We're 4!!

This birthday is almost harder to believe than Abby's.......it's mind-blowing that it's been 4 years since Hannah and Griffin were born.  The time truly has flown by.  They are little people now and so much fun. I remember having a conversation with a mom who had 4 year old twins in Abby's preschool class when H&G were just 1 year old.  I asked her when it got easier.....she said when they are 4.  At the time that seemed SO FAR AWAY....and so depressing! But, here we are.  And she was right :-)

They had a great birthday today, opening presents first thing in the morning and having a birthday breakfast: Hannah wanted pancakes and Griff wanted Raisin Bran! Then it was off to the library (due to a rainy morning) and then Starbucks for their favorite treat, a pumpkin scone and "coffee" (water in a small coffee cup). Then we came back home and tried out the new scooter (Griff) and new roller skates (Hannah). They are going to need some practice!

After a dinner of pork tenderloin and ravioli, there was cake and ice cream. Uncle Don and Uncle Dave stopped by with more gifts, too. All in all, a very good day for the little monkeys.  Now I just need to figure out what to do with all this cake......the neighbors may be getting some slices tomorrow!

Just woke up.....can't believe all the gifts!

Notice my little shutter-bug in the background? She had to take pictures, too!

Hannah is totally into mermaids and loved her mermaid barbie

A new t-ball bat!

cars :-)

a huge stuffed horse from g&g meiers

ah, playmobil....lots of little pieces, but t hey love them!

family photo

Hannah had a garden fairy cake and griff wanted a golf course....so we did 1/2 and 1/2 on one big cake!

Blowing out the candles. Hannah got all embarrassed when we sang to her, she was almost crying in this picture......

but she recovered to blow out her candles!

Photo Shoot

I took the kids out for a little photo shoot today.  I promised them ice cream at the local ice cream parlor if they cooperated.  You'll see from the pictures that even the promise of ice cream wasn't enough to get Hannah to crack a grin.  She therefore didn't get any ice cream.  Oh, I'm kidding. She got some anyway.  But she's on my list.

Miss Abby was more than willing to pose for me today.

This is my favorite of her.....love it

Favorite of Griff

She so didn't want to be out here, taking pictures.

Best group shot I got.....they were not into it.....

I love this one of Abby in the background

This one is kinda cute....

How to Celebrate Your 7th Birthday

* wake at 5:34am, but stay in bed until 6:00am to give mom a break
* open presents from mom and dad, grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles and brother and sister
* ask for, and receive, pancakes with sprinkles, and a candle, for breakfast
* play with new gifts for 2 straight hours in the morning
* head to the beach for an afternoon of fun
* come home from the beach to find Percy Jackson the Lightning Thief movie delivered from Netflix
* watch Percy while mom makes requested birthday dinner:
      ~ tuna sandwiches
      ~ corn on the cob
      ~ strawberries
      ~ chicken and stars soup (yes, it was 90 degrees but she wanted soup)
      ~ bbq potato chips
      ~ lemonade
* have another round of birthday cake after dinner
* play outside with dad and H&G
* retire to bed with a smile

All and all, a pretty good day for Miss Abby! 7......really? 7? Where has the time gone......

6:05am....the automatic coffee maker hadn't even started yet....

Lanie, the American Girl Doll of the Year

Fun fashion design set from G&G Newman (seriously, busy all morning with it!)

Messenger bag from G&G Meiers that Abby BEGGED for!

Traditional family photo we take on everyone's birthday. Ignore my beach hair.....

Birthday Girl

She blew out the candles and then said, "oh no, I forgot to make a wish!" Mike re-lit them and she blew them out again....and made a wish!

Birthday Girl

How can she be 7 already?

Welcome to Hogwarts

whew! Abby had a great time at her birthday party on Saturday.We had a house full of witches and wizards, wands and spells, and wacky ingredients and potions!  I think everyone had a great time, and Mike and I are just glad it's over :-)  They were a really great group of kids and all of them were super polite and well mannered.......but I think next time we'll just go bowling!

I had no time to take pictures during the activities, but did get some of Abby opening her gifts and blowing out her candles.  Enjoy!

Centerpieces for the tables.......Hippogriff Gizzards and Blind Cat Eyes :-)

Dream Fluid and Bloodworms

The kids got to stop at Honeyduke's Sweet Shoppe and Zonko's Joke Shop on the way out of the party

You need to pass through Platform 9 3/4 at the train station to get to Hogwarts....our front door served the purpose!

Ollivander's Wand Shop - everyone got their own special wand at the party

Close up of the wands......Mike make them out of wood and I painted them for the kids.....I think they turned out great!

The Sorting Hat and a centerpiece of Gillyweed!

Abby before the party with her Harry Potter cake

Hannah had to get into the picture, too!

Opening gifts after all the spells and potion making activities

The boy in the orange striped shirt is Abby's very best friend from school, Austin. They are in different classes next year, but his family bought the lot right next to us, so hopefully they'll be building and moving in soon.

Blowing out the candles

Aunt Nancy, Uncle Don and Uncle Dave were able to make it to the party, too.  Aunt Nancy gave Abby a beautiful porcelain doll, which is actually a lamp for her desk. She LOVES it.

Some Webkinz from Uncle Dave....couldn't be happier!

Hanny and Griff did great during the party, too. It's tough to be almost 4 and see all those presents and not be able to open them.  They were able to participate in the games and activities, and got their own "silly banz" so they were happy enough....and they loved the cake!