Happy 3rd Birthday, Olivia!

Olivia's birthday on Tuesday was a hit! She woke up in the morning wanting to put on the dress my mom sewed for me when I was young, saying it was perfect for birthday clothes! Immediately on waking we did cake and presents because she talked about it the day before and I had said we could. Here are the pictures from that:

I told Olivia we could do anything she wanted to do that morning, and she chose CHOM. And another dress to wear. She is excited about being able to dress herself, and she always chooses dresses! This is one from Abby. The kids had a good time playing everywhere in there, but I caught some pictures from the market.

And a few of Leo on the beaver slide. He is growing up, too!

After naps, we hit the playground and the pool, and ate hot dogs for dinner per Olivia's request! Awesome birthday!

And I am totally copying from my friend Emily, who does THE BEST job of documenting her children's lives, by introducing the "birthday questionnaire"! Here are Olivia's answers this year!

1. How old are you? 3

2. What makes you happy? Hugs

3. What is your favorite animal? Giraffes

4. What is your favorite thing to eat? Peas and Macaroni and cheese

5. What is your least favorite thing to eat? carrots

6. What is your favorite thing to do? Play

7. What is your favorite TV show? Dora

8. What are you really good at? Swinging

9. What is your favorite movie? Backyardigans

10. What is your favorite color? Pink

11. What is your favorite song? Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

12. Who is your best friend? Mommy

13. What do you and your Mom do together? Go to CHOM and play

14. What do you and your Dad do together? Play

15. What is your favorite sport? Swimming

16. Where is your favorite place to go? Pool

17. What is your favorite book? Dora

18. What do you want to be when you grow up? Cinderella

Olivia's Barnyard Birthday Party!

Because of Nicholas's upcoming surgery, we had Olivia's birthday party early on Sunday, April 28th. Unfortunately, the rain poured down that day and at that particular time it was even thunderstorming. So we were hoping someone would show up and prepared for no one to as the weather was BAD. We decided to go ahead with the party as there was literally no other time to do it. We went with our rain boots and a sense of humor!! (Double sense of humor since I realized as we were heading out the door that Leo had no rain boots, coat, or hat...he borrowed Olivia's!) Too tired to comment on each photo, but I think they tell the story pretty well!

Olivia wanted to "set the tables," so I said to go for it! Note the odd arrangements!

Look at my big boy sitting on the bench by himself!

My friend Jennifer's little one, Mary Grace, loved using her rain gear!

The Barnyard staff was fantastic, and brought all the baby animals into the barn for the kids to pet, feed, and play with. Because we didn't get to feed the catfish, go on a boat ride, feed the bigger animals, or ride the pony, they gave each child a pass to come back for free on another day!

Poor Leo in Olivia's jacket! Everyone got a good laugh at that!

Pretty good turn out for the terrible weather!

Brushing the pony.

Hopping in the puddles!

Time for sugar!

Poor Nicholas...and why I'll be MIA for a while

Nicholas had his major oral surgery yesterday. All went well, thankfully. It was about five hours long. They split and widened his upper, pulled it forward, split and widened his lower, pulled it forward, and moved his chin forward. All this movement more than doubled the size of his airway so that he can breathe more easily, and will hopefully cure his sleep apnea. Nicholas was in the hospital last night and will be tonight. He is doing great, although the pain must be excruciating. Here are two pictures to show what he looked like right after surgery until this morning, and then what he looks like now. There is a lot of swelling, as expected.

Enjoying these days

I don't know if it is obvious or not how much I enjoy my kids and the opportunity I have to be home with them most of the time. Two Fridays ago the kids and I turned our living room into a restaurant with a stage for performances. Olivia was the live show. Leo was the chef. I was the audience. We had dinner at the little pink table, and then Olivia danced for us...and we did Facetime with Uncle Brandon and Aunt Heidi, and had a blast! Here are a couple of pictures of my cuties!

And when the kids do go to school on MWF, I have simplified down to just these two bags to take with them for their lunches. I've left Olivia's extra outfit at school, and I am just taking Leo's diapers and wipes once every other week. These lovely bags are Thirty One bags, and my cousin Erika is a consultant. Here is a link to her web page if you are interested in getting some! These bags are big enough for teachers to send home school work and notes in the outer pocket, too!

Because Leo was sick last week and I took off two mornings to stay home with him, I sent the kids to school Monday - Thursday this week (the school was closed Friday). It was really too much for all of our happiness. Olivia got grumpy. Leo got tired. I got sad missing my kiddos. So, today, after a whirlwind trip from Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Brandon, and cousin Luke last night--so great to see you guys...why didn't I get pictures?--we went to gymnastics this morning and then had a picnic outside for lunch! Olivia and Leo loved it, but Olivia didn't want her picture taken for some reason.

Later this afternoon when Daddy came home, he needed a minute in the bathroom. Olivia wanted Daddy so much that she said she was going to wait outside the door for him. Because Brother likes to do what she is doing, he came over, stood next to her, and started banging on the door. Olivia got upset and said, "Mommy, get Leo! He is wanting Daddy, but I want him all for myself!" So, I closed the gate and let Olivia wait by herself for Daddy. No one gets a minute peace around here!