Garden Time!

2007- Jack

 2009

 2012

 Clay and the kids planted our annual garden this weekend. Jack and Madeline love finding the "wiggles" and are not afraid to hold the worms!

Everyone loves digging in the dirt!

We also stopped by a local cupcake shop and talked to the Easter bunny. Well, Jack talked to him.

 Mad and VA went straight inside to the "food" table and played "kitchen."

The weather has been crazy warm so we were excited to break out our spring dresses!

 Thursday night Jack had his first tee ball practice. He was so excited to "play baseball like Goose."

 The same night Madeline finished swimming lessons. She improved so much over the six weeks!

 Mad and her BFF Izzie

It was a fun March!

happy st pattys!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

My big boy! Never really lets me take his picture any more. Still love him so much!

Here are Jack and Madeline two years ago!

 Virginia Ann (in Mad's shirt) and Jack! My children are clones of each other! VA still has the least amount of hair of anyone at this age. Almost 16 months and still just some sprouts ;)

Jack was so excited about St Patty's this year. He built a leprechaun trap and hoped to catch him. The leprechaun did come by the house, leaving green candy, gold coins and Lucky Charms (his favorite cereal, per Madeline) but he didn't get caught! Hope you have a great St Patricks Day!

Day trip to Asheville

My mom's sister Tricia is in KNoxville for the week so we met them in Asheville for the afternoon today. It is about 1.5 hours from our house and the kids did great in the car. Mimi treated the kids to a fun time at Build a Bear. They have been asking to go for a long time so they were so excited!

Stuffing their bears

 Jack giving his bear- Superhero- a bath.

 Registering their bears

 Virginia Ann found a buddy in Aunt Tricia who let her play on the computer.

 Jack and Madeline with their new bears.

 This was the best group shot :)

Virginia Ann - 16 months

The pic below is Jack's (and Maeve) first trip to BABW at 16 months (2008)! LOOK at how much Jack and VA look alike!

After BABW, we headed to Biltmore Village to enjoy the glorious weather and play on the playground. We had lots of fun and then ate a yummy dinner at Zoe's.

We loved seeing Mimi and Aunt Tricia- what a treat to be able to meet them in the middle!

3 year old Madeline

I could write a book about the things that Madeline says these days. She is an intelligent, articulate funny little girl and surprises me daily with the things she knows! She has a few obsessions including baby dolls, princess dresses, art projects and playing "pretend." On the day she turned 3 she came into the dining room where I was working and she said "I am Emma Grace (a friend at school.) What's your name?" and I had to pretend to be someone else. Madeline then carried on for over a hour as her alter ego and talked about "Madeline" in third person. It was hilarious! SHe does this every day now and is usually a different person although the last few days she has been Mrs.Miller (her teacher). She makes Virginia Ann be her student and come to circle time where she tries to read VA books and sing songs. Then she says things like " I have to go pick up Emma Claire and Jackson now." (those are Mrs Miller's kids.) It is all very entertaining. Even funnier is she will not do it in front of Clay. If he walks in when she is pretending she looks at him and says "STOP IT DAD!" and gets all embarrassed. She uses it to her advantage as well like when I said "Madeline it's time to get dressed for school." She said  "I am NOT Madeline. I am Jennie. I don't go to school. I drop my kids at school and then I go exercise and then I go shopping and then I pick my kids up at school." HA! She has me figured out!!

Excited about her new Belle doll and easel

 Notice the multi-tasking

Out for a walk with another baby doll- who teaches her these poses?

 Wearing her clip on earrings to school "to look like Mommy."

 Reading to us at breakfast time

Madeline goes a mile a minute and we are never bored with her around! She definitely has the most dominant personality in the family thus far and luckily Jack is a great big brother and tolerates Madeline most of the time. When she isn't playing baby dolls or pretend, she will go along with being Batman or Superman and playing in muddy puddles. We love you sweet and sassy Madeline!

Princess Madeline's Perfectly Pink and Purple 3 year old Party!

Our sweet and sassy Madeline turned 3 in February! We celebrated with a Pink and Purple Princess Party. It was a fun morning and we loved making Madeline feel special!

The Invitation

I made this sign to hang outside our house to welcome the other princesses!

The Dessert Table

Cakepops and Marshmallow pops

Madeline and I had lots of fun making these together. She is quite the baker! Aren't the stripe straws adorable?!

Pink cupcakes displayed on the pastry pedestal- my new favorite party accessory! The cupcakes were from Walmart (!) and were delicious. You can preorder them and they are $6/dozen!

We served pb&j  and chicken salad sandwhiches cut into tiara shapes. The platter is actually a cardboard box I covered in white paper and then glued tulle and ribbon on!

The drink station- a trick I learned from my mom! Put a piece of wood in between your washer and dryer and cover with a tablecloth.

The table for the other guest of honor- Rapunzel

We started the party by making tiaras. Madeline used her wand to help!

The princesses getting to work!

The pink ceramic bowls that held the art supplies were $1 at Target. It worked out well to have a pink and and purple party the week after Valentine's!

Seriously- how cute are these castle cupcake holders?

I saw them here and knew they had to be at the party!

We heard Rapunzel was on her way so Madeline went to check it out.

Waiting...

All the princesses (and Jack) waiting...

Ah! There she is!

Madeline was shy at first but warmed up quickly!

First there was face painting. Mad got to go first and chose a butterfly!

All the princesses waited their turn.

Jack asked for Batman. We needed a little testosterone in the day!

After face painting, the girls sat down to lunch. Sandwhiches, fruit wands

and Madeline's favorite corn dip!

Madeline and her BFF, Izzie

Sweet Lola!

During lunch, Rapunzel entertained with a magic show. The magic words were "Happy Birthday Madeline" and Mad got to be her assistant!

After lunch, there was ring around the rosey and hokey pokey as well as balloon animals. You know Rapunzel, she is quite talented!

Happy girls!

Royalty- Top- Lola, Zoe, Made, Emma, Izzie  Bottom- Emma Grace, Isabella, Emily

Cupcake time

Rapunzel needed to help

Madeline asked Rapunzel "Where is Flynn Rider?" to which R replied "He is back at the castle with Pascal. I will tell him you said hi!" She was amazing!

Jack was enamored

Saying goodbye to Rapunzel

Favors for the girls

Tower cookies

Rapunzel hair clips and princess notepads completed the personalized boxes ($1 bin at Target!)

Zoe, Madeline and Izzie- sweet girls!

Letting loose after the party!

The aftermath!

I am not sure who had more fun at the party- me or the girls. I loved all the pink and purple and when Madeline walked into the decorated dining room Saturday morning and said "Mom it is beautiful!" all the work was worth it! Rapunzel made the day and was the best money we spent! Three is such a magical age and it was awesome to see all the girls enthralled with a real princess in their midst! We loved celebrating Madeline and sweet and sassy little girl she is!