It’s been a couple of weeks since Veronica’s birthday party, and I am just getting around to sharing her cake. Yikes!
On her actual birthday, she had asked for little cakes, “like from Brave.”
But for her party, we needed something a bit bigger.
Continuing with the ubiquitous Star Wars theme, I used all my skill with the Force to fulfill her request.
Meet Princess Leia!
Veronica decided that, since she is a Princess, she needed a crown. Of blueberries.
And fire.
I think Veronica was pleased.
Five years ago today I was looking at this sweet face.
Now I’m looking at this sweet face. No, not the green one.
True to tradition, Daddy made pancakes for breakfast in bed.
Then Veronica got to pick dinner. She chose Pizza Hut. I thought about trying to talk her into something different, but she has been wanting to try “Pizza Hunt” for a long time.
Also by request, cakes “like from Brave.”
And, of course, the candle must be licked.
Five! So big. When did that happen?
Loving daughter.
Bestest big sister.
A reason to celebrate!
Just hoping I don’t turn into a bear.
It’s my brother’s birthday today! Or yesterday. Since it will be Saturday by the time I’m done writing this. To celebrate, a crowd of us went to the Sugar Bowl.
I think Ari was in heaven.
Look at that face! And those eyes! Love.
Why yes, I did enjoy my ice cream. Or rather, my mom’s ice cream. Which makes it mine.
Omi got some Moira time.
Ice cream is more important than saying cheese.
Cousins. Birthday boy on the right.
My sweetheart.
Playing a little whack-a-mole. Er, shark.
Me and my baby.
I can’t believe it’s already been a year since this little bear arrived. She has been such a blessing for our family, a true gift.
Happy Birthday, Ariadne!
Today my little sunshine turns four years old. While she hasn’t been a baby for quite some time, I feel like the transition from three to four somehow launches her firmly into the realm of girl. A girl with likes and preferences and opinions. A girl who knows what she wants. And what she wants is Star Wars.
So when I saw this pool noodle lightsaber pin from the queen of geeky girlyness (girly geekyness?), Jen of Epbot and Cake Wrecks, I knew we had to make them happen for Sunday’s party. A quick Google search turned up a variety of tutorials, and Paul locked himself in the office for a couple of hours to give each lightsaber its own unique flair.
Veronica picked a green one, of course.
Needless to say, they were a hit. Ba-dum ching.
Other fun included daring aerial acrobatics…
Drinking pool water out of a pair of goggles (because that’s what two-year-olds do)…
And trying to keep the wrong end (right end?) of the bottle in Ari’s mouth.
Here’s a more appropriate object for her to chew on. Opa, show her how it’s done!
That’s better.
This watermelon was originally going to be a shark, but in keeping with the Star Wars vibe a few small changes turned it into the giant asteroid worm (apparently also known as an Exogorth, thanks Google).
And of course, there was the infamous (to my Facebook friends) Darth Vader cake. Since Veronica specifically requested a Darth Vader cake - also thanks to Jen of Cake Wrecks and her nifty book - I gave it my best shot. I still think that Vader got the better of this epic battle, but my valiant husband did step in and keep it from becoming a total disaster.
So this tired mama’s heart melted when Veronica saw the finished product and said, “It’s perfect for me, Mom.”
She gets a little shy when she’s the center of attention.
Though she was more than happy to pose for a picture with one of her new toys.
While Jacinta quietly helped herself to the rest of the frosting.
The next morning, Veronica was up early to play with her new collection. Excited, much?
Jacinta was ready for fun, too. Complete with heavy breathing.
Today – Veronica’s actual birthday - we treated her to breakfast in bed, a favorite tradition from my husband’s childhood. Which he totally made happen while I groggily tried to remember how the camera worked.
Happy Birthday, Veronica! I can’t believe it’s been four years, but we love you more today than ever!
My little pixie Jacinta turned two yesterday.
Of course, I had to take a few moments to reminisce about how much she has changed (and stayed the same) in the last two years.
She’s still my laid back, go-with-the-flow gal who cruises through the day in her own chill way. And somehow, despite that, she is also prone to some outrageous episodes of drama. As we like to say, the drama goes from 0-60 in no time flat!
She is definitely a little girl, running around and playing with her sister and cousins. You wouldn’t ever guess that her arm was broken at birth. I’m very thankful for the doctors who helped us through that unusual experience.
Though she babbles incessantly there still isn’t much in the way of recognizable words. They are creeping in slowly but surely. She knows “please” and “thank you” and of course “Mama” and “Dada”. The unfortunate phrase “Go away!” makes frequent appearances. A variety of body parts and animal names. She said her cousin’s name crystal clear the other night, too. So we are making progress, just slowly.
We had a little family get-together to celebrate last weekend.
I made this lion cake, which reveals all it’s asymmetry at this angle.
It was a hit, partly because it was a lion and partly because it had fire on it.
It even had a surprise inside!
Daddy helped her to get to the good stuff. She’s still a little too gentle for unwrapping presents. Though I’m sure Veronica would have been happy to help if she’d been allowed.
Uncle Tyler took some time to point out all the animals to her. Yesterday, we got to play zoo with them.
Aunt Bridget spent some time holding Ariadne on her convenient baby-holding shelf. Not too much longer until Brian, Jr. makes his appearance.
She also spent some time showing Jacinta one of her new coloring books.
Peter made sure he was decked out for the occasion.
My grandpa even got to be there, which was very fun and special. Even if we had to restrain a tired Jacinta to get a picture.
He kept the kids entertained in a way only grandpas can.
My mom got some Ariadne time. Two gorgeous girls!
And here is another! Boy, does she know how to pose for the camera.
I’m not sure what is going on in this picture. But Veronica is obviously enjoying whatever she is inflicting on John Paul.
Happy Birthday, Jacinta! I thank God for you every single day.
Even the ones with drama.
