Abby's b-day

I just uploaded 121 pictures to my computer so I have some blogging to do! :)

We'll start at Abby's birthday. She has been SO excited to turn 4. It probably has not helped that I keep saying she's 3 (how can she be 4?!), but she is quick to remind me. She had a great birthday. It started off with her getting to choose ANYTHING that she wanted for breakfast. She chose...rice crispies - much to Ashley's dismay who was excited to partake in this part of her birthday. But oh well. I decided to give her a second chance and offered to take her to PANERA on the way home from dropping Ashley off. She declined. Seriously?! So that was shot for me as well. Anyway, we came home and got ready for her "party". She had a few of her friends over for lunch. We tried to make it low key. For the most part it was. It actually turned out to be a complete repeat of last year with pizzas, cupcakes and the pinata. I would say it was a coincidence, but really my brain just has one creative idea per event. This could be a birthday theme.

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Abby decorating cupcakes. Yes, it was a mess.

The birthday table:

Me with the birthday girl :)

THEN, my sister and Ian drove down from Seattle for the weekend. It was one of those things that just kind of fell into place and it worked out great! They met us at Red Robin for dinner (another birthday tradition) and the girls were thrilled.

The happy little family: (Andy and I were there too. I promise.) :)

Red must have had the night off, but she still got her ice cream sundae. And yes, the looks on everyones face is accurate with exactly what they are thinking:

"Gee - I wish it was my birthday"

"That'th the biggeth ithe kweam thundae I've ever theen."

"There is no way in h-e-double hockey sticks you are eating all of that"

Then we came back to the house for more cake :) presents and other kid birthday fun. Andy picked out this USA puzzle for Abby which she loved.

Ian was very patient and did it with her about 47 times while we were "getting ready" for cake. He started to realize how slow we roll around here.

This must be some sort of practice Ian does to calm himself. Not sure, but it seemed to work. And yes, the balloons were on his head.

We had a lazy day on Saturday. (lazy for us that is. Not sure that Alli and Ian would describe it as such with having 3 kids around and they were doing most of the entertaining)

Alli teaching Charlie fish lips.

Ian introducing Abby to the world of mobile apps.

Four hours later:

We even got some coveted adult time after the kids went to bed - and what did we do? Watched "Up"! Our brains were in kid mode. It was an amazing weekend. I'm calling for a repeat!! (we are in birthday season, so that might just come true)