Happy Mother's Day

Mother Nature treated us to a great of weekend of weather for Mother's Day. So, after three straight busy weekends (birthdays, birthdays, birthdays), we decided to treat ourselves to a relaxing weekend at home. (Well, as relaxing as possible with two very busy little girls.)

Early Saturday morning, the girls headed outside to play. Before long, the temperature had climbed into the 70's and the girls wanted to play in the water. The water table came first. But that wasn't enough, so out came the little pool. Once the little pool was out, well, that wasn't enough either. So out came the big pool, along with the swim suits and sunblock. At that point, it seemed more like Memorial Day than Mother's Day.  

Right on cue, Gwen has entered the dinosaur phase (or "di-no-no's" as she calls them).

Gwen is still getting the hang of blowing bubbles. She's a pro at eating bubbles, though.

Other than nap time, we spent the entire day outside on Saturday. We ate a picnic lunch. We played in the pools and sandbox in the afternoon (thankfully, not at the same time). The girls managed to wear every bathing suit they own. We ended the day with a cookout for dinner -- and after dinner, the girls triumphantly paraded around the backyard with their ice cream cones.

On Sunday morning, we got up early so we could beat the Mother's Day breakfast crowds at the Pop Shop in Collingswood. Ariella got her favorite (Eggs Benedict) and everyone else gobbled-up pancakes and eggs. But the real show-stopper at breakfast were the "Pancake Fries" pictured below --deep fried pancake strips with syrup and cinnamon cream cheese dips... Wow. Wow. Wow.

The girls spent the entire day outside again on Mother's Day -- and reminded us how much they're like their Mom. They showed off their kitchen skills (backyard-style) by meticulously cooking up batch of Grass Soup. Start with freshly picked weeds. Add water from the kiddie pool. Stir until thoroughly mushy. Add dirt to taste. Cook on pretend grill, stirring occasionally.

Just like her Mom (who was a competitive swimmer in high school, remember?), Morgan absolutely loves the water. Gwen still hasn't discovered the joy of swimming. She loves the water table, but just doesn't like getting her face wet (something we're reminded of every night in the bathtub). She'll come around eventually. It's in her DNA somewhere.

After another dinner cookout Sunday night (ribs... yum!), we capped off our Mother's Day with a trip to Rita's for water ice. Ariella treated herself to Red Velvet-flavored water ice. Morgan had tangerine. Andy had peanut butter & jelly. Gwen had vanilla custard. And everybody came home with technicolor red lips.

Party for a Princess: Part 2

On the Saturday before Morgan's birthday, we threw a Princess Party for Morgan and her friends from school. It was so much fun that on the Saturday after her birthday, we did it again for our family. 

On Saturday morning, Morgan got to open her presents from Lance, Lina and Lucas (who had spent the night with us after our adventure at Sesame St. on Friday) and from Aunt Lindsay (who arrived early Saturday morning). It was a very Rapunzel-ful bunch of presents -- including a Rapunzel baby doll, Rapunzel figurines, and a Rapunzel dress. 

 

In the afternoon, the party officially started. The kids had fun jumping in the bouncy castle, playing soccer, bobbing for apples, and competing in a sack race (with pillow cases -- a princess wouldn't be caught dead in a potato sack, after all).

 

Later, we headed inside for to do arts and crafts and open presents. Gwen decorated a magic wand at Morgan's first Princess Party, so she helped show Aunt Jenny how it's done. 

Ariella cooked up feast fit for a King (or, in this case, a princess) including pulled barbecue chicken, pasta salad, cole slaw, corn on the cob, baked beans and macaroni n' cheese. Gwen feasted on fruit kabobs.  

Morgan's cake was a pink Princess castle made with icing-coated ice cream cones (edible) and princess figurines (not edible). After Morgan's 3rd Happy Birthday serenade in a week, the sugar rush from the cake gave the girls enough of a jolt of energy to put their princess costumes and race back outside for more bouncing in the castle. (Lucas was out of gas after a long weekend of fun, so he said goodbye.)

Finally, Morgan's fairy tale party had reached the "happily ever after" part. Morgan and Gwen said their goodbyes and thank-you's. Before heading off to bed, the girls squeezed in a little snuggle time with Aunt Lindsay (who mentioned this weekend that there are never any pictures of her on this blog -- so here ya go.) 

Morgan at 4 years

It's amazing how fast 4 years have gone by, and how our little baby has turned into a big girl. (For photographic evidence, check out these birthday photos from one month, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years.)

At her 4-year checkup recently, Morgan measured 38 inches tall and weighed 34 lbs 2 oz. (which means she's holding steady in the 15th percentile in height and weight for her age).

This year, Morgan continued to grow into a sweet, smart, fun little girl. She's the "teacher's pet" in her preschool class (sometimes, her teacher has to ask her not to answer all the questions so other kids can get a chance). Morgan knows all of her letters and numbers and is starting to read short words. She loves to do art projects -- whether it's with crayons, markers, paint, Play-Doh or sidewalk chalk, Morgan's art keeps getting more and more creative. She also loves to dance and sing along with songs from Princess movies. She still loves helping Mom in the kitchen. And she loves being a big sister to Gwen.

On Thursday morning, we kicked off her birthday by opening a few presents that Nanna and Grandpa mailed from Utah. Lately, Morgan's favorite princess movie has been Tangled. So Nanna knitted Rapunzel hair for Morgan. Based on the photos below, you can tell the hat was a huge hit with Morgan... and Gwen.

After school on Thursday, Morgan finally got the big birthday gift she's been asking for for months: a bouncy castle. When she stepped into our back yard, she couldn't believe her eyes. Then, in a flash, she had pulled off her shoes and was bouncing her brains out. 

A little while later, Katie, Andrew and Karen joined us for dinner and birthday cake. The kids sang "Happy Birthday" for the second time and then bounced some more. Morgan's official birthday was over. But her birthday weekend was just beginning. 

On Friday morning, we piled into the car and went to Morgan's favorite place: Sesame Place. When we got there, we met up with Lance, Lina and Lucas (this was Lucas' first time at Sesame Place).

It was cool and overcast in Friday morning, so the park was empty and there were no lines at any of the rides. We took the kids on the Sunny Day Carousel, Elmo's Flying Fish, and Big Bird's Balloon Race.

Gwen and Lucas played on slide in the toddler area while Ariella and Morgan climbed in the nets high above us. Later, Lucas showed no shyness whatsoever when he got the chance to meet Big Bird, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Zoey and The Count.

 

In the afternoon, a sunny day swept the clouds away (as the song goes). Morgan rode the rollercoaster five times. Gwen and Lucas rocked-out to the "Elmo Rocks" show. And finally, we finished the day watching the Sesame Place Parade. 

Part 3 of Morgan's birthday marathon was done. But we still had a big day ahead of us on Saturday...