Grammie's Here

After waiting patiently for what must have seemed like forever (to Arabella), last Saturday, Arabella, Auntie Lori and I picked Grammie up at the airport.  Arabella was so excited and couldn't wait for her to come out to the waiting area from Customs.  I loved seeing her run up to Grammie, it was the sweetest thing ever and I am sure one of the best welcomes that my Mom has ever received!

Special Day At School

The day after Arabella's birthday was her special day at school.  She was so excited to have me join her and to be able to have a cmall party at school with her friends and teachers.  I loved seeing all that she has learned over the past year.  She led the class during circle time and when they counted the days of the month and in some songs.  She had so much fun showing me the butterflies/caterpillars that are hatching, too!  Everyone enjoyed the cupcakes and it was so adorable to hear all the kids sing her "Happy Birthday" in both English and French.  It was a rainy day and she splashed in a few puddles on the way home.  She played with her new lite brite from Uncle Mike before crashing on the couch from all the excitement!
I am so happy that I was able to go to school with her and enjoy her special day.

Silly Girl

Arabella can be silly sometimes...case in point the next 2 photos!

Family Birthday Party

Things have been so busy and crazy around here with school, parties, and family visiting that I am just now getting around to updating the blog!

On Arabella's birthday, we had a pretty low key day.  I made her an owl cake from scratch, that Jay swears took me 3 hours to make, but honestly it was super easy.  Thank you Martha Stewart!  I made 2 chocolate sheet cakes, printed out templates, cut the cake, assembled it and the frosted it with homemade butter cream frosting.

Arabella woke up to balloons outside her bedroom door and then had breakfast with dad to start the day!

We made cupcakes for her special day at school. She loved making them and decorating them. It was too cute that she had her Rapunzel dress on as well as an apron!

The weather was beautiful so we spent a lot of time playing outside and enjoying dinner and cake on the patio!

She loved her cake! It was delicious and then we opened presents. She had so much fun!

I had so much fun celebrating with you Arabella! I hope you enjoyed your 4th Birthday!!

Happy 4th Birthday Little Bean

Happy Birthday Little Bean!  It is so hard for me to believe that 4 years have passed since you decided to enter this world.  It was a rough start for you when you were born 6 weeks early, but you are amazing and looking at you today, you would never know.  You are my little fighter and are so head strong.  I am so lucky to be your Mommy and you teach me something new every day.  You love to learn and will speak French to me at the most random times, it is the cutest thing.  You are so caring, compassionate and loving.  I hope that I make you as proud as you make me.  I love you more than you will ever know. 

My Mother's Day

Thank you Arabella and Jay for a fun Mother's Day!!

It started with toast in bed and the most beautiful cards that I have ever received.  It was nice to be able to relax a bit before getting up, but I couldn't lounge all day long as I had my Spartan Race training (I had to run stairs, do sprints and practice my rope climbing skills for 1 1/4 hours!!)
After returning home, we packed up and made a quick, impromptu trip South of the Border to Plattsburgh, New York.  Jay was planning on going Monday morning to deal with his Nexus appointment and planned a hotel stay for us.  Now Plattsburgh is nothing glamorous but he did get a "A" for all the effort he put into finding a good hotel and yummy restaurant to enjoy our meals at.  Arabella was excited to go to the hotel and loved it even more since it had a pool!  (For some reason, she loves staying in hotels and on Monday morning, she didn't want to check out!)  We had a super yummy dinner at Mangia - I had the best pizza I have had in a very long time.  Arabella and I were supposed to share the Spumoni...but she ate most of it!  When I am in Plattsburgh for my next shopping trip...I just may have lunch at Mangia!



After dinner we walked back to the hotel and Arabella had a blast picking and blowing dandelion wishes!

We then enjoyed some pool time. It was great we had the whole place to ourselves! Arabella loved swimming with her new goggles (they are actually an old pair of mine) and she even was able to practice the swimming skills she is learning in her lessons.

On Monday, we packed up to head home and so that Jay could get to his Nexus appointment. But before that, we explore a bit of "Downtown Plattsburgh". It was a beautiful, sunny day and we walked around and found a park by Lake Champlain. Arabella had fun looking for flowers and throwing rocks in the water. We than had another yummy lunch at Iris' - another fun restaurant that Jay found.

I had a great Mother's Day weekend!  Thank you again for all the fun!  I love you, both, more than you know.

Owl Obsessed

For Christmas 2 years ago, Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill gave Arabella a pair of pj's with owls on them.  She feel in love with them, wore them out and until they were high-waters and ever since then has been owl obsessed.  She loves them and talks about them to anyone who will listen.  And in keep with her owl obsession, she receive a package in the mail from Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff this week...she loves it!  Thank you both!!