The Big Birthday Bash

Not only did Preston finally make it to 5 but he he survived the long wait until the party. I think it's safe to say it was a huge success, all the kids had a blast and looked exhausted when it was over.

It was similar to Maren's in that they had an hour to play on all the equipment like bounce houses, in floor tramps, balance beams and foam pits.


They have an instructor from Classic Gym who keeps on eye on the kids and helps them with the equipment which is nice because then I can just watch and take pictures! Once they are done playing we have time for cake and presents.


Preston blew out another set of candles and received some great gifts from his friends!


It was lots of fun for all but I'm glad to be out of the back-to back birthdays for another year!

Evening Birthday Festivities

Normally we just do a small family dinner and cake but Preston wanted to share with all his friends that he is finally 5! He is the last in our little group of friends and has been waiting patiently to hit the milestone!


We baked his cake yesterday afternoon and made a bunch of pizza dough. We had dough for deep dishes and for regular thin crusts. We even made a white sauce to do white pizza's and it was yummy.


The kids played, everyone ate and it was a fun night for him. Next installment of Preston's birthday comes with his friend party on Saturday.

Happy Birthday Preston

What better way to catch up then with another birthday! Happy 5th Birthday Preston!


His festivities started with a card and money from Grandma. He used his money and bought Pixos (an art item), a pack of gum and some new markers. Here's the pixo cat he made.


Then Nana's gift came and it was perfect. He had debated between pixos and a remote control car and Nana came through with the car and some crazy night goggles (which look best on GR).


Then this morning day of the big day he got an electronic map of the US from Grandpa which he loves (although it seems a bit hard but he enjoys playing it anyway). He loved the Magnatiles we got him and has built several things, not so into the magna truck but we will see if that changes when he has friends to build trucks with.

Preston picked homemade waffles for breakfast and homemade pizza for his birthday dinner. I'm going to get starting on his cake (vanilla with vanilla frosting and lots of sprinkles) and hope it turns out better than Maren's. I also have to get busy on the pizza dough.

His party is Saturday with 8 of his friends at the same gymnastics place Maren had hers. Stay tuned for pictures from tonight and this weekend.

I can't believe my handsome boy is 5!


And of course the 3 yr old who thinks she is 5 and also thinks its her birthday!

Birthday Party - Part 2

Maren had her friend party on Saturday at her gymnastics place. They did a great job of entertaining the kids and helping them use the equipment. Before her party she went to a Pirate Party for a friend on the next street, this was the closest we had to pirate wear.



We decorated the party room while the kids played.


The kids are getting ready to do the floor trampolines and the foam pit.


Cupcakes and Sweets!




Maren loves gymnastics so she was thrilled to have her party there and everyone had a blast. Preston is planning on having his party there in March.

We came back home after the party and made homemade pizzas and let all the kids play some more.

Birthday Party - Part 1

Our family tradition is to open birthday gifts after the birthday girl has her favorite dinner and homemade cake. Maren picked Parmesan Pasta for dinner and she wanted a cake with sprinkles.


Both Maren and Preston enjoyed the cake, frosting and sprinkles so even though my cake fell (your lucky you can't see the back) and my frosting was sticky it was still a huge hit!




Maren received a dollhouse from us, a stamp set from Grandpa and many Barbies from Nana & Mappy.



Look for more birthday fun on Saturday!

Happy Birthday Maren!

3 is apparently the age at which you learn to always make goofy faces at the camera.





Maren opened her dollhouse this morning and then will have a few more family presents tonight when we have cake. Her friends party is on Saturday at Classic Gymnastics and she is really looking forward to it.

For Gram

This beautiful figure was given to me by Carissa to commemorate the passing of my Grandpa who was a Vet. The figure is a woman (my Grandma) holding a wrapped flag that would have been presented after internment.



I got this shot late on Saturday night in manual with no flash (not going to look up the specifics) but it just fits. Miss you Grandpa and Gram we love you, stay strong.

I'm having some technical difficulties with my Microsoft Office, I have a trial version of 2007. Well since I never reboot my laptop I didn't realize it had expired so I need to go to Best Buy and purchase it so I can send emails again. So if you are expecting an email from me and don't have it, that is why.