Happy New Year

After ten straight days of being home and living a lazy schedule, reality hit and Daddy returned to work. However, those ten days were some of the ten best days we have had in a long time...ok well since summer when Daddy was home! (We love the teacher's schedule! :) One of the biggest advantages of coming home so soon was celebrating Keely's birthday. We packed up all the Christmas decorations the weekend after Christmas and began making birthday preparations. Keely was precious. She actually had a 4 day gap between present openings so the birthday stood out this year. She was so excited to have all the attention. And for some reason turning four was a big deal to her. Whenever she sees anyone now the first thing she says is "I'm four now." (I try taking advantage by telling her four year olds can do a lot more...like change stinky diapers. It isn't working so well. )

We had a birthday cake for Sarah and Keely on the 19th at Gramps' and Nan's house. Keely didn't know what to think having a cake for her too. It was a treat to share a cake with her big, cool cousin, Sarah.

Once again I cheated and invited all her big friends over (a.k.a students who hang out with us anyway). It is so much easier and cheaper than planning a party with little friends. And she doesn't know the difference yet at this point. I am pretty sure the present she is opening in this picture is a Polly Pocket..by far her favorite gift of the day and the biggest surprise to ALL of us. I had made it clear to Keely and Macey that Polly's were a special treat to play with at Abby and Ellie's house. But we couldn't have any at our house because they are too dangerous with a little one around and we already have enough little Barbie pieces. Well, big friend Stephen didn't know the rule but has played Polly's with them before at his house and brought her one as a gift! Her face was priceless (as was mine I am sure). It was the, "You aren't going to take it away, are you?" So, Polly lives on the closet shelf and only comes out to play when Kres is asleep.We pulled Keely's birthday present out from last year (her jumper) to play on again this year. And Jojo's grandson was in town so he came to the "party" too. Kres loved sitting on the jumper and letting the kids bounce him. But it was hard to hold onto him. He kept trying to crawl away and then he would fall over and cry. Cupcakes with sprinkles are Keely's favorite treat so it is never hard to comply. We also take the kids out for their birthdays. They could to choose where we go. Macey chose Cheeburger, Cheeburger on her birthday. Keely has been saying since June, she too wanted to go there. We said that was fine. The day before her birthday she asked if we could still go there. We said yes. Then the morning of, Macey informed her she could go to Chickfila instead. Keely looked at me and said, "we can?" I said yes, to which she jumped up screaming, "I want to go to Chickfila instead!" Well, it just happened to be Tuesday night...family night...KIDS EAT FREE night! Way to go, Keely!

And now, as if we haven't had enough excitement lately, we head to Florida tomorrow for the week. We run our marathon Sunday despite the freezing temps they are calling for. Then off to the parks for some play time!