I want a pony.

Charlotte is one month-- I decided to do her pics on this cute chalkboard instead of the calendar. Crazy how fast it has gone!

Ellie's second birthday was celebrated in pony fashion --

 Ellie opened up her big present at breakfast -- a play kitchen! She loved it. Her Daddy may or may not have cursed the Chinese manufacturer who made it ala 2 am when assembling it...but its here now...

Nana Niece was able to come down and help with party prep -- which turned from nice into a necessity when I was laid out with the flu the day before. Nana was a lulu-wearing Martha Stewart, transforming my Pinterest-visions into realities...pony-shaped PB&Js, pony sugar cookies, veggie cups for the kids, pumpkin spice soup, pumpkin apple dip, etc. Thank you Nana!!

It took Ell a bit to warm up to the live "horsie" in her midst...but she did love her ride. And then she was promptly ready to get off.

Charlotte slept through the whole fiesta. Good baby!

Pin the tale on the pony.

Why not? She was kind of like a large dog!

Getting done with the party...or at least being outside....

And last, but not least, Daddy surprised Ellie with her very own pink toy shotgun. It has cartridges and can rack. Just what every two-year-old needs!

One last bit of Nana's cake...because she didn't have any sweets today... :-)

We are so happy you came into our lives 2 years ago Eleanor Mae! We love you. 

Birthdays and un-birthdays

I had my 27th bday last week (or as my sweet Cooney cousins framed it...hey..you're just three away from thirty!!) Thanks--- 'preciate it.

We had a lovely luncheon to celebrate the day before where we took some pictures of the kids -- because heaven knows taking pictures with your kids is a multi-Mom job. 

Thanks Cooney girls!!

Ellie also turned officially 18 months. 

She celebrated her half-birthday be eating a raw dough ball that was raising outside in the sun. I don't want to be judgy about raw food diets...but I'm pretty sure it wasn't what she expected. Lesson learned, the rolls will be higher next time. :-)

 Mike spoiled me on my big day - stuffed french toast, a couples' pedicure (his first! he was a fan of the massage chair), Happy sumo sushi and a homemade peanut butter pretzel-crust cheesecake (baked from scratch by my studly husband...you should be impressed).

Lang zal ze leven....lang zal ze leven...........