A wonderful day...

Today we had Kalli's 6th birthday party at the mall with just a few friends. It was INCREDIBLE and so much fun. It was a Hannah Montana party at Libby Lu in the mall, and all the girls put on rock star outfits, a wig of their choice, make-up, nails, and lots of glitter. There was dancing in the mall followed by a ride on the merry-go-round and ice cream at Maggie Moos. Libby Lu gave the kids amazing gift bags that included a webkin (which you know the kids went nuts over). It was just the girls having REAL girly fun. I was so proud and excited to simply BE THERE and watch it happen. I took over 300 photos (yes, I realize that is a problem) and most of them take my breath away. Even little Kaya picked a stunning Sharpay (from High School Musical) wig and LOVED IT - she stole the show because she was so little with all the big kids. When they danced in the mall, everyone stopped to look at how cute they all were. It was awesome. One of those days you just feel blessed to be a part of. Happy 6th birthday party day Kal (she really turns 6 on Thursday which means Hannah plates and napkins with PINK Monster cookies for the class). My life changed forever to the good the day I became a mom.

Happy Belated Easter Photos

The Rotary Easter Egg hunt was really cold, but we had a good time anyway!

We had an incredible time at my brother's for Easter - just a happy, peaceful weekend and the kids were SO EXCITED that the Easter Bunny delivered all their Easter surprised to Uncle Matt's place, and she also left the best note under our room door. Very cool. We spent the night at a hotel with an indoor pool, and the kids LOVED it!



Kalli loved standing by her AGE in the pool, and so did little Kaya!


We colored eggs, hunted for baskets and eggs, ate well, and simply enjoyed spending time together. Rahul is the BEST cook and we all ate a little too much, but it was TOTALLY worth the extra Weight Watchers points.

Roller blading and field trips are fun!

It has been decent weather here (by midwest standards anyway) and the girls have enjoyed roller blading outside. Busia went on a field trip with Kalli's class to the fire department and played games with Kaya. Basically, we are just enjoying each day as it comes. And we are grateful for every one of them, too.

Auntie Shannon & Sunshine

We were so sad to say good-bye today to Aunt Shannon whose weekend plans totally changed, and she never once complained. She is one-in-a-million. I can only hope my girls have such a true friend one day. She thought it was odd and funny that we toss all of Kaya's blankets in the freezer before we put them on her at night... just one of that kid's MANY funny and odd habits!

AND, it was FINALLY nice enough to let the kids play outside. Only for a few minutes because they were freezing, but at least they got out the sidewalk chalk and rode some bikes before running back into the warmth of our home.

One last note - we buried our good friends Mom today. They have been such wonderful friends to our family since our Mom passed away. Please think of them in your prayers because they are left behind now that Grammie Anna is in Heaven with my Mom.

Aunt Shannon Visits Us

Kaya loved playing with Aunt Shannon's Laptop and Photo Booth. Both girls simply loved spending some time with her!! Shannon LOVED watching high school musical one AND two OVER AND OVER AND OVER. The weekend was not what we had planned due to a change that had to happen, but it was nice anyway.

Kaya Turns 3

Here are just a few of the 378 photos I took today at Kaya's WiLd OrAnGe 3rd birthday party today at the Jumping place where the kids jumped, made a stuffed animal (she made a tree frog and named it ORANGE), and then ate LOTS of orange VERY sweet stuff..... Almost everyone wore ORANGE to the party (even though I did not tell them to, and it made Kaya SOOOOOO happy!!)