Marian's cooking party

This was a party year for Marian's birthday and  about a month ago she specifically requested a surprise party.   Not sure where she got that idea but she was determined that she would rather be surprised than help plan her party.
Marian's two favorite things are cooking and painting...a painting party sounded too messy to me so I went with a cooking party theme.

On the morning of the party Chad took all the kids to get slurpees and then to the park so I could quickly (read: run around like a mad woman) get everything set up.

My energy level has significantly increased over the last few months and I was up for a sewing project so I made aprons for the Marian and her 5 little friends.

I ordered paper chef hats from Amazon (love that place) and set out flower stickers and paints for the girls to decorate their hats and flower vases for their pink roses.  (We have a million and 1 baby food jars lying around here so I thought I would put at least a few of them to use).

 

Marian's friends were SO EXCITED to surprise Marian when she walked in the door.  Honestly...I think that was the best part of the party!  Marian was in shock and definitely surprised!  After they decorated their hats and vases it was time to start cooking.



They rolled out their own pizza dough and put on their own toppings. (That part was pretty busy so I didn't get pictures).

While the pizzas were baking they made fruit Ka-bobs (and did a little sword fighting)

Time for the feast!

After lunch we decorated cup-cakes.  Marian got that "paint-by number" cupcake picture for her birthday that morning, finished it right away and it turned out to be the perfect centerpiece!

girls + cupcakes, frosting, and sprinkles = major happiness!

We finished off the party with a rousing game of pin the chef's hat on Marian (thanks Anne for the great idea).  I tricked Marian into letting me take that picture the day before the party.  I told her I wanted a picture of her doing her favorite thing before she turned 6.

It turned out to be SUCH a fun party! But I should mention a few things.

1. I was really really excited to throw Marian a party this year since I celebrated her birthday from the couch last year  (bedrest...bah!) So I put a little...ok a lot more into the party than I normally do for birthdays

2.  The aprons turned out so stinkin cute but I'd be lying if I denied the fact that I stayed up past mid-night several nights in a row to get them done.  Hmmm...maybe that's why I am sick...again.

3.  I could not have done this party without Chad's help.  Not once did he tell me I was crazy for sewing 6 aprons in one week (even if he was thinking it) when I rarely manage to get dinner on the table and keep the house straight on a normal day.  And the party would have been a lot crazier if he hadn't taken Jack, Lucy, and the babies for an outing during the party.

4.  I read somewhere that however old the child is turning...that"s how many kids should attend the party (birthday child and any siblings included).  I know that might not always be possible but so far I've found that to be awesome advice.

Happy Birthday Marian!

Dear Marian

"At 4 pounds 7 ounces she is quite small..."
That's what the nurse said when you were born.  Because you were coming 4 weeks early, they had a team of NICU doctors in the room for the delivery just in case you needed special care.  Even though you were "quite small," what none of us in the room realized was that our Marian was born with 4 pounds 7 ounces of sheer determination.  Even though you were the tiniest baby in the nursery, you thrived and were healthy and strong.  You have been that way for 5 wonderful years.  Determined and strong are perfect words to describe you Marian.  You know what you want (and don't want) and you are not swayed by the opinions of others (no matter how hard we might try).  I am thrilled to have those qualities in a daughter because even though it leads to some battles of will at home, I know those qualities will serve you well all your life.
After five years of loving this little girl, here are just 10 of the many reasons I love you with all my heart,

1. You love to bake and can crack an egg like a pro- no shells or anything
2. You give the best and most sincere hugs
3. You have started taking your role as big sister seriously and take such good care of Lucy.  You cheer her up when she is sad, get her food, make her laugh...and usually you do it all in your high pitched "mommy voice".  So cute!
4. You are always drawing pictures and writing notes and cards for people.
5. When you want to know how to write a certain letter you draw it in the air with your finger and say, "like this?"
6. You are completely self sufficient!  You can dress yourself (although it is often the same outfit day after day), do your hair, get food, and get your school bag ready....and you LOVE doing it!
7. You love numbers.  You will randomly come up to me and say things like, "Mom, 6 plus 6 is 12!)
8. You love dance and tumbling class and are constantly leaping, twirling and somersaulting around the house.
9. You are very proud of your name and write it on everything!  Books, dressers, closet doors...inside the car. 
10. When you leave to go anywhere you always tell me you love me and usually sign X O X O with your fingers several times.  I melts my heart.

