We were all up early this morning and motivated. Elizabeth and I did a great job making muffin cupcakes for her class. Monday she will be snack host and share her birthday treats with her class.......banana chocolate chip muffins with cream cheese frosting and of course, pink sprinkles. We made mini-muffins for Patrick to share with his class too. She is becoming quite an accomplished baker.......able to multi-task!
Elizabeth got to go Toys-r-us to pick out a special toy with her birthday/Thanksgiving/birthday club money. She was SOOOO excited and loved her crown, cart, and balloon. 
Saturday birthdays are great. There was all day to do fun things!!
After we picked out a special toy at Toys-r-us, we headed to Friendly's for a birthday lunch. Elizabeth insisted on bringing in her new doll and doctor kit for the doll. Thank goodness for Daddy.
Of course Patrick had to get a toy too. Luckily he had some money in his wallet and a $1 for being caught being good and $1 from Pop Pop and Grandma for Thanksgiving. He picked an animal.....surprised? A lion no less.
After a yummy lunch of Mac-n-cheese, Elizabeth opted for the purple monster sundae.......and ate every last bit.
Really???? Does the shirt make it true??
When we got home from Toys-r-us and Friendly's, Uncle Danny was waiting for us with Elizabeth's birthday surprise........a playhouse for the toy room!!!
The birthday princess :)
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Elizabeth, happy birthday to you!!!!
Elizabeth huffed and puffed and blew out all the cupcakes in pretty much one shot. We can only have that many candles with close family. We all looked aside during the huffing......the after spray was kinda gross.
More pink cupcakes!
Our special birthday girl and her pink cupcakes.
Elizabeth just loved the special card her brother made her :)
Giving big brother a hug for his great card and great present. In true boy fashion, he wasn't too receptive.
Elizabeth loves her new shopping cart. Patrick sure does have a good idea about his sisters likes and dislikes!
Patrick made sure he helped with each present, and, told Elizabeth what they were before they were opened. That's what big brothers are for!
Patrick was really into Elizabeth's new doll.
Elizabeth loves her new cheerleader doll. Despite the five annoying cheers she does, it is really cute.
Liz's last present was a "computer"......this Leapfrog thing that helps teach kids how to write their letters. Both kids loved it......maybe Pat will need one for his birthday.
Patrick made his own card for his sisters birthday. He also picked out her present himself. He chose a play shopping cart.......which he told her everyday for about a month that he bought her! Anyway, in his card he traced his hand, wrote his name and Elizabeth's name, and drew every member of our family.
I love when he draws........he concentrates so intently. He was such a proud big brother when he was finished.
Aunt Jaime stopped by today with a treat for Pat and Liz.......new jammies! They both insisted on putting them on well before bed, so we wore them to Lights on the Lake. It was a fun night.
First thing in the morning Brian and Patrick headed out for Turkey hockey with Uncles and cousins. They were gone for three hours and had a ton of fun playing all morning.
Elizabeth and I spent the morning making appetizers to bring to Aunt Ann's and making birthday cupcakes so that we could start Elizabeth's birthday celebrations. I tried to get her to put her shirt on before we started making cupcakes but she wasn't having it. The stubbornness of three has set in a bit early around here. Elizabeth was really excited to help cook everything.
Elizabeth is furiously beating the eggs for her pink cupcakes with pink frosting. Her request.
The kiddies at the kiddie table before the kiddies ate.
Turkey #1.
Cousin Turkey. 
Elizabeth was so sweet while we were singing her Happy Birthday. She sat quietly on Casey's knee, just smilin' away.
Yummy pink on pink cupcakes.
By the end of the night the kids were in jammies and dominating the T.V.'s. Aunt Ann was brave enough to let the girls watch Ice Age in her room. Elizabeth got into something......left Aunt Ann a note. Patrick was downstairs with the guys watching Home Alone......and loving it. We were asleep in the car on the way home because we all had such a great day.
Patrick got hit pretty hard with the flu. Poor man was down and out for almost a week. We know it has to be bad when Pat falls asleep on the couch.......we never do that. Once that was over we had one good week and then were hit with pneumonia. Ugh.
Elizabeth somehow (knock on wood) managed to stay healthy through all of this.......although she has a cold right now. She is really into pretending lately, but gets really shy if she knows you are listening to the stories she is telling herself.
What lovies :)
On Veterans day, all were healthy enough and it was beautiful out. Time to hit the hills for a hike out back. Elizabeth is just amazed by her brother and always in awe. If he only saw it that way........
Our hikes in the back are always filled with the search for the perfect walking stick. This one was a bit to big.
Patrick led us way off the path we usually walk on to a cliff over looking the stream and revine. A great spot to throw rocks!
My sweetheart........even picking dead flowers for his mom :)
Patrick's favorite thing lately is to talk on the phone. He wants to call everyone he knows.....which is a great opportunity to teach him phone etiquette, except he runs the opposite direction once he gets yappin'. He hasn't quite grasped the concept of voice mail which is funny to listen to.
