A Serious Case of the Giggles

Is there anything cuter than a little girls laugh? I was playing with Zoe this morning and she started to get a little cranky so I told her I was going to gobble up her crankies. I started chomping up her arm and by the time I got to her neck she was just a little puddle of giggles.

Just mere moments ago she was not happy with something I asked her to do (or not do) so she got pouty and walked over to the kitchen. She started back toward me trying to be very serious and solemn with her head down looking at the floor, but started giggling before she got to me which turned into a full on belly laugh when she saw me laughing at her.

I thank my Heavenly Father daily for this beautiful blessing he sent me. My happy giggly Zoe girl!

Finished

I just got Zoe's tutu done while she was taking her nap. It's not as cute a Mandi's, but it's done. Well...maybe. I might add a flower. I'm just thinking it might get ripped off. Not sure!

My Turn To...

PAY IT FORWARD

{The Rules}
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me~something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will 'Pay It Forward,' creating a handmade gift~anything, for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts.
♥ ♥ ♥
I have now been lucky enough to comment on two of these "pay it forward" posts so I figured I better get to posting it on my blog. I have been nervous about it because I really have no ideas on what to do for anyone so I don't know what you will be getting but, if you leave a comment and have a request let me know otherwise you may be sorry you commented! Have Fun!

Weather, Conversations, Tutu's & Gymnastics

Weather...

I have been looking forward to spring for several weeks now and for the last few days have been teased with somewhat decent weather. I have been wearing a sweater, capri's and flip flops. Lovely! Then I looked at the weather forecast this morning before taking Maggie to school and it shows that is is supposed to snow everyday through next Wednesday. Huge sigh! So far there hasn't been any today, but it is extremely windy and very cold again. I know I have said that I think winter is beautiful, but I also believe everything is beautiful in it's season. It's time for this season to end!

Notice the little white dot in the sky? Yeah, that's not a piece of lint on my lens. That's the most we saw of the sun all day.

Conversations...

Yesterday morning the girls were up earlier than usual so we were fed, clothed and hair done all before 8:00. While I was doing Zoe's hair I told Maggie that since she was ready so early that she could watch a movie before school. As soon as I was done with Zoe's hair she jumped off the stool and yelled "kankoo Mom" as she ran to the room. I yelled "welcome" back and just before turning the corner to the hallway she turned around and said "kankoo much!"

We made a trip to WalMart yesterday evening and while we were there I wanted to look at their shoes to see about getting us all some new flip flops. We found Zoe a really cute pair of pink "croc" style shoes. This morning she was wanting help getting them on and when we were done she jumped up and said "kankoo much". I just can't even say how much I love this little girl!

You're very welcome Princess!

Tutu's...

Since Mandi was kind enough to give Maggie a beautiful tutu for her birthday I decided to make Zoe one. She kept coming over to me and asking what I was doing and saying it was "purry". I didn't get it completely done before she came backing up to me wanting me to tie it on her. She wouldn't let me take it off to finish it. She stood at the couch eating her sandwich in her unfinished tutu. Adorable just doesn't even cover it...

Gymnastics...

Today is Maggie's first day of Gymnastics at the Rec Center. She has been so excited since Monday when I finally got her signed up. Everyday she keeps asking if it's tomorrow. "When does Dad play basketball? Is it after gymnastics?", "Is gymnastics on Friday?", "Do I have gymnastics tomorrow?" I think her excitement grew even more when she found out that her friend Wade was going to be in her class. She can hardly stand it!

This was Maggie's back flip before the class even began. It looks very painful and unnatural! Do you see why we worry about her breaking her neck?

She did really well in her class. She did some really good jumps and followed directions very well.

The Party Continues

This is what was waiting for Maggie when she walked into Grandma & Grandpa Brown's house Friday night...

Zoe and I went down earlier in the day to get everything set up for our "Fancy Nancy" party to celebrate Maggie's seven years. Mom told me a few days earlier that she was thinking of making a pink and white checker board cake and wondered if Maggie would like that. UMMM..yeah! I think she might enjoy that! And it went perfectly with our theme.

Fancy Maggie posing with her fancy cake. Thanks Grandma!

