Reese lost a tooth!

Imagine our surprise when our daughter, Reese, told us she had a loose tooth! After all, she and Brooks and Sloane just turned 5 years old in January.

Sure enough, just 2 days later during dinner, Reese took a bite of her food and out came the tooth! She was so excited...
That night, we placed the tooth in a bag under her pillow
Sloane and Brooks were also excited about the visit from the Tooth Fairy!
While Reese was asleep, the Tooth Fairy left something special for her under her pillow!
The Tooth Fairy also left a trail of magic fairy dust!

We told Brooks, Reese and Sloane that they could not touch the fairy dust because it would lose its magic!
Reese was so excited about her dollar from the Tooth Fairy! She is saving it her in piggy bank until she decides how to spend it!
It is moments like these that make me realize how quickly my babies are growing up!

Valentine's Day and a Princess Party

Valentine's Day is an exciting day in our house every year!

Of course Brooks, Reese and Sloane love the idea of getting candy and treats from their friends.
This was the 2nd year the Trio signed their own Valentine cards. Last year was a process, so

I had to ask Steve for help with the task! About 30 minutes into the project, he had opened a beverage and looked completely worn out! ha ha ha...

What a difference a year can make! This year I sat Brooks, Reese and Sloane at the table one day after school with a stack of cards and a Sharpie marker (yes I am brave) and basically said "write your name on each card'. Within 10 minutes the cards were finished! I was so proud! I also love dressing the Trio for Valentine's Day. Brooks' "Most Eligible Bachelor" shirt was perfect for my little charmer! He greeted me Valentine's morning by walking up to my side of the bed and whispering "I love you Mommy...Happy Valentine's Day" and then kissed me on the cheek. What a way to wake up in the morning!

Here are Reese, Brooks and Sloane after school on Valentine's Day. Notice my sassy girls...

Later that night, they could not wait to give Daddy their Valentines...so sweet!

Then, Brooks, Reese and Sloane surprised me with chocolate and my husband surprised me with some roses!
The evening concluded with Steve and I going on a romantic dinner ...alone!

Recently, Reese and Sloane were invited to a princess birthday party. As you can imagine, the girls were VERY excited! We decided to make it a "girls' day" and went to get our nails painted together before the party.

During the "tea party", the girls were given a brief lesson about etiquette and manners. I was impressed with Reese and Sloane...they were little ladies placing their napkins in their laps and responding "yes please" and "no thank you".

Sloane worked hard on decorating her cupcake!
Sipping on "tea" (pink punch)...although Reese drank water because she does not like juice!
Reese loved making her princess crown...
Each girl had their own place setting, just like a real tea party...
Of course no princess party would be complete without a make-up station!
The beautiful princesses! Notice their "princess hands"...so sweet!

The gown selection was a long process! Reese finally chose this dress...
Reese loved looking at the dresses and jewelry...
Sloane showing off her dress selection. As you can see, there was a large selection of crowns and jewelry!
Sloane and Reese could not stop talking about the princess party and were already planning their 6th birthday party during the car ride home! I wonder what they are thinking for their brother? Poor Brooks!

National Wear Red Day 2012

On February 3rd for National Wear Red Day, I decided to dress Brooks, Reese and Sloane in red and explain the reason for wearing that particular color today. I have always felt it is never too early to educate children at an early age about various causes, promoting their individual awareness of them and the meaning.

Before we left home, I told them to look around for other people wearing the color red. Brooks, Reese and Sloane embraced the activity and as the opportunity presented itself, immediately began pointing out other people wearing red, exclaiming: ”Mommy, look! They are wearing red too”.

It is moments like these I cherish about motherhood. Observing your children’s awareness to the world around them is invaluable. As the day progressed, I sensed Brooks, Reese and Sloane remained excited and eager to continue identifying others wearing red in support of women’s heart disease.

5th Birthday Party

Since Brooks, Reese and Sloane's birthday is so close to the holidays, we always have their party a few weeks later.

This year, we held their birthday party at ASI Gymnastics. The party was a huge success!

After the party, we came home and opened gifts...

Sloane LOVED her cake!

When it was time for the cake, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Sloane, Reese and Brooks individually. In the past, we sang the song once to all three of them, but Steve and I felt that it was time to give each child individual attention.

Brooks, Reese and Sloane also chose their own birthday cakes this year.
Reese and her Rapunzel cake...

Sloane chose a Cinderella cake...

Brooks is obsessed with Batman!

Sloane, Brooks and Reese sporting their birthday shirts!
This birthday was a big milestone...not only turning a year older, but also for encouraging each of our children to make their own personal choices.

Happy 5th Birthday Brooks, Reese and Sloane

My babies are growing up so fast! I can't believe Brooks, Reese and Sloane are 5 years old now and will be attending Kindergarten in the Fall.

We had a small family celebration at one of our favorite restaurants, Mi Cocina.

The Hickey 5...

The waiters came out to sing "Happy Birthday" to the Trio

Here comes the sweet stuff!

Sloane, Brooks and Reese after dinner

A friend of mine made these adorable birthday shirts...

Brooks, Reese and Sloane would wear them everyday if they could...so cute!

They are excited to celebrate with their friends next week!

Preschool field trip

Brooks, Reese and Sloane recently visited the Outdoor Learning Center with their preschool class. They were very excited to see all of the animals including snakes, lizards and mice!

I love this age because everything they experience is so exciting and "new". The comments and giggles during the tour of the animals was priceless. The highlight of the tour was the dancing bird. The bird would actually bob it's head up and down...too funny!

Sloane wanted to take home a rabbit as a new pet....I swear she is going to be a Veterinarian one day!

Here are Reese, Brooks and Sloane sporting their preschool T-shirts...
Their preschool class...

Christmas 2011

Christmas is always a fun time of year when you have children. Brooks, Reese and Sloane were very excited this year! They are old enough now to understand who Santa Clause is and all of the fun activities like looking at Christmas lights and making cookies. Brooks, Reese and Sloane also know that Baby Jesus was born on Christmas and that He is the reason for this special holiday.

This year I wanted Brooks, Reese and Sloane to make their own cookies to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve. Here are the finished products:
We had fun making a mess with flour and cookie dough.....notice my "glass" rolling pinon the table...ha ha ha...
Brooks, Reese and Sloane ready to start the cookie making process...good thing they were wearing their PJ's and aprons because it was a big mess but they loved every minute of it!

Each year on Christmas Eve, we attend a family friendly church service. I love this tradition because it is the only time we can attend "big church" as a family. The Trio are normally in the childcare during the church service. Brooks, Reese and Sloane know that this night is important because it is the birthday of Baby Jesus.

I love this picture of Steve and Brooks watching the live Nativity Scene...

The children wear hats or headbands and create a live Nativity during the service. Here are our 2 stars and 1 king:
Sitting in the church holding the candles for the candlelight singing of Silent Night

After church, we go out to dinner and then return home to get ready for Santa's arrival...

Our 3 little blessings...

Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, we read T'was The Night Before Christmas and then set out the cookies and milk for Santa
Those cookies look good!
Then we head outside to leave food for the reindeer so they can fly!
Magic reindeer food...
Christmas morning
Opening our stockings from Santa
We are ready to open gifts!
What an amazing year it has been for our family. We are blessed with healthy and happy children, a nice home, amazing family and friends and a year full of wonderful memories! I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!