6

Em and Roo turned.... 6! 

We kicked off the morning with their new t-shirts and donuts...

...with candles to blow out.  Plus, they let me sing a very soft birthday song to them.  They still feel a little wiggy having the song sung for them and requested no singing at their party. 

Marmee arrived soon after donuts and we headed to the American Girl store.  

 Welcome to the family, Josefina!  Your new mommy, Em, is super proud to have you.  

Next up, lunch at the American Girl Bistro.  Dad joined us and that made it perfect.  

 Then, Roo's turn!  The Lego store for all the mini-figures she's been wishing for.  She built them all from scratch and couldn't be more pleased.  

 We made the cakes the day before.  Em requested a pink American Girl cake.  Her cake has vintage American Girl pewter game pieces as the cake toppers. 

Roo asked for a blue-green Sesame Street cake.  We found some cool 1970's cake toppers that fit the bill perfectly.  

 They invited all their friends from co-op, plus family and our dear, life long, since the NICU, friends, Abbey and Porter.  First up, cook-out, then cake, finally The Muppets on the screen in the backyard with popcorn.  

Up bright and early the next morning, despite the late party.  They couldn't wait to rehash it and also had the added treat of tons of birthday wishes, blessings and greetings awaiting them on Facebook.  

Happy Birthday to my darling Rowdy Girls.  I can't wait to see what amazing things you do this year!

tutus are for suckers

The RGs attended the birthday party of some sweet playgroup friends.

The trio celebrated turning 5 with a princess, superhero and pirate party.

It was awesome.

Lots of yummies, dressing up, toys, play equipment and bouncing with good friends.

Em and Roo each received a tutu, fairy wand and princess tiara for favors. But, they (not so secretly) longed for the boys' favor bag with the pirate/superhero loot inside. As we exited, I was able to exchange their bags and handed them over once we got to the car.

You would have thought it was Christmas!

So, for 2 days now, we've had a couple of buccaneers running about, with super hero capes on for added measure. They've answered nearly every question with "Argh!!!" and are in character for at least 50% of the day.

In fact, Roo has a complete alter ego now named Pirate Finnegan.

I was told this evening that "I not pirate Em now, just Em."

It's hard to tell when they switch back to regular people sometimes.

rainbows and bubbles

Our friends celebrated their 4th birthday today. Em and Roo highly anticipated this event all week. But, storms threatened to ruin all the outside fun. We held our breath as rain pelted the car on route to the party.

Fortunately, just as we arrived, the rain moved on and out came a rainbow...

From the center of the cake!

The Rowdy Girls were completely charmed.

To make it an even more perfect party, the hosts pulled out the bubble machine. Fabulous!

(And how about these little dresses? Marmee smocked them for Aunt Kaki a long time ago. They still look amazing!)

Cinco y Seis de Mayo - in color

Yesterday we hosted our multiples playgroup for a Cinco de Mayo party.
It went very well. Hardly any of the adults cried.
And, to my knowledge, only one child went home with a head wound goose egg on the noggin.
The food was delicious. Love us some potluck!
There was only one unfortunate CapriSun (or pee?) accident.
The pinata gave it up after a thorough beating by no less than 15 children.
And the Rowdy Girls napped for 4 hours when it was all over.
Total win.

Today, Roo had occupational therapy. Which she loves.
'Come on, Miss D! Room 2? Go play with Roo!"
Em and I passed the time at Starbucks.
She's an excellent date.

And speaking of dates, after picking up Roo, we snagged our most favorite lunch date, Daddy! He suggested the Pie Guy and Roo was all "PIZZA FOR RUUUUBY?!" So, pizza it was.

While circling the block looking for parking, I spotted The Cookie Lounge.
A lounge. With cookies.
What an excellent idea!
Roo thought so, too.
"COOKIE FOR RUUUUBY?!"

We were the only people in the cookie store, so we didn't worry too much when the girls began bellowing lyrics from Singin' in the Rain. But, then, they turned on the overhead music.
Apparently, the teenager firing up the easy bake oven didn't find it as hilarious as we did.
Em also danced all over the store and pretended to pop bubbles (the painted dots on the walls). Ver' cute.


Upon leaving, Roo asked when we were going to the museum. Finally, I figured out that the only other times she's been in a parking garage were museum-going days. Clever girl.
Fun day.

they say it's your birthday

The girls had a wonderful 3rd birthday!

We celebrated with the McGrandparents, Aunt Kaki, and 7 of the girls' friends from playgroups or school (along with their families).

This year, the theme was an ice cream social. Daddy brewed homemade Rowdy Girl root beer. We had cake, treats, loads of ice cream, and probably should have had the party sponsored by a pediatric dentist.
The weather held, so the outside play stuff was what it was all about. The newly assembled swing set, bouncy house, sandbox and trikes were all up for grabs.
It was a great little party with sweet friends, yummy treats and happy kids.

The girls are still talking about their "happy you cake party". My 3rd birthday party is my first memory and I hope that this is one of Em's and Roo's lasting impressions.

Birthday Bounce-back

This blog was born after the RG's first birthday. So, travel back in time with me to document their first birthday party.

It was a Ladybug Picnic Party at the McGrandparents' house. All the great-grandparents were able to attend, as well as Mammaw, Aunt Gail, cousins Charlie and Clint, and great aunt and uncle, Tracie and Ross with their children.


Our family really got into the theme of the party and gifted the girls with loads of adorable ladybug books, tents and toys. Plus, our friend, Miss Blythe, saved the day, and found these adorable ladybug halter dresses for the RGs to wear.


They looked like little Marilyn Monroes in them! (except for the nose picking).

Em and Roo were all about the birthday song singing, the candles and the cupcakes.
With perfect hindsight, perhaps red and black frosting was not the way to go.

Oh. Yeah.

Instead of party hats, I painted up the little bopper headbands.
The girls were hilarious wearing them.

So, were the great grandparents.


The party was everything J and I hoped for.

Family gathered together to celebrate surviving and thriving during the first 12 months of Em's and Roo's life. The prayers our family prayed, the food they made, the many miles driven, the bedside NICU vigils, the many hours of sleep sacrificed, the bottles held, the songs sung, the unconditonal love and support... They were in it with us. All the way.

It was a perfect celebration of the miracle of Em and Roo.

Scraps

It's been a busy couple of months and not everything made it into the blog.
Looking back through our photos, I see a few to remember.

Daddy and the girls at H's and L's Halloween party. The girls were in terrible moods when we arrived. Wearing their costumes only made it worse. Turns out, they just needed a few kilos of food to make everything happy.

Later that evening, Roo left her mark on the dog's water bowl.


Then, we had the privilege of attending Mallory's and Kelby's first birthday celebration. What miracles they are!

Em and Roo discovered a deep and abiding love for popcorn recently. And, also, for wearing Daddy's cycling bandanna. They ask J over and over to wear his "ya-yow hat".

Em and Roo bounced their booties off at R's and C's 2nd birthday party. Fun! Roo kept checking in with me to make sure I was where she left me. Love her little "Hi, Mama!" Hi has 8 syllables and Mama barely has 2. (note to self: must get that on video)



Saturday morning snuggle time with Daddy the day after the decorations went up.

This is the picture I thought we would have to use on our Christmas cards. Fortunately Roo and Em showed us mercy later that day when we tried again.