Another Birthday

This was a beautiful card sent to me by my nephew Blake. I thought he did a great job! Thanks Blake. I apologize if I missed your call today. I think I missed every phone call made today! I really couldn't decide what I wanted to do today and most friends suggested I go shopping. I started to after I dropped Allie off this morning but I don't really like to shop so why do it on my birthday? So I decided to do the things that I want to do most days but can't because of laundry, dishes, meals, errands... After dropping Allie off I did pick up in the house so we could at least start with a clean house. Then I grabbed my ipod and went walking until it was time to pick up Allie. Justin came home for lunch today and brought me my favorite orange flavored cupcake except it was a full size cake from Betsy's. After lunch Allie and I played outside until I came in to take a nap. When I got up I sat on the couch and read a magazine. Went back outside to play, did some scrapbooking, and then cuddled in bed with Allie watching Rachel Ray and HGTV until Justin came home. Allie went to childcare and we went to 135 Prime for dinner which was absolutely delicious!! Came home, watched Monk, picked up Allie and can't believe the day is over. It was nice to let other things go and just play. Allie also loved it because she got to sit in front of the t.v. or computer for hours while I napped and read a magazine! I have to say, it was a great day.

When this is a cupcake I have trouble eating just one, now...

Allie took this picture to show that she picked out the candles. She also blew them out too!

More Pics from the Jumping Party

Allie and Taylor enjoying icecream, cake and drinks

Justin and Carson

Carla and Carson (he wasn't as happy in this shot)

Taking a water break

For family that hasn't made it to Texas yet, John and Libbie Nickell and Todd and Carla Harshbarger are in our homegroup that meets on Sunday nights. They were about the first two couples that we got to know. Also, Todd and Carla used to live in Gainesville off Poplar Springs road in Cane's Crossing. Scott and Lisa Grant, you guys might have met them??

A Jumping Party

Last Saturday Allie went to Blaine Nickell's 5th birthday party at one of Allie's favorite spots: Jumping Party! She has loved these places since she was a one year old and Donovan would have to carry her up the big slide because she was too little to walk up herself. The theme of his party was another one of our family favorites- Star Wars. I remember being little and having my Darth Vader action figure taken away by my Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Burrell. I was suppose to get it back at the end of the year but I never did. Allie began watching Star Wars at age 2. Chewey and Yoda were her favorites. Now for her it seems less of Star Wars and more about the Disney Princesses and Barbie. I almost got a picture of the cake but just as I snapped a shot, someone stepped in front of me. The cake was a homemade light saber (Yoda's) and was amazingly done!! And was delicious! We had a great time.

Delaney (birthday boy's younger sister) and Michelle

Allie climbing up one of the obstacle courses

Libbie and Blaine (the cake was on the right)

Blaine and Allie

Allie and Taylor

Snowman Day

Allie's class has had some fun Fridays this month. The first Friday was pajama day and this past Friday was snowman day! Allie wore her snowman dress and that's as close as we came to dressing like a snowman. She was so excited when we left for school. I also went with her to help Mrs. Jantz. They were doing six 20 minute rotations with 4 year olds. I would not have believed that it would have gone as smooth as it did had I not seen it myself! Each room had a different focus such as music, art, etc. Mrs. Jantz was in charge of doing art. We made snowmen with 6 different classes. It went rather smoothly I thought. It was fun to interact with some of Allie's friends that I have heard her talk about but never met.

snowgirl Allie ready for school

Allie's class proudly showing off their snowmen

Aunt Sally Visits

It's always a celebration when Aunt Sally comes to town! Allie had been waiting and making plans all week for when Aunt Sally arrived. Since we were in Georgia for Christmas, Aunt Sally brought Christmas presents. More importantly than presents, it was time for a trip to Uncle Dan's, our favorite barbeque place. On Friday, Allie wanted Sally to take her to school and pick her up in the car rider line. For lunch we had pizza at Baris with one of Sally's good friends, Mary Margaret, topped off with a special treat from Betsy's (Simply Delicious). That night was the main event. Justin and I had a Sunday School get together so Allie had a party with Sally, Sarah Lou, and Betsy. I wish I had sent my camera because it sounds like they had a blast! Betsy received the pleasure of painting Allie's fingernails with the nail decorating kit from Grammie and Flake. They didn't get home until after we did! Unfortunately Aunt Sally had to leave Saturday morning and wasn't able to make it to the jumping birthday party for one of Allie's friends. It was a full 2 days and were always happy to welcome Aunt Sally or any family or friends who would like to visit us. Thanks for all the treats Aunt Sally!!

Pajama hugs

Opening presents

I love this picture!

Aunt Sally always finds the neatest things

Pajama Day

ready for pajama day

Last Friday at school was pajama day. All the preschoolers got to wear their pajamas to school. Allie was sooooo excited about this. Plus she got a cute pair of pink and purple pajamas for Christmas from Grammie and Flake (John and Rachel). But, on the Wednesday before, her friend Mackenzie said she was going to wear a gown. Well, Allie had to wear a gown too. Allie has some really cute gowns but they are all for summer (sleeveless, thin). The night before this became a huge issue since it was going to be cool the next day and the gown she was wanting to wear so bad was looking a little worn. After about 45 minutes of debating and the shedding of tears (Allie, not me), I realized that it wasn't worth this just because I wanted her to wear the cute pajamas. She wore her Sleeping Beauty gown with a big smile, a shirt and pair of shorts underneath, and her robe to school. She loved every minute of it and I have to admit she does look cute in it too. Lesson learned: let go; she is cuter when she smiles!

Allie's preschool class

Chef Allie

We had our second round of Christmas Tuesday night with gifts from the Anderson side of the family. Allie loved opening all of her presents but the last one brought much excitement. It was the Disney Princess Bake Oven, thanks Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Jeff. Princesses and cupcakes, her favorites right now. I told her we could make them when she got home from school Wednesday. That satisfied her as she carried the oven off to bed with her. Just as we walk in the door Wednesday we had to get started. I had no idea how this was going to work since it only called for ice cubes to 'bake' it. It actually turned out like a soft sponge cake. Allie wasn't sure whether to eat it or not. She kept asking if it was real. I think she thought it was just a toy oven and you made pretend cupcakes that you don't really eat, like most of her other kitchen toys. She finally tasted it only after I ate a bite. She had three bites before she said, "Mommy I really like my princess oven, I just don't like this taste." We had fun making them and she is making another batch tonight for daddy.

Chef Allie

Waiting for them to cook

Vanilla with chocolate icing!

Finally tasting them, YUM!