Happy Birthday to Kendall, Emma and Clark! We are THREE!!!!

Kendall was too cute in the hat, but Emma wouldn't have hers for the entire day.  Booger!

Birthday lunch outside the aquarium.  There were quite a few kids because of a school trip.  They were fascinated.

Watching the butterflies.

Butterfly up close.

Cool plant up close that reminded me of our trip to Kauai....many moons ago.

Underexposed picture of Emma trying to find "Nemo."  Can you see him?

The girls inside one of those tubes where they can come up in the middle of a tank.


We took another trek to Chattanooga to check out the Discovery Center and the Aquarium.  Once again, our memberships have REALLY been a great investment for our family.  We packed up a lunch and had lots of fun at the children's museum. 

Emma and I participated in a painting class.  They have an exhibit upstairs that just began and was a lot of fun.  It's all about getting healthy - eating right and getting exercise.  The exhibits were perfect for their age and we spent lots of time up there.  We also climbed up the tower (all the way to the top) and saw things from "way up high."  The have a garden where you can "pick" veggies and a farmer's market where you are able to "buy" other fruits and veggies. 

We also did a quick run through the ocean side of the aquarium.  We enjoy that part because of the butterfly exhibit and we sort of know that we can get through it pretty quickly.  Once we left, we bribed them by asking for good behavior with a promise of lollipops and it worked!  They did so well walking all the way back to the car and getting changed before loading up to head home. 

It was a good birthday weekend with lots of pictures and fun memories.   Thank you to the friends and family who were here with us in person or in spirit for such a special THIRD BIRTHDAY!

Big Birthday TOMORROW!

That's right folks, they will officially turn THREE tomorrow.  We've been prepping them for a week or so telling them that they are three and holding up the three fingers so that they will finally know their age.  It was too difficult to teach them that they were two and will be three, so we just went with three for now.

We have a big adventure planned for the day as a family.  Troy is off of work for the next two days and we are excited to have the time to spend with the kids on their special day.  He is also excited for some Troy-time on Tuesday when he will get to have lunch with his friend and just get some things done. 

The weather here was SO beautiful again today so we had the kids outside most of the day.  We rode bikes and scooters and played in the driveway and yard.  Poo Pa even came over to hang out with all of us outdoors.  They also helped me plant some tulip bulbs that I was told had to be planted this weekend.

Daddy took the girls to a birthday party for Joe at Pump It Up and they LOVED it.  Clark was napping at the time so I spent the quiet time Craigslist-ing things and cleaning up "doggie-doo-doo land" in the back yard.  Once they were home and Clark was up they got to play in the backyard (without the risk of landing in dog bombs) which was another treat since they haven't seen much of their playset for the last few months.

Poo Pa writing for the girls.

Kissy lips.

Daddy gave the girls a Samoa cookie.  These are Girl Scout cookies frozen from last year.  They are still oh so yummy!

I had to post this one because Kendall is posed perfectly behind him to make it appear that her ponytail is his.  Kind of funny.

Daddy emailed me this shot from his phone.  Clarkie playing the drums.

Happy Clean Sheet Sunday!

Zuma Birthday Party Fun

We had a party at Zuma today for mostly family and "family".  You know, the sitters and additional aunties and friends who are now like family to us.  It was short but sweet and I think the kids had a great time.  They played games, ate pizza and cake and had Pixie Stix.  Yes, Pixie Stix. 

Emma showing us how to play skee ball.

Clark learning the strategy behind skee ball.

Cousin Marshall mastering a game.

Uncle Tom and Daddy playing basketball with Clarkie.

Sue, Greg, Nanny Barb and the girls "driving crazy."

Cousin David and Clark getting a head start on the pizza.

Happy Birthday to Kendall!

Happy Birthday to Emma!

Is this a trick candle?

Happy Birthday to Clark!

Icing is GOOOOOOD!

Poo Pa likes Pixie Stix!

Emma is also a Pixie Stix fan.

Drinkin' some chocolate milk with Alicia.

Poo Pa is so nice when he shares his chocolate icing.

Clark talking to his new friend, Joe.

We also hit the park after the party today because we wanted to burn off a little of that sugar before trying to get them down for naps.  I thought I'd save those pictures for another day.
Tomorrow is a birthday party for their new friend, Joe, so we will be out and about again for some fun and excitement (and more sugar, I'm sure). 
We might have to continue the celebration by opening a few more presents.  This afternoon, we opened gifts from Mr. Mike and Ms. Lisa and also from Nanny Barb.  We've decided to spread them out over a few days in order for them to actually get to enjoy the new toys and not get overwhelmed.  Kendall was so happy to get a pink backpack (Clark and Ems already have their own backpacks), some fun hair accessories and a Viewmaster.  Emma got a horse-y purse, dress up doll and her own Viewmaster.  And Clark got a train puzzle, a horse trailer/truck and yes, his own Viewmaster too.  We spent the afternoon enjoying the fun of the new toys. 
I hope that everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather today (if you were in East TN, anyway)!  We are looking forward to more sunshine and warmer temperatures again.  Bring on Spring!