Happy Birthday, Eric

After celebrating our anniversary, my birthday, Livi's birthday (including a birthday party), I must confess I was a little "birthday-ed out" by the time Eric's rolled around. But I really wanted to make him an awesome birthday cake.  And awesome it was...I made the most crazy delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate birthday cake.  It was probably the best cake I've ever eaten: rich, moist chocolate cake topped with peanut butter cream cheese frosting and finished off with a decadent chocolate peanut butter ganache.  The recipe is a keeper for sure.  We celebrated Eric's 35 years with homemade pizzas at Steve and Patti's house.  Grateful for this wonderful guy and the many ways he blesses us each day.  Happy Birthday, Eric. 

Livi Lu Who is Turning 2!

We've always thought our little Livi Lu has born a passing resemble to Cindy Lou Who from the Dr. Seuss classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," so when her second birthday rolled around, I decided to do a Livi Lu Who is Turning Two Dr Seuss bash!  I found the most adorable little Dr Seuss dress on clearance at Target this spring and the planning fell into place after that.  Of course, we had to have green eggs and ham for the party.  And the grandmas showed up all decked out in their Cat in the Hat gear. 

Livi had a great time at her whole party, but it was clear that her very favorite thing was her chocolate cupcake.  She had red frosting smeared everywhere.  It was even up her nose so deep that Grandpa Steve thought she had a bloody nose after the party!

We were so happy that so many friends and family members came to celebrate with us!  Auntie Brigid came up from Madison for the weekend and Uncle Luke and Aunt Annalyse made it to their first ever Ory birthday party, now that they moved back from California.  It was a perfect day to show our Livi Lu just how loved she is as we celebrate another year with our baby girl.  Happy Birthday, sweetheart!

kitten breath

N: "Mom, have I eaten a kitten before?
Me: "No!"
N: "Then why do I always have kitten breath?"

School Days coming soon

Throughout our move, I kept telling Nolan that once we were in our new house he would be starting school.  So, on the second morning in our house, he asked me if he was starting school that day.  When I told him no, he decided to make his own school.  He filled up his backpack with some of his favorite toys and books and packed his lunchbox with a snack, and headed out into the front yard to have his school.  He sat out there for at least a half hour several mornings in a row.  He's so excited for real school to start.  The other day I told him that I was going to miss him while he was in school and he said, "I'll miss you too, Mommy.  But don't worry because kids come back." (Quoting the Daniel Tiger song I always sing to him when I leave - "Grownups come back.")  Melt my heart, kiddo.

Dear Olivia

Dear Olivia,

My sweet baby girl!  I can't believe you're already two!  Your Daddy and I are smitten with you and your hilarious antics.  You never want to be left out of anything, so we hear "Livi, too..." a million times a day.  But you also want to make sure Nolan gets everything that you do - so if you get a snack, you make sure Nolan gets one, too.  Same goes with a baba, or a cup, or just about anything else.  You just want everything to be fair. 

You are both tenacious and confident, which can be a fierce combination!  You know what you want and will find a way to make it happen.  When you achieve something, even something small, you exclaim, "I Diiit!" (I did it!) so excitedly that it can't help but make us smile along with you.  You are determined and don't give up easily.  This is sometimes a challenging quality for Mommy and Daddy to handle, but we know that this will make you a strong, brave, and capable woman someday and we can't wait to see who you become!

Nolan is your whole world, so I'm a little worried for you about when he starts school this fall.  It will be an adjustment.  But, I'm excited for the opportunity to get some one-on-one girl time with you! 

You are hilarious and make us laugh constantly.  Somehow, even at 2, you understand the timing of jokes and deliver your knock knock jokes flawlessly every time. 

You love animals, especially puppies, "see-sahs" (kitty cats) and "Or-sees", though you tend to get a little nervous when up close and personal.  Lately you've been playing pretend a lot, and like to crawl around and meow like a kitty cat.  It's absolutely precious.

Little Noodle, we couldn't possibly love you more.  The best birthday gift I ever received was YOU!  Happy 2nd Birthday, sweetheart!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Buddies

I'm so happy that these boys have each other.  There's nothing quite like growing up across the street from your best pal.  <3

birthday girl(s)

Today was the second birthday I got to spend with my little Lu Bear, and I must say that birthdays just feel more special with her here.  We started the morning with a special treat: our good friend, Katie, brought us birthday donuts! 

Sad that I made her wait to eat them while we sang "Happy Birthday"

Eric surprised me at lunch with some gorgeous flowers (arranged by Sandy, of course) and a cool arrow hook that I'm going to hang in our bedroom.   The Lindners came over later in the afternoon and played with the kids, while Katie and I got to have some kid-free talking time.  They brought me a cool letter board and  Livi a sweet little puppy that barks.  More phone calls and cards arrived in the mail, and all in all, I felt very loved on my special day.

Livi was so cute because this was the first time she really seemed to understand birthdays.  Every time anyone mentioned the word birthday, she got a big grin and said, "Birthday cake."  Later that night when it was time to open presents, she kept chanting, "presents!" over and over.  I love how excited she was.  Nolan picked out a Minnie Mouse remote control car for her, which she thought was hilarious.  Eric and I gave her her very own bike!  She was so excited to bike with Nolan in the driveway that night.  I can't believe how big my little peanut is getting!  Happy Birthday, sweet birthday buddy!