Birthday Glam Day with Grandma

Turning five is pretty exciting, so having your first birthday celebrations a few days early is the perfect start to birthday week. Grandma had planned months ago that she was going to take Abby out for a special day around her birthday, so the girls and I loaded up and headed out to spend the day in my hometown.

Our morning started with a stop at Papa's house for brunch. Papa makes the best breakfasts, whether it is chocolate chip pancakes, his signature breakfast sandwiches or anything in between. Papa does breakfast the best. We ate together with Uncle Cory and Papa, while the dogs kept us entertained and laughing. Thanks Papa!
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With our bellies full of pancakes, we headed to Grandma and Casey's house. Within minutes, the girls had Grandma unloading all of her crayons and giving them bags of candy canes from her Christmas tree. Of course, it wouldn't be a visit to Grandma's without some cookies and juice.

That afternoon, we headed out for a some girl time. Grandma took us out for pizza (Abby's favorite), then took Abby to get a Frozen manicure.  

By the time we got to the mall, Ella needed a nap. Sweet girl fell right to sleep in the stroller, while we shopped in a cute accessory shop with Grandma. The birthday glam continued with colored hair extensions, a set of rings and stick on earrings from Grandma.

Abby was feeling fabulous after Grandma helped fancy her up with all of her new accessories. Grandma is pretty cool (actually more cool than mommy is). I mean she did get Abby her first streak of pink hair. She would have even taken Abby to get her ears pierced if Abby had been up for it. Can't you see it in Abby's face and pose? She was feeling lovely (and really grown up...which is Abby's favorite).

Before we headed home for the day, we made our best attempt at getting some good pictures together. Let's be real. We had a mini mall photo shoot right there in between Ruby Tuesday and Old Navy and we loved every minute of it. :)

Thanks to our five year old photog, we got these gems (blurry, but special)!

This one was taken by Ella.

This one was taken by Abby.

Somewhere along the way these girls have become fascinated with the idea of selfies. The way they talk about them, it sounds like I walk around the house all the time taking pictures of myself. I really don't, but we do love pictures around here.

"Ready Mom? We want to take a selfie together!"

We had the best day together! Thanks Grandma!

Doctor Doctor...

Daddy is sick. Dr. Abby and Dr. Ella to the rescue. They even set him up with a cushy hospital bed and called for an ambulance. Best care in town.

Snapshots and Quotables

Abby is totally into Legos. She sits and follow the directions with very little help from us. It's been a lot of fun to watch her interest in building and creating grow in a new way.
 

Some winter days you just need to paint your toes ALL BY YOURSELF...

Abby and Ella aren't the only ballerinas in our house, even Oliver stands in first position.

In the middle of life's messiness lately, I've needed lots of help staying focused on what's true. One afternoon, the girls and I brainstormed together and filled our whole kitchen chalkboard with truth about who God is. I loved the moment. Ella was quick to tell us that God is Jesus and love. Abby's heart was overflowing with attributes and names of God. She couldn't spit them out fast enough. She may have filled up more of the board than me! :)  It was beautiful and encouraging to my weary heart. I can see so many glimpses of how the Lord is teaching their little hearts through us and others.

All that sass and personality! She's taking me right back to the 90's. Clarissa Explains It All minus the combat boots, anyone?

There are few things I love more than a freshly bathed baby in clean jammies and slicked back hair.

I'm not sure why, but this picture feels like a glimpse into my future with two teenage girls.

Look at this girl change from two to five.

Best friends playing princess barbies.

There is no such thing as easing into the morning when you open your eyes to these little faces right in front of you. Good morning, Mommy!

One night, they just went to sleep together like this.

The girls were so excited about the package that arrived from Nagymama. They couldn't wait to put their new needlepoint pillowcases on their beds.

After a morning of physicals (complete with shots), we decided a girls' lunch date was in order as a special reward for their bravery.

The girls were playing together downstairs together when Abby came up for a minute to talk.

A: Mommy, Ella pointed to a picture of Nagypapa and asked me who he was. I told her he was your grandpa and Nagymama's husband, but now she is really sad. 

M: Why is she sad?

A: She is holding his picture and saying she wants him to be her Nagypapa. 

M: He is her Nagypapa too. He just isn't alive and here with us anymore.

A: I know Mom. I tried to tell her that, but she said she wants her own Nagypapa and she wants to draw a picture of him for her room. So, she did.

(footsteps and Ella appears) 

E: Mommy, this is Nagypapa. He is mine. I'm putting him on my wall. I love him. 

Sometimes a winter afternoon at the library looks like this...

Sunday afternoon: She didn't ask me for a treat. She asked me if we could go to Starbucks and sit together for a while. I'm thankful that God helped me stop what I was doing, hear her heart and not miss the moment.

 

rough life

Happy New Year 2015

At the end of 2014, a photographer took a bunch of family photos for us. They are beautiful and we are totally in love with the photos she captured.

Daddy and his girls

where it all began

Abby

Ella

Prepare yourself for some serious sister love. Guys, this melts my heart.

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On New Year's Day, we took a family trip to the movies to see Annie. Doesn't a New Year's Day trip to the movies sound like a fun family tradition? I hope it sticks! We all really enjoyed Annie. The girls each packed their puppy purses with their wallets and had $5 to pick a movie theater treat. Popcorn in their laps (minus the popcorn they spilled all over the floor) and they sat through the whole movie enjoyably. Our girls are so grown up!

The girls have been asking lots of questions about what it means to have a "hard knock life" and singing "Tomorrow" at the top of their lungs. Abby has concluded she is thankful that she does not have a hard knock life and both girls are really thankful that Annie found parents to love her. I'm sure Ella's sensitive heart needed that happy ending or she would have left the movie in tears. Instead, the girls have been happily dancing around to the Annie soundtrack every day since and telling everyone about the happy ending!