Four.

When Anni woke up the day of her birthday (Friday), we had her first bike, waiting for her.  She had known it was coming after she accidentally stumbled upon it's box a few days previous in our closet.  From that day, she whispered in conspiratorial tones to anyone that would listen that, "We aren't supposed to see our presents before our birthday, buuuuut I saw a bike."  Despite that, her face lit up like the sunrise when she saw it leaning against the couch (with a helmet, which I almost forgot until she mentioned earlier in the week that you can't ride a bike without a helmet... which, of course you can't, so good thing she reminded me!) 

The helmet was immediately strapped on, and the rest of the morning was spent slowly walking the bike through the house, occasionally lifting her feet and practicing her balance.

Colette thought she should be able to hitch a ride on the back wheel.

Once I managed to peel her away from the bike and get dressed, we picked Daddy up from work for a lunch/ice cream/bookstore date.  

After dropping Daddy back to finish off his work day (always kind of sad to do that... we just want to keep him), Anni washed up some dishes (her very excited idea) to get ready to make some cookies.

Then we had some homemade pepper-oni (said just like that) pizza with a candelit cookie for our birthday girl to blow out.

The rest of us thought it was pretty exciting... Colette apparently didn't agree:

Whew!  Okay, onto party day.  We feverishly shopped, baked, and cleaned the morning of the party, all while watching the sky warily as it randomly spit rain at us.

Luckily, it held off just long enough for us to drag the table outside, and have about an hour of her sweet little tea-party on the lawn.

Everyone picked out a teacup (that they also got to take home, so I told them to pick carefully), and noshed on some snacks for a little while.  We tried to keep things rolling, because we had several friends who needed to leave a little early.  So, out came the cake (chocolate, with chocolate frosting, as she had very clearly informed she wanted for the last several months).

 

It was quickly devoured (reminder to self: make more next time) and enjoyed by all.

Then there were bubbles and chalk to enjoy until the rain rushed us inside for presents.

Such a happy celebration for a very sweet four-year-old!

365 Days of Love Notes: Take One

I am linking up with Story of a Rose this week for her first-ever "Love Notes" Link-up.  Her format is to share a way God wrote a little love note into your life for each day of the previous week.  Since it's the first week, I don't necessarily have one for each day, nor are they very organized, but I'm going to share a few sweet moments from my week (and hopefully she'll forgive the randomness!)

The lilac is blooming in our backyard.  There are so many love notes from God wrapped into this one little fact.  We have a backyard. A beautiful, big, backyard with a lilac bush, heavy with blossoms, where my babies can run and play.  Plus, telling them to see how good their flowers smelled brought about a photo that will probably make me giggle a little always (mainly little Lettie choosing a leaf to sniff).

My hubby's joy at a mountain view as we drove him back to work after Anni's birthday lunch this week.  I just love how much he loves where he works and lives.

The girls and I took a little trip to check out the Whole Foods by our house this week.  This brought about two moments that lifted my heart.  The first was that they have little shopping carts, just Anni-sized.  She took so much pride in steering that cart herself.  Then, as we were leaving, this sweet older woman grinned at me carrying the bags and Colette, with Anni hanging onto a bag and offered some help.  I ended up not needing any, but she was such a darling, and, with such great joy, told us her first grandson had been born just a week before.  What a blessing to have received such a joyous reaction to my babies!  Yay, LIFE!

This face, right here, when Anni's friends sang her Happy Birthday.  I can't wait to share more about our celebrating... it was all such a joy!

And, to end, my favorite Mother's Day gift!  We are slowly getting this corner up to snuff (those pieces of broken lattice need to be moved, and we need to trim the tree by it), but we decided it was time that our little backyard grotto had a Mary statue, so she was put in her new home this past week!  It's such a beautiful and constant reminder of our faith. 

Find more Love Notes at Story of a Rose. 

Happy Birthday to our Antonia!

365 Photos in 365 Days: Week 18

 Every night, when Anni is carried to bed (usually by Daddy), she has specific "ways" she likes to be carried.  This is the sleepy way, and it's my favorite.

When I run to grab the mail, or out to the backyard to move a hose or grab something we left on the table, I often see this sweet little face, nose pressed against the window, shouting, "MOM. Mama?  Mooo-ooom." and usually giggling at herself.  Let me never say I am not wanted!

Oh, and yes, we have a climber.  On anything, especially if it leads to something else (bathroom counter, sister's bed, yep, all of that).  It means doors to every other room have to be closed, but, secretly, I love catching her at it (let's just hope there aren't too many tumbles!)

My little gardeners, so eager to help!  Hopefully, they won't be too disappointed when they realize Mommy and Daddy have no clue as to what they're doing, and, mostly likely, everything's going to die before it produces... sorry, my loves!  We'll learn... hopefully!

We've been working on our grotto, and Anni wanted to "play Mary" while we're waiting for our statue.  Anytime, sweet one, anytime.

This is my life, friends.  I am so very blessed.

Quotables #2

"Anni, you need to behave."

"But I am have!"

"Where did you hear that Anni?"
"I think my cousin Charlie said it 4 centuries ago."
(To which Charlie informed us, he wasn't alive four centuries ago.  Don't worry, it wasn't anything naughty, we just didn't know where she had learned a song.)

"When you don't drink, you get hydrated."

"All my sausages taste like Ireland!"
 Bangers and mash were apparently good on St. Patrick's Day.

"Hey! My feet are not dead anymore!"
 After working in the garden, Daniel and Anni had noted that their feet were dyed grassy green. 

D: "Who sings this song?"
Me: "The Mamas and the Papas."
Anni: "But I think it should be the Nonna's and Papas just like mine!"

"Mommy, Daddy... I like you more in the morning."