Happy Birthday Abi!

A few things that remind me of my smart, creative and inquisitive little girl as she turns 6:
* Abi continues to have a great love of music.  She falls asleep every night with her headphones on, listening to her iPod.  Her current favorite albums are The Lorax and Muppets soundtracks.
* Abi hates having shoes and socks on.  These are the first items removed and thrown on the floor the moment she walks in the house.
* Quite the girlie-girl - LOVES wearing dresses, skirts and jewelry. If she can't wear a skirt or dress to school, she immediately heads for her closet to change clothes after school (usually into something sleeveless!)
* Abi is a great big sister.  She is motherly, patient and loving and B loves the extra attention.  She can be bossy at times but I appreciate her playing the role of 'Entertainment Director' to a non-stop, busy 3 year old.
* Loves to help out around the house, especially in the kitchen.
* One of Abi's favorite things to do is listen and learn from her Dad as he fills her head with random facts and figures about anything and everything.  According to Abi, Dad is "all knowing" in our family. When I'm struggling to fix or figure out something at home during the day, I usually hear a little voice behind me say "You better call Dad".
* Abi is uncomfortable around anything medically related.  She is still deathly afraid of needles, even if she is not the one getting the shot.
* She definitely inherited Mom's sweet tooth!  Chocolate is still the number one choice.
 
Our birthday girl's day in pictures:

Someone is still not awake...even after a morning shower!

Ready to head off to school

And back home after a fun day!

Lunch Time

As a special treat, we got the Muppets Movie (or "Muffets" as B calls it) and the kids and I watched an afternoon matinee.

Arts & Crafts - one of Abi's favorite things!

Then we headed to Red Robin for dinner and dessert...

Strawberry Lemonade - another special treat which Abi finished in just minutes!

This was Abi's expression the entire time that the Red Robin staff sang to her.

Finally a smile! :)

Presents!!!

Showing off her new boots - thanks Aunt Peg!

One very excited girl!

She got a Nintendo DS - a gift that she has literally been asking for on a regular basis for over two years.

Happy Birthday Abi!

Abi's Birthday Party!

Abi had a very busy couple of days - the day after she finished her play, we celebrated her 6th birthday party with a gymnastics party. This year the theme of the party was purple unicorns (which Abi was VERY specific about).  All the kids had a great time jumping, sliding and running around the gym.  Abi's favorite part was her purple chocolate cupcakes and getting to open presents!

Getting a rundown of the rules

After an hour of gymnastics, it was time for a snack and cupcakes...

It's tough to blow out 6 candles!

Presents!!!

The Birthday Girl with her friends

Charlotte & Wilbur

After many hours of rehearsals, the big day(s) arrived and it was finally showtime!  With 145 students in the show, ranging from Kindergarten to 6th grade, I was amazed at how well it all came together - much congratulations to Abi's great Drama teacher, who obviously has the patience of a Saint!

Abi had a small non-speaking role as a Bubble Girl in the play. She learned a choreographed dance which she performed with a group of girls and they did great. She was one of the only Kindergarteners in the play but through the process, she met some new friends and seemed to really enjoy the whole experience.  I am so proud of her for having the courage to not only perform on stage in front of the whole school (not to mention a packed auditorium on opening night!), but also for auditioning and trying new things which I know pushed her out of her comfort zone. She handled it all wonderfully!

Applying her stage make-up before the show

I had lots of practice since she had 3 shows on Thursday and 1 on Friday!

Ready to go!!!

All of the kids had bios hanging in the school hallway

The Charlotte & Wilbur Program

The chaos in the hall, as the kids line up before the start of the show

Abi's Dance Number
(She is the one in the pink and white striped shirt)

Brady trying to catch a peek of the show

Patiently waiting for the play to finish before she takes her final trip on stage.

Abi's curtain call...

I love the fact that she is blowing kisses to the audience! :)

Celebrating with the other Bubble Girls as she finishes her last performance.

Thanks to everyone who attended and made her first play performance a memorable one!  

Stay tuned for the latest updates on our little actress  - she just signed up for the Spring play at her school.  This one does not require an audition and is only open to Kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders.  She has not been assigned a role yet but the name is the play is "Candyland" and was written by students at her school.  Should be fun!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Brady!

A few things about Brady as he turns 3 years old:
* He can make any plate of food resemble a construction site
* His favorite activity is to cuddle under a blanket while reading a book although he must have his pillow pet, giraffe lovie & blanket in place before we can begin.
* Brady can be bossy at times.
* Loves his big sister! He desperately wants to share all of his "news" with her.  He only refers to her as "Sissy".
* Enjoys puzzles
* A bit slow on the potty training front...Mom is more than ready for Brady to move into this next phase of his life!
* Brady can have a bit of a temper at times when he gets frustrated or mad.
* Loves taking warm (actually, hot) showers and baths and "shaving" his beard and mustache is a must!
* Brady is very picky about his wardrobe and regardless of the weather, he insists on wearing short sleeves every day.
* Brady has an infectious laugh that can makes our whole family crack up.

And here is our birthday boy's day in pictures:

Waking Up

I think it may be time for Brady to get a "big boy bed" :)

Helping out by getting Sadie her morning cookie

Time to pick up Sissy from school...

A playdate with his best buddy, Chase

Someone is not fond of the idea of taking a nap today...

...but he finally surrenders.

An afternoon snack

And some arts and crafts before dinner at Red Robin.

He's all smiles until he realizes that all those people are coming to our table :)

He wasn't sure of what to make of all the singing...

but he LOVED the ice cream sundae 

(unfortunately his table manners have not gotten any better with age!)

Present Time!!

"Thanks Sissy!"

Giving some kisses to Woody and Buzz

And just one last bedtime story before lights out!

Happy 3rd Birthday My Sweet Boy!