Wren turns 2

Wren! It's a super late, but very photo-heavy summary of your second birthday. I hope that someday you will treasure these photos. I already see a couple family classics as I glance through all the pictures of your adorable face.

For your second birthday we decided to have a shin-dig with all of your favorite things (brought to you by the number 2) You invited 2 friends, Della and Theo, Dad made you a cake with a sprinkle number 2 on top, there were balloons and sweet treats and you were in heaven.

This photo is a great representation of you at two years old. I dressed you in your party outfit, but you felt it was lacking something. Of course you added a skirt - rarely are you without one these days. The picture below shows your temporary tattoo. You and Ellie are really into those right now. Once you learned where the gummy bears were you just helped yourself (though you hadn't nearly the appetite for sweets that Theo displayed). There were also blueberries on the menu and those are always a hit with you.

Silly girl, I'm glad to see your love of cake has not diminished since last year. You still take cake eating very seriously. In fact, you take all eating very seriously. I love how much you love to eat.

You really understood presents this year, and in true two year old fashion, greeted every gift with a resounding, "Present! Mine!" It was fun to watch you get excited over your favorite gifts - the puzzles that Dad and I got you and the mouse puppet from Great Grandma.

Wren, you are such a delightful little girl! I still call you my baby, though it is clear to everyone else that you are growing so much each day. The photos below really capture the magic that is you at this age. You have stolen Pink Kitty from Ellie and sleep with it every night. You are an absolute bookworm and love to be read to. But you also like to slip away to your room throughout the day to read stacks of books by yourself. You are the girliest of my girls - insisting on fancy skirts and dresses and "helping" me with my make-up. You still give the sweetest hugs and kisses in the world, you can draw circles and you have amazing balance on our indoor swing. You also love band-aids and nail polish and watching Curious George. You remind me a bit of that adorable monkey, with all of your chattering and antics. Your singing voice is about the cutest thing in the world - second only to your amazing dance moves. Seriously girl, you really cut a rug.

I love how you can sign "I love you," but still struggle to show me two fingers when I ask how old you are. At least you've stopped introducing yourself as Ellie and telling everyone you're three - that was really confusing for people.

I'm so glad that you have taken a liking to the animal figurines in the bowl. Dad was accusing me of collecting them for myself (which is only halfway true). I had hopes they'd become the classic toys of your childhood.

This view from behind epitomizes your toddlerhood to me. This is how I always find you: sitting cross-legged, working intently on a project. I love your passion and your humor. I love your gaped-tooth smile and the single freckle on your forehead. I love the sweet way you hold my hand and the total adorable-ness that is you in your winter hat.

You are magic, Wren-dear, and I hope you always know that. Love, Mom.

The Love of the Century

Before Spotify and Angry Birds,

Before Kate and William were even a thing,

Before Katie and Tom weren't a thing anymore,

Before bundled toxic assests ruined the world,

Before greek yogurt was cool,

Before dish detergent came in pods, 

Before anyone cared about the Kardashians,

Before Instagram and Pinterest,

Even before cat memes and Sherlock...

I met this handsome man and we fell in love.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to make out with this burrito.

 Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

This week is not my favorite

It's February.

Our car broke down in PA and cost $750 to fix.

The cold/flu struck out house. Fever, chills, coughs, disgusting fluids from the nose.

I didn't get to make our annual Valentine's cards because of said illnesses.

Ellie had an earache last night at 11pm

I let her sleep in my bed.

Gave her a warm compress and some Tylenol.

Stroked her back and talked to her soothingly while she fell asleep.

She kicked me for 20min while she slept fitfully.

She woke up and we started the whole she-bang again.

2 hrs later she cried that she wanted to sleep in her own bed.

We made the switch.

She got up two or three more times. (need to potty, need a cough drop, just can't sleep)

At 3:45 she got up AGAIN needing a drink of water.

I called out to her that she should climb up on the toilet and get a drink out of the sink.

Splash! Wailing!

She fell into the toilet that she hadn't flushed earlier.

Soaking wet pajamas, crying girl, pee and toilet paper all over the bathroom.

Did this really just happen?!?!?

Why is this the worst week ever?

No working out - sickness.

No groceries - car.

No sleep - toilet drama.

Well, we still have water and heat - so I guess it could be worse.

Things I'm looking forward to:

February being over

Birds returning to my feeder

Training for the Tri at the Y

Hosting a "February Sucks" party at my house

Blogging about Wren's birthday

Blogging about projects I've finished

Blogging photos I've done in the last year

Blogging instead of feeling like a giant waste of time and talent

Getting a massage - just putting it out there to the universe

Breathing through my nose at night

Painting fingernails for Valentine's Day 

Musical rehearsal - we bemoan our fates for a while and then we sing!

February is the worst! The End.

Ellie turns 4

Well, Eleanor, you did it! You turned four years old. We had such a fun time on your birthday I just thought I'd jot down a few details so we can remember them together in years to come. Look at that birthday cake! Your dad always claims cake making duty and this year we had conflicting visions about the cowgirl cake. I wanted a cheerful looking corral scene and he preferred the drama of a hopeless quagmire. We compromised and it was delicious of course.

You are soooo into cowboy things right now. Toy Story is your favorite movie and you love to wear your jeans, "cowgirl" shirt and boots every chance you get. So this theme seemed perfect for a fourth birthday party.

You had friends from church and school, plus two of your favorite babysitters (Caitlin and Lara) in attendance. We all munched on chips and salsa, fruit and pigs in a blanket.

Jessie was easily the favorite gift you received - thanks Marshall family! As I write this, two months after the fact, she continues to be your preferred companion everywhere you go. You also loved the piggy bank we gave you, the real cowgirl hat, and the stuffed horse you received. You insist on wearing the horseshoe necklace Lara gifted you every day - we've finally convinced you not to sleep with it at night. And while the gifts were very exciting, I think the highlight of everyone's party experience was that crazy pinata.

The thing seriously would not break! Even after every kid had a chance at it. We gave you and Ella (your friend with most damaging swing) two chances at it - barely a dent. Finally, the hook just came out of the ceiling and the pinata fell intact to the floor. You gave it a couple good whacks, but your heart wasn't in it. I mean, who wants to beat a dead horse? So Dad and I pulled it apart in a tug of war and all the kids collected the prizes. 

I always want to remember the way you rushed in - so excited for candy. Immediately you grabbed a pink bouncy ball and took a sizable and disappointing bite out of it. I was laughing so hard! Everyone left with stickers, tattoos, candy and erasers.

It was a very fun party for a fun-loving girl. I'm so glad we could celebrate this day together.

I love you so much, little darlin'.