Are They Ever Done Being Babies???

So, as my babies have celebrated another birthday, it's left me with the thought, does a mother ever really need to stop calling her babies, babies? I think not!!! I am still referred to as the baby of the family. I'm a 31 year old baby! Sounds funny to me, but to my mom...I'm sure that each year on my birthday, she goes back to a time in her mind when I was little. I feel very nostalgic on my kids birthday. I feel like I need to go over, and over again, all the baby memorabilia I've collected over the past 4 years. I break out the old photo albums, scrapbooks and videos. It takes me back to a time I can barely remember. A time when I had no sleep, when I didn't know my days from my nights. A time that was harder than anything I've ever lived through before. But by looking at all the memorabilia, all I see is the good times. My beautiful, cooing, smiling, growing, healthy BABIES!

Happy Birthday, my darlings. I love you more than anything else in the whole wide world.

Our theme this year was the Wonder Pets. The kids new favorite...mine too!

Happy Birthday to you Seth!

Happy Birthday to you, Grace!

Happy Birthday to you, Elaina!

Seth saw this car at Target. It plays "Life is a Highway" and he fell in love with it.

Grace and Elaina with their cousin, Valerie. Playing with their new Belle and Aurora ponies and dolls.

Elaina got a new carseat for Sara, her baby.

The girls both got Princess cd players.

Seth loves his new airplane!

Ahhhh....Hula Hoops!

I Feel Pretty!

So, this is what happens when it's quiet and you are making dinner! I knew Elaina was in the bathroom. I knew she wanted to play with my makeup brushes. I didn't hear her get into the actual makeup drawer. I couldn't help but crack up at my beautiful girl! Funny thing is, once she looked in the mirror, she was cracking up at herself. This is why mommy looks in the mirror when she puts her makeup on!

BUSTED!!!!!!!

I couldn't help but put some lipstick on for her!

Easter...Better Late than Never

Easter is such an exciting time. It has become a holiday that I truely enjoy. We wake up, make sure the Easter Bunny visited and then go to church. The kids love getting dressed up in their Easter clothes. We have had Easter dinner at our house for years now. I was especially exicited this year, because the weather was supposed to be favorable. My disappointment started at 5am when the echo of "MOM" rings in my slumbering ear, followed by the purging sound that no mother wants to be awakened by. Kids are so resilient. They were still able to get up and act like nothing had happened. They were thrilled with the Easter Bunnies choices in loot, and loved getting dressed up for church...although Seth never made it. I only wish I had their determination to feel that good!

Our California Vacation

We had a great time in California. The kids did better than I ever would have thought on the 4 1/2 hour plane ride. They were so excited to take off and land. Grace made a very loud announcement when we landed in Cali, that everyone on the plane thought was adorable.

Our first stop was at my dad's place in Palm Desert. It was 97 degrees both days we were there. We hung out at the pool mostly, but did make it to the zoo. Dad and Joan watched the kids for Jason and I one night, so we could have a night out. That was a lot of fun!

Next we headed to San Diego to go to Sea World. The girls got car sick on the way there, other than that, it was a nice trip. Our first day in San Diego we played in the golden sand at Coronado Beach. The next day we met Shamu, who all three of the kids really love.

After that, we headed out to my friend, Tanya's, for a few days. We had a nice party with Eve and Christina and all the kids the first day we were there. Eve's triplets and my triplets are birthday buddies, born within a few hours of each other. Tanya's triplets are 2 days older. Kind of amazing. Christina's triplets are 5 and cute as can be. Trevor is Tanya's oldest son. He and Seth loved to make each other laugh.

The two days after that, we did Disney. We wore ourselves out and are still recovering. I think we saw about everything we could. The girls were elated to meet Princess Belle, Cinderella and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). That was their highlight. Their favorite ride was the Haunted Mansion (the happy, spooky ghost ride). That's all they can talk about. Seth was very pleased to meet and touch Mater.

All in all, we had a fantastic time. It was sad to leave, but good to be home once the plane touched down.

Disney on Ice...Worlds of Fantasy

Tonight, we took in Disney on Ice. It was so cute to see the kids' faces light up whenever the characters would skate out. They had a Princess preshow that the girls enjoyed, although it was very crowded, so we didn't stay long. They loved wearing their halloween costumes again for the day! That was another perk!!! They were very good and attentive for the whole show. I was relieved to see that. This was our precursor to Disneyland. If this put a smile on their face...I can't wait until we get the "happiest place on Earth"!!!!

Mickey, Minnie and friends were the hosts of the show. Seth was happy to see the "toon car" that's featured on a pair of his underwear!

Tinkerbell and her fairy friends. Elaina said Tinkerbell was her favorite.

This was taken towards the end of the show. "Like father, like son". Seth was a little bored, I think.

Elaina seems happy...could it be all the popcorn?!?

Part of Tinkerbell. That sparkly fairy had the prettiest dress!

Simba and Nala at the end of Lion King. My kids never got into the Lion King, not for lack of my trying.

Here's a happier Seth! He did enjoy parts of the show!

The Little Mermaid. Ariel is in the middle.

Grace LOVED every part of the show, although she insists Lightning McQueen was her favorite.

The cast of Cars. Seth's favorite. Unfortunately, they weren't on nearly long enough.

Ahhhh....here was Seth's favorite of the night...Mater!!!

Which one is the real Cinderella???

Waiting for the show to start! See how excited they are!!!

Elaina's favorite princess dress. Guess who???

Last, but not least...Snow White's dress. Grace loves to dress up as Snow White on a daily basis!

Building Frosty

So, we can't escape winter! It just keep snowing. At least we were able to make our first snowman of the season today, as it wasn't too cold. The last time we made a snowman, it was only the kids and I. We were limited as to how big we could go. But today...Daddy was home!!! I made it our mission to build the biggest snowman on the street. Mission accomplished! He's at least 10 feet tall, and very handsome.

Working on the base of the snowman.

Seth and Grace starting the next section.

Packing in the middle section.

Daddy on his tippy toes, putting the head on...me praying it didn't roll off onto Elaina's head!

The finished product! We all love our new winter friend.

My Funny Valentines

We had a nice Valentines day. Not a holiday I typically care about, but everything is more fun with kids! The kids had a nice party at preschool and yesterday we went out for a nice dinner together. It was hard to choose a place that would be kid friendly on one of the biggest "romantic" date nights of the year! LOL!!! Sorry all you lovebirds out there!!!

Here are some pictures from their party at school:

The first 3 pics are of the kids playing a game. They had to blow tissue paper hearts across the room with their straws. It was a cute game, but some of the kids had a hard time with it. The last picture is one of the are projects Elaina did.