My 33rd Birthday!

My birthday was on Friday.  Birthdays sure aren't as much fun when you're turning 33 though!

The kids gets super excited about it, and my mom made me an awesome chocolate cake.

Oh, and Brian hurried home from work that day and cleaned the kitchen, all the bathrooms, swept the floors, and got me some beautiful flowers!  Best birthday presents EVER!

We went out to eat (without Brian, he was at a Royals game), then the next day I went on a date with Brian - out to dinner and a movie.  It was a great evening.

Colin insisted that I take a picture with his nerf gun

My amazing kiddos and I

In other news...Colin is officially riding his bike now all by himself!  He transitioned straight from his balance bike to a big boy bike with no training wheels!  Way to go, Colin!

Maggie's last day of dance (plus some bonus pictures by Colin!)

We enrolled Maggie in a little summer dance class (literally 4 classes).

She was supposed to do it in June, but she broke her leg a week prior to class starting.

The dance company was nice enough to bump us back to their July session - we are so glad this was able to work out because Maggie had a BLAST!

The teacher let us in the dance studio on the last day, for about 10 minutes, to take some pictures.

We were able to see Maggie through the mirrored glass - we could see her, but she couldn't see us!

Colin insisted on taking the pictures - so these are all from a 5-year-old's perspective!

Showing us her dance moves - and she had her tongue out the whole time 

(I wonder who she gets that from?!?!) 

Lining up to do their dance routine they had been practicing

This picture makes me laugh - Colin kinda missed her face a little bit!

At the end of class the girls all got a medal, presented to them by their instructor, Miss Amanda!

Maggie was so surprised - we didn't know that was going to happen.  

She was so proud of herself!

After class - with her friend, Jeanelle

Oh, and here are a few more pictures I found on the camera (all taken by Colin!)

A selfie

This one of Brian is actually really good!

Granddad silly face!

Mommy and Meemaw silly face!

And now for some still life photos

Colin cracks me up - why he would ever want to take a picture of the drinking fountain or my water cup - who knows?!

Dance class was a success, maybe when Maggie gets a bit older we can commit to a longer dance season, until then, we might try out some gymnastics!

Colin's Chuck E Cheese celebration

It seems like our rituals were all thrown off this year by Colin's birthday being on a weekend day.

We had his birthday party on his actual birthday.  In the past years, we always did a small celebration on their birthday (a  present or two, plus Chuck E Cheese with our immediate family).  Obviously that didn't work out so well this year.  Brian and I decided to do Colin's small celebration on Wednesday this week.

So, we gave Colin our presents in the morning...

Colin got his birthday donuts

He opened up his new Batman shirt from Maggie

I forget why she was so upset...it's hard being 3 :)

We got Colin a Nerf gun

The kids went to school like normal, and we picked them up and headed straight to Chuck E Cheese

As usual, the carousel was a hit!

And we did a mound of Zebra cakes for Colin's cake (thanks to a last minute run to Target!)

We all had a great time - so excited for Colin to be 5!

A few random pics

So Meemaw took us out to for dinner celebrate Colin's bday (the day before).

We went to this place that had some awesome happy hour deals and we got TONS of food!

It seems like I can never completely eat a meat out at a restaurant anymore - plenty for leftovers!

Our server took this picture, not too bad!

Colin acting silly - what a ham!

And the next night Brian and I headed off to one of his cousin's wedding.

It was a lovely night out, but we didn't stay much past the dancing - we were soooo tired!

Colin's birthday party

Colin's birthday party was on his actual birthday this year (first time EVER!).

We decided to do it at a park again, but booked it at a different one than last year.

We had a lot of fun playing different games and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Somehow we lucked out, and in the middle of July, it was upper 70s for the majority of the party.

We also were able to celebrate with all of his Texas cousins who were in town for a family wedding (another first time EVER!)

My mom, once again, stepped up and really helped me out a ton with the party.

I'm so lucky to have her around, especially when it comes to throwing awesome birthday parties!

She is so creative!

 The cookie cake was a hit.

It was my first time making one, so I was pretty nervous, but it all worked out.

 Once again, we did a pinata at the party.

The kids just love them!

 I got some really cute pictures of Colin and Maggie before all the guests started arriving.

 Hooray for turning 5!

We brought some games to play once everyone arrived.

The favorite game was the parachute.

 And it was even more fun once the water balloons came out!

Maggie pretty much just hung out on the swing the whole time - she still loves to swing!

 Then we did some marshmallow races

 And somehow I got a pretty good picture where everyone is looking!

 Baby Daniel Batman

Colin got lots of really thoughtful presents - and I always love the pictures of kids opening presents - they get so excited!

 After presents we did the pinata - which didn't last long (the big kids didn't even get a chance to take a swing at it), but it was fun!

 I always love the dog pile of kids swarming for the candy!

 Oh, and the leftover pinata?  I think it's going to be Peter's halloween costume for this year! :)

Colin had a wonderful birthday party and we are so excited to have a big 5 year old in our house!

Happy Birthday, Colin!