Oh yeah that...

Remember when we were so excited for Christmas, for the holiday season? Now I'm so excited to have it over, to have the clutter gone, the treats off the counter, and nap time to resume. I guess I have officially entered motherhood. I'm just as excited for the holidays to be over with as I am for them to begin.
That being said, we had a glorious holiday season. Seriously. It was a blast. So busy with so many fun things. I was thinking about all the events and if we could cut any of them out next year, ya know to make it more relaxing, and I wouldn't. I wouldn't change any of it.
In classic Tehmi style we celebrated Christmas for days, days and days.  Between all the extended family parties, immediate family parties, Christmas Day, and the day after when Santa arrived at our house, I was making myself proud. All of those events happened one day after another for a week. The girls were a little bummed out when they didn't get to open presents on December 27, when Christmas had officially ended. I was completely relieved.
We tried to be mellow about Christmas this year, tried to keep things simple and not go overboard. It never really works out when we do that. Kevin spoiled us. He will tell you that he really tried not too; maybe next year we should define mellow for each other.
Also, I still haven't mastered the participate in the party, hold a newborn and take photos skill...
so sorry...

And yes, that is all the photos I took of our Christmas Days. Sorry Henry that I don't have any other photos that documented your first Christmas, you got a box of diapers and a rattle. Next year kid, next year your gonna score.

love love

A party!

Miss Stella June turned FIVE years old yesterday! FIVE! Can you believe it? I can't. She told me as I tucked her into bed last night that being five is the greatest thing she could have ever imagined. Better than all the princesses at the castle and better than baby Henry. Apparently being five is awesome.

She spent the morning with Trevor dining on french toast and being spoiled. Then the afternoon snuggling with Ruby and assisting with her birthday cake. After we ate pepperoni pizza per her request we dolled her up. She wanted to look extra pretty for her party, shocking, with jewelry and curly hair. Then came the party she and Ruby had been so excited for; cake and ice cream. Who knew that cake and ice cream could be so popular? I guess when you add your cousins and grandparents, along with buckets of presents, cake and ice cream is amazing. She was spoiled completely rotten and was gracious about it. Ensuring that everyone saw all of her pretty things and thanked everyone, slowly. She doesn't rush anything. 

Except blowing out the candles. Grandpa Trace had only gotten through half a verse of his birthday song before she blew all the candles out. I think she knew that Ruby was going to beat her to it if she didn't hurry. 

I can't imagine our household with out this sparkle in it. She is a dream.

love love

The 4th Birthday

The birthday girl woke to a table full of presents and a purple birthday hat. She was so excited to have it finally be the day she turned 4. I was able to work from home and told her she could have whatever she wanted for breakfast. Her choice? Lucky charms. She is tough to please...

We let her open some of the presents and it was sensory overload. But the look of pure excitement is why you give presents...

She spent the afternoon with her dad shopping. I was anticipating a melt down of some sorts, you know it is a little girls birthday. But the birthday girl was a dream. She kept wandering around telling us that she was almost 5 now. I couldn't help but just shake my head and laugh at her. As the evening rolled around, I finished frosting the cake and 48 balloons arrived for the party. Stella and Ruby couldn't focus on anything but balloons. In fact as they are scattered around the floor they are still mesmerized by them. We had some of our family over for cake and ice cream and the little girl couldn't get enough of it all. Between everyone paying attention to her, the presents, the cake, the balloons and the fact that it was HER birthday to much. She pulled me aside and said "Mom, I'm as happy to the moon and stars and back!" Could you ask for better?

And it traditional style, Grandpa Trace came through the door singing "Happy Birthday" as loud as possible! It wouldn't be a birthday without his rendition the song...

At the moment the favorite gift is the Mary Poppins globe that Grandma Jan and Grandpa Richard gave her. She has been carrying it around ever since.

She was pretty excited to have the entire family sing Happy Birthday. She told me that she had a great wish to make but forgot it as she was blowing out the candles.

Then there is Brian. There are no words for exactly how weird he is...

Micall, mom made us take this picture for you. You were missed. There is a box of cake balls still in the freezer with your name on them!

The birthday girl fell fast asleep after the festivities died down and I still can't believe she is 4 years old. I snuggled with her as she slept until she rolled over and pointed at the door with authority; never opening her eyes or saying anything, but clearly telling me it was my time to leave.
Happy Birthday June Bug!
You are so loved!!
love love

Party People

The month of December was a month of parties. Isn't it always like that though? Every weekend was consumed with a party here and a party there. But really, who doesn't love a good Christmas party?
Work hosted a fantastic Ugly Sweater Party at the DreamHome. I brought my Tall Friend and we had a great time in our saaweeet sweaters.

We had a little party with Ash. The best part about Kevin's family is that I get to play with Ashley at family functions.I promise to not miss any family function I am invited to! Plus Will and Stella are the best of friends.

Then of course, my favorite party of the entire year is the beloved Tolbert Family Christmas party. The menu and agenda never changes and I adore it. This year I got to participate in the nativity with all the great grand kids. It was a Christmas miracle that I was the virgin Mary. Stella and Ruby both adored Santa, and I mean who wouldn't? He was legit. Like really. Ruby tried her hardest to pull that beard off, but it wasn't going anywhere. 

 Kevin's parents were so nice to invite me and the girls to their family Christmas party. It was really nice to just sit down and have great conversation with them. They adored the girls and spoiled them. Stella has a lot of new favorite people in her life, and it's pretty fantastic.

Because Christmas isn't just about family, its about friends too, we attended another fabulous Christmas party with all the girls! Kevin and I failed at the ugly sweater theme, but enjoyed ourselves regardless!

Thanks to all who invited us to your party and thanks to the Tall friend for wrestling the girls with me. It was really awesome to see all of our family and friends!

Love Love

Presents and Balloons

We celebrated Stella Junes birthday just like any 3 year old would want. With presents and balloons. No need to complicate it with excess people or even cake. This little girl just wanted to play and play and play. So, I just let her play!

love love

Monster Mash

It was time again for pumpkin pie tarts and pots of soup! Another Halloween party happened and well it was fantastic. I mean any reason to throw a party I'm game for, but a reason to make miniature pumpkin pies? I'm totally in. But of course because the boys are in one corner talking about trucks and the latest duck hunt and the girls are gathered around the food yapping it up, all the kids are breezing in and out from the toys; you can imagine that not a lot of photos happened. There are never enough photos. Just take my word for it, the farmer and his cows were another classic. Meredith and Christina win for creativity. Ash and Will as wild things take the cake for craftiness; Me, the flower, and my insects were just funny. White Trash bags, Pretty princesses, Bee Boys, Elephants, Sheriffs and 80's dancers all graced our presences and it was hilarious.Thanks everyone for coming to play and we missed those didn't make it! It's a good thing I will throw more parties so you can come.
Happy Halloween!!!

Love Love