Abbie crawled into bed with Jeremy and I on April 17th at about 630. She laid quietly and waited until 700 am when I heard her say to Jeremy that she wanted to get out on his side of the bed so that she wouldn't wake me up. She told Jeremy that she was going to make me breakfast.
As I lay awake listening to the sounds of the kitchen I whispered to Jeremy, "What do you think she's making??" In she walked with a plum on a plate.
Abbie: I made you breakfast in bed Mom.
Me: Honey, thank you.
Abbie: I even washed it and took the sticker off myself.
She set down the plate and walked away.
Me: Where are you going Abbie?
Abbie: I made one for me too! (that's my girl...always remember food for yourself)
She looks at Jeremy knowing that he didn't get a plum in bed.
Abbie: Dad, you can't swallow so I didn't worry about you.
(Jeremy was still struggling after his neck surgery to eat some things so Abbie decided plums were one of the things we couldn't/shouldn't eat I guess.)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Abbie's Friend Birthday
Abbie chose a My Little Pony theme for her friend birthday. She also chose, for the second year in a row, to have a big bouncy house as the main attraction at her party. This year I attempted to be one of those creative moms and tried to come up with cutesy games to keep the kids busy during the entire party, apparently I felt the jumpy house wasn't enough. Abbie wanted to invite the kids in her pre-school class, so we invited all 7 kids plus Abbie's close friends of Taylee, Jenna, Norah, and Claire. This was a huge jump from the 4 total kids I entertained last year! So I ended up with 10 kids total...10 five-year-olds!! I know that lots of amazing moms throw this type of party all of the time, but that is not me. I was very worried as to how the whole thing may turn out especially since the weather in April isn't always really nice so having an outdoor party and I haven't mentioned that the morning of Abbie's party I was bringing Jeremy home from the hospital after a neck surgery. So I recruited a lot of help to make sure this party went smoothly....thankfully I have wonderful friends and family who were willing to help out.
Here is the bouncy castle with a slide that started the party off.
Here is the bouncy castle with a slide that started the party off.
After the kids bounced awhile I brought them in and they colored a My Little Pony picture that I had glued to the outside of the goodie bags.
In order to fill the goodie bags we played some games where everyone was a winner. We threw balls through a hula hoop, we played pin-the-tail on the My Little Pony, and we even had some pony races.
Rylee even played the part of a My Little Pony with her ears and mane.
The very last fun event I had planned (other than cake which is always my favorite) was a pinata. I bought a pull one, but I wouldn't advise that. Each kid pulled on their string and.....nothing happened! We had to break into the pinata and fish the candy out to fall on the ground. The kids enjoyed the candy so all was well, but I definitely made a mental note of it for the future.
The perfect end to the party was a My Little Pony cake.
After the kids had gone home the girls and I spent our own time playing in the bouncy house. This was my favorite part. I love to be a kid with them and bounce and laugh and watch them light up while they are having fun.
I may not be a super creative mom but I think Abbie had fun at her My Little Pony Birthday...and to me that is all that matters!!
I may not be a super creative mom but I think Abbie had fun at her My Little Pony Birthday...and to me that is all that matters!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sears Photos
As usual we made the every 6 month appointment at Sears for Abbie's 5 year old pictures and Rylee's 18 month old pictures. 
Abbie's Birthday
Abbie's Golden Birthday began with an Easter Egg Hunt when she woke up, followed by pictures at Sears, lunch at McDonald's, and then dinner at the Amigo. All Abbie's choice of course
(OK not pictures at Sears). This year was fun because even though Abbie's birthday fell on a Monday, I was off for Spring Break so it was fun to get to spend the whole day with her.
(OK not pictures at Sears). This year was fun because even though Abbie's birthday fell on a Monday, I was off for Spring Break so it was fun to get to spend the whole day with her.
Abbie is getting more and more girly (I've stopped trying to prevent it or convince her her favorite color is blue or green or yellow, not pink. Instead I've embraced it and decided to just go ahead and buy the dresses and allow her several minutes to try them on to make sure they are twirling dresses.)
Jeremy and I bought Abbie a big girl bike this year for her birthday. Really big. She had outgrown her Dora bike and so rather than buy the next size up we opted for 2 sizes up. It seemed like she would quickly outgrow the next size but now that I see her on the new bike I hope she is big enough to ride it.
Rylee liked the big girl bike too.
I also gave in to the My Little Pony toy where she can do Pinkie Pie's hair. I had told myself, and Jeremy, that it was clothes and the bike this year and that was it...What can I say? I'm weak!
Abbie chose Tinkerbell as her theme for her "family party." Taco Treat and Tinkerbell...doesn't get better than that!!
