Gwyn's Big Day!!! (picture over load)

We woke Gwyn up in the morning so that she could open her presents before Daddy left to work. All the boys (dad included) and my self woke Gwyn up by singing "happy birthday to you". It was so fun to see her open her eyes a little bugged and then see a HUGE smile on her face at remembering it was her birthday.
One of her FAVORITE gifts was FANCY NANCY. Let's just say her party was going to be themed after her new doll but she has so many boy friends that she wanted to invite we went a different direction.
Nothing like a little dress up for your doll!
Love this picture!
Gwyn is dressed and ready for her special day. So is Fancy Nancy!



Fancy's wings.....
So this picture is the reality of what this little girl was really like on her birthday. Perhaps we shouldn't have woken her up. She spent a little time in time out......What can you do?

The PArTy!!!!! (Geena is our neighbor/nanny) We love her and she was our little helper all party long! I must also give a shout out to Gwyn's new swim suit from the Nan! Gwyn had an amazing luau. We had decorations, Hawaiian music, water, yummy treats, and lots of cute little kids. The party was only scheduled for 1 hour. Perfect for three year olds.
My four kids!
Jen (our neighbor/older sister/friend/babysitter/aunt/Geena's mom) let us borrow their slide and pool for the Hawaiian Luau. Gil thought that this was the best thing ever.
Gwyn fought me all day to just play on this...she didn't want to wait for her party.
Jen so kindly helped out with all 15 three year olds at the party. She made it possible for me to take all the pictures I wanted too.

Carson came and enjoyed the party from afar. He was totally fine to be there with out his mom, but he was just the party spectator.
Gwyn was waiting to blow the candle out on the cupcake.
We had a wind problem.....
This is some of the group eating the oh so delicious cupcakes.
Just enjoying...

All finished......
Opening presents....

Grace

For our party favors the girls got leis, grass skirts, hats, and ring pops. They looked so cute.
Miss SJ

Emee
Gabe (Gwyn's future husband) love eachother so much. They escape to eachothers houses to frequently. Gabe actually gave Gwyn for part of her gift a picture of himself......must be love. Let's just say that when they get to play together Sara and I have to watch them closely because they get in to mischief and trouble together.
Our buddy Jackson!

The boys got leis, hats, and ring pops.
Adler
Talon

Gwyn and Emee....Hula babes.
The girls...and Gil.
Geena
The birthday girl!
Oliver
There were other kids who just didn't want to have their picture taken......

Tucker and Abe.....I don't even know where to begin with how much help they were to me all day. Tucker was constantly asking what he could do to help and then he and Abe would get to work. I love having a couple of older kids. Thank you my beautiful boys! (even if Grandpa Mike things Abe is U-G-L-Y)
Mr. Gilbert
Gwyn and me.....Bob was really there too. He was great and came home early to help out with the party. He was either video taping or cleaning up.
That night after the boys B-Ball game we had a real cake and ice cream. Here she is as silly as can be. I know this cake doesn't look like much, but it was oh so divine.
Thanks to Jen for always being stand in family. She represents Grandma's and Aunts. We missed the rest of our family but Gwyn got lots of calls from Aunts, Uncles, and Nannie! What a great day but really busy. I think she had a great time at her party and so did the kids...I am so glad Miss Priss is ours!

Happy 3rd Birthday Miss Sassy Fras!

20 minutes old
1 day old
I love you dearly. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful friend and daughter. You make my life so much fun and all the pink and frills make life magical. Hope your day is as fancy as you are my happy girl.

rainy day......

When my boys were little I use to take them for walks in the rain. We would jump in puddles and splash each other and the boys would giggle and giggle. Today is the first time I have let the two little ones out to play in it. I forgot how much fun we have in the rain. Playing in the rain, let's just chalk that up to one of my favorite things to do.

Would you like to meet my new neighbor? She has 12 children.....

Meet Mrs. Quail. She is a cute but a very annoying new neighbor. She has decided that our backyard is the new home to her and her 12 babies.
This is the best picture I have of a couple of the babies (or chicklins as Gwyn calls them) running for cover when I stepped outside.
We discovered our new neighbors had "chosen" our home when one of the chicklins followed one of the kids in the house. When the boys and I tried to get it out it ran under our dishwasher. We waited until dad got home and by then we had quite a few neighbor children trying to help as well. After hours of trying to coax the little chicklin out of the deep dark crevices of our house, it finally came out. Gil was in bed and Gwynnie and I were reading stories when we heard the little thing crying for it's momma. Bob found it hiding in some bunched up rugs and then the three of us got it outside. Gwyn kept saying "it's just so cute."

The next few days our two younger kids were constantly at the window watching the momma and her "chicklins". Gil would run out of the door trying to catch one. Tuck and Abe (and friends) have found joy in trying to count them and chase them around. I have had to get after them to leave them alone many times. Bob has tried to no avail to try and get her to relocate her babies. On Sunday Gwyn ran in from the backyard yelling "Gilbert killed a chicklin" Bob, Tucker, Abe and I ran out to see Gil poking a dead baby quail. I am sure he did not kill it but Gwyn is convinced he did. She told me today she is "so mad at Gil for killing that chicklin" Anytime he is going out in the backyard she says to him"Now Gilbert don't hurt a chicklin". Poor Gil. I am happy to say that I have not seen Mrs. Quail in a day or so, let's hope they have moved on.

Yes, she is signing autographs......

Little Miss had her first dance recital this week. Her class Two Much Fun has been really fun all year. There is not a lot of technique involved but she has sure gotten efficient at dress ups..... There are a lot of pictures, but I thought it would be great to see all of her costumes!
Nannie and Aunt Paige drove down for the recital. Gwyn could not have been more pleased to have such an audience. ( I am pretty sure she wants to be Aunt Paige when she grows up.)
Costume #1!!!! Jesse, from toy story. Gwyn had no fear and was quite the crowd pleaser. She danced and waved on her wooden horse like the Strawberry Days rodeo queen. Aunt Amy would have been so proud.
Costume #2 Butterfly Girl, doesn't she looks so excited to be showing us all she learned this year in dance. Truly she lives for this class weekly. I don't know what we will do all summer.

Costume #3 Princess Jasmine. Gwynnie was so sad because another little girl had stolen her high heels. She chased the teacher around trying to tell on the other little girl until she couldn't resist the music to A Whole New World. (I don't know why she knows that music so well?) By the end she was singing and had possibly her best moves to this dance....Paige has video of it.
This was her bow at the end of the dance.....This made the whole recital worth it.....what a grand bow. I could kiss her face off.
costume #4 Gwyn and Pipes dressed up to the nines. Pipes didn't join in for awhile but when she did Gwyn was right there to mother her in. Don't they look great? Gwyn kept trying to fix Piper's glasses.
Love her!

Daddy brought her a rose and this little girl was so excited about it. She spotted it before the recital began and kept telling everyone, "my daddy brought me a flower".

The Nan and Aunty Paige (do you think they look alike?)
Mr. Gilbear in his stroller watching and eating a cookie. Poor boy spends most of his days in this stroller.
Aunt Paige and Gwyneth
Daddy and Gwyn having a picnic. Gwyn served her dad the treats.
She might like her dad just a little! I won't lie and tell you that I wasn't thrilled to be having this day. I have always dreamt of doing this with my little girl. Thanks my little buddy for being everything I hoped you would be. I couldn't ask for a more girly girl!