Abigail's 10th Birthday

This year Abby's birthday was a little tough for me. Turning TEN, meant a few things. #1 she is in double digits. #2 middle school is not far away #3 I am old.
At work I talk alot about my family, often I am asked my kids ages. Saying my oldest is 10- hurts every time it comes out of my mouth! I mean I know I was a little young when I had her, but its not like I want to explain that to every stranger. "My oldest is 10, but I am not in my 30's, I just started at a young age"- Yeah, NO. I will pass. So now everyone whom I tell I have a 10 yr old will probably automatically assume I am in my 30's. Oh well, right?
Anyway! She was very excited about being 10. She now has a 2 year count down to when I let her have a phone ;)
The day before her birthday we did a little prepping. Per my tradition I took the birthday girl out for a pedicure and manicure with me! We do this every year. :)

 

    Late night before her birthday! She wanted her hair straightened for the big day! Bye my 9 yr old!

The day of her birthday was a school day. I decorate the dining room every night before a birthday. Makes it extra special I think! Abby woke up at the crack of dawn. Conveniently 2 minutes before she was born at 6:34am.
When she got home from school we all went out to eat for her day. Traditionally Michael and I always take the birthday girl out to eat by herself, at the restaurant of their choice. But this year we literally did not have the time to do that. And Abby wanted Kani House (my fav!) So it was the perfect spot for a big family dinner! Dinner went great! It was M&M's first time and they enjoyed it!
It was SO yummy!!!

 

 

Abby has been wanting a real skateboard with her name airbrushed on the back for a while now!

She was super stoked to finally get it!



 

 

Her birthday DAY loot!

This year she wanted to originally have a sleepover with all her cheerleader friends. It didn't quite work out like originally planned, but it worked out to be PERFECT. No one actually stayed the night, but girls had a blast, and once everyone left we pretty much just went to bed!
We had the party at my aunt's house, who has much more room than we do. It is the most perfect 'party' house. She has a room upstairs like a loft. Girls were practically partying up their all night!

                                                    Friendship bracelet making station!

 

                                                 Makeup, tattoos, jewelry, scarfs.... dress up!

THE cake.

 Sassy girls!

 Abby and her BFF's!

 Dancing!

 Makeup!

 Sparklers!

 I made all the girls face mask with their names on it, with a box of goodies!

 Abby liked hers!

 

So yep. Its official. I am a mom to the most awesome 10 year old ever ;)

 

Who is also on the Honor Roll this 9 weeks!

 

 

 

2013, thus far

I have realized that my blog is usually pretty 'up to date' then I go like 3-4 months with nothing, and BAM there is a catch up blog. Well this is that BAM. Time to catch up!

2013 has been a pretty good year so far!
Everyone is happy, healthy, and complaints are small.
I mean I wish 40 lbs would like fall off over night, and we had the house of our dreams already. But you know- work in progress ;)

Where to start-
January?
After Christmas my house is like a zoo. Literally. There is stuff everywhere, and spoiled children running around not knowing what to play with first. I have GOT to come up with a better system. We have kept buying to a minimum. Although I say that, then they end up getting like everything they ask for as well as new shoes/clothes and things they 'need'. The problem with this is we currently live in a 3 bedroom/2 bath house. One level. No basement. And a garage filled from floor up with our storage. We needed a new house like 2 years ago! So after the holidays we spend some time packing up old stuff, and making room for new stuff! The living room has once again become M&M's play room, and A&A's room is wall to wall.
Around Christmas Michael did a job change. Kind of by choice, kind of NOT a choice. :( Luckily he found a new job only a couple weeks after, meaning he was home for the whole week of the holidays! It was AWESOME! Like an unplanned vacation that I loved every minute of! Down side to this, because he switched jobs we now have to wait for an established amount of time on the job before going forth on a home purchase. BLAH.
On a lighter note, the month was also filled with some fun!
Aaliyah got to attend her very first concert, Justin Beiber. I would like to say it was torture. However I seriously enjoyed every second of it!
Check out my family during January-

February was a BIG month too!
I bought a new car!! I have had my old car, since Aaliyah was like 18 months! Like 5/6 years. It had 275k miles. Up until then it never gave me an issue, it was the best car! But its time came. PLUS anytime we went somewhere as a whole family, we had to take Michael's truck for us to fit! It was pass due time for me to have a new car.
I originally thought I would have to get a minivan. I mean hello! I have 4 kids! But I am  just not a minivan kind of girl! I looked and looked at them and they just weren't me!
After much research I fell in love with the Ford Flex. And now having it for over a month, I am still in love with it.
I had to drive up almost to the Tennessee border for it, but it was worth it! It was actually a very peaceful drive, and much needed quiet time!

 

That was definitely the highlight of the month for me! Valentine's day was pretty 'low key'.

We agreed after the big purchase, no silly gift buying. We just got the kids some goodies!

March has been quite a busier month! My Abigail turned 10- officially making me an old woman! lol
There is so many pictures of that, I am going to save it for a separate blog!