16 years

16 years ago on May 31st this Momma and this Poppy were set up on a blind date and oh how thankful we are!   I tried to go back and find old pictures - OMG - LOL

May 24th

On May 24th 2009 our arms finally held our daughter for the very first time!  A day we will never forget.  Some call it "Family Day" some call it "Gotcha Day". I personally am pretty emotional right now (just overcome with gratitude at the miracle of being a Mom) so I can't write to much here right now but WOW, WOW, WOW I LOVE May 24th!!!  A few words that keep coming to mind are..........Miracle, Dream, Thank you, Wow, OMG, Blessing, Family, Life, Love, Faith, Hope, Patience, Beautiful.......................DAUGHTER!  3 years with you has been beyond my wildest dreams.

May 24, 2009 Momma reaching for her daughter for the very 1st time.  Our eyes meet for the very 1st time (China 2009)

May 24, 2009 1st photo of our new family of 3 (China 2009)

Mother's Day

Mamma's girl ;)

Loving 1 of my presents ;)

Now that little miss has hit the 40 lbs mark we went to the car seat clinic and in her words converted her car seat into .............."a bigger big girl car seat"

fun in the sun on mother's day 2012

at 7:15am Poppy got up, at 7:45 Laney got up and at 8:15 I heard "lets go bring Momma her surprise in bed" (with then squeals of excitement from Laney).  I have to say I chuckled listening to them get ready.  Poppy saying "Laney do you know where Momma keeps the sugar"?  And Laney saying "Poppy Momma likes lemon in it" - OMG it was funny.  So they brought me a mishmash of goodies.  Poppy picked turkey bacon, Laney picked a pink lady apple with peanut butter and both picked some cookies and a bowl of blueberries and mango with a lightly sweetened iced tea.  Moments to treasure followed by seeing my mom and his mom.  It was a Happy Mother's day indeed!

Mothers Day Tea

It was cute that we were invited to a Mothers Day tea the day b/4 Mothers Day.  I cherish these fun things we do together ;)

Mother's Day crafts

 I love the mothers day crafts - melt my heart ;)

05/17/09 we left for China - wow - look at us now - another melt my heart ;)

4, 40, 40

4 years old
40 lbs
40 inches
OH MY!

Ready to go to the DR. (she is saying 4 with that mouth wide open)

At the Dr's office (and still saying 4 with that mouth wide open)

I love this picture!!  Laney is on the phone with Daddy after the Dr's appointment to tell him all about how she did ;)

Birthday party # 3

Our 3rd and final Happy New Year Birthday cake ;)



For the love of cake ;)

May 2012

Birthday party # 2

Our 2nd Happy New Year Birthday cake ;)

Ready to play "Tape the hand on the clock" (the word pin freaks her out)

May 2012

Birthday party # 1

Our 1st Happy New Year Birthday cake ;)

Lovin the strawberries & dip (OK more the dip)

Slip & Slide

Tiki having fun

Count down to confetti - Happy Birthday!

Happy Girl

 

Her birthday theme

New Years Eve has had a big impact on this little one.

She kept telling us she wanted a

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”

BIRTHDAY PARTY

so ………………………

The confetti was falling at Laney’s house!

As she turned 4 years old!  
*working on birthday party/cake posts

end of birthday weekend

Ready to go

OK so I had 2 excited people with me to go here.  Neat concept, great for Laney and Poppy for me not so much at all. Glad we tried it but I say no repeat. 

 Now for the real fun:
Allison Wonderland performance at the children's Theatre.

Allison is a hip teen who falls into an iPad and runs into the craziest group of characters imaginable. This mod mad musical based on the original Lewis Carroll tale is the theatrical surprise of the year.

ready for a great show

AFTER THE SHOW PICTURES!!

Laney & Alice

Laney & Caterpillar/butterfly

Laney & Rabbit

Laney & Mad Hatter

Laney & Door Mouse
She said to the door mouse before this picture "my Momma is not a fan of mouses" OMG

OMG what an awesome weekend!

 WOW! Birthdays don't always fall on the weekends, Mommy's and Daddy's don't always have the days off and the flow of cash is well not always flowing but WOW this weekend just worked out and we all had some great amazing inexpensive family fun, wow, wow, wow!

OK now I better get working on birthday party posts w/ cake and all huh;)

birthday evening

We changed into pj's (with many layers underneath) and grabbed the other dollar store surprises (flag glow stick and glow ladybug mask).  I felt good when a mom next to me bought a light up stick for $15 at the festival (I did share my trick with her and she was thrilled). Then the fireworks began!  Many times in the past it has been covered ears Laney while she watched but not this time.  They were far away and not loud and she was a big 4 year old and no covered ears!  Fireworks on her birthday how cool is that!
Oh and the fun continued the next day big time! Of course that is for another post ;)

Birthday afternoon

So excited to start her birthday afternoon

bundled up but having fun

parade watching

she was saying "yeah for my birthday parade"  as she watched the parade from her daddy's shoulders.

A pony ride for her birthday (OMG this picture is just stunning)

Her 1st look in the mirror after she had her face painted for her birthday

monkey balloon

my trick to save money (I bought this at walmart for a buck and had it in my backpack) they sell it at the fairs for much more

Her favorite food of the day........fried dumplings (with the middle taken out - so meatless)

playground fun

Oh and the fun continued on into the night

Of course that is for another post ;)