fashion party

This was the first year that Audrey wanted to invite her school friends. It's a weird feeling really, inviting a bunch of girls that you don't know to come over to your house for 2 hours. Audrey decided that she wanted to have a fashion show party which was perfect, really, considering the amount of dress up clothes we own could outfit a small town for Halloween.

I ended up turning our dining room into the "backstage" , then making a pink runway to the posing area:First we played "stick the cell phone on the teenager":

Next I handed out the favor bags which included: a pink boa, bracelets, sunglasses, nail polish, cell phone lip gloss, and a lip whistle. And the girls went to town:

This is Audrey explaining how to "walk the runway":Then it was time for "cake":
The party was a success! See those two taller girls? Those are Audrey's 4th grade friends (our neighbors). She "hired" them to be party helpers and quite honestly, they were a huge help painting nails, doing makeup, handing out cookies, etc. And speaking of "I couldn't have survived this without you"...thanks to Nickie for taking all of the pictures! I'm sure the parents thought I'd hired a photographer she did such an awesome job!

Now the big question is: how exactly am I supposed to top this for next year???

6 years old

never would I have ever guessed that this:would someday be this:
Happy Birthday Audrey Grace

we love you!

co sleeping shuffle

Last week Lucy climbed out of her crib for the first time. It's no big deal really, I mean, she is almost 3 and all...but it kinda defeats the purpose of a crib if she can climb out of it. So on to the big bed it is! We saved our old queen mattress a while back knowing that it would fit under this bunk. We bring it upstairs, put the bedding on it, and *here's where the story gets interesting* Audrey falls in LOVE.
It's no secret that we are a co sleeping family. This isn't something I preach about but it's not something I hide either. It's wasn't something we planned exactly, but it's what has always worked for us. Lucy told us that she needed her space at 18 months and moved into her crib no problem. Audrey, well, we were thinking it would be more like 18 years for her. See that top bunk? That was bed #2 she told us she would sleep in if we got it for her :)
So the first night Audrey tells me that after we rock she wants to go in the new bed and of course I agree. I always agree. I've heard this from her before and when she comes back into our room 20 minutes later I don't give her a hard time I just tell her it was a good try and we get on with our night. But that night....she didn't come back! Or the next, or the next, or the next!
*now ready for the twist in the story?* Lucy, the one we weren't worried about, has been in our bed by midnight every single night since. Little booger.

I guess the girls decided it was time for a trade :)

shoveling in style

Looks like Lucy has picked up a few fashion tips from her big sister. I have to admit this scares me a bit...however I am loving her desire to always help out.