(Cooper, Sadie, Camille holding Kinley, Zoe & Maggie)

All the fancy girls with the cake and Cooper trying desperately to get away.

A whole lot more than seven candles!

Grandma helping Maggie cut her checker board cake.

Princess Grandpa was our ice cream server.

Thoroughly enjoying her delicious pink cake. How lucky is she to be able to eat her favorite color on her birthday!

Sadie was done with the paparazzi and didn't want any more pictures.

I'm pretty sure Zoe was the firs one to start dancing. Once "Crazy Frog" starts she just can't control herself!

Thank you Mandi for letting us borrow some of your adorable tutu's for our party.

(Starr, Mom, Sadie, Camille, Lindy, Cooper, Zoe, Maggie, Me, Mandi & Kinley)

All the fancy ladies at the party and one dapper gentleman that really didn't want to wear his top hat.

Lindy's major bling!

Mandi's accessories were malfunctioning.

All the kids were anxious to open the gifts.

They just couldn't get enough dancing. At one point the boa became a limbo stick, but I didn't get a picture of that.

I'm most certain that Kinley had the most fun of all!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday afternoon Maggie and Camille decided to try out the new 3-D sidewalk chalk and paint.

Here they are sporting the super cool 3-D glasses

We also got our family pictures, Maggie's seven year old pictures and Zoe's two year old pictures (just a tad early) done on Saturday so those will be posted as soon as I get them.

A Fun Day

Birthday morning pancakes...















Presents from Mom and Zoe...















Yippee! DS games...















Cupcakes for the class...















A few friends at lunch...















Mom, Dad & Zoe at lunch...















Ready to be wrapped...















Pretty packages...















Sharing your birthday perfume with Zoe...















Ready to share the cupcakes...















Posing with Wade...















Dinner and presents at McDonald's...















Yeah! A new Barbie...






























Last night you made sure I knew that I was supposed to wake you up by singing Happy Birthday to you. I was all prepared and ready, but you woke up early and came into my room. You crawled into bed and I told you to lay down and go back to sleep because it was still early. You didn't do it. You sat on the bed waiting for me to get up. I pretended to be asleep and then I jumped up and started singing Happy Birthday. You jumped and then started laughing. Zoe enjoyed it too.

We got out of bed and I made you pancakes for breakfast. Since they are your favorite and normally we just do cereal, I thought it would be a special treat for you. After you got ready for school Zoe and I gave you a couple of presents.

After dropping you off at school I picked up the cupcakes, wrapped the rest of your presents and then went to school to have lunch with you. We had such a good time with some of your friends from your class. Mrs. Lambert even ate lunch with your class today and got in the picture with you for your birthday. When I came to pick you up from school Wade and his Mom were outside and she invited us over to their house so she could give you a present. You had a good time playing with the kids for a while.

We had dinner at McDonald's and you opened more presents and then Wade and his Mom and brothers joined us for ice cream sundaes. I think you had a very happy birthday. We are all looking forward to your party at Grandmas tomorrow.

I am so happy to be your Mom.

Has it Really Been Seven Years...

...since this beautiful baby girl came into our lives?

When you were born the Doctor said "she's a little peanut". You weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz. You were born at 6:02 pm. Dad helped the nurse a lot during my labor. The monitors were not picking up my contractions so Dad put his hand on my belly and he was able to tell the nurse when a contraction was starting. My epidural worked so well that I could not lift my legs or tell when I was pushing. It went pretty smoothly until you were out and then the Doctor could tell that you had ripped me all the way down the birth canal. It took a lot of stitching, but he got me back together and soon I was able to hold my beautiful baby. They took you from the room very quickly after you were born to get you cleaned up and I made Dad follow you and take lots of pictures for me. I wanted to hold you so badly, but I just laid in the bed and cried for a little bit while you were gone. From the moment they put you in my arms until the moment you started Kindergarten you and I were pretty much inseparable. You were my little buddy and big helper for 5 years. I miss having you at home by my side all day long. I miss being able to see your smile and hear your laugh through out the day. I look forward to the time that I get to pick you up from school and hear about your day. I love you very much and I feel very lucky to be your Mom. I hope you have a very happy birthday!

Highlights from your first year

One year old

Two years old

(Five more years of highlights to come...)