I love you Marian Rose Pugh!  Love, Mom

Marian is 5

The amount of photos I take has unsurprisingly dwindled to just about nil...but I did manage to get at least one shot of the b-day girl and bribed Chad into taking pictures when they rode horses.

Marian was thrilled to have the next door neighbors over to share the cake from Aunt Hillary ( I can vouch for its deliciousness.  I think that cake had more to do with my maternity clothes no longer fitting than even a certain pair of babies in my belly.)

I wasn't sure if Marian would be thrilled or terrified at the thought of getting on a horse.  She has been really into horses lately but she is not known for her fearlessness around here.
I needn't have worried one bit.

Direct quote, "I loved it!  The horse was totally under my command!"

Jack benefited from Marian's b-day surprise and had a great time as well.  I wish I could have been there to hear their giggles and see their delight but I am so glad it turned out to be such a success!

Happy Birthday Jack

Back in July- this awesome little guy (who is not so little any more turned 7)

I LOVE Jack!  I love his sweet smile, his big heart and his love of monochromatic clothing.  I love how he asks every night, "what's the plan for tomorrow?" I love how he always wants to include his sisters in whatever he is doing. I love the way he walks in the door from school with a big grin on his face and can't wait to tell me all about his day.  I love that he still loves to run.  I love that he is a pro at making his bed every morning.  I love that he will serve me whatever I want to eat (Nutella sandwiches, jell-o and cereal are his specialties) while I am stuck on the couch or up in bed.  I love how Jack is friends with everyone.  I love how he is fearless: high dives, water skiing, wave running, Alpine slide, and speed boat driving...for example.  Most of all, I love that I get to be his mom.


For his birthday we surprised him with a trip to "Cowabunga Bay" water park.
He was THRILLED!

Jack rode every ride!  The boy is truly fearless...much to Chad's enjoyment!

Lucy loved the water

Marian liked not getting too wet and not going on slides taller than she

Chad liked getting a little rest.
Good thing too because this was PBR (Pre Bed Rest) and he was going to need all the energy he could muster soon.


That night we celebrated with the requested "Green Lantern birthday cake"
(I think the only reason he even knew who the Green Lantern was, was because of the Happy Meal toys at McDonald's)


It was so fun to have our good friends the Donahoe's in town so they could come celebrate with us.

I LOVE this boy!  

Dear Lucy

Dear Lucy, 

Happy Birthday!  If the past few weeks are any indication of how you will be for rest of the year, the “terrible two’s” are going to be more like the “terrific two’s”! You continue to be a happy ray of sunshine in our home every day.

These are the things that make you happy

• Going outside (regardless of the activity or the weather)
• Swings
• Baths (you call it wah wah)
• Babies in general
• Baby Sam (Iverson) in particular
• Bella (dog next door) and Bella’s owner Scott.  You think they are interconnected.
• Cookies
• Caillou
• The new Winnie the Pooh Movie (but you do NOT like the scene about the Backson!)
• The book Kitten’s First Full Moon
• Picking up Jack from the Bus
• Being awake when daddy comes home from work
• Markers without lids
• Playing with Jack and Marian
• Your heart shirt
• Saying thank you
• Having your binky, bobbies (blanket), and your baby doll when we get in the car
• Canned peaches
• Playing with legos.  Putting Jack’s tiny legos in your mouth, showing it to me, then running away as fast as possible makes you particularly happy.
• Singing “I’m bringing home my baby bumble bee”
• Laying on Marian’s blanket when she is trying to fold it for her bed
• To “go”.  Any time we ask you if you want “to go” you get all excited and hustle to the door
• At bedtime you choose either “You are my sunshine”  or “I am a child of God” for your bedtime song
• Trying to potty train yourself…I am not supportive of this.  You are constantly taking off your clothes and asking to use the potty but with zero success and then you are very unhappy when I get you dressed again.

