*Warning: picture overload*

We celebrated Riley’s fourth birthday at Kiddie Park and had a great time with family and friends.   

BFF’s True and Riley

“Ring around the Rosy”

Piñata time!

Getting one last hug!

For those who asked how Riley did when Dora’s candy was “released”:

(video capturing meltdown to be posted soon)

How can it be that she is already four?? 

(Yummy cupcakes made by Patty)

Today was such a great day!!  Lots of birthday party fun to share; will be back soon for updates.  Until then, here’s a shot of the (almost) four-year-old in her new pink ride (thanks again Granny & Papa)!

It’s no secret that this girl loves her some Dora.  When we went to pick out a piñata for her upcoming birthday party, of course she went straight for the Dora.  She wanted Dora to sit in the car next to her on the way home, but I convinced her that she’d be safer in the back of the car out of her brother’s reach.  However, as soon as we got home, Dora was out of the car and in the arms of her beloved friend Riley!

Can you see the excitement?!

“Ring around the Rosy”

Kisses!!

As I’m writing this post, my girl is curled up in our bed fighting off a fever.  Please, if anyone is reading this, please pray for quick healing so we can have a happy birthday party tomorrow!!!

We have really been looking forward to being back at our favorite school, UUMC!! Yesterday we got to meet Riley’s new teachers, Ms. Jan, Ms. Lynn and Ms. Robin (who she’s had before) and see the new classroom. She was of course shy at first when meeting the teachers, but she quickly began checking out her new room. Once we left, she kept talking about the doughnuts and pizza in the kitchen (pretend of course)!

Riley with Ms. Jan (love the smile on Riley’s face!!)

She woke up this morning with excitement and was ready to go! After breakfast (french toast, per Riley’s request on this special day), she got ready for school in record time and we headed outside for some pictures.

This girl does NOT like to look at the camera!

Love that her backpack is bigger than she is!! Good thing it has wheels!

Being silly as we wait for Dad.

We left for school and got stuck in traffic. As we’re sitting on the access road at a stop light, Riley says “go Mommy, I’m ready for school”!

Riley had a great first day – at least that’s what her teachers said! We asked her all afternoon how her day was and she won’t give any details! Hopefully we’ll learn more about her day tomorrow! She did tell me that she ate her whole lunch and wants the same lunch tomorrow!

In an effort to finally get back in shape, we have been on an exercise kick in our house.  Riley is loving it because she (sometimes) gets to go for a ride in the jogging stroller listening to music (that’s her version of working out).  The best part of all of it is hearing her talk about “extercising”!  Whenever she hears me say it’s time for a run, she’ll run into my room and watch me change into “extercise” clothes.  Well, the other day, she decided that she was going to change into her “extercise” clothes and lo and behold, this is what she came up with:

She found an old cardigan that she used as a sports bra and insisted on “extercise” panties!  She then covered up with a t-shirt and shorts and was ready to go!  The imagination on this girl never ceases to amaze me!

Last weekend we met up with our friends, Adam and Kristina, along with their two cuties, Carter and Mattie for a fun lunch date.  Kristina is a sweet friend that I met a couple of years ago when Carter and Riley were in school together.  We were pregnant together with the little ones, and we enjoyed their company so much when they lived in SA.  Unfortunately for us, they moved to Dallas last year and I miss my friend so much!  We are lucky though in that we each have family living in SA and Dallas, so we still get to see each other, though not as often as we’d like.

These two rascals were full of energy and had a great time playing together.  

Sigh…isn’t she gorgeous?  Mattie is the sweetest (and funniest) little doll.

These two together were so funny!  They kept staring at each other and once we put them in our laps, they were leaping for each other.  My little love man was giving Mattie (open mouth) kiss after kiss on the cheek.  And then, when she was least expecting it, he went in for the bite.  Agghh…I felt so bad for poor Mattie!  When I talked to Kristina the next day, she said it looked like Mattie had a hicky on her cheek!!  Oh Braden.

Kristina, it was so great seeing you guys and I hope we can get together again soon!

I was looking back through pictures and realized I hadn’t blogged about Paige’s shower.  I know, Leslie’s practically a month old already, but since I use this blog as a journal for my family’s memories, I wanted to include this special day.

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to see not one, but three of my very close friends (one who lives here but we don’t get to see each other enough).  It was fuel for my soul to see these girls.  The thing I love about all these girls is that we can go several months without seeing each other, yet we can easily pick up where we left off whenever we finally get to be together!

Friday night we spent the evening at Courtney’s house.  Riley loved playing with all of Caroline’s toys, and immediately went into “pretend” mode.  Sweet Caroline loved hugging on Riley, although Riley did not seem amused that I wanted to capture the moment with my camera.

And then there is sweet baby Emma, who was kind enough to endure Braden’s torture.  He does not understand the term “gentle” quite yet; so needless to say, I didn’t get a lot of pictures of the night since I was constantly pulling Braden away from Emma!

Saturday night Ryan and Josh were able to join all of us for a much-needed night out.  We had a great time over dinner and drinks and enjoyed the company oh so much!

Josh, Katharine, Courtney, Ryan, Amanda & Josh

In between the fun of seeing my college friends, we met up with Carlye (best friend since 6th grade) and her husband for lunch!  It was so fun to be able to sit and chat over a meal rather than on the phone!  Plus, she hadn’t seen the kids in almost a year (Braden was itty bitty last time she was in town), and they were actually very cooperative at lunch!! 

What an amazing weekend with close friends! 

Sunday afternoon was spent out in the country at Nanny’s house!  The kids had a blast in the garage, playing with all that they could get their hands on.

The police car is always a favorite!

Riley got dolled up in her apron and helped Nanny make ice cream sundaes for everyone.

Riley discovered some vintage headbands and definitely brought back the 80’s!