Insta-Friday

Savannah's birthday week was packed full, that's for sure.  Between celebrating the big 6 and getting ready for the official start of our troop's cookie sale we had very little time to relax this past week.

Lots and lots of attention has been paid to Savannah's new friend Alice.  Even Ryder loves carrying her around.

The cake I made for Savannah's birthday turned out way better than I thought it was going to.  I had seen this cake pinned all over Pinterest and have wanted an excuse to try it out.  Turning 6 was the perfect occasion.  It looked fantastic and it tasted great... and the best part... it was Ryder friendly.

Birthday morning breakfast with little brother.

The biggest birthday surprise... it snowed a tiny bit on her birthday.  She was so so so excited.  She honestly thought that it snowed just for her.

Birthday dinner at the sushi buffet down the road... her choice, of course.  Ryder enjoys the food there also.  There actually are a lot of choices for him.  More than some other restaurants we go to.  His favorite part is always trying to eat with chop sticks.  Each time we go there he gets a little bit better with them.

The bean bag chair that my dad got Savannah for her birthday is a huge huge hit around here.  The two of them are constantly fighting over it.  

baby butt crack... not sure it gets any cuter.

These two in the bathtub together is absolute chaos.  

Peter Pan dress-up from San Diego G-ma.  A great addition to Savannah's dress-up collection.  It's nice to have a non princess outfit to add to the rotation.

Ryder unloaded and put away the silverware for me... I guess I can't complain, he got them all in the drawer.  No big deal that he didn't actually put them away correctly, right.  

American Girl Birthday

This year instead of a big party with lots of hoopla Savannah chose an afternoon outing to the mecca of dolls... The American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Dallas.  She has been asking for this for a couple of years now.  It's kind of pricey and not super close to our house, so I never gave in... until now.  Let me start off by saying that I am so happy I did!  This was way more fun than a birthday party... watching her pick out her dream doll, name her, and then taking her upstairs for a fancy birthday meal was fun.  I can't believe I am saying that, because when I was little my grandma used to get me these dolls and their clothes and I never really enjoyed them.  Now I totally do.  The selection and quality of the items they offer is amazing.  Hopefully this is something Savannah is into for many years to come.  I could totally be convinced to make another trip to the American Girl Doll store.

First up when we got there... she had to pick out which doll she wanted for her birthday.  She had some requirements... long blonde hair, blue eyes, glasses, ears pierced... after only a few minutes she found "the one", #27.

Next, we took #27 aka Alice Lillian Haynes-Tucker upstairs to get her ears pierced and her hair done.  Savannah got such a kick out of watching Alice sit there in a mini salon chair getting her hair combed.  It really is quite ridiculous, and still so cute. 

I told Savannah that she could choose a friend to bring with her... she immediately said that her cousin JJ had to come with.  JJ came and brought her doll too.

I have so so many positive things to say about this entire experience.  Earlier today I spent almost an hour writing a positive review on the American Girl website... that is how impressed I was.  Seriously.  One of the coolest things, a box of conversation starters was placed on every table.  So while we sat there and waited on food the girls asked and answered fun questions.  Savannah thought this was the greatest thing ever.

Signature pink American Girl Doll lemonade for Savannah and Alice.

Then after a crazy delicious meal they brought out this beautiful cake and sang happy birthday to Savannah.  She was treated like American Girl royalty.

She Can't Be Six Already

There is just no way that this newborn...

or that this one year old...

is now a six year old... seriously, it happened so quickly.

Six looks good on her though.  She is so smart, so beautiful, and so challenging.  She keeps me and her daddy on our toes.  She is the best big sister, a really good singer, and a very thoughtful and sweet friend to her classmates.  She has one loose tooth, read an entire book (minus a couple of words) to me last night, and can't wait to get to school every day.  I can't wait to see what the next six years have in store for her.  Twelve seems so far away, but I'm sure it will be here before I know it.

