Celebrating 2 years!

Twas a weekend of all things Mia. Saturday we went to Shipshwana to let Mia and Olivia ride on the carousel, one of Mia's favorite things to do. We ate some JoJo's pretzels, two rides on the carousel, a few shops, and then headed to The Towne Shoppe. While there we saw an Amish man with his horse and buggy selling rides. We loaded up in the buggy, all be it a bit chilly, but quickly warmed up with a lap robe he provided. It was a nice leisurely trip through the countryside. Olivia was in aww the entire trip and filled with curiosity and questions. Upon our return we headed to the Das Dutchma

n Essenhaus for a delicious dinner. We even were able to eat in the buggy. My sister and I used to make our parents wait extra long to sit in the buggy and thankfully we got right in without any wait last night.

Saturday night was also Earth Hour. A family tradition in our home where we opt to go without using power for 1 hour. Olivia loves to take a bath by candlelight and then play some card games each year. This year was no different, but Mia was past ready for bed by the time she got out of the bath. Andy and Olivia played Uno, while I tucked in our almost 2 year old.

Sunday, we celebrated Mia's birthday with family. Nana and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Jen, Aunt Joan, Uncle Jared, Aunt Elizabeth, and all the cousins came to join on us for this happy occasion. Our little birthday girl was in a great mood and thrilled with all her new found gifts and treats to eat.

Trying on her new shades. Upside down of course. She's starting a new fashion trend.

Smiling at her new Spongebob toy from daddy. Why is such a moronic cartoon so amusing to children?

The spread - cupcakes, ice cream, red raspberry cream pie, fruit tartletts, pistachios, honey mustard pretzels, goldfish crackers, jellybeans, thin mints, and juicy juice. What more could a two year old ask for?

Making her wish...What does a two year old wish for I wonder?

One of the highlights of the day was Andy sharing his Jelly Bellys he bought at the candy store yesterday. They had your traditional delicious flavors like peach, strawberry jam, and chocolate, but also included disgusting flavors that looked identical to the tasty treats. You never knew if you were getting juicy pear or booger, coconut or baby wipes, black licorice or skunk. Below is a collage of some people not getting their preferred flavors.

We will be leaving for Minnesota on Mia's official birthday so that is why we celebrated a bit early. Thanks to everyone for making it so special for her! We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Little Leprechauns and Buckeyes

Well, coming from and Irish family, it's no surprise that we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. My girls loved getting all greened up and putting on their shamrock tattoos to start the day.

Cead mile failte!

Thursday night dinners are always a rush and usually nothing too healthy since Olivia has to be to dance shortly after we get home. So last Thursday it was green pancakes with green rice krispie treats.

Mia being silly trying on my boots. She has always loved to try on shoes. Doesn't matter who's, she'll wear them all.

Andy was gone to Ohio State University last weekend for a swim meet. The girls and I enjoyed a fun girls' weekend, but were happy upon Andy's safe return. The girls were especially excited that he brought them each home OSU t-shirts.

Mia doesn't always want her photo taken, as was the case in this photo. She's wearing her new shirt that says, "Is it just me? Or do the wolverines stink?" Too funny!

Tonight for dinner Olivia, who loves to be fancy, wanted to have a fancy dinner. She named her restaurant "Chez Rouge," which is French and had the word red in it. She told me the red was for Ohio State and everyone had to dress fancy in either red or Ohio State clothes to get in. As evident in the picture above and below you can see the fancy attire she picked out for both Mia and her. What could be fancier than tap shoes too?

Warning to all parents: Don't let your children wear tap shoes at the dinner table!

The picture below is the end result. Thankfully we were economical when we bought new chairs at the end of last summer. Had I sprung for some expensive ones I might be a bit more upset.

Daddy's Girl

Tonight is the annual "Date with Dad" held at the Doyle Community Center. Olivia and Andy had so much fun last year that they had to attend again this year. Above is a cute picture of Olivia smelling her bouquet of flowers her daddy brought her.

All dressed up and ready to go. They were headed to eat at DaVinci's for dinner first.

Mia wanted in on the photo opportunity too. Maybe next year she will get to go also. For this year she gets to hang out with her mommy, and hopefully we can have a fun evening to ourselves.

Mia was sick this past week. Fever, ear infection, and enlarged spotted tonsils have not made for the sweetest daughter, but she's on the mend. The doctor is treating her for Strep, although they didn't test for it. He said that's what the majority of cases have been lately. She was negative for the flu.

My dad and Patty are currently bobbing like a buoy in the middle of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii somewhere. They are on a cruise, but due to the awful earthquake in Japan and also one in Hawaii the tsunami hit. He called this morning to update us and ask us to pray. They were in port, but the Coast Guard advised the ship to go out to sea as far as it could before the tsunami hit. He has emailed to let us know they are all okay, but that it was scary. All ports are closed until the seas die down, so they have to stay out a bit longer. Keep them and everyone involved in the horrific effects of mother nature's latest tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

I've also attempted to start up one of my passions that I haven't done in years. My mother always encouraged my love of art and begged me to continue and share it with the world, but life gets busy and time slips away. Well, I have been dabbling a bit with it again. I attempted to paint a picture of some red poppies for my sister-in-law, Jennifer for Christmas and had another canvas that has been laying around since then.

A wonderful co-worker of mine, Vickie, sadly lost her son, Daniel in a tragic motorcycle accident last spring. The United Way just hosted a fund raiser in his memory last weekend at the Sturges-Young Auditorium with a silent local art auction. Since Vickie had told me they were going to do this I thought what a great reason to get my paints out and use that last canvas. It was a fun "Hoe Down" themed evening and a good turn out to raise funds for a great cause. If it weren't for my vivid memory of my mother insisting I share my art with the world, it would probably remain hidden away. I am by no means an artist, but it's a fun outlet for me, and now I remember how much I truly loved creating art. Hopefully I can find time to do some now and then.