Make a wish!!
Finally, a family photo. Considering how much I like to take pictures you would think I could get more pictures of the four of us together but that never happens. Next time maybe Jeremy and I will dress up for the photo op.
Where is the last 5 Years?
April 5, 2010
Dear Abbie,
This year you have impressed me more than you will ever know. We have shown us what a great, gentle, and patient big sister you can be. The more independent and strong willed Rylee has become this year, you adjusted by having more patience and kindness. At times I have even told you that you are going to have to be more forceful and stand up for yourself more to Rylee. If Rylee wants a toy that you have, you would say once, "No Rylee this is my toy" but as Rylee started to throw more of a fit you would give in and give whatever you had to her. You would always have something to trade her if you wanted to get your toy back, there was never just ripping something out of her hands. When we would go shopping you would always pick something out for Rylee too. Thank you for being so kind and considerate Abbie.
Your year at Holy Spirit showed us again how kind you are. Daddy would tell me that everyday as he picked you up you would say good-bye to everyone, even though they didn't say good-bye first or reply when you said it. I hope that means you will continue to treat others as you want to be treated rather than how sometimes you will be treated. I am not sure you were challenged much academically at pre-school but you did learn to write your numbers to 20. Your teacher told us you played with everyone and got along well with others. Her only things she told us to work on were numbers 11 to 20 and that when someone didn't know the answer you wanted to help them by telling them the answer so they wouldn't struggle. You are such a tenderheart!
This year you continued dance and soccer and started German. By the end of the second session in the spring you were able to speak a few sentences to Oma and certainly knew several words and colors. We also changed swimming lessons from Great Falls High to the Peak, and what a difference. You've made a lot of progress already and I plan to continue into the summer.
You chose McDonalds, Applebee's, and Taco Treat as your favorite restaurants right now and the only food you really dislike is still mushrooms. Everything else you are at least willing to try. You make me laugh with pork and some steak...you say it takes too long to chew. You mean it's dry but you choose a nice way to say it.
We got you a puppy in February and you've shown us a lot of responsibility as you have taken care of it. Some mornings I hear you get up and let Sissy out before you even come into the bedroom to tell me your awake.
My favorite time with you is Monday nights when we have time together just the two of us. I love to hear about your day and what else is new with you. I also love our time at night as we cuddle before bedtime. I don't want you to grow up, yet each stage that you go through I love that more than the last.
I can hardly wait to see what the next year has in store as you start school and begin a new milestone in your life. I love you Abbie with all my heart.
Love,
Mom
Dear Abbie,
This year you have impressed me more than you will ever know. We have shown us what a great, gentle, and patient big sister you can be. The more independent and strong willed Rylee has become this year, you adjusted by having more patience and kindness. At times I have even told you that you are going to have to be more forceful and stand up for yourself more to Rylee. If Rylee wants a toy that you have, you would say once, "No Rylee this is my toy" but as Rylee started to throw more of a fit you would give in and give whatever you had to her. You would always have something to trade her if you wanted to get your toy back, there was never just ripping something out of her hands. When we would go shopping you would always pick something out for Rylee too. Thank you for being so kind and considerate Abbie.
Your year at Holy Spirit showed us again how kind you are. Daddy would tell me that everyday as he picked you up you would say good-bye to everyone, even though they didn't say good-bye first or reply when you said it. I hope that means you will continue to treat others as you want to be treated rather than how sometimes you will be treated. I am not sure you were challenged much academically at pre-school but you did learn to write your numbers to 20. Your teacher told us you played with everyone and got along well with others. Her only things she told us to work on were numbers 11 to 20 and that when someone didn't know the answer you wanted to help them by telling them the answer so they wouldn't struggle. You are such a tenderheart!
This year you continued dance and soccer and started German. By the end of the second session in the spring you were able to speak a few sentences to Oma and certainly knew several words and colors. We also changed swimming lessons from Great Falls High to the Peak, and what a difference. You've made a lot of progress already and I plan to continue into the summer.
You chose McDonalds, Applebee's, and Taco Treat as your favorite restaurants right now and the only food you really dislike is still mushrooms. Everything else you are at least willing to try. You make me laugh with pork and some steak...you say it takes too long to chew. You mean it's dry but you choose a nice way to say it.
We got you a puppy in February and you've shown us a lot of responsibility as you have taken care of it. Some mornings I hear you get up and let Sissy out before you even come into the bedroom to tell me your awake.
My favorite time with you is Monday nights when we have time together just the two of us. I love to hear about your day and what else is new with you. I also love our time at night as we cuddle before bedtime. I don't want you to grow up, yet each stage that you go through I love that more than the last.
