Party Post/Pictures....Part One

Due to the large number of pictures that I'm weeding through for this post, I'm going to break it into two parts.

We decided to have the girls birthday party at a local bounce house this year.....one of the best ideas I've ever had!  Terry and I decided that until the girls are ready for sleepover parties we will never host another birthday party at our house.  This was by far the easiest and least stressful party to date.  All I had to do was send out the Evite, order and pick up the cake, give them my credit card, and send thank you notes.  Bounce University took care of the rest!  I think everyone had a great time and the best part.....NO cleanup! 

We had 27 people show up for the girls party. 

We are so thankful for everyone who helped us celebrate another year!

Here is part one of the party pics....

An attempt to get a photo before the party.

Don't you just wanna squeeze them?

Lately this is the only way that I can get both of them to look at the camera at the same time.  I love these little goof balls to pieces!!

Welcome party people!!

My friend Nicole's daughter Bella giving Addison five.  Bella is also a fellow 28 week preemie miracle. 

Cousin Amelia, Aunt Gretchen, Alexis and Cousin Greta.

Everyone watching the safety video prior to entering the bouncy house.

Cousin Luke in time out.  He looks really sad about it doesn't he?  Love him!!

Aunt Sandy and Aunt Paula going down the big slide.  Love the look on their faces!

Alexis getting some lovin' from Auntie Paula.

Aunt Sandy and my little Peanut.

The big slide was a huge hit with everyone no matter how young or old!!

Grandpa and Aunt Sandy apparently having some kind of dispute??

I believe that's a TKO!

This big climber thing was also a big hit.

Aunt Sandy climbing.

Grandpa.

No fear these kids.  My girls will seriously climb anything!

Future Boxer???

STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO......

The lessons I've learned....

Since becoming a parent a lot my OCD issues have gone by the wayside.  I'm definitely not saying that I don't still have my moments.......Yes, I still wish and dream of having a clean house, but that never happens.  Things are always out of place or the carpet needs to be vacuumed, or the dishes need to be done.  I've learned to deal, or more so, cope with my OCD ways.  So, last night when we took the girls for a treat and I agreed to let them have "Blues Clues" ice cream, Terry was shocked!

Parenting Lesson 19835.....Life's too short too worry about always being clean!  My kids are washable and letting them eat blue ice cream on occasion won't hurt them.  I won't lie and say that I didn't cringe the whole time they were eating it, but those smiles were worth every ounce of anxiety I experienced.

Easter 2012....Warning: Lots of Pictures!!

I was finally able to upload my pictures last night.  I'm hoping that by the end of the week, my blog will finally be up to date.  I hate getting so far behind.

We had a great Easter this year.  Just like with every holiday, it is so fun to watch the girls finally understand what it's all about.  A week or so before Easter, I had an impromptu day off work in the middle of the week.  I decided to try and take the girls to the mall to visit the Easter Bunny.  You seriously would of thought that someone was trying to kill my kids by their screams when it was our turn.  They wanted no part of taking a picture with the bunny.  I was a little sad that I didn't get to capture that photo op, but oh well!  We had a great lunch at the food court and played in the play land. 

The Saturday prior to Easter weekend we decided to attempt dying eggs with the kiddos.  I boiled 24 eggs.  We ended up with 17 dyed eggs when it was all said and done.  Both girls initially picked up an egg and slammed it into the table, as if they were cracking them.  I guess this is because the only thing they have ever witnessed is me cracking eggs to make them breakfast.  Once we got them to understand that we weren't cracking the eggs, we all had a great time.

Next Up:  Our subdivision Easter Egg Hunt!

When I tried to explain to the girls that we were going to an Easter egg hunt, I wasn't completely convinced that they actually understood what I was talking about.  When we got to the common area in our neighborhood, the girls wouldn't leave my side.  I'm not sure if this was because they were scared of the commotion going on or if it was because it was still early and a little cold.  Who knows?  But once they blew the whistle, both girls took off!  If Alexis hadn't fallen down and spilled her eggs, she would of won the prize for most eggs. 

After the egg hunt, they had an Easter Bunny pinata'.  The girls were excited to hit the bunny, until one of the larger kids actually busted it open and its head when flying across the courtyard. Alexis started screaming...."big kid hurt bunny".  I can understand how this was a little traumatic!

Alexis totally into hitting the pinata'.

Addison a little less enthused.

There was also a "guess how many jelly beans are in the jar" game.  Addison guessed 17 and Alexis guessed 23.  So when we turned in their guesses I just added an extra "1" making it 117 & 123.  Addison actually won, with the correct number being 112.  She won a large Easter basket with a bunch of goodies in it.  You can see it in the above picture.

On Easter Day we enjoyed a delicious brunch with Terry's family at a local hotel.  The girls had a great time hanging out with their cousins, the ballon artist and yes......the Easter Bunny!  I was really excited.  When we first got there both girls spotted the Easter Bunny and started to freak out.  But once they saw Daddy and their cousins talking to the Bunny they were totally fine with him.  Go figure!  I was just happy to finally get my picture!

At first, Addison would only give him a high five.

After a little convincing, he turned into a "nice bunny".

Addison with her balloon.... and everyone elses as well.

After brunch we went back to Terry's parents house for another Easter Egg hunt.  The girls were fired up because now they fully understood the concept.  They couldn't wait to get there.  We had to stall a little driving there because the Easter Bunny needed to make sure everything was in place. (meaning, he didn't want to leave chocolate outside in the sun during brunch)

And wouldn't you know it..... Even with all the new toys and candy they got.  Guess what Addison liked playing with best???

