Mary turned FOUR and we threw her the surprise party she had been asking about for months. We took her out to lunch and to one of those jumpy inflatable places and then surprised her with a big family party. She was pretty darn surprised ... she had to ask me to hold her collection of leaves before blowing out the birthday cake.
We gave her a balloon and a coloring book when she woke up that morning and she thought that was her entire birthday. She scored much more awesome birthday loot at her party. Like this sweet Strawberry Shortcake set from her Uncle Cory. She checked it out when she opened it and announced "It's like the same thing, but with different STUFF!!" (she already has a different Strawberry Shortcake set).
Best present of the night had to go to Devin and Becky who gave her a big box of TAPE (and other art supplies). This girl puts tape (and lots of it) on everything. Lots of love to Devin and Becky.
Best present of the night had to go to Devin and Becky who gave her a big box of TAPE (and other art supplies). This girl puts tape (and lots of it) on everything. Lots of love to Devin and Becky.
Paul went to Boston for work the following week and trekked his way out to Walden Pond for a day.
-Mary's breakfast in bed on the morning of her birthday
-A picture of the awesome Princess Cake I made ... when I cut the whole in the icing bag to big and tried to write Mary's name on the cake and it came out looking like the cake was for "Many" instead.
-Paul and Mary at her preschool "Donuts with Dad" breakfast. Paul ended a meeting early in Boston and took the last flight back to Atlanta, getting home after midnight, so he could make it to Donuts with Dad the next morning. Dad of the Year Award right there.
Paul's birthday is 8 days after Mary's and his only request this year was to go to Helen for the day. We ate at Hofer's Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- apple fritters, donuts, soft pretzels, sausage, schnitzel (and both gained 5 pounds in a day). We hiked up to Anna Ruby falls and spent about 10 minutes walking around the town of Helen; when you mix Germany, with Southern people, and airbrushed t-shirts, and a back room Tarantula museum, it's just ugly, but it really was an awesome day. Happy Birthday PAUL :)!
As for the rest of November ... here's what I have.
Adventures in the bathtub.
A picture of Mary's hampster.
A trip to the Zoo!
and two happy kids.
It has taken me an entire afternoon to finish this, so I hope you love it. Thanksgiving and such will have to wait for another day!
