Lily and Jack: What A Party

Last post before Lily officially turns 4...approx 26 hours until the big day! Can't believe it has been 4 years...did you ever believe that the blog would still be alive and kicking 4 years later!?!

Before we get to deets of the big party...on Friday Lily started gymnastics again. She is now an old pro on the rope swing, and doing somersaults and handstands. Jack loved watching his big sister, maybe next year he can join in the fun! We had a pretty low key weekend due to Hurricane Hannah moving in on Friday night/Saturday, preparing for Lily's party, and Jack feeling a little under the weather - we found out today that he has conjunctivitis which has left him a little crusty...

On Sunday, we had Lily's birthday bash and fortunately gorgeous weather! Fourteen kids joined Lily for her party in the backyard, which consisted of a moonbounce, pinata, and of course the permanent fixtures of the sandbox, water/sand table, and playhouse. Everyone seemed to have a blast, and they quickly shoved pizza in their mouths so they could get back to the fun. Lily received lots of fun presents including dinasours and legos from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom, and a princess castle from Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis. Mom and Dad got her a bike with training wheels. She rides pretty well, although she has a few issues with the brakes, she does not seem to understand when to push back on the pedals and still puts her feet down to stop herself. She actually had a fall yesterday which resulted in a few scrapes but she got right back on the "horse" - with a little coaxing from the parents. We suspect she will get the hang of it soon! She has a few more presents to open on her actual birthday...

Today at school Lily told a cute story which was then transcribed by her teacher (a pic of the cover is below). She is becoming incredibly creative in her drawings and her stories, and is a great big sister making up stories for Jack.

"Once upon a time there was a girl bear and she was walking to home. Then there was a bad fox who was trying to eat the bear princess. She called the Super Hero and the Super Hero came and got the fox away and eat him all up. The princess told the fox to get away and don't come back again. The Queen came in and asked the princess what she did today. She said the Super Hero saved me. The End."

Jack wants to send out special hugs and kisses to Lily wishing her a Happy 4th Birthday (especially because he is too crusty to actually give her a birthday hug and kiss). Lily and Jack also want to send out special hugs and kisses to cousin Stephanie who is celebrating her birthday on Thursday!

P.S. - Marcy wrote up this week's entry but I would be remiss if I did not let everyone know what great a job she did planning and executing Lil's party. Marcy had every detail worked out and the kids all had a great time. The whole party went off without a hitch - and it would not have without all of Marcy's hard work. So even if Lily can't quite appreciate how much her Mom does for her now, maybe in ten or fifteen years when she reads back through all of this (and is mortally embarrassed that her life was so well documented), she can say thanks and be reminded what a great Mom she has (even though she will be a teenager and think her Mom and Dad are lame).

One video below ... more to come.