Alyssa turns 3!

Alyssa had a minnie mouse themed birthday. She kept changing her mind between Minnie, Tinker Bell, and Dora. So, off to Walmart we went to get decor, so the decision was made...Minnie! I usually make the kids birthday cakes, but haven't done themed ones for the boys in a long time so I googled minne cake images and came across something similar to this. I was very happy with the way it turned out. Minnie's head is rice crispy treat shaped into balls and covered in dark chocolate. The white dots on the cake (minnie dress) are mini marshmellows cut in half. It turned out very yummy!
The moonwalk was a huge hit, as always. The kids loved it. Alyssa is big enough to get in it by herself now, so she kept herself busy playing in the backyard between the moonwalk, trampoline, and swingset. She had such a fun day.

Happy Birthday sweetie!

Easter

The kids always love Easter festivities. They get to munch on candy all day from start with Easter baskets at their bedside to end being stuffed with lots of great food at MeMe's. They had fun with their egg hunts and lots of goodies. I have to take my quick shot at a group photo before loading up the car since I know I probably won't get the opportunity again. After all that sugar/candy, they don't sit still very well. ha!

Ladies Night Out

Who knew I could actually move a paint brush to create something that looks halfway decent...or so that I could at least hang it in my house!

I had an evening out with some girl friends to an event called 'Corks n Canvas'. We had our wine and paint brushes ready to go. It was quite fun! Everyone's masterpiece turned out so unique. Mine will go in our bedroom. Even Rick liked it!

Beach, here we come!

Rick, Alyssa, & I headed to the one of the closest beaches, Hilton Head SC, to Atlanta for a long weekend.

Daddy helping Alyssa building sand castles, only for her to stomp through them shortly after.

She absolutely loved running around the beach. Every morning after waking, she wanted to put on her swim suit to go to the water.

They're were lots of very large yacht's in the marina.

I've officially hit the mid-thirties

Rick made my birthday cake and even decorated it! Yummy chocolate!

All the kids made me birthday cards, even Alyssa. She likes to draw her hand on cards as her stamp. Family members get the same imprint in their special occasion cards.

Alyssa figured a way to grab the sprinklers to spray it right in her mouth. At least she stayed hydrated in the heat!

Our get together with friends fell on the same day as my birthday. What a great way to celebrate the big 35. All the lil girls hanging in the pool. They had a blast and looked so cute.

Big girl bed

Alyssa has officially moved to her big girl bed! Now we have the nightly back and forth routine to get her to say in bed. Fortunately, once she finally settles in, she's there for the night. She loves her new bed!

Now, I just have to take down the crib. :(

Memorial Weekend Camping Trip

We went up to Lake Harwell in SC for the long holiday weekend. We had fun when we could...it rained every day we were there! We spent the last day huddled in the tent waiting for the rain to lighten up and dash items to pack in the car. Of course, as soon as we're all packed up and have to check out..the sun comes out!

It has rained everytime we have camped. I think I will have to change our plans if rain is in the forecast the next camping trip.

The kids still had a blast. They could either get wet from the lake or just stand around and let it fall on them.

Snuggled in the tent playing games was a great pasttime when the boys couldn't get in the lake.

Rick handled the grill pretty well...we only lost 2 burgers to the pit. ha!

Bright chalk still works on wet cement.

Alyssa kept herself entertained in the blow up pool most of the time. She loved it!