You have brought pure joy and love to our home since the day you were born (and even before that).  People still stop me in stores and other places to tell me how beautiful you are and I have to totally agree.  You are still petite and off the charts for weight and height but you are almost never sick and super active and eat pretty well so I’m not worried.  Happy is your default setting.  You sing songs that we don’t recognize and you do a little dance every now and then just to let some of your happiness out.  When you can’t find something you wander around the house saying “___(lost item)___where are you?” You know what belongs to who and are very particular about no one touching Jack’s or Marian’s things if they are not around.  You are not too possessive of your things except your new yellow chair.  You almost always wake up happy and most mornings I know you are awake because I can hear you cheerfully yelling at Jack to wake up. At night when I put you to bed, just as I walk out the door your little voice, muffled by your binky calls out, “Luh you mommy” .   Oh I love you baby girl!  Happy Birthday Lucy.

Happy Birthday Lucy

Lucy's St. Patrick's day birthday started with the annual hunt for the lepruchan gold.  Those sneaky little green guys always hide the kid's shoes in the weirdest places


I took this little video on the way to breakfast.

We went out for breakfast at a local diner

 

then came home and Lucy sat in her new chair the rest of the morning...well almost the whole morning. 

The next day we had some families over to celebrate.  We had to wake up the birthday girl from her incredibly long nap.  As you can see she was a little subdued for her party.

but she perked up!



I debated whether or not to to a St. Patrick's day cake but cake decorating is not high on my skills list and a green cake just didn't sound all that great to me this year. My rainbow fruit platter was my tribute to the holiday.  And I have to say, the WISH letters have been such a fun birthday tradition (started back here).

 

I know these pictures are blatant copying of a popular mommy blog but I think it is the cutest thing I have ever seen. 

LOVE the look on Lucy's face

 

  Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Jack's Birthday

I know this is old news but I didn't want to forget it-

Here's Jack, enjoying his final hours as a 5 year old...


...or not! I actually can't even remember what he was crying about that night, poor guy! I couldn't help taking the picture though, because the song "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to" was running through my head. (NO he was not crying because his birthday pillow was pink! That was the only b-day fabric Jo-Anns had and so I went with it. Jack actually loved the pillow case and used it for a few days.)

The birthday board countdown is one of the new birthday traditions we're starting at the Pugh house. We got the idea (and most of the others from here) Jack loved choosing dinners for a week leading up to his b-day.

 He also loved illustrating his menu (that was his idea). You'll notice that basically he likes things you would expect a 5, nearly 6 year old to like. Pizza, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, pancakes, Mac'n cheese, cereal, Southwest Chicken Pockets (finally a real meal), and of course hot dogs!  Let's just say this wasn't Chad's favorite week for dinners.

Another new tradition.  I LOVED seeing Jack through the years every time I walked by.

The new bike was a hit!

Except now, a month later he has busted off the training wheels (he suspects Chad didn't screw them on tight enough...which is possible).  We're trying to teach him to ride without the training wheels with absolutely NO LUCK and he "hates bikes" so...any tips?   PLEASE!!!

So in love with our little guy!

Jack helped me make "cupcake surprise" for his b-day treat.  The surprise was to find out which of the following Jack had put inside:  Hersey' Kiss, Mini-Peanut Butter cups, or a Rolo.  Clearly we were not on our "real food" sugar free challenge that week.

It was such a great birthday.  I can't believe that in less than a week this little guy is going to be a Kindergartner!