Happy Birthday Elsie!

Today marks Elsie's 4th birthday! When she woke up today she looked at me with a big grin and said "Mom, don't I look so much bigger now that I'm 4?!" And yes, she did look bigger! Elsie is thrilled to be 4, which in her world means getting a big girl bike (with training wheels) starting preschool in a few weeks, and taking a dance class! Our 4-year-old (I have to keep saying it to believe it) loves to tell jokes. Meaning she has the tone/delivery down but not the content. Example: Mom, why does a bat eat a cone? ha, ha, ha. The punchline is still being developed. She still loves books and has a fantastic imagination. Today she was teaching a balloon how to walk. I've enjoyed every year we've had with Elsie and am looking forward to seeing what this one brings!

Take a walk down the past 4 years with me...

Here she is making sure we are all aware that she is 4 years old.

3-year-old E.
2-year-old Elsie a.k.a. the cutest girl at an all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast.

1-year-old Elsie

Day 1 Elsie

2 + 4 = A Birthday Party

Elsie and Margot invited their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins over for a birthday party to celebrate their 4th and 2nd birthdays. I have to admit that it's nice to have one day of chaos to celebrate two birthdays, I'm not sure the girls will always agree, but it's worked great so far!

Highlights from the party included the kids going down the slip and slide (sorry no pics of this, it was toward the end of the party and I gave up on taking pictures and was instead having an adult beverage), water balloons that my dad patiently filled up, pin the tail on the donkey, and a fishing game. Also, not to brag but my potato salad was a big hit and I made some pretty cool cupcakes. Elsie loved opening her gifts. Princess pajamas, princess dress up clothes and princess toys were a few of her favorite gifts, are you sensing a theme here? These crazy princess ladies are unavoidable!
Cake face.

Margot enjoying every bite!

Can you sense their fear of fire?! Relax girls, this is supposed to be fun.

Um, don't worry Elsie you don't have to eat all the food on the table. Classic Margot face when the camera is out.

So close Margot! Folks, she didn't even have the blindfold on and went straight for the eyes with the donkey's tail. This girl may need some extra attention at school.

Had to include my dr. seuss inspired cupcakes. The top cupcakes are supposed to remind you of thing 1 and thing 2, the marshmallow things are the cat's hat and you can figure out the fish cupcakes in the middle, right?

2 in August

Happy Birthday to Margot Belle. She has spent the past few weeks telling whomever will listen she will be 2 in August. Finally, the special day has arrived! Margot's day started with a doughnut with two birthday candles and ended with a Diego video...life doesn't get much better. In between, she had lots of other treats, played at a water/splash park, played at another park and opened a few presents. Here are a few things to note about this special lady:

• She is super funny and has great dance moves, but when you think about who her mother is this isn't a big surprise.


• She adores her older sister and spends most of her day saying/doing everything Elsie does.


• She LOVES the water and is fearless when it comes to jumping, splashing and playing in the water.

And for your viewing pleasure, a reverse-order Margot photo timeline...

2 year old Margot
1 year old Margot

Day 1 Margot