Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Lizzie Lou!
I can't believe that Elizabeth is four already. It is all going by way to fast!
First stop in the birthday extravaganza was Toys-r-us. Ms. Liz had collected quite a bank role throughout the fall. She had no idea how much money she had but Pat was kind of mad. She had more money than him!
So with our dirty cart which we sort of pushed and balloon dragged behind we wandered up and down several aisles looking for the perfect toy. For all the things Elizabeth has asked for over the year for her birthday she was taking FOREVER to pick something out. None of the suggestions that any of us made were to her liking. We looked at Barbies, Princesses, Olivia, and Polly Pockets. All these were making me cringe. If you know me you know that I really am not crazy about Barbie. I have managed to keep her out of our house but think this is the year when she might sneak in. Nor do I like the princess craze and encouraging little girls to gaze into a talking mirror that tells them how pretty they are. How about smart, funny, caring, inquizative, etc. These are hard for me to identify with because I am not a girlie girl and they don't excite me. Olivia is cool but has freakish feet. And Polly Pocket! Liz is not good at picking up and really good at dragging things all over the house, car, garage, yard - and I am not ready for so many tiny pieces.
Patrick wanted Elizabeth to pick something fast so that we could move on and he could pick out his token toy. He was the suggestion king......quite a used car salesman.
Out of everything our little Lizzie picked out the coolest present........a Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion. She was soo excited about it and was 100% sure the minute she saw it. It is a totally fitting present also. After we checked out we were off the the movies.........we saw Tangled. It was great and we all recommend it. After the movies we went to Friendly's for an early dinner. It was a great birthday outing.
When we got home we had to do presents first. Give the ice cream we had after dinner a chance to digest a bit before having birthday cupcakes. Don't judge - it is allowed on your birthday (or a family members :). Patrick looks on as Sissy opens his present. He picked out a Tangles doll because he knew we were going to see the movie. Her hair is already a rat's nest.
A genuine, sort of, sibling thank you.
Opening her gift from Mommy and Daddy. The kind of Barbie product that Mommy likes......one without boobs, real life applications, cute noises (which turned out to be pretty creepy after a while) and a doing present........It is an injured Polar Bear. Barbie tells you it is injured and that you should pet it where it glows (that's the boo-boo). The bear purrs and coos and then the glow stops. Next time it is in a different spot. There are lots of doctor's, or I guess vet, tools that come with it to help with the bear care.
Patrick very enthusiastically was helping to open Elizabeth's gift from Toys-r-us. Any guesses why? You're right, he likes it as much as Liz.
Waiting, waiting, waiting........Mommy had to find the candle, then Daddy had to find a lighter, then Mommy had to prep the camera and find the "You are special today" plate. Finally, it was cupcake time.
There they are.....yummy "homemade" cupcakes. I was crafty and put these sugar princess stickers I found in Walmart on top. Maybe I am becoming a baker.
So first we hide for "Happy Birthday".........
and then we get all excited and blow them out almost faster than Mommy can snap a picture.

A Sleeping Beauty cupcake. Happy birthday to our sweet princess.

Future Ranger?

Patrick had a full day of hockey today. He went to his regular Saturday practice only to find out he was called up to play with the Mites in the "Jam" tonight. He was tired, understandably.
His team pictures came today also. I was so happy that he smiled. He already looks so old to me, I think I would have died if he had that serious sports player look.

Nutcracker Surprise

A friend had free tickets to the children's Nutcracker so I decided to take Elizabeth as a birthday present. It didn't start until 7:00, which is late for her, but she was excited and hung in there. I was planning on taking her next year thinking that she wouldn't be able to focus but she did great. Our seats were fantastic, three rows from the stage, which I am sure helped. Liz could see all the details of the show from where we were sitting.
All dressed up before the show. Liz was excited to wear her pretty pink dress and black sparkle shoes.
Elizabeth clapped so daintily at all the right times, even yelling at me for not clapping at one moment. She sat on my lap the whole show so she could see more. But, during the dance of the Sugarplum Fairy and the Prince she got down off my lap and was doing her own ballet in front of the four empty seats next to us. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen......made me shed three different sets of tears. We had a great Mommy/daughter night out.

Beginning Birthday Festivities

We brought cupcakes to Thanksgiving dinner so that we could all sing Elizabeth her first happy birthday of the year.
She "hid" while we all sang to her. Her act didn't last long though........
Liz quickly remember all the attention was for her and lit right up.
Who can't resist a cupcake??
This was the kick-off to a weekend of birthday celebrating. Saturday Liz and Mommy are going to see a children's version of the Nutcracker and on Sunday our family is going to see Tangled and Liz will pick out a toy at Toys-r-us. And then, there will be a celebration with her friends at Sara's on Monday and one with her school friends on Tuesday. It sure must be tough to be so loved!