The holidays are so much fun with the girls. 

 I love watching their little minds work as they start to figure things out. 

Stay tuned:  That is if you are still with me.....Birthday party post will be up within the next few days!

Anything can be a toy!

I love how my girls have wild and crazy imaginations.  They can turn even the simplest of items into a toy.  Lately they have been coming up with the craziest things.  We recently did a mini basement makeover.  Due to some financial limitations we weren't able to complete it the way we were originally planning.  Regardless, we decided that it was 100% necessary for the girls to have their own playroom.  Walking through our living room without stepping on a toy or tripping over something was becoming a challenge.  We were able to purchase some large carpet remnants for cheap at a local hardware store.  They came on large rolls.  The girls played with these empty rolls for hours.  At first they were just yelling into them.  Then they became bridges.  Then super, duper magic wands.  Towards the end I lost track of exactly what they were doing.  I love watching their little minds work!

I apologize for the picture quality.  They were taken on my cell phone.  I'm still waiting for our computer to be fixed so I can actually download some real pictures. 

I'm so glad to have our mini remodel almost complete.  The slide pictured in the above picture has since moved to the basement.  I can't even tell you how excited I am to no longer have slide in my living room!  We still have a few rather large projects ahead of us.  As you can see in the bottom picture, we are about to embark on painting our entire first floor....the only downfall of having a large open room.  There are a few paint samples on the wall.  Now it's just a matter of picking one and moving forward.  You can also see in the bottom picture that we are in the process of upgrading our appliances.  So far we have a new dishwasher and refrigerator.  Those both crapped out so we were forced to get new ones.  I'm ok with having mis-matched appliances for awhile.  This gives us the opportunity to save and purchase the ones we really want. 

3 YEAR CHECK UPS!

I am so far behind on my blogging lately.  I feel like there is so much that I need to catch up on.  Easter, the girls birthday party and just the other random things happening in our household lately.  I've recently also realized that I never completed my blog post about Christmas.  UGH!  So much to do...so little time!!!

Last Friday (April 20th), the girls had their 3 year physicals.  I know I say this all the time, but it is still so surreal to me that they are already three years old.

As usual, my girlie's did awesome.  Their pediatrician was extremely delighted in their progress.  She kept saying that she is so shocked as to how well they are doing.  We are too!

Addison currently weighs in at 24.6 pounds.  Just barely scraping the chart at the 1% mark.

She is 35" tall.  Coming in at around 15%.

Still a tiny little thing but the doctor isn't worried.

Alexis currently weighs in at 25.8 pounds.  Right around the 4% mark.

She is just a little tiny bit shorter than Addison at 34 3/4" tall.

The girls were excited to use the "big girl" scales and measuring charts.  No more baby stuff!!

Here are a few pictures from our appointment....

Getting them to stand up straight against the wall was a little bit of a chore.

The girls thought the blood pressure cuff was rather interesting.  Our nurse Michelle told the girls that she was measuring their muscles to see how big they are.  Alexis totally into it.  Addison was a bit more skeptical.

I still can't believe my tiny babies are three years old.  Where did the time go???

How?

How is it possible that my tiny little babies are now three years old?  It just doesn't seem right!  I love these little girls more than words can ever express.  They make me a better person, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life!!

I will do a full post later this week... 

The girls have their three year physicals on Friday and their birthday party is on Saturday.

Hodge Podge.....

It's been awhile since I have posted.  Our computer at home crashed and we've been looking for something new to replace it.  We keep going back and forth between a tower, laptop or Ipad.  Until then I won't be able to download all the fun pictures I want to share.  So, I've decided to do a little hodge podge posting with a bunch of random pictures from my cell phone.

The kiddos outside painting.

Alexis jumping in her bouncy house.  Addison somewhere in the background.

Love this picture.  I wish it wasn't blurry.  The girls are enjoying a watermelon snack and a little Dora the Explorer before bedtime.

About a week or so ago the girls and I went outside to go for a walk.  Alexis started laughing hysterically and pointing at the neighbors house.  I look over to find these two ducks just chilling on her roof.  The ducks hung out up there for over an hour.  Every time we go outside now, Alexis will check and see if the ducks are back on the roof.

One day last weekend, I didn't feel like cooking dinner.  I had a gift card to Steak 'N' Shake so we ate there.  The girls thought the paper hats were hilarious.  Addison loved their "baby french fries" and keeps asking for them.  However the girls did NOT love their hot dogs.  Rather than being boiled, they were fried on the grill.  You can see the spit out pieces in the above picture.

No one ever believes me when I say my house looks like a tornado just blew through it.  I came home from work the other day to this.  Needless to say....since this day, we have been focusing on cleaning up and putting away toys before you get another one out.

Addison said her Elmo puzzle is as big as her. 

Alexis having fun at the park.

I just ordered the girls birthday cake.  I seriously can't believe it that in less than 48 hours my little munchkins will be three.

Anyone notice anything wrong with the above picture?  Does it make me a bad parent that I didn't even notice until the next morning??  And seriously they don't always look like little rag dolls.  I had just taken their pony tails out of their hair leaving them with that awful scrunched up look.

Can't take credit for the above photo...my friend Sherri captured Addison playing a little b-ball.

Another Sherri picture....Alexis playing on the trampoline at Sherri's house.