Monster Bash

To say Jacob likes Monster Inc is a bit of an understatement.  He is obsessed with Mike and Boo, he likes Sully but Mike and Boo are definitely his favorites so it only seemed fitting that we ring in his upcoming 3rd birthday with a Monster's Inc party.  It was ROAR-some!  Jacob had so much fun, we lucked out with the monster-sized storm we got this week passing through just in time for us to keep the jumpy house on the schedule.  Jacob was so excited to have a jumpy house and a party in his honor!  He requested a funfetti cake over cupcakes so I had my first attempt at a cake, I did it Friday because I needed time to make cupcakes if it was a fail.  I only had on small frosting mishap but Jacob couldn't tell or care and he loved his cake.  We had an awesome time and I can't believe my little buddy is turning 3 in less than a week!  Since pictures are worth 1000 words, I'll let the pictures from yesterday do the talking!

The kids went through "scarer" training!

An official Scarer!

Jacob's birthday twin Brycen! (they are a few hours apart!)

Brycen's beautiful sister McKenzie!

My first attempt at a cake

Happy Birthday Boy!

Jacob's face is pretty par for the course around here!

Big birthday wishes

The Celebration Continues

Sunday was Riley's actual birthday, the kids were beat from the party so they actually slept in.  Then we took our time getting up, had bagels with my parents and Riley opened her presents from family, family friends and us.  The hits of the bunch - a light up pillow pet and a rainbow loom!  After their naps we went to the mall where they got to each make a new bear thanks to the Goines' who gave them both gift cards to Build-A-Bear.  They both loved making bears.  Ri also got a gift card from Jacob so she got to buy a chair for her bear and some more clothes.  Then we ran a few errands before we went to tepanyaki for dinner, Riley's choice.

I bought my baby girl flowers for her birthday

Riley stuffing her new friend "Birthday:

So excited!

Jacoby's turn!

He's so excited!

The kids and their new friends - Champ and Birthday

Excited for her birthday dinner

Birthday girl gets a Shirley Temple

In awe over the show

Housing miso soup and rice

Dessert for the birthday girl!

Look how our Riley has grown!  Sadly, you can also see how much her left foot has regressed this year.  Age 4 doesn't look great but Age 5 is even worse.  Looking at her foot like this and compared to age 2 and 3 where it looked corrected I know surgery is the right route.  Even Marc looked at this and admitted she needed it.

Reading up on Rainbow Loom techniques

Happy New Year's!

New Year's Eve we got invited to Riley's friend Joey's house for an East Coast time New Year's Eve.  Marc and I were all about it, we loved the idea of being able to celebrate with the kids and then being home and in our pajamas for the West Coast New Year's without having to worry about all of the crazies on the road.  We had a blast, tons of appetizers, lots of friends and Jim and Jessica (Joey's mom and dad) decorated their place awesomely, complete with balloons hanging from the ceiling that they dropped at midnight.  It was so much fun!

My little stud muffing

Riley and Joey - day care calls them old man and woman because they act like an old married couple!

Joey's little brother Alex joins in!

Even Jacob was ready to party, and yep, that's a pantless Alex in the background, it's not a party until someone takes their pants off!

Our failed attempt at getting a bunch of kids up way past their bedtime together for a picture!

Happy New Year!!!

The balloons were a hit!  Especially with Jacob!

Here's to hoping 2013 brings loads of health and happiness to all of our friends!!!

Riley's Birthday Celebration

Riley wanted to go to school on her birthday {sniff, sniff, my girl would rather be with her friends than her mommy, definitely a sign that she's growing up fast} because she wanted us to have a birthday party in her class.  When she woke up we cheered for her birthday, Marc had created a countdown calendar because Riley was SO excited about her birthday.  They crossed off her last day and we sang to her, then we brought her downstairs where this was waiting:

A big girl bike!

How big does she look here?

Riley also got a "pretty dress"

And a baseball glove

After we dropped Riley at day care, Marc, Jacob and I went up to Walnut Creek for some shopping and lunch before heading back down home to bring cupcakes and goody bags to Riley's class.  Riley loved having everyone sing to her and the kids loved celebrating her birthday.

Waiting for her cupcake

A special Princess cupcake for the birthday girl!

And here is Riley's official 3 Year growth photo!

Happy Birthday!

to my Riley-Roo!  3 Years old, such a big girl!!!

How can it be that 3 years ago today my 4lbs of Fury entered this world!  I truly can't believe the transformation from that teeny, tiny baby with a ton of spunk and chutzpah to the vivacious little girl that is still filled with chutzpah.  Riley, you continue to amaze us on a daily basis.  Your memory astounds us, your compassion is immeasurable, and you understand everything.  You are truly wise beyond your years and it is an absolute pleasure to be your parent.  You definitely give us a run for our money, you are strong willed, stubborn, and have a mind of your own which can be both challenging and infuriating but I wouldn't change you for anything.  My greatest pleasure is watching you be a big sister and seeing your compassion and concern for your brother when he is crying or when he is hurt.  Your "Riley-isms" continue to get better and better and it's been a blast watching you understand sarcasm over the past year. 

Some of your favorite things from 2-3:

1. Dora - You absolutely adore Dora, you can't get enough of her
2. Cereal - Good thing I now work for Kellogg's because you could eat cereal for every meal
3. New shoes - especially sparkly, light up ones
4. Gymnastics - you still love gymnastics and you are excellent at it also
5. Playing outside with your friends
6. Your "YaYas"
7. Story time and getting your back patted

A Sprinkle of Love

My wonderful friend Lori threw us a sprinkle to help us bring some blue into our lives today.  It was a fantastic day with yummy food (with lots of leftovers so Marc was happy), great friends, and lots of fun!  She held it at a Chinese restaurant, yum, my favorite and had lots of fun games!  Riley even came at the end to help me open her brother's presents.  Riley was really excited to finally wear one of her new " Big Sister" shirts (I've been crazy superstitious and haven't let her wear one yet but I figured it would be fun for the shower).  She was so excited to help me open presents and every time she opened one she would hold it up and show everyone and say "This is for my baby brother!"  (A step in the right direction since she called him her baby brother and not baby sister!).  She also did a great job of knowing that the gifts were for him and not her and did not try to take any of them, though she did have her eye on the awesome owl blanket from Lori (picture below).  I was very proud of her, I think she's going to be a great big sister and I can't wait to see her in action.  Friday she told me that her baby brother was her "fwiend!"  Got to love that girl!

"What Brothers do Best," the other side says "What sisters do best"

Riley hanging with Bella's mommy

Owl toy!  Thanks Auntie Amber! :)

And an owl blanket compliments of Lori - this is the one gift that Riley coveted

Me and the hostess.  Thanks for the wonderful afternoon Lori!

Me and my girl

My little helper!

Group shot!

Riley and "Auntie" Lori

The soon-to-be Big Sister arrives just in time for cake and presents, her favorite!

My almost 30 week baby bump and my side-kick

Getting my belly measured for our first game, "Guess how big Allie's belly is."  Marc's answer - HUGE!

Searching for safety pins in a bowl of rice, it's surprisingly hard!