Daddy's B-day Outing

I'm finally getting around to posting some pretty funny pictures from Eric's birthday celebration at Six Flags.  Typically we go out to eat with friends, or go have drinks... something like that for our birthdays.  We had tried to do something like that this year, but couldn't find a sitter, so instead we had to find something family friendly.  Which actually turned out to be so much more fun than a night on the town.  Eric picked a trip to Six Flags... he had been dying to ride the rides, I haven't been since I was a little girl, and the kids had never been, so it ended up being a perfect idea.  Our friends Scott and Michelle and their little girl came with us... so glad they did because Eric is way braver than me or Savannah when it comes to rides.  Having Scott there gave him someone to ride all the crazy coasters with.  The two babies were pretty fantastic all day long... they spent pretty much the entire day chilling on their strollers.  I am pretty sure that neither of them fussed at all.  Savannah had a great time... she was a little chicken at times.  Several of the rides that she was tall enough for she opted not to ride out of fear.  Hopefully she get a little braver with age.

There were a handful of rides that the babies were able to ride... one of which was the carousel... pretty sure this was Ryder's favorite.  Mister rode it twice and loved it both times.

Savannah really is a good helper when she wants to be.  Both of the babies got a kick out of watching her run around.

Eric and his BFF Scott... crazy big kids.

I hate that this picture came out blurry... it was such a big deal that Savannah was brave enough to copy Michelle and throw her hands up in the air.  It was a kids coaster, yes... but still, a coaster nonetheless.  I was proud of her.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you, 

Happy birthday dear Eric, 

Happy birthday to you!

A very special birthday wish from your two favorite kids... we love you very much!  Our family wouldn't be the same without you.  Have a wonderful day!  Love you.

Insta-Friday

Two weeks back in Texas and we are just now starting to settle back in.  My dad left on Sunday, finally unpacked suitcases, and starting to get Savannah back in the habit of going to bed early and waking up early.  That's going to be a hard one.  Thankfully we have two more weeks until school.  Two more weeks to enjoy the last little bit of summer.  

Savannah has been a little (or a lot, depending on the day) jealous of Ryder.  it has been slowly building for a few weeks... especially since thing shave been revolving around him turning one and his party.  Ugh, some days it is just plain insane the things she does out of jealousy.  I have been trying to make a better effort to giver her as much one on one as I can... which still isn't as much as she deserves.   Anyhow, long story short... I left her a special little love note last Saturday morning.  It was the day of Ryder's party, so I wanted to make sure that she woke up with something silly and special just for her to take her mind of being jealous for a bit.

Post birthday party swim.  Mister mister LOVES the pool.  Like when I say LOVES, I mean smiles while underwater kind of love.

Savannah and her cousin Cheridan enjoying their post party swim time.

After we took my dad to the airport on Sunday we stopped off at Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Best restaurant to pass time at while on the wait list.  I love their rockers.

You can never have enough sleeping baby pictures.

This is pretty much what our Sunday consisted of after breakfast... naps all around.  Ryder's party on Saturday wore us all out.

On Monday Ryder had his one year check-up.  We were referred to a specialist regarding his food allergies (more on that later) and did some serious talking about foods to give him to supplement everything he is missing not being able to have dairy.  Ugh, frustration.  Hopefully Tuesday's appointment at the allergist helps sort some of that out for us.  

The highlight of my week... seeing this sweet face waving at me from the backseat.  I love forward facing Ryder.

He has been pretty well occupied all week... new toys everywhere.  This ride on is one of his favorites.

Finally put some Ryder friendly apps on the iPad.  So now both of my kids spend more time playing on the iPad then I do.  Time for a protective case, stat!

Wednesday we were invited to crash baby Bella-rella's first birthday pictures.  We sat back and watched while Bella did her thing, and then when they were done we threw Ryder, some balloons, and a couple smash cakes up in the mix.  Things did not go as planned.  

See what I mean... crying from the get go.  Bella-rella started it, and then soon after Ryder joined in.  Good times, good times.

Even though he's not his usual smiley self in these pictures, I do still like the two the photographer was able to snap before the crying began.

Minutes after we were done with pictures... totally happy playing at the lego table.  You babies are awesome, thanks for the cooperation.