Peyton's 3rd birthday party!

March 21st was Peyton's 3rd birthday, so on Sunday, the day before, we had her party. An Ariel, Little Mermaid party, that is. Peyton had been talking for months about this day. What decorations she wanted, what kind of cake/cupcakes, and of course what toys. I don't think there was a day between Christmas and her birthday that she didn't ask "how many more days till my birthday Mommy?"


Well,the day was finally here, and this is what she looked like most of the morning. The party wasn't until three so I think it was hard for her to contain her excitement and wait.





Once she relaxed a bit, she was fine.


Little Mermaid decorations that Peyton hand picked.
She was very excited about this cash register from Aunt Sara and Uncle Kevin. We play grocery store almost every day.
Aidan was very good at helping her open her gifts.
Happy girl!
Sara came early so Peyton had plenty of time to be a cashier. And she finally decided to put on her party dress.
We had lots of good snacks,
and pasta and pizza for dinner.
It was a beautiful day so the kids had a great time playing outside. The favorite was playing Star Wars with our neighbor Eric.

Sweet August watching the big kids play!
Aidan loves babies. Here he is hanging out with Merin.
Even Peyton had a blast playing Star Wars with the boys!
Enjoying a big bite of pizza. The girl can eat up to three slices in one sitting!
We were also celebrating Nick's 13th birthday. Hanging out with one of his friends, Josh. We didn't see much of them. Teenagers apparently like to be alone!
My attempt at a little mermaid cake. Most of it turned out, but the face is kinda scary. Oh well, it still tasted good , and Peyton didn't mind.
The kids waiting for cake.
We sang to Nick first,
then it was Peyton's turn.
Aidan showing off his blue tongue from the frosting.
Big smile from the happy birthday girl!
Blake and Aidan enjoying cake.
Peyton and Jack about to dig in!
Stella and Henry eating their cake outside.
Looks like Elliot likes the cake too!
Messy cake face!
Very messy cake face!
The kids are patiently waiting for the gifts, although Aidan doesn't look very happy about it.
Peyton excited about her fairies!
Peyton loves this bear. She named her lovey bear and takes her everywhere, including to bed every night.
All the kids closely watching her open!
Peyton posing by her huge princess picture. Now all we need is a new house to hang it in!
Thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate. You all helped to make her birthday a special one!

Holiday decorating!

We have been very busy this past week making and decorating many holiday treats. The first was the gingerbread houses. I decided to make my own house this year so they would be edible. They were fairly easy to do except the putting together part. I had to hold them together for a while to let them dry. Anyway, this is what they looked like before the kids started decorating.

Aidan placing the candy in just the right spot, while Peyton is eating the icing.
That was her favorite part, the icing. She licked the bowl clean and then asked for more.
We also made a couple of gingerbread men to go along with the houses.
The finished product. Peyton's is on the left and Aidan's on the right.
Next were the sugar cookies, and once again the icing was her favorite.
Aidan didn't think it was too bad either!
Working very hard.
The kids picked the icing colors they wanted to use. We used purple and pink (Peyton's choices), and blue and yellow (Aidan's choices).
Adding the sprinkles was a ton of fun. Of course to the kids the more the better!
Peyton's finished cookies.
Aidan's finished cookies.
The kids had a great time decorating, and we had a great time watching them have so much fun!

Making Christmas cookies

Today Sara and Nick came over to make cookies. The kids liked helping for a little while, but Sara and I did most of the baking.


One of their favorite thing to do is stir. Peyton helping Aunt Sara stir her cranberry cookies.
Aidan and Peyton helping Aunt Sara again!
Helping roll the thumbprints in nuts, and then making the print.
Peyton really liked putting the cinnamon candies on the rice crispy wreaths.
One of the cookies the kids really did help with were the nutter butter snowmen. I dipped them in white chocolate, and then the kids decorated them to make a snowman.
The finished product!
Rice crispy wreaths.
Cherry nut balls.
Thumb prints and mexican wedding balls.
I had a good time making the cookies and watching the kids decorate. Thank you Sara for helping! Now I just have sugar cookies and a gingerbread house to make!