4th Birthday Par-Tay!

Saturday was the kiddos 4th birthday and we had a party at one of our favorite parks to help celebrate. The theme this year was pirate and princess, which really was perfect.

The weather actually wasn't as bad as I expected. No matter what it is always at least 90 degrees on their birthday. It could have been 80 the day before, but come May 5th it'll be 90+ with at least 70% humidity. No lie.

See their favor boxes? I found them on Etsy from this amazing shop, Stitches by Susan. She also made the cupcake toppers, and lollipop covers.  They were so adorable and everyone seemed to love them!

Here's a better picture of the cupcake toppers. Aren't they adorable?! We had one of the new local bakery's, Auntie Dawn's, make the cupcakes. I love how she makes them, she cuts off the tops and puts the frosting inside, guaranteeing that you get a bite of frosting with each bite of cake. Plus, instead of sugar, she uses local honey.  So delicious!

We also had Jimmy John's, which I haven't had since I went to ISU. At least my friend Andrea agreed with me that they are the best sandwiches. They just aren't good after sitting out for 2 hours in the Florida heat. I can personally attest to that.

The kids had so much fun playing with their friends at the party. I think this really was the perfect location for them and all of their friends. There really weren't any other people at the park that morning so we basically had the park to ourselves.

I love this photo of Jilly and Ellina on the swings. I have so many cute photos of both girls and I think the reason I love it so much is that they are basically mini versions of my bestie Dawn and I.

The kiddos also cleaned up in the present department, and I think because they liked what they received so much, they didn't nap on the way home from the party like I was hoping.

I spent most of my afternoon opening everything, which can we talk about this for a moment? Why are toys packaged like they are in Fort Knox?! For real, I feel like I need a degree in toy opening just to get to the toy. Having two eager 4 year olds right over your should certainly does not help matters.

This is the best photo of the kiddos in their shirts, also found on Etsy (Scott officially hates that word and the phrase "I found it on Etsy"). Jill's is from London Stitches and Aaron's is from Dream a Little Dream.

Thank you again to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! I know it was hot and we were all glistening by the end of the party, so it truly means a lot that you braved the heat to be with us.






Check out a new blog link up on Capri +3, she just started this week and I'm so excited to be a part of it!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Every year I make a video montage of the past year. I love looking back on them each year to see how much the kids have grown and just to remember all of the fun memories. I cannot believe my babies are 4 today. It's cliche, but it really does seem like just yesterday we were holding them for the first time.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Happy 4th Birthday Aaron and Jillian!

4 Years of Photos

I thought today it would be fun to show you pictures of the kiddos from the past 4 years. I love looking back and seeing the changes from year to year.

May 5, 2008 3:30ish am

Our first family photo and one of the photos I looked at to see what they really looked like. It's hard to look at them when they are thisclose to your face.

May 2009

My 1 year olds. I miss photos when they actually stayed in one spot.

 May 2010

My 2 year olds. We were convinced Jill was never going to get hair, or would forever have a mullet. 

May 1st 2011

Busia and Dzia Dzio had a birthday party for the kiddos. This was the first time everyone in Chicago had seen the kiddos since they were 6 months old. 

March 2012

My almost 4 year olds. This photo basically encompasses their relationship, and I love every little bit of it.

Tomorrow is the last day with memories, and it's actually my video montage that I do every year. It's pretty cute, but I'm pretty biased. 

Thanksgiving Thursday

For those of you that don't know what Thanksgiving Thursday is, it is the one time during the week where you stop and basically count your blessings. Even if you've had one of those weeks, I promise you can find at least one thing to be thankful for, no matter how big or small.

This week I am thankful for:

• Scott's promotion of sorts. He has been given the chance to be the emergency coordinator for security. It's temporary for 4-6 months with the possibility of becoming permanent. I think this is a perfect fit for him and I am so proud of him! He definitely deserved this promotion!

• Aaron. I could never have asked for a better little man to be in my life. He is every bit his father and I love it. I am so thankful that I'm his Mommy, or Mother as he sometimes calls me. I cannot believe he's been in our lives for 4 years now. 

• Jillian. Seldom do I actually call her Jillian, if I'm using the full first name it's usually followed by her middle name. Jill is Jill and there is no other way to describe her. I am so thankful I am her Mommy and I know my Dad is thankful that I got a mini-me. I cannot believe she's been in our lives for 4 years!

• Family that has supported us and helped us over the past 4 years, whether it was buying a can of formula (or whole sleeve of it), diapers, offering to watch them, and so much more. It's meant the world to us and we know these past 4 years would have been really hairy without all of the help and support.

• Friends who have been in the kiddos lives for the past 4 years. It's meant the world to us.

• 4 years of double the giggles, double the grins, double the fun, double the not so fun times, and really just double the joy. We are doubly blessed and couldn't be happier!

What are you thankful for this week?

Got a second? Please vote for Twice the Love...Half the Sleep and Multiples and More in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Moms of Multiples - 2012

Age 4 Stats

I was going to put up photos with the kids stats on them, however, my computer is "resting" (read battery dead and no way to charge) and I do not have the photos on Scott's computer. Soooooo....we are going to make due with this:

Aaron age 4

Loves:  Firetrucks, motorcycles, trucks, model trains (with Daddy and Paw Paw), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (or samiches as he calls them), meatloaf, and of course sausage, all things chocolate, playing outside, helping Mommy in the kitchen, Captain America and Iron Man. He believes every man on a motorcycle is, in fact, Captain America

Aaron wants to be a fireman when he grows up (please cue the George Strait song now).

Aaron's catchphrase is: "Are you kidding me?" or "You betcha!"

Jillian age 4

Loves: Cinnamon Swirl Bread (without raisins), Barbies and Princesses, spaghetti (which she calls Lady and the Tramp), Madeleine's from Starbucks, coloring, singing, playing outside, helping Mommy in the kitchen, and crafting with Mimi. 

Jillian wants to be a princess when she grows up (same as her Mommy at this age) or a mermaid, with a tail, and the hair and seashells (her exact description).

Jillian's catchphrase is: "Um, how about..." or "I do it!!!!!"

I still cannot believe my babies are going to be 4 this weekend. Keep checking back all week for more memories from the past 4 years.

Birthday Week Kick Off

It's officially birthday week for the kiddos. I cannot believe they will be 4 years old on Saturday. We've learned so much about them over these past 4 years, and so much of what they did in those sleepless night filled early days are still proving true today.

Aaron has always been laid back, even before he was born. While Jill kicked and grabbed and rolled, he just hung out. Because he is so laid back he's always done everything after Jill.  He's never really been one that demands attention to be in the spotlight, but don't count him out.  He's wickedly funny and gives, hands down, the best hugs ever.  He's also a protective big brother, even if they don't always get along, he will protect his "seester" no matter what.

Jill is my diva, and always has been.  I remember when we were getting our 3D ultrasound done she blocked our view of Aaron. She was a pound smaller, and somehow managed to take up more room than her brother.  She was the first to walk and practically started running.  She demands the spotlight, unless of course, we are in public, then she's shy. I promise you, there is nothing shy about this child. She is slapstick funny and can be the sweetest little girl you've ever met. She's also fiercely protective of her brother.

I'm going to be sharing memories all week about the kiddos, so keep checking back!