Maggie's actual birthday

Today was Maggie's actual birthday. Aunt Tonia and Ethan stayed the night so they were here this morning to spend a few hours with Maggie on her birthday. And lucky Mags, that means she got eggs 2 days in a row because her Daddy and Aunt Tonia made them for her! She opened a few more presents from us, we wrote down what she got from everyone and organized it, went to visit Daddy at the firehouse, then came home and had her favorite meal: homemade mac and cheese while we watched Brave. It was a pretty good birthday!

Amazing cookies by Sugar Momma Cookies!

Some more goodies from Dulce Para Ti.

Some goodies from Maggie's sweets table.

Maggie and Ethan opening her presents today.

Maggie's goods!

First trip to Daddy's new firehouse.

Up in the tower ladder (but not actually up!)

Maggie trying out her new Merida dress and bow and arrows!

4th Birthday!

Maggie's party was on Saturday at her gymnastics place, Flying High. A lot of her friends were able to make it and she had so much fun! The kids were having a blast sliding down the huge inflatable, jumping on the trampolines, jumping in the foam block pits, and just running around. After they played, we went up to the party room for a short party where we sang happy birthday to Mags, ate her amazing cupcakes, and visited for a little bit.

Candyland cupcake cake made by our very talented friend at Dulces Para Ti.

Close up of her name on the amazing cupcake cake.

Mags posing with her cupcake cake.

Maggie swinging from the bars.

Smiling after blowing out the candles.

Opening presents with her family.

Pre party

Tonight is the night before Maggie's party, but we are going over to aunt Tonia's for Mags and Ethan to play while the adults have a jewelry/wine party. I made some yummy pudding shots to bring and I can't wait to try them! I used the recipe found here: http://partyhostess.blogspot.com/2010/10/pudding-shots.html?m=1

Party prep!

I have been spending a lot of time the last few weeks (months) getting supplies together for Maggie's 4th birthday party. Which, by the way, I cannot believe she's going to be 4 in two days!!

So, we are doing a Candyland party and we are so excited. This time, I decided to have a few others make the cupcakes and some cookies for the goody bags. I will post pictures of those after the party. Ad this gives me more time for the other stuff (and school, and work, and.... Life!)

Here are a few pics of getting the goody bags together and making the banned.

Princesses!

Maggie got a sweet gift from her friend Lily, a trip to Glamour Girls to be pampered like princesses. We picked Lily and her mom up and headed there on Wednesday afternoon. Maggie and Lily were so excited!!

When we got there, the girls changed into princess outfits, then sat in chairs to get their makeup and hair done! Maggie is so girly, she loved it!! She picked everything pink; pink dress, pink eye shadow, pink nail polish and pink lip gloss! It was super fast so afterwards we let the girls play in the play area and then ate a really delicious dinner at Claim Company in Northbrook Mall.

Birthday photo shoot

Chris has been taking a lot of pictures this year, so we thought we could play around and take some nice pictures for Maggie's birthday invites. We will probably do something like this for the thank you notes as well, but I have really thought about that yet!

Maggie sneaking candy during the photo shoot.

She was just sitting on the table loving it!

So cute!

Yes, another tutu!

While Natalie was here, we also started making Maggie's birthday tutu! We are having a Candyland themed birthday party for her and she asked for a tutu again! Even though it is going to be at her gymnastics place, Flying High. I don't mind though, because they are super easy to make and she looks so cute!!

Natalie helping out with the tulle.

Maggie and Ethan "helping."

The beginning of the tutu. This lid has been very helpful as well. You can easily stretch the elastic around it and it is very easy to work with.

Birthday shirt ordered on Etsy.

Natalie made a cute hair bow and very cutely styled Maggie's hair.

Just playing around!

Spring Break!

We had three different weeks of spring break this year. Hopefully by 2015 we can have all of them in common and maybe even go on vacation! The week of March 18, Natalie came to stay with us and so did the rest of the sisters and all of the cousins! It was a full house, but it is always a fun time!

Natalie's special birthday cupcake!

They love babies!

It is hard to get 6 kids 4 and under to take a great picture!

Rapunzel!

So Maggie was an adorable Rapunzel for Halloween! We had a wonderful time trick or treating with her cousin Grayson and visiting with daddy's family afterwards.

Chris helping with the cutting.

Use a roll of paper towels!

Almost done!

Catch up!!

So, yeah....
We had a good Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's day, and so on!! I'm so behind! (Again!!!)

First I wanted to show the cute Valentine's Day Card Maggie sent to her cousins, friends, and classmates. I (of course) got the idea from Pinterest, like everything, but Chris is awesome and helped me change it up a little.

Before the edit.

After the edit.