from Grandpa and MaeMae. Her and Julia (Ryan's younger sister and friend of Lexi's) were two of the best dressed dancers at the party.

Another sweet tooth satisfied! The kids hit the pillows full and happy on Sunday!

Happy Birthday Ryan and Nicolas! Can't believe how fast you both have grown!

My Little Boy Turns Five!

Nicolas turns FIVE! You are invited to witness the change!

I can't believe he is five! Nicolas is five years old! Who knew it could happen so fast. From a little baby boy that we were scared to leave the hospital with because we might break him. To a five year old that might break anything that he can come into contact with. One thing he has not broken but made stronger is our love for him! He may be strong willed. He may be hyper. But he is wonderful. And something that every technician and specialist said when they looked at his ultrasounds time after time after time was the same "This baby has the most beautiful heart." They might have been talking about the way it appeared on that screen but we know differently. He has the most beautiful, loving, heart.

So for that little boy we had party after party this past weekend. Every year it is a struggle as it comes just a blink after Christmas. But again we pulled it off and he had a blast with family and friends.

Our family came over on Saturday to celebrate his glorious five years. And our house was full of cousins. What a site. These little guys were ready to dig into that cake! Nate (4 1/2), Abbey (6), Lexi (2 1/2), Kai (3), Evander, Corwin (11) and Erik (almost 6).

Mommy stayed up very late to make this superhero cake for our little guy. It was fun to do and fun to eat!

Then we were off to play at Riverbend Bounce with Nicolas' friends on Sunday. It was fun! The kids didn't want to stop playing for anything. Barely stopped to eat cupcakes and sing. Hated when the two hours was over. But they did have so much fun! The capes we made as their party favor did help in the leaving process. You can see a few of them being worn in the photos above.

The middle one was a chore to get but worth it. Although we did miss a few friends who still didn't want to stop jumping long enough to be in the photos. Managed to get Ryan in an other photo! Thank goodness we got them in photos at Ryan's party just two hours later! What a fun day!