Happy 3rd Birthday Erin!

Yesterday was Erin's 3rd birthday.  We had a small family gathering to celebrate the day.  

In typical Angela fashion, it was over the top even for a small party.  Her big party with her friends and cousins will be next weekend.

She got her trampoline and she and her cousins had a great time.  We waited until after her nap for the big reveal.  We all gathered in the back yard and she ran over to it.  All the kids were thrilled.  We jumped for about an hour before the thunderstorms moved in.  We called the game on a count of lightning.

Then it was inside for burgers and cake.  She unwrapped presents and it was great to see her this year.  She could actually unwrap them herself and was genuinely happy and surprised with each one she opened.  (Jake helped on the tough taped ones.)  All the kids were so good while they were unwrapping.  She got tons of stuff and thanked everyone very nicely when we were done.

Here are a couple of snaps from the big day.  I'll upload the reveal video later.

 

Nothing to Say...

Just haven't blogged in a couple of weeks.  Quick update...

Erin had her 3 year pictures with Keelie and Jessica of Hard2Hold Photography.  We love them.  We took them in Old Town Spring.  They didn't use the "normal" places.  We were behind buildings, in alleys, up against rusty screen doors.  I think all in all they have an amazing eye and these pictures are going to be great.  I can't wait to see the proofs.

Erin was a doll during the whole shoot.  She joked and sang and smiled and had a great time.  It poured in the middle of the shoot so we had to postpone it for a bit.  We had 3 wardrobe changes and didn't complain about them once.  Because it was so humid after the showers, Erin's hair was acting like mine.  We got frizz and ringlets.  I think it was cute but in an unbrushed/untamed kind of way!

On another note, I'm now obsessed with selling my old crap on line.  I have discovered the Woodlands Online and have sold some things.  I posted 2 more things last night.  It's addictive.  You have old crap laying around that you paid good money for.  Instead of the $1.50 you might get at a garage sale this is way better.  I find myself wandering around the house looking for stuff to sell.  I think I have a problem...

I've also discovered an panache for making ponytail holders for Erin.  It started with the pictures we took.  I couldn't find the right bow/pony tail holder to go with one outfit so I created my own.  $25.00 later, I have ribbon in every color now to make them.  Now if we can just keep them in our hair and not lose them at daycare.  (I can't tell you how many bows have been lost at daycare.)

Wrapping up this very informative post.

Pictures From the 4th...

Here are a couple of shots I got of the kids on the 4th.  William and Erin had a ball eating homemade ice cream and swimming in Erin's little pool.  It was overcast so it wasn't 103 outside that day.  

The fireworks kept Erin awake for a little while, but she managed to sleep thru the big ones.  I don't really know how because they sounded like bombs going off.  Our subdivision bans fireworks but there is no enforcement so every one pops them.  We live in the cul-de-sac so they congregate right outside out house to do them.  At least it's only twice a year!!!

Self Congratulations Are In Order...

I have to brag on myself.  Erin's party is in 2 weeks and I've been ready for it for months now.

The Minnie Mouse cookies have been ordered, cake ordered, invitations mailed, gift bags purchased, all the crap you put in the gift bags purchased....  All that's left to do it order the thank you cards to match the invitations and stuff the gift bags.

I'm trying something new with the thank you notes.  I bought a download off of Etsy.  Of course, I haven't gotten it yet, so one again Etsy may burn me, but I'm trying.  I'll download it and have it printed on card stock to use.  They didn't have the exact match to her invitations when I ordered those, so I was bummed until I found these.  Super Cheers!

Can't wait to post pics of all of it.  It's all Minnie Mouse themed.  Erin will love it.  She was sitting in my lap yesterday looking at pictures on my ipad and the one of her birthday cake came up.  She started squealing and said, my birthday cake, my birthday cake.  I then had to explain to her that it was going to be a while until we saw it.  

All for now.  I'm finished patting myself on the back!

Happy Birthday Dear America...

Erin and William felt very patriotic yesterday and decided to sing Happy Birthday to America.  It's the best little video over!