I can hardly wait to see what the next year has in store as you start school and begin a new milestone in your life. I love you Abbie with all my heart.
Love,
Mom
Easter
Easter fell on April 4th this year so a busy weekend of birthdays and Easter egg hunts. Easter itself began with awakening to see what the Easter bunny left, followed by church, and then dinner at the Miltons.
This year the Easter Bunny hid baskets. I guess he decided that the girls were getting to big to just leave them sitting out so now they were going to have to work a bit to see what he has brought. This year he brought Abbie some flip flops, books, a Care Bear movie, and some clothes.
The Easter Bunny brought Rylee some clothes and a my little pony. Rylee has decided she's not a big fan of pictures but I snapped one anyway even with a tear.
Ah, all pretty and dressed up and ready for church.
Ah, all pretty and dressed up and ready for church.
Tante Lilli was a good helper for Rylee while I took pictures and videoed. Rylee was still confused about the whole process of searching for eggs. When she found the first egg she wanted to see what was in that one and eat it rather than look for a whole bunch and then open up to see her goodies. If it wasn't for Tante Lilli the other three kids would have snatched all the eggs and Rylee would have just gotten one.
Rylee, put that egg down and look for another!
Ah, big sister is willing to stop the search and help her little sister too!!
I love these two so much!
EASTER.....TAKE TWO!!!
As usual, I have a habit of overdoing things. I thought that after we hunted eggs at Greg and Tracy's the girls would still want to come home and hunt for more eggs. It never occurs to me, year after year, that they may be exhausted when they get home and reach a point of not even caring about more candy or treats. Thankfully, the Easter Bunny was understanding and agreed to hide the eggs as a special treat for Abbie on her birthday. So we got up on her birthday and went out to hunt eggs again. This time Rylee understood more what the process was all about and started to collect her own eggs.
What's with the scowl birthday girl??
Circus
The annual circus tradition this year didn't work out as planned. Our circus tradition is usually to go with Grandma Nate, Lilli, John, Haley, and the Woods family. This year it was so busy that we couldn't work out schedules to all get to go at the same time. We were trying to get ready for Abbie's birthday, Easter, plus plan around work schedules so the ONLY time that the whole Virts family could attend the circus as a family was Saturday, April 2nd at the 7 pm show. Jeremy and I consider ourselves to be fairly intelligent parents so we knew taking a 16 month old to the evening circus could be a disaster, but we decided to take our chances anyway. Abbie loves the circus and always starts asking when it's coming right after Christmas so to try to skip it for a year wouldn't fly. We arrived early, as usual, so Abbie could ride the animals.
The annual elephant ride
Abbie still loves to ride the ponies.
What toy did Abbie talk us into this year...a light-up saber. Woo Hoo! We made it to almost the end...we walked out during the motorcycles in the sphere (those of you who attend the annual Shrine circus know that it doesn't change from year to year). How did we make it so that late with a 16 month old? We bribed her with food...fries, nachos, ice cream!! Yum Yum!
Easter Egg Dying
The girls and I did our Easter egg dying this year on April Fools Day! I love to dye Easter eggs and so does Abbie. Rylee got in and attempted to dump and drink the dye so she was quite a helper. Abbie and I love to make the two tone ones the best.
Our finished product, minus a few that we had to try to make sure they were OK!
Nursery Rhyme
Abbie's last big hurrah at Holy Spirit was memorizing and reciting a nursery rhyme on March 29, 2010. She came home with a sheet of paper saying "Mary Had a Little Lamb." So when Abbie and I sat down and began to talk about what she wanted to wear and begin to practice Abbie told me, "Mrs. Brown said I could do as many verses as I want to." What? How many verses were there to Mary Had a Little Lamb? Apparently more than Mary having a lamb and it going everywhere that Mary went.
Turns out there are MANY verses and so Abbie and I decided to do four and stopped with making the kids at laugh to see a lamb at school. It also worked out perfectly that Abbie was Little Bo Peep for Halloween and Rylee was her lost sheep so Abbie wore the costume as Mary and even wanted to take Rylee as her lamb. I felt Rylee might be a distraction during the reciting since she is the type of lamb that truly would try to make the kids laugh and play and Abbie would lose her 4 verses of fame. I convinced Abbie to dress up a doll in the lamb costume instead and she thought that was a good idea.
Abbie was the first one to present her nursery rhyme and so she was a little timid and hard to hear but recited all 4 verses perfectly. I recorded it on the video camera that I can't transfer to the computer but I do have it to show to the future husband in 30 years!
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