"Maybruary"

Dressed up as a 100 year old (in celebration of the 100th day of school), Lydia gave Winter a stern look, and we got an amazing reprieve with May-like weather: sunny and temps in the 60's,

 just in time for Sarah's baby shower. Guests who were coming "weather permitting," absolutely came! 

Lydia and Aaliyah making encouraging or funny notes on Late Night Diapers.

 Mary, Aunt Sue, Sarah, Stacy, Aaliyah, Julie, Lydia

Oh Boy, another Baby on the Way...can't wait! ;)

The Sprecher Beer Garden opened up special for this warm weekend at Whitnall Park, and everybody came out. (Line was an hour long, but it was just great to be outside with people about.)

 On Monday, I even took Rio to the beach. He's getting used to the sound of waves.

 We enjoyed the outdoors, and indoors too. It's good to have Abigail work on her tong skills and help in the kitchen at the same time!

Lydia got an extra recess on one of the days. She was so happy when I picked her up. The singing continued all the way into the doctor's office. This is the waned enthusiasm version. Enjoy...

Lydia's Spa-tastic Party

If ever there was a book series that mirrored Lydia and her family, it would be Fancy Nancy!

For this year's friend party, we went with a spa theme using Fancy Nancy Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day (and Pinterest) as our guide.

The girls started on some FN activity sheets at the dining room table. Once all of our guests arrived, we traveled downstairs to the spa where relaxing music was playing and nail polish was set out.

"Welcome to Fancy Lydia's relaxing foot spa! We will pick out nail polish first. Have fun..."

Ben and I filled the bowls with water, marbles, salts, flower petals while they picked out a color.

 I read a FN story for the first 5 minutes of their soothing soak.

Then I began painting nails. My assistant, Ben, was there to clear the bowls and make sure the girls had spa water and magazines.

 I had spa flip flops decorated with glitter for them. They wondered where I got them (Amazon! :)) Voila! Once they were finished with their perfectly posh pedicure (and they all held wonderfully still for me!), they could go to the refreshment table for Yum Yum Yogurt Parfaits and a colorful array of vegetables.

 I must not have set up adequate seating, because they wound up all huddled in the secret hideout.

Back to front: Katelyn, Danielle, Anastasia, Amber, Natalia, Kinsey, Elizabeth, Lydia, Abigail, Lilli & Violet

 "SPA!"

They all looked and felt beautiful, so we headed upstairs to open gifts.

Gifts galore: jewelry, headbands, LPS, Legos, YoFresh, crafts, friendship pencil, coloring book, body sprays...

Then..."Cupcake Time!" 

Ooh la la! The girls did a spectacular job of decorating their own cupcakes and topping them with tiaras.

It was a marvelous party with friends!

One of those good friends, Danielle, rode with us to Disney on Ice Friday night with the Girl Scout Troop 31602. That rounded it out to be one fabulous weekend!

A year later...(November 2017 in 2nd Grade) she wrote her personal narrative about going to Disney on Ice!

Happy Birthday, Lydia! Family Party!

Grandma Jan showed up early with outfits for these four girls ;)

Grandpa Pulley came and did some magic tricks...so fun!

Opening girly gifts.

Ice cream cake with a "7" on top, wow!

What I love about her is she's kind to everyone. She's smart, brave, and excels at cheering people up! She's a great classmate, an awesome big sister, a joy of a daughter, and has lots of love from family:

Grandpa Pulley

Grandpa Pulley & Abigail

Aunt Stacy & Uncle Greg

Goofy cousins!

Grandma Linda

Aunt Sarah & Uncle Matt

The much-anticipated donut for breakfast!

As big and independent as she is, she still loves hanging out with her Momma. :) Her birthday landed on Monday this year, so I got to have lunch with my birthday girl at school!! (The kids eat lunch in their jackets and hats because they go directly out to recess after lunch! And they only get 15 minutes for lunch!)

Happy Birthday Ben!

The girls were excited for Daddy's birthday. They both told their teachers about it and wanted to change into party dresses before Dad came home when we, "1-2-3 Happy Birthday!" surprised him!

I got some funny pictures.

Thumbs up from Lydia. Hand in front of face from Abby.

Rio going for the balloon

funny faces

Ready to cut into those layers of vanilla cake, buttercream, and raspberry!

* Best husband and dad in the whole world *

Cheap Date

"Do we have plans tonight?" Ben asks me on Wednesday morning. 

Thanks to Tot Spot, Festival Foods' childcare and Wednesday Sushi special... now we do!

 I love my husband!

 We get to talk, enjoy sushi, pick up some groceries, and the kids never want to leave!

Of course I like going out to a nice restaurant, but when we can sneak in a date mid-week on a dime (or Alexander Hamilton, rather)...that's divine! 

Star of the Week!

 Lydia enjoyed being "Star of the Week" at school. Every morning when I dropped her off, she told Mr. Bentley (who is always there to direct traffic-and she makes me drive up to him) what she got to bring in or do. I think she got to wear that crown whenever she wanted...

On Monday, she shared the poster we filled out.

On Tuesday, she brought in her favorite book, Fancy Nancy, Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day (which they read in the hallway with flashing emergency lighting since the power went out in the neighborhood that morning)

On Wednesday, she brought in her favorite treat of peppermint fudge!

On Thursday, she 'show and tell'-ed her Camille doll.

And on Friday the class will write a book about her!

Winter Sports

Sledding

one of these kids is not happy

Sledding is always fun. Except when a glove falls off and the hand gets wet. There is just no recovering from a wet hand in 20 degrees.

Butt Sledding

But close to home, a snow drift can be the perfect little slide ;)

Holiday Light Viewing

seeing the lights up close

Seeing the holiday lights is something else I consider to be a winter sport. We enjoyed a mild and beautiful evening walking and driving through the downtown Milwaukee lights.

Ice Skating

 The local garden center, Milaeger's, made a rink this year for 'free family fun!' This was their first time in skates, so we tried starting them out pushing 5 gallon buckets, but they were too short. It just took a short time and a few falls for them to get comfortable. We all had lots of fun on the ice!

 Indoor Dancing

Ringing in 2017 with a dance party!

Happy New Year!