sweet tooth

The only person that had more birthday cupcakes than me and Addison was Morgan. She really took advantage of the sweets being around.

Saturday morning she had three mini cupcakes before 10 a.m. And if I wasn't looking she would have had an entire pan of 15 pulled off the counter and ready for eating.

I'm really suprised she didn't have a stomach ache. Every time she finished one she'd ask for more.

She looks so cute covered in cupcake.

the birthday girl

Dear Addison,

Sunday morning we got up and I said Happy Birthday to you. You asked me if you were really four. When I said yes you disagreed with me. You told me you still looked three and a half so you couldn't be four. Trust me. You are four. My heart knows. I was a little teary when I put you to bed Friday night. I read you a book, sang you songs and kissed your little head. You're such a big girl now and I'm really proud.

You're so outgoing and playful around those you know. Like at your party on Saturday. You had a great time with all of your friends at the bounce house place. I barely even saw you. You ran around and bounced until your little heart was content. There was that one small incident when your knee started to bleed and the world was coming to an end because I put a band aid on it, but we'll try to forget about that. Daddy rescued you from Dr. Mom and held you why you cried. Soon you were better and back to having fun. But when it was time for cupcakes and Happy Birthday and all eyes were on you, you became shy. Just like you always do. You sat on my lap, buried your head in my shoulder and cried. All you wanted was mommy. Maybe I liked it a little.

This year you again requested pink and purple cake. I made pink cupcakes with purple frosting and purple cupcakes with pink frosting. You thought they were the coolest thing. I tried to get a cute picture of you eating your cupcake, but you weren't having it. So I sent daddy to take a few. You did a pretty good job on that cupcake and the three others that you had throughout the weekend. I think I had about that many as well.

Saturday night while you were sleeping we decorated the playroom. I wanted you to feel special on your birthday. I think it worked. Your eyes were so big and bright when you walked in and saw the streamers and balloons. In the middle of the room was a present from us. Since you were the center of attention again you were shy about opening it. We were undecided on a gift for you and then I remembered you wanted some roller skates. The purple and black Tinkerbell skates were attached to your feet for most of the day. I'm pretty sure you like them. You scooted all over the house and kept reminding me that the more you practice the better you will be.

Most of the activities on your birthday were low key. We went to the park and then you and I took a long nap. We snuggled for a little bit before we fell asleep. When we woke up you put your arm around my neck and just hugged me. Then you whispered in my ear that you wanted to put your roller skates back on. For dinner we went to the neighbors. We tried Happy Birthday again and it didn't go so well. That's you under the towel. You peeked out to blow out your candle and I begged you for some smiles.

Maybe it was the sugar high. Maybe you finally got tired of me asking. Who knows for sure. I actually got a couple of smiles out of you. Sure, they were a little silly, but I'll take it. I was hoping your dislike for the camera would change when you turned four, but so far that isn't the case.  I wonder when I will be able to say smile and get a decent picture. I'll admit it. It annoys me sometimes, but pictures with your goofy and silly smiles are just as good. Because at this moment in time this is who you are. That makes me happy. I love this you.

You're a special little girl. Your sensitive and sweet, but very matter of fact. You know what you want. You're always questioning me. Stuff about your toys, stuff about life. Sometimes you seem wise beyond four years. I look at you and I can see you contemplating life. You love to read and write and play with your learning toys. You'll choose shorts, t-shrits and tennis shoes over dresses anyday. You love to play outside and will swim all day if I let you. It's always a fight to get you inside.

I love looking at your sweet face. There's a dimple over your left eye that's been there since you were a baby. The freckle on your chin stills tricks me when I'm cleaning your face. I love how the freckles on your nose and cheeks look just like mine. You are my mini me. Your eyes may be my favorite thing. They're not blue and they're not quite green. Sometimes I see some gray in there. They're a smoky mix of a couple colors that get me every time I look in them.

You fill me heart with so much love. I'm so thankful to have you as my daughter.

Love,

Mommy

nite nite

One of Morgan's favorite things to do is go nite nite. She doesn't really want to go to sleep, but she loves to get in her crib and pretend like she is. Addison will often get in there with her and most of the time they'll snuggle or play with toys.

Pretending to be asleep.

I love when they play together without any arguments or fussing. I really should put them in there more often.

boating

It's so nice to have friends with a boat. The Holbrook's invited us on a ride this past weekend. I was a little worried about how the girls would do, especially Morgan since it was her first time on a boat and in a life jacket. The wind was a little much for her on the way down to the restaurant so she sat in my lap with her back to the wind, eating her pretzels. She wouldn't even turn around for a picture and we were going slow in a no wake zone.

Addison did pretty good. She tried sitting on the floor behind a chair to block the wind but then realized she could sit in the first mate chair behind the windshield and it was better. She also had a better view.

It was about an hour ride down to Caps restaurant. Because of the snacks I packed we had minimal fussiness on the way there. The girls had fun at the restaurant playing in the sand. They even ate their crab cakes. Coming back was much better. Morgan sat in the first mate chair almost the entire ride. The wind was better and she had toys to keep her occupied.

At one point they were sharing the chair. Addison's refusal to look at the camera all day was really getting on my nerves. This is her laughing at me. From now on I will just take pictures anyway.

Beth and I at the end of the ride.

Hopefully everyone behaved enough to get another invite.

*Note - I cut my hair off again this weekend and I'm loving it!

*Another note - you may notice a lot of band aids. Morgan is addicted to them and has to have two boo boo's. One is not enough.

cleaning

Addison and I both went to the dentist yesterday for a cleaning. Since she did so well last time I wasn't even worried. We read Dora's Show Me Your Smile a couple of times the week just to refresh her memory. I went first and she got antsy waiting with Michael. She protested a little when it was her turn, but decided to sit in the chair when Michael bribed her with a tv show.

The light was bothering her so I improvised and gave her my sunglasses to wear. She didn't open her mouth quite as wide as last time, but she did really good.

The dentist said that her teeth look great! There was no plaque or build up on them. They were even able to get a couple of xrays. Hey Addison. Let me see those pearly whites!

We both left with no cavities. However, she was the only one to get a prize. Just doesn't seem fair that I got the bill.

sunday afternoon

After naps we took the girls for a ride on the ferry. It's a quick trip across the river, but they thought it was the coolest thing that we could drive the car on a boat. By the time you get out of the car you have to get back in.

*note: Addison put her clip in her hair all by herself which is why it's on the top of her head and sticking out. It makes me smile.

Then we headed to Huguenot Park. It's one of the few places around here where you can drive your car on the beach. It brought back so many memories of weekend trips and Spring break's to Crescent Beach. Michael got to experience a whole different world since it was his first time. It was a little cool because of the wind, but that didn't stop the girls from enjoying the sand and water. 

Right before we left Morgan spotted a bird she liked. I love her curiosity and view of the world. It was like the first time she'd ever seen one. Pure joy.

On the way out we stopped by the concession stand because Addison requested a hot dog for dinner. She ate the entire thing. I opted for a chili cheese dog and then paid for it all night. Michael and I decided that this summer we're going to try and do things that we haven't done before. There are so many parks and trails off the beaten path that are fun to explore. Who knows what we'll find.

showing off

This one HATES the camera, unless she's showing off. Like the day last week when she insisted on wearing her sunglasses all day. I jump at the chance to take a picture so there is no time to clean Oreo off of faces before snapping.

Or like this weekend when she dressed up at the pirate party we went to.

I sure hope this passes soon or all of my pictures of her will have props in them.