What we are most thankful for..........

Pre-dinner activities

Happy Thanksgiving!! We are so thankful for our health, our loving family, and wonderful friends!! Our family is truly blessed. There was lots to do this morning before getting together with the family for dinner (my favorite of the year!).
Patrick and Dad went off to play the traditional Turkey day hockey game with Grandpa, uncles, cousins, and family friends. Pat is wearing all his gear because apparently the youngest Louer has to be goalie. Hope the kid comes home in one piece. Pat was excited to take on Joe M. who was talkin' smack to Patrick when we saw Joe getting off the bus the other day. Pat was also excited for the traditional Swedish Fish snack he and Dad always have.
Elizabeth and I stayed behind to cook and watch the Macy's Parade. Liz was a great helper, mixing icing for cupcakes to celebrate her and Uncle Dan's birthdays.
She wasn't nearly as helpful, or excited for, with the brussel sprouts. Oh well. She was still great company and fun to watch dance to all the music from the parade.

Family SU Game

Grandpa gave us his basketball tickets today so we could all go see SU play William and Mary. It was a nail biter and we had a great time.
A great picture of Liz and Daddy walking to the Dome after a trip to Manny's and breakfast at Cosmo's.
The kids were really excited to give their OWN tickets to the ticket takers.
Getting ready for football. Gulp. Why can't we push bowling or golf??
Patrick was fascinated by the turf on the football field. It was roped off but we let the kids touch the edge of it near where the floor is laid done. Touching it turned into laying on it......for a while.
Then it turned into a fascination with the roof. It is a pretty cool thing to look at......the Dome is huge. Of course Liz needed to be like her big brother, staying true to her little-sister self though, and laid across Pat to look at the roof too.
Let's Go Orange.
Liz loved seeing the cheerleaders and dancers. She doesn't have the attention span for a whole game and drove Mommy nuts in the second half. Brian and Patrick, however, had a great second half. They snuck down to sit two seats behind Coach B. Pat loved it. He got to high five players and acted totally appropriately. Pat was so excited to hear from Aunt Heather that he was on T.V. and then to see himself on the news when we got home.

Spoiled

There was a half day at Frazer today for parent-teacher conferences, so Patrick got to go over the Sara's for the afternoon. Surprisingly (not-at-all) the kids were spoiled.......this time it was snack size McFlurries from McDonalds.
Oreo cookie McFlurries! Yum Yum!!!
We are soooooo lucky to have Sara. She is a great babysitter, friend, and always full of fun and excitement!

A Fun Fall Hike

Patrick and Elizabeth had their friend Peyton over to play today. It was such a gorgeous day that we headed out for a hike at Tom's.
I should have known from this early on look that the hike wasn't going to be pretty for Liz.
Two buddies off for an adventure. They would have loved to be alone but aren't quite old enough yet.
And there they go.
They all just loved playing in the leaves, with sticks and rocks, and having adventures. The best part.......my house stayed neat and tidy. Unheard of for a playdate!
At the end of the trail, time to turn around. Patrick is pretending to be Yoda. Can you tell?
A closer look should show you his leaf Yoda ears.
Peyton got in on the action too.
And I think was mistaking Yoda for yoga. He is too cute.
On a mission up the hill!
We wandered onto our other neighbors property. They have a "party" spot and all kinds of neat junk to look at. The kids loved it.
We ended our hike hiding in the pine trees and begging to jump on the hidden trampoline.

A Visit to Orenda Springs

Since the kids didn't get to go to the benefit for Ms. Carrie yesterday I quick brought Elizabeth out to an event being held to raise money for Carrie at Orenda Springs. It was a beautiful day and Elizabeth was excited to see Ms. Carrie.
We followed the teal ribbons through the woods......until Mr. Marra picked us up. Then we rode the rest of the way in style.
Rachel and I tried to get Elizabeth to so for a swing on the Flying Squirrel but she wasn't having it. I give Rachel credit, she did get a harness on Elizabeth, only to have her want it off. She did like watching all the other people flying through the air. And she liked visiting the teepee.
And she like resting on a canoe. Ding dong!

Valley Hockey Rules!

Patrick has been playing hockey for about a month......really hockey, not just learn to skate, and he really loves it! So this morning I finally went to watch a practice. His psycho hockey dad, I mean Brian, usually takes him solo.
It is a good thing I am not there all the time because I was definitely a distraction.