Dinner Date

I got a big treat this past week when my friend Robin was passing through and we had a chance to plan a dinner date!  Robin is one of my sorority sisters and close friends from college whom I never get to see because she has lived so far away...but, whenver I do see her...it is like old times!

She had her son, Finn with her...so I brought Reese and we met up with our other great friend, Jennifer and had a great time!  Finn, is full of personality and I loved being around him.  Reese, has become a little more reserved over the past two years (at first meet at least), so it took her a little bit to warm up...but by the end they were buddies!

Finn and Reese...making wishing...and then running around the edge of the fountain...thankfully we avoided anyone falling in.

 When Robin and I were deciding where to meet...Mexican was a go-to for both of us.  Parents know that you need a loud environment when you have littles with you...just in case you don't want to draw attention to yourselves!  Finn, was telling Reese all about his trip to lego land...and telling her about some superheroes...Reese was intrigued.

A story worth sharing...Robin, Finn, Reese and I were talking and hanging out inside the mall before we left...and these two had a little fun.  They were running around and laughing...then Reese came up to Robin and said, "Um Robin, Finn went up the escalator", to which Robin and I both run around the the bottom of the escalator to look...only to have Reese and Finn jump out from behind a pillar and yell "we tricked you!' Kids make me laugh!

 The dinner crew...I hate to say this..but I did not want to post this picture...I really just don't like it...I know things are not all about me..but it was one of those pictures where I made the decision....

HAIR CUT PEOPLE!  It was not a good hair day to being with...but seriously that needs some help...so off to the salon I go...fingers crossed!

18 months

Brynlee is 18 months (as of the 10th) wow she is so much fun these days!  Bryn, like her sisters, is full of words.  She really can pretty much repeat anything you say.  When she wakes up her favorite thing to do is yell.."Hi Hadee (Hadley), Hi Reeseee (Reese)."  She loves to eat, also like her sisters, and as soon as it is meal time...she runs over to her seat and says "Up...Up!"  Her favorite foods are well...anything...but she really loves bananas, peas, cheese, pasta, watermelon, edamame, and oatmeal. She also loves to dance and whenever music comes on she starts to sway and put her hands up!  

She loves to look at and read books...she is quite bossy about her books.  She likes to pick them out and to turn the pages.  When we go to bed we always sing "Jesus loves me" and "You are my sunshine"...she sings them both with a sweet little voice and grin.  I love the way she says her name...Bryn nee!  She has a lot of hair...it is straight and thick just like Reese's hair.  And, while I do think all of my little girlies favor each other...there are pictures of Reese that look just like Bryn.

She loves her sisters and runs around trying to keep up with them all day.  She loves to hug them and she tries to "ride" on their backs when we are swimming in the pool.  Bryn and I are going to get to have a lot more quality time in a few weeks...Reese will be starting Kindergarten (5 days a week 9-1pm) and Hadley will be doing 3 year old preschool (3 days a week 9-1pm), I am afraid she might find the house a little quiet!  :)

Bryn riding the girls favorite pony...it has been around since Reese was 1!

 Such a cutie...top pony tail and all!

 She loves to play in water...such a big girl!

Parrrtaay

We celebrated Hadley's 3rd birthday this weekend...and as you can tell...our girls were full of personality!  We celebrated with about 12 of Hadley's friends and had a great time playing and bouncing...oh and eating!

Bebe as always was our hero to come for the party and to help take care of the girls...I think Hadley was more excited about Bebe coming than her actual party. (and I totally think Bebe looks a little like Sarah Palin here...and Brynlee was trying to look around me at the man blowing up the bounce house)

Bebe with her girls...I can't believe I got them all smiling...even if it is a really bad picture shooting right into the sun and glass (photography 101...I know)

 When the party was over I asked Hadley her favorite part, "the ice cream and cake"...I asked what was your next favorite part..."the fruit kabobs and sandwiches"...just makes me laugh!

 Everyone had a great time jumping...it is a workout for sure!  

 These two are just best buddies...they were hugging each other and just laughing!

 Our Minnie mouse bean bag toss...and picture maker!

 Big sis and little sis...yes all in matching dresses...I say this humbly because I know anyone who can sew can make this style of dress with their eyes closed...but I have just started learning to sew...and Hadley wanted a pink and white dress like Minnie mouse wears...so she picked the fabric and I made their dresses.  :)

 Always fun...the gym was full of little ones getting pulled around on scooters...lots of falls...lots of laughter!

 All of my beautiful red heads had a great time...and the Princess of the day loved every minute of it!  Happy Birthday Hadley Grace...three years going on 13!

A three year old!

Our Sweet Hadley Grace turned 3 today!  Hit rewind and repeat again...but how in the world is she 3?  There are times (especially when she and I are talking...which is most of the time) that I think she is 6 not 3.  Hadley's sweet little smile and tilt of her head makes it really hard for anyone to get upset with her...even if she did just color a stuffed animal with my lipstick!

We celebrated this morning...our tradition now of hanging streamers and balloons outside the door was fun for all the girls when they woke up.  We had strawberry pancakes and OJ (which is a treat around our house) and opened some family presents.   Then for lunch we headed to CPK for a family celebration and an ice cream sundae!  

Hadley is so full of life and personality.  She loves to sing...she makes up a song about anything and everything (she gets that from my mom for sure).  Her favorite thing to do is to dress up as one of the Disney Princess' or a ballerina...then come out and dance around like crazy!  She of course is still a great eater (like all of my girls) and she won't turn a whole lot away.  Carrots and humus are a staple for this cutie.  

Hadley loves her sisters and is a true second child in the sense that she wants to do whatever Reese is doing...and she wants Brynlee to do whatever she is doing.  She loves on Bryn so much and is so concerned whenever Bryn cries.  She tells Reese all the time that she is her "best buddy".  

She is for sure our comic relief around here...I can not even write some of the things down she says...because they come one after the other so fast.  She loves to prance around the house in my shoes or in any one's boots...this started when she was 1 and has not slowed down!  Happy Birthday to our sweet girl!

That smile gets me every time

 Ice CREAM!

 Crazy faces this one makes

 A Ham

 She is our snuggle one for sure

She loves her sisters!

Beckner Cycling

I am sure like all of you...our family has been a captive audience of the Olympic games...and I am truly grateful for DVR!  The girls really enjoy watching (some sports more than others).   Bryn really likes the equestrian, Hadley likes the swimming and gymnastics, and Reese likes the track, gymnastics and swimming!  We have watched some of the cycling...and while not their favorite sport...they like to try...

Brynlee a novice in the event...but all smiles

 Hadley taking her turn...major points for style..always a fan favorite

 Finally, Reese, too serious to stop for her fans and photographs

And for a little laugh a few quotes from the girls about Olympics:

Hadley: (after switching from watching gymnastics to swimming) "Mommy why did the gymnastics people jump into the water"...I guess spandex and leotards look alike!

Reese: (watching swimming) Me - they are really fast, R- I could beat them...

Me: cheering for the US gymnastics team wanting them to beat Russia. Hadley - No mommy we don't want to beat them...that's not nice.