Birthday Celebration #2

On February 9th we celebrated the day that Garrett and Paige was born with our little family.  I thought I'd make some little four-inch cakes for them and asked them what they would like.  Paige said "chocolate" and Garrett said "M&M's"... so I made it simple on myself and just put an M&M rainbow on them.  They were thrilled.  Just goes to show you that it doesn't take much to thrill a 3-year old.

You may notice the fake candles on the cakes.  We forgot our candles at ArtBeast after their big birthday party, so once again we employed our fake candles.  They didn't care one little bit and even tried to blow them out!

We took turns singing "Happy Birthday" to them because I was feeling guilty that they had to share their special day.  But quite frankly I don't think they really cared.

Then it was time to open their gifts and cards from their extended family.  It was a lengthy process because they wanted to stop and enjoy each item that they opened.  But Molly was quick to spur them on and be their "helper".

One of the highlights was when Garrett received his very first Whoopie cushion.  The funny part about this, is that you would think that something like this would have come from one of his many mischievous aunties.  But... ironically it came from Nani and Papa!  Ha ha ha!

A visit from Nani and Papa

Last week we enjoyed a fabulous visit from my Mom and Dad.  It had been since last summer since we had seen them, and the kids were SO excited for their arrival.  Unfortunately, the night before they flew in Molly had a horrible accident.  She was steaming her stuffy nose to try and open it up before bedtime, and she accidentally knocked over the little steamer and dumped the boiling water on her lap.  She instantly started screaming, and as we quickly peeled her pajamas off her, it was obvious that she had second-degree burns because her skin was starting to peel off.  We threw her in a cool tub and called the advice nurse who, based on the size of the burn, told us to go in to the E.R.  After about an hour of screaming, a trip to the E.R., some good pain medication and some burn ointment... she was much better.  I was SO thankful for my friend Dr. Susan Lin, who I called on the way to the E.R. to see if she was working.  She wasn't, but just showed up to be a support and comfort to Molly (and me).  Now that's what I call a friend.  Anyways, I didn't take any pictures of her burn because quite frankly, I don't want to remember it.  But it covered her entire right hip and groin.

Anywhoo... the next day we picked up my parents from the airport.  The kids picked up with them like they had just seen them last week.  There was a lot of cuddling and book reading, which made everyone involved happy!

On the weekend we were busy with the celebration of Garrett and Paige's birthday (see previous post), so Monday I decided to keep Molly from school so we could all spend the day together at the zoo.  This proved to be a fabulous day together!

One of my kids favorite places in the zoo is the reptile house.  Molly loves the alligator and Garrett loves the snakes.  I love seeing their budding biological curiosity!

The zoo had just re-opened the otter exhibit and it was great to see it.  One of the little otters came right up to the glass to check out the twins' in the stroller and started sniffing Garrett's feet.  Such sweet curious little critters!

All in all, it was a fabulous visit with Nani and Papa.  It was sad to see them go, but I'm sure we'll make a trek up north to see them this summer.  After dropping them off at the airport, we were driving away and Garrett said, "Where are Nani and Papa going?".  I said that they were going home on an airplane.  He said, "Noooooo.... but I'll miss them!"  It's always hard to say goodbye.

Garrett and Paige's birthday party

On Saturday we celebrated Garrett and Paige's third birthday (a few days early).  We planned it to coincide with a visit from my parents, which was such a special treat for them.  And since they were going to be in town, I thought it was better to plan the event at another location.  So we scheduled it at ArtBeast, which is a fabulous children's art studio.  That was the smartest move I've ever made... because I didn't have to clean up afterwards!  Whoo whoo!  Here's the birthday twins!

Their little buddies came and enjoyed playing at the various stations ArtBeast had available.  They had everything from painting, to clay, to pretend play, to water play... you name it.

 

And of course Garrett and Paige enjoyed some of the fun activities available to them before the formal party activities started.

Booking a party at ArtBeast includes your own private party room, and they provide plates and napkins for everyone.  The room is a windowed in balcony and is so bright and cheerful.  I loved it!  All I had to do was provide cupcakes and snacks!

And of course Molly was thrilled that her bestie, Keilani, came with her little sister.  Those two were inseparable the whole time.

ArtBeast also provided a craft just geared towards our toddler/preschooler party.  They decorated masks which they seemed to enjoy!

Although I really wanted to make a fancy cake, I decided that the effort would be lost on three-year olds, and instead went with cupcakes because they would be easier to serve.  But I tried to go with the "art" theme and made them rainbow colored!

And I'm happy to report that Garrett and Paige blew out the candles and Steve was able to ensure that they didn't grab the hot candles!  He had to be quick because they wanted to grab those candles off their cupcakes and start eating!

Then it was time to open presents.  Garrett kept saying, "Is this for me?  Is this for me?" and Paige would ooohhhh and aaahhhh after every gift she opened.  They definitely have the whole "gift opening" thing down pat now.

It was such a special celebration of the sweetest little twinsies in the world.  And when everything was said and done, I was extremely happy to walk away and let someone else clean it up for me.  Best. Party. Ever.

Not much happening around here...

The title of this post says it all... there's not much happening around here.  We've battled some colds.  I healed from a hip injury.  And other than that we've been enjoying the regular pulse of life "post holidays".  Garrett and Paige's birthday party is next weekend, along with a visit from their Nani and Papa.

