Ice cream makes everything sweeter

With every birthday comes a well-child visit! Natalie liked the little robe she got to wear. Soon after this was taken, she heard she was getting two shots. Her day suddenly took a sharp turn south. She (and I) managed to get through the appointment without too much drama...

well, enough drama that Mommy promised chocolate ice cream with sprinkles.
Natalie's day just got a lot sweeter!

Her innocent by-standing siblings got a sweet deal, too!
Call it a thank-you-for-behaving-well-during-your-sister's-tortured-moment!

Natalie's Easter Parade

Spring was in full bloom with Natalie's preschool Easter Parade!
I was amazed Natalie actually wore the bonnet she made!

The girls needed to hold onto their bonnets since it was a little windy outside!

The preschoolers were all such sweeties on their parade in front of the school!



They even had a baby cheering section!
Elaine just hanging with her stroller friends Aaden and William.

As I am addicted to signing up for special treat days, I had to bring it for Easter! Here are my Easter basket cupcakes...almost too cute to eat up!

Happy 4th Birthday Natalie!

On the morning of March 23rd, Natalie emerged from her room as our new 4-year old girl!

I made special birthday cupcakes for her school snacks (along with juice and Scooby snack crackers).

Did I mention she was totally stylin' on her birthday?

Natalie at school with her "All About Natalie" board
and a huge smile!

That night we celebrated at home with 4th birthday cake #1. She wanted a Scooby Doo Mystery Machine cake - an idea she sprung on me the day before. Even still, Mommy delivered!

Every 4-year old big girl needs a big girl bike!

Natalie was loving her special day...

but the celebration wasn't over yet!

She had a Pinkalicious party with her closest friends the following Saturday. Natalie also invited her teacher Ms. Connie, who was kind enough to read the Pinkalicious book to a captivated audience of children! Ms. Connie always does a great job!

And every Pinkalicious party needs a giant cupcake cake (aka 4th birthday cake #2)!

It was a week-long celebration of Natalie's birthday, but I think she deserved it. She's grown up so much in the past year...Mommy got a bit sad (the happy kind) over this birthday!

In the end, I know she will always be our little girl...
spirited and silly!

Bring out the patio furniture!

Snow has melted. Spring has arrived!
Time to bring out the patio furniture!

I bought this kids picnic table last year (at a GREAT deal, I might add). Daddy finally got the chance to put it together with two eager helpers.

A nice outdoor picnic lunch soon followed...

...as did winter's last snow a week later!

Home Makeover: Peter's room edition

Slowly but surely, we've been painting new colors around our house. First was the kitchen, family room and then the master bedroom & bath. Next was Peter's room. We tried swatches of different shades of blue. As you see, we let the kids have a little fun with some paint. Below apparently is a treasure map and the "x" marks the spot.

Peter made his mark on this wall. As great as it is that he can write his name so well, I couldn't help get creeped out by this sight...one too many horror movie in my life, I guess!

Of all the choices, we settled on the medium blue, which appropriately was called "Secure Blue"! It is a safe blue and looks great!

We couldn't have made the transformation without the help from the following:

Peter, the careful painter.

Natalie, the graceful painter.

Daddy, the senior painter, and Elaine, the I-can't-believe-they're-letting-me-paint painter.

(Not shown: Mommy, the painting manager)