I've Got Sunshine...

A few weeks ago Riley had to go to her five year old checkup, which included shots, so I took her to get frozen yogurt afterwards. In the little center by her doctors office they have a grassy area with these giant cement animals and Riley wanted to sit on each one while I took her picture. It had been off and on sunny so I set up her easel outside so she could paint - I'm so excited for summer to be here!!

Riley's 5th Birthday in SLO

Where has the time gone??? I feel like we've been celebrating this birthday all month long...first with cupcakes at school, her party at Chuck E Cheese, and now her Tinkerbell and Pirate party at the park by my parents house. It was a gorgeous day out - lots of friends and family showed up so it was a great turnout! It was so nice to see all my friends and Riley's friends too.

That night we had dinner at the Madonna Inn, and got large slices of pink champagne cake. It was so good!

I think I speak easily for Riley that this was her favorite month ever!

FIVE

Yesterday, my baby girl turned five. I honestly can't believe the years have passed by so fast - people tell you all the time to enjoy it while you can because that's what will happen. Sadly, they were right. My baby is no longer a baby, but a funny, smart, little girl with a big heart.

Since her birthday fell on a Thursday, I took her to Starbucks for a cake pop and hot chocolate. I sent her off to school with cupcakes for her classmates. Donned in birthday attire head to toe, that girl was excited from the moment I woke her up to the moment she went to bed. She was too funny! Friends and family wishes her happy birthday and sang to her. Tomorrow we are having her princess birthday party, then next weekend we are having one with friends and family back home. Hurrah!!

Randoms

Some pictures taken over the week - going to the park stopping for a "lipstick" break, playing catch, seeing a beautiful sunset, getting my blonde on, voodoo donuts brought back by my momma! Riley hanging around and playing on her little laptop.

I am so excited for tomorrow. I get to FINALLY see Rocky!!! We have so much wedding planning to do this weekend too! Love love love!

My Baby Girl is Four Today...

It really doesn't seem that long ago. That I carried her in my belly for 9 months. Then she was born a the second week of April, snow still on the ground. We were living in Maine, my best friend and I had just gotten done eating the spiciest hot wings available at Texas Roadhouse, and still no baby. That was April 10th. My belly was huge, and my tops barely covered it anymore. I went to bed thinking that I'd just have to be patient and wait a little longer....

Fast forward to 2AM and I'm in labor. I wait it out as long as possible because there was no way I was going back to the hospital only for them to tell me it's just a false alarm. I wait three hours. Then I know it's time to go. By the time I get to the hospital, I'm already dilating at a rapid speed - I was 7 CM! Four hours later, and a beautiful baby girl is put into my arms.

You always hear about children being the best thing to ever happen to you. Well it's true. Riley is the best thing that's ever happened to me. She's my little companion, my favorite shopping partner, my favorite conversationalist, my favorite singer...she knows how to make my laugh when I need it most. She has the biggest heart and the most contagious laugh. I could never imagine life without her.

Riley, thank you for blessing my life for the past four years and years to come. I love you.

Weekend of Pictures

Wedding planning, eating, baby girl. This was my weekend.

Fall Transition

My baby-bee looking for "ghosts" through her binoculars.

A classic dessert.

Riley picking out the toys she wants for Christmas from the Target catalog. She finally said "I just want it all."

My Winter line-up: Starbuck's K-Cups, Apple Cider, and Earl Grey tea.

She is My Sunshine...

My daughter Riley says the most amazing things on a daily basis. One day as we're getting ready she'll say in her sweet little voice "I like your dress mom, it's so pretty" or if I got mad at her because she was playing in her room, blocking the door and not taking her nap, she'll say as I'm tucking her in "I'm sorry I was by the door mom, I love you" and instantly any anger I had dissipates. Children do the most amazing things. One of my favorite things is when she's singing along to the radio in the car, or making up her own songs about something she's doing. I can't wait to see how her interests evolve. Princesses, Spongebob, and Dinosaurs are where we're at right now. And any book she gets her hand on she does her best to "read" it aloud.

And I don't think many kids carry around a dictionary as their favorite book. Just sayin', this kid's going somewhere!