The fact that they're turning three has had me picking up my camera more often, with a desire to capture this precious time... and it really is precious.  They are so much fun right now.  I feel like we've gotten over the worst of the tantrumming twos (knock on wood) and I am getting such a kick watching them learn and grow and enjoy eachother's company.  They truly are a joy right now.  Garrett is funny and goofy and a sponge for information.  Paige is sweet and nurturing and artistic.  Garrett will sit and carefully put a puzzle together until he has it all figured out.  Paige will sit and carefully color a picture and can totally stay in the lines!  But most of all it's so cool to watch them become such great friends (even amidst the perpetual sibling fighting).

I took some Superman pictures of Garrett after seeing a similar thing done by another photographer.  I had a whole series of pictures in mind that I wanted to do, but my model was only willing to give me about five minutes of shooting time.  But I really love how they turned out.  This is so Garrett... fun and quirky.

I also love this picture I got of Paige because it's everything she is... quiet and thoughtful.  She has done an AMAZING job with potty training and decided right after Christmas that she was done with diapers.  Within a week she was completed trained... during the day AND night.  I'd love to take credit for it... but realistically is was pretty much all her doing. 

Molly is doing great.  She's enjoying school and learning so much.  Her second tooth is just about out, and a third is getting wiggling on the top.  I'm looking forward to seeing her toothless grin!  Here's a picture of her with her "mermaid hair" (after sleeping with wet braided hair).  She's becoming such a beautiful little girl.

So that's the latest around here.  Not much going on but I'm enjoying having more time available to take pictures of my own kids.  We're really looking forward to my parents' visit next week and the kids are counting down the days!

Molly loses her first tooth!

Yesterday was a momentous day, as Molly lost her first tooth.  It was ready to come out the night before and was barely hanging on by a thread.  But despite our suggestions (eat an apple, let us tie a string around it, let us just tug on it, etc.) she wasn't letting us near it.  Then at 5:00 this morning she woke up fearful that she was going to choke on it and announced that "my tooth woke me up".  Sigh... Thankfully all it took was a big bite into an apple and the offender popped out easily.

Her new adult teeth are coming in behind her baby teeth, and her mouth looks something like a shark right now.  But the dentist felt confident that they new teeth would move into position after the old ones made their exit, which we are very thankful for!

With the new teeth already in, it's hard to tell that she's even lost a tooth!

She was VERY excited about the tooth fairy coming to visit last night and even wrote her a little note that said, "Dear Tooth Fairy.  You are sweet.  Love Molly".  She left the note with the tooth and a paper flower that she had made.  I wonder if she was trying to bribe the tooth fairy for some extra coins!  Needless to say, the tooth fairy left a certificate of "Lost Tooth" and a nice letter congratulating her and encouraging her to take good care of her new teeth.  And, of course, she got some quarters and a coin token for the carousel at Arden Fair Mall!  She was a very happy girl!

Christmas Day!

We had a fabulous Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve at church (I played keyboards for the service) and then we came home and prepared for Santa's arrival.  We put the cookies and milk out for the "big guy" and sprinkled reindeer food out on the front lawn (thanks to my Auntie Nan).  Molly made a card for Santa, and Paige drew a picture.  And Molly left a special "cookie pop" out for Santa to bring home to Mrs. Claus, which we thought was awfully thoughtful.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and the gifts were ready for the morning onslaught.  Molly was VERY excited about Santa coming and we were anticipating a 5:00 a.m. wake-up call.

But I am happy to report that we were pleasantly surprised when Molly didn't awaken until 7:00 a.m.!  It was a Christmas miracle!  Here's a video clip of her coming out and finding out that Santa had made his appearance!

Garrett and Paige woke up shortly after Molly and the present opening began.  Molly loved her science kit from Aunt Christie and her Rapunzel styling head from Nani and Papa.  She also got a LeapFrog Explorer system and several learning games to go with it that she loves!

Garrett totally loves his NeoTrax cars and tracks from Santa.  And Steve and I love seeing him in his new hat that has his two favorite things on it... the letter "G" and the color green. Most people would say it's a Greenbay Packers hat... but to us, it's a Garrett hat.

 

Paige loves her Go-Go Walking Puppy from Santa and her baby and accessories from Nani and Papa, and Grandma and Grandpa van Riessen.  She is the most loving and nurturing little girl, and it's so fun watching her pretend to be a "mommy" to all her new toys!

I also got a ton of fabulous baking supplies and can't wait to try them out for Garrett and Paige's birthday!

And Steve got a lot of videos to add to our collection and some clothing.  He was invaluable removing all those over-packaged toys from their boxes, putting them together, and installing batteries.

Opening gifts took a LONG time, because the kids wanted to play with every gift before opening the next one.  And once they were all opened, they had as much fun playing in the wrapping paper. I just LOVE this picture of Paige playing in the wrapping!

And here's a fun video clip of the chaos that ensued in the pile of discarded wrapping paper.  This totally cracks me up!

After the gift opening, we enjoyed a yummy breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns and fruit salad, and then tried to do some clean-up.  Here's Paige helping out with her new vacuum from Auntie Trish and Uncle Dave.

After a light lunch and some long naps, we headed over the Aunt Nancy and Uncle Fred's house for a fabulous prime rib dinner.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but needless to say it was total chaos with 19 people there!  And as always... dinner was outstanding!  We're so thankful to have some family close by that we can enjoy the holidays with!  It was truly a wonderful and relaxing Christmas and we are so thankful that we were able to remember what the day is TRULY about... Jesus' birthday!