Scarlett's Pink Princess Birthday Party (Part 1)

Scarlett wanted a princess birthday party -- a PINK princess birthday party to be exact.  So from the invitations to the cake to the actual Pink Princess who came to the party, it was all pink and all princess all the way.  (Well, technically, it was a "princess and knight" party to make sure that any little guests not into princesses wouldn't think princess-loving was a requirement.)  This first post includes photos from before the madness party.

Scarlett's awesome pink castle cake.

I made this in a moment of Martha Stewart insanity inspiration (in my defense, it was super easy; I just cut a "3 out of a piece of cardboard and used a glue gun to cover it in crinkled cupcake wrappers).

View of the dining room ceiling with the pink tulle draping that BB helped me hang.

Tiaras, wands, and blow up swords (admittedly, swords were not my most brilliant move with a house full of kids five and under, but at least they weren't hard plastic).

Recycled butterfly tree form Alysse's baby shower last year.

The invitation.

The bounce house.

The dining room before the onslaught set up with crafts for the kids.

The cutest knight ever.  How perfect is that shirt?

And finally, the beautiful birthday princess herself.

Scarlett is THREE!!!

Monday January 21, 2013 was a big day:  President Obama's second inauguration, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and our girl turned three years old!  (In no particular order of importance, of course.)  It was a fun and busy day ... the park, Scarlett's first haircut, lunch with BB at Snuffer's, presents, dinner at Gloria's, Sprinkles cupcakes for dessert, playtime with some of Scarlett's new toys, and finally sleep.  (I tried to sneak into Scarlett's room to take off her new princess tutu that she insisted on wearing to bed.  A very groggy Scarlett rolled over and groaned, "no, Mommy, I NEED my princess tutu!")

"I AM 3!"

Fun at the park.

Cupcakes!

Checking out her new Scarlett puzzle from Cherry.

The princess tent was a hit.  Chris had to get inside to assemble it.  

Max was so excited to get in, that he couldn't even wait for Chris to get out.

Scarlett proceeded to open the remainder of her presents from inside the tent (while nosey Max and Winnie looked on).

Princess Scarlett casting a spell on her Daddy.

It was a sleeping spell, apparently.  Even Winnie was out for the count (note her in the pink collar snoozing on Chris's legs).

Scarlett's princess birthday party was today ... photos forthcoming!

Snow Day!

We had a surprise snow day last week!  We went to bed having no idea that snow was even in the forecast, and woke up to a light blanket of snow.  Scarlett was excited to build the world's smallest snowman and throw a few snowballs.  Max was excited to run around checking out the mysterious white stuff.  We had lots of fun playing until Scarlett got wet and cold and asked to come in.  Max, however, had to be dragged inside kicking and screaming.  (And in case there's any doubt, Scarlett dressed both herself and sweet Max.  Payback, Scarlett.  It's coming.)

Christmas 2012: It's a wrap!

We finished up our Christmas celebrations by spending Christmas week in Southern New Mexico/El Paso, first with BB and then with Papa Tig and Mimi.  We were all sick with some kind of upper respiratory grunge -- first Scarlett, then Max, then me, and finally Chris -- which left everyone a bit grumpier than normal, but we managed to push through the sickness and still have lots of fun.

Feeding the ducks near BB's house.

Max on the move.

Checking out the luminarias.

Christmas Eve at BB's house.

Sweet kisses for BB.

This one cracks me up.  Sick Scarlett grousing, sick Max exhausted, and BB looking bewildered by it all.

Christmas morning at Mimi and Papa Tig's.  Scarlett asked Santa for "a baby and a crib that rocks."  She's holding Lulu the new baby below, and a baby cradle was waiting for her under the tree at our house when we got home (the cradle was my doll cradle when I was a little girl; I guess even Santa regifts ...).

Opening presents.

Feeding the ducks with Papa Tig.

Watching the ducks after they flew in for their afternoon snack.

Silly Max thought it was great fun to crawl into this planter, and was quite pleased with himself as you can see.

Scarlett's birthday is coming up in a few days and she is quite excited, although apparently she's already planning ahead.  She asked me today, "Mommy, after my birthday's over, can we have Christmas again next month?"  I told her, "No, it won't be Christmas again for another year.  Next month is Valentine's Day."  She responded, "But I don't like Valentine's Day.  It's too scary!"  Nice try, Scarlett (although she might actually be onto something there).  

A Cowboys Fan: Before and After

Scarlett before the game.  The playoffs hung in the balance, but hope springs eternal.

Scarlett after the game.  Thanks a lot, Romo.