Happy Fourth Birthday

Four years.  Four years of the best gift I have ever received.  Becoming a mama.

You challenge me, test and teach me patience, make me laugh, sing sweet songs and love me like crazy.  I love you so much and while watching you grow can be hard I know the best is yet to come.

Happy Birthday Princess!

XOXO

Aubrey

Happy Birthday Party!

I can't believe Lauren is going to be turning four on Tuesday.  We had a little party at Grandma and Grandpa's tonight and was a bit emotional most of the day as I thought about how quickly these last four years have gone by.

After Lauren's first birthday and each birthday that has followed I always declare that I won't do a party the next year and without a doubt I do.  Just two weeks ago we weren't going to do anything besides a little cake and ice cream, but this year she seemed so much more into it.  We decided on a little girl's club with her bff for mini manicures and a little celebration after.

Way back she asked for an Ariel cake and I followed through with a little help from Jocelyn's neighbor.  I borrowed her mold and pretty much copied what she did for her daughter.

(Don't mind Ariel's chewed hand...she went through a lot.  We almost lost her on the car ride over too)

There was a lot of effort that went into the cake but she was very appreciative this morning when she saw the finished product.  It made it worth it!

Grandma and Grandpa were so kind to let us have the party at their house.  I gave Robin a lot of the supplies but they added a few finishing touches as well.  Thank you again for hosting!!

To go along with the cake, we were lucky enough to have our very own Ariel surprise us too!  The princess loving girls were a little shy, but not this ladies man.

A big thanks to cousin Drew aka Prince Eric and Kenzie aka Ariel for being the hit of the party!

We had a great time celebrating and thanks to everyone who came!  After getting home Lauren tried on every piece of clothes, carefully studied her new princess shoes, and read her self to sleep with her new TAG system:)

We love you so much sweetheart!  Happy Birthday!

XOXO

Aubrey

First Snow

If you live anywhere near me you woke up to a light dusting on Sunday morning.  When you have two little ones, you wake up to an "IT SNOWED!!!"  Last year, was the mildest winter I've ever seen and not that I'm complaining, but if you were a kid...you were robbed.  It may have been a dusting, but it was William's first time playing in the snow.

Even snow angels can be made in the lightest of snowfall.  

I know the pictures can sometimes paint a more magical experience.  But truth be told, it was freezing and they lasted all of twenty-five minutes!

And in those twenty-five minutes, William's mittens came off once every two minutes.

Mittens or no mittens, he really did love the snow.  He was having a hard time getting around in all the gear...

and all I could think of was this!

"I can't put my arms down."

via

Even though it was short lived, hot cocoa and marshmallows are always a must.  I do hope that this winter will bring some sledding and building snowmen, but be careful what you wish for, right?

XOXO

Aubrey

Girls' Club

 It's what we call our alone time and a title that she actually started using.  The one on one time is important and it goes further than just the two of us.  She needs it with her dad and grandparents too.    

It could be me painting her nails or something as painful simple as her doing my hair.

I could tell last week that she may have needed "girls' club." Lauren had seemed a little jealous that William was getting to hang out with me while she was in school, so we planned a date and went out Saturday afternoon for a special treat.  Deep fried oreos and smoothies at Mae's followed by a little thrifting.  

I too enjoy my girly time.  My mom, to this day will say to always make time for your girlfriends.  And this weekend I got plenty of it!  It started on Thursday night with a Stella and Dot jewelry party and continued all the way until Sunday.  

Jocelyn and Emma came for a visit on Friday and while the kids played she and I went shopping in my closet.  It might look like a mess, but she was styling me using what I already own.  We got to talk fashion and just sit an catch up over a cup of coffee.  She then joined me for an a$$ kicking on Saturday at my gym!  

Saturday night, I was reunited with Beth for some actual face to face catching up!  I really hope we'll see each other over the winter!

Dressed in a Jocelyn original, I went to a Delta Gamma reunion lunch.  It's an annual event that was started a few years ago that I continue to look forward to.  I love seeing old sorority sisters and meeting new ones.  

And this year was extra special, there were three ladies who beat cancer.  

An extra raw, raw for those dee gee's!!  

With Thanksgiving days away, I'm once again reminded just how thankful I am to have so many beautiful ladies in my life.  They all bring something special and unique to the table and I love you all!

XOXO

Aubrey

Gymnastics Fantastics

Lauren has been doing gymnastics for almost a year and looks forward to her class every week...always smiling and having fun.  And when the gym was offering a little recital, I knew it would be a great way for Lauren to show off her talents to the family.

Flips are her favorite!

They were even presented with little medals at the end, it was such a fun event for our little gymnast.

XOXO

Aubrey

Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen

First of all, I want to thank those who sent emails, left a voicemail, texted me, and commented this last week.  Your kind words were so thoughtful and I truly appreciate it!

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There are just times when you need to keep your little one busy.  And while tv or a movie can be good down time, sometimes independent play needs to happen.  In our house, that has proven to be a difficult task.  Lauren has never played well on her own, she is getting better but I usually need to set her up, and even when I do it doesn't last long.  A couple of weeks ago I needed some time to get a few things accomplished while William napped and saw something on pinterest that I thought would keep Lauren busy, real busy.

Play cooking, but with real food!  GENIUS!

I brought her play kitchen into our kitchen, put on her apron, gave a few cooking utensils and then brought out the ingredients.  I told her it was all for play, but picked foods she could "eat" if tempted.

I also made a paste with flour and water like playdoh.  She was busy with this for 1.5 hrs! 

She only bothered asked me to try her creations:)

It was a BIG mess, but I really didn't mind.  A movie would have been much easier, but I know she got a lot more out of this and I felt better knowing she was doing something constructive versus zoning out on the couch.

Do you have any good ideas to keep your little ones busy?  I'm all ears!

Have a great weekend, go jump in some leaves!

XOXO

Aubrey

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...(DIY nightstand)

I posted about the lamp I found for Lauren's room a few weeks back and it got me thinking about what I could do to her nightstand.  There is a matching nightstand that I was going to paint white and use in William's room, but decided the unused one needed to be as bold as the lamp.

What do you think?  Bold enough?

I think it's perfect for my packed full of personality preschooler:)

 Here was the before.  I actually bought the set for $25 off Craigslist 5 years ago and painted them black.  I'm thrilled they are being repurposed again. 

 Unfortunately, I'm not as skilled as Billy is with a can of spray paint.

He lightly sanded everything and was good to go.

We've had good luck with this brand and the best luck when the humidity is low.  Sticky air means bubbles.

Ladies and gentlemen, please don't be fooled by Billy's charm and good looks.  He isn't always so willing to help when my wheels start spinning.  Projects usually involve beers, and not because they are difficult but because he has you-know-who critiquing and questioning him at every step.  And a post-project nap?  Let's be honest, spray painting doesn't take a lot out of you...but I go along with it because I'll need his expertise again soon.

My favorite part are the glass knobs that I had picked up at Home Goods months ago.  They complete the nightstand and dress it up.

Mrs. Mouse got her cookie and glass of milk and Mr. Mouse is praying she stays on task on completes one project at a time!

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XOXO

Aubrey