Wordless Wednesday

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we made our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It was so nice to get out there on one of the few days that actually felt like fall. The kids had a blast and I loved watching Dylan taking it all in! He definitely loved his first trip :)

Wordless Wednesday

Pre-K

My baby big girl started Pre-K two weeks ago. She's been going to the same preschool since she was two, however this year is a whole new ball game. There's only one other girl in her class from the group that she's been with the last two years so she's getting used to that. Luckily it's her very good friend, Maleah so she was extremely excited when she found that out. She's already brought home one workbook they've completed and couldn't wait to show me the work she's done. I am so proud of her! I really had to fight back tears when she was showing me each page! She's doing really well and picking up on so much just in the two short weeks. Her latest accomplishment is learning to write her name with upper and lowercase letters. I can't wait to see what else she learns this year!

Here's my little shining star on her first day of school.

Our morning ritual. I sign her in while she says good morning to bugs. This is a MUST!

Ready to go into Mrs. Heim's class.

So excited to take her new backpack with wheels!

Gracie's Pinkalicious Princess Party

OK, OK, so I know I'm WAY behind here since this party was just about a month ago, but most of you already saw all the pics my my put up on her Facebook anyway.

Gracie's 4th birthday was all about everything pink, sweet and princess like! We had the best time at her party with her cousins and best girls. It was really nice to have an intimate little (yet over the top) party and have her enjoy her time with all the girls. We did everything from painting nails and putting on glitter to decorating frames and enjoying all the yummy treats. I have to admit that I was pretty darn proud of how everything came out. I certainly did work my booty off preparing for this and making sure it all was extra special!

The sweets table
Personalized crown cookies

The set up

Me and my Birthday Princess

The "Girls". Sasha, Gracie, Caitin, Brianna, Maleah and Emily.

These beautiful wands were made by Gracie's Great Auntie Mary. They were certainly a HIT!

Singing Happy Birthday

The adorable personalized bow holders Auntie Monica made for all the girls.

Cousins

My Mom and I

Grandma Cindy, Auntie Monica and Baby Princess, Emma

Auntie Lo and Gracie

A matching BFF Bracelet that Emily gave to Gracie.

The "End"

Thank you to Gracie's Auntie Mary and Auntie Monica for making such wonderful goodies for the girls. It truly helped make the party "extra" special! Also, thank you, Mom, for being my right hand and watching the little guy while I was a busy Fairy Godmother making this all happen!

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback Friday

7/31/05 - Gracie's first day home. This is where she gets her love of music from.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Four years ago today my life changed forever. I welcomed you into my world with open arms and an open heart. What I didn't know before that day was how incomplete my life was without you. After 20 long grueling hours of labor I wanted nothing more than to meet you. I was excited, nervous, even scared but the minute I heard that first cry I was so overwhelmed with joy that all the nerves went away. For nine months I wondered what you would look like, what you would sound like and as soon as I layed eyes on you I couldn't have pictured you anyway else. You had the most beautiful lips and your Mommy's chin. You fit perfectly in my arms and I knew at that exact moment that you'd forever be your Mommy's little girl.

Now, fours years later you've grown into a beautiful girl. You're funny, crazy, sassy, smart and so darn cute. You look so much like your Daddy, but have so much of my personality. You definintely give your Daddy and I a run for our money. You know what you want and aren't happy until you get it! I must say that as much as your temper gets me going, I also love that you have such a strong will. I hope that I do my job as your Mom in directing you how to use that will in the most positive way.

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My Gracie lu, you're my little BFF, my sidekick. I love nothing more than to hang out with you. You have no idea how much my heart mealts each and every time you stop to tell me you love me. Or how I'll drop everything when you want to cuddle. I love that you've become an awesome big sister. You take such care of your little brother and I've seen a whole new part of you. I treasure the little things about you and hold on to each and every one of them becuase these years seem to by flying by. I pray so much that as you grow we'll continue to be so very close and keep the bond that we have today because when you're 10, 15, 25, and 40 you'll still always and forever be your Mommy's little girl!

Your Birth Day!

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

And here's some pictures that I think help sum up your four years.

Happy 4th Birthday Lu Lu!!

Let's go Dodgers!

We all went to the Dodger game last Thursday for Manny's big return. Thanks to my Dad for hooking us up with the sweet VIP tickets. This was the first game they'd been to so I wasn't sure what to expect but to my surpise that were both awesome! Of course Dylan had to flirt with the ladies behind us but that just mean that his big sis got hooked up with popcorn for the evening.

Here's Dylan after the exhaustion of waiting for Manny to do something big. After the third strike out, he just couldn't take it anymore!

Emliy's Birthday Party

I know, I know, I've been so terrible in keeping up to date, but I've actually been falling asleep around 10:30 which is usually my blogging time. Anyhow, two weeks ago was Gracie's BFF, Emily's birthday. It was at the Chino Kids Museum and the kids had so much fun. I would've never thought about having a party there but it was PERFECT! Tracy rented it out just for the party so the kids got to run around the whole place and us parents didn't have to worry about other people being in there. It was actually nice to be able to relax. Gracie had the time of her life and her and Emily were inseperable, as usual!

This is Gracie, Ryan and Emily. Ryan used to live down the street from us and the three kids were total pals. We haven't seen him in a while and couldn't believe that he's now a whole head taller than the girls. He's only 7 months older than Emily.

Little Dyl having a blast.

It took Nathan a while to warm up around all the kids, but once he did he had so much fun.

The Campos Family.

Best Friends!! Look at the post below to see the two of them just a year ago.

Flashback Friday

With it being unbelievably hot this week and it being Emily's birthday, I'm posting of picture of Gracie and Emily at Disneyland last year. We celebrated Emily's birthday at the Happiest and Hottest place on earth. I think it was about 105 degrees that day. Don't think it stopped them from having a blast though!

Yipee Ki Yay Mini Sirloin Burgers

So you add that dumb Jack in the Box commercial plus my co-worker's obsession with it plus Bakerella's recent post and you get me making these adorable little sweet treats for my co-worker's baby shower tomorrow. I mean, yeah we could've gotten a typical cake for desert but that would be well...typical! I thought it would be fun to try these out and I must say, they are AWESOME!

So here you are, mini serloin burgers that are actually cupcakes, brownies and colored frosting :) Sorry, but no mini cows or "little people" to accompany these!

I couldn't have done this without help, you know! Here's my right hand pastry chef in action.

And here she is testing it out to make sure it's JUST RIGHT!