Feb. 24 - Lisa's Birthday & MARDI GRAS!

Since I had the King Cake ordered for Lisa's bday and our Mardi Gras party at Harner's Restaurant & Bakery, we decided to have lunch their before picking it up! We had a fabulous lunch all while enjoying the stuffed turkey on the wall above Grandma Diamond!


Natalie wore her Mardi Gras tiara and Ryan just looked adorable while munching on breads

The girls put on a play on the landing at Grandma's. Here is the King Cake and decoration for the Mardi Gras party for Lisa's 38th birthday!


We're hungry!


Daddy cooked our traditional jambalaya and corn muffins for dinner!


Mardi Gras Masqueraders

Natalie helps Auntie blow the candles out


Natalie, Amanda and Sydney ALL found a Baby Jesus in their piece of cake!


Grandma Jane and Sydney

Feb. 21 - Papa's Pizza and Downers Grove South Basketball

First we all met out for pizza!



We brought along the girls' 2-tone blue American Girl pom poms since they matched the schools colors and the girls LOVED IT!


Since Natalie is taking cheerleading classes now, she was very interested in the REAL cheerleaders. She even said, "I want to meet the REAL cheerleaders!" And so Daddy took her down and she introduced herself and made conversation with the cheerleaders. She was beside herself - when she came back up to she said "Mom I met REAL cheerleaders!" and she told them that she was a cheerleader too! So sweet!


Lots of sitting, standing, walking around and keeping everyone busy...hallways...indoor running track....


...weight room....and here are the girls holding their hands to their hearts for the National Anthem!


Let the festivities begin...so exciting!


THE Mustang mascot....the girls getting ready to run around the indoor racetrack...Amanda came in first!

Feb. 20 - Just a Crazy Day

Off to a crazy fun day!


Natalie poses with her Punky Brewster look going on!


Ryan fell asleep on the floor in the living room - with a wipey in his hand, of course....too much cleaning for the little guy!

Feb. 19 - Amanda's 1/2 Birthday - 3 1/2!!!

Amanda had a wonderful day celebrating her HALF (3 1/2) BIRTHDAY! We made cupcakes, had lunch at McD's, Sydney & Grandma Diamond came over to celebrate and then we celebrated by singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY again when Daddy got home from work!

Sydney keeps a close eye on Natalie playing Leapster


We discovered Natalie's first LOOSE TEETH at lunchtime! She was SO EXCITED!


Traditional clown decoration for the cake/cupcake


Mmmm...Mmmmm...good!


Amanda chases her cupcake w/milk in her dainty little glass



More celebrating when Daddy got home...HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY Big Girl Amanda!

This is technically the next morning....we forgot to give Amanda her gifts - a pretty Valentine decoration (haha! I found it on clearance at Kohl's and thought it would make a nice addition to our decorations starting next year!) and these pretty PJ's with an ice cream theme.

Feb. 17 - Lilly Pulitzer Fashionista

Amanda pins Natalie to the ground.....she may look cute, but she's a tough cookie, don't mess w/her!

Here is Amanda posing in her 'school girl' outfit. She is most proud of her Ladybug Lilly Pulitzer sweater! Super chic and cute!


Natalie stayed home sick and decided to write a letter and mail it to her best friend! Stamp and all!


Amanda keeps herself busy w/some coloring in her Tigger & Pooh coloring book