Our usual Christmas greeting times two

a week of celebration

This year I had a very special birthday week.  Thanks to all who made it so special!  My parents arrived on Monday.  We went to the park that morning with the kiddos.  What a beautiful day!  The kids had a great time, as you can tell by the girl's mud mustaches.  My mom took me shopping to my favorite spot (Goodwill :) ) that afternoon while Dad watched the kids.  That evening they took us to La Madeleine for dinner.

Tuesday we enjoyed the fresh air--cooling significantly-- and went to the park again.  This time, I forgot my camera and missed out on the woodpecker that had created all the holes on the tree I photographed the day before. 

That afternoon I went with my mom to pick out a cake.  Michael came home early with some flowers :) and two presents.  The presents meant a huge amount because he had actually gone to Ross to pick them out (per my request) without any guidance from me.  He did quite well!  And the fact that he was willing to shop for me without the items spelled out (a despised task) means even more! The cake was scrumptious! Another birthday gift arrived in the mail on Tuesday. 

Wednesday was my actual birthday but by then, I felt like I had already celebrated far more than last year.  The well wishes of family and friends just capped that off. 

To finish off the festivities though, I had a dear friend offer to watch my kids on Friday morning.  Unfortunately, neither of us knew what she had bargained for.  My car completely died at the grocery store and I was 2 hours late picking up my cranky kids.  She never complained! :)  What a gift from the Lord though that the kids were not with me while sitting around with broken down car and trying to get new battery and then discovering it was the starter.  Friday night, M took me out for a night on the town, sans kids.  We had another delicious meal at Perry's.  They never disappoint.  We stopped in to Barnes and Noble afterwards for a quick look around.  What a date!


 
Monday's park time...

Tuesday's beautiful flowers...

Friday's tasty dinner...

another month closer to three...is she still only two???

32 months.

Still dressing up, almost always in layers.  And every morning, still peeling layer after layer off of her as she has dressed herself in the most exceptional outfits (this week with ballet slippers on every day).

Regularly crawls up here by herself. Now if she could only successfully change her own diapers...  Think we will potty train in serious again over Thanksgiving week.  She certainly should be ready.

She is officially in all size 3T clothing and almost all 3T dresses are too short by now.  What a beautiful little girl!  When she is agreeable about having her picture taken (which is becoming more often--although still sporadic), she even poses so naturally for the camera.

So fiercely independent and yet so affectionate and occasionally full of fears.  She is afraid of thunder.  She also cried wildly one day because I let go of her on the stool, after she had posed so sweetly for the previous few minutes.  She then clung to her Daddy tightly. 

Her best friend is definitely David!  But she loves on Abigail too...

Precious Bizbeth!!!