Happy Birthday, Dora!

Did you celebrate Dora the Explorer's birthday on August 15th? I'm sure none of you forgot! We sure didn't forget considering that it was advertised all summer long and ME told me almost everyday that she wanted to go to Dora's birthday party. Thank goodness it finally arrived because she wasn't grasping the concept of having to wait until August for the birthday episode to come on.

We had a "picnic" in the Living Room so that we wouldn't miss one second of the birthday show.I promise they really enjoyed it...they were both REALLY into watching Dora! At least Ben took a second to look at the camera and ME took a second to smile.
We even had birthday cake for Dora's party (aka leftover cake from my 80's party). Do you like ME's appropriate attire? We had several guests at the party, too. Boots, Super Babies, and a few other Dora's arrived fashionably late, so they missed the party pic.

We had a fun night celebrating Dora's birthday.

Summer 2010

Nope...we didn't take a big summer vacay. And we really didn't do anything too adventurous. But here's what I did:

• I cheered a bunch for a 2 1/2-year-old going to the potty. And I got cheered for as well for going to the potty.

Ben even got excited when ME got to color on the "tee-tee paper".

• I mastered the art of blowing bubbles and then catching them every morning on the deck in my pjs. Actually, I learned how to stay in my pjs for a long time each and every day (as you'll probably notice in most of the pictures).


• I ran from dinosaurs (and some other animals at times) in my hallway.
• I learned that when painting, a dot on the paper can be anything from a footprint to a castle. See below...
• I looked forward to every Wednesday when the dump truck came. This was a cheap thrill in the Dees Household! Each week, we would run to Ben's room and have the same convo:
• 

  "I think I hear the dump truck...

  

  but I don't see dump truck."

  
• I learned that having style means that you just have to wear what you're comfortable in.

• ME learned how to be a contortionist.

• The kids learned how to enjoy summertime sweet treats.
  
• We learned how to have fun in the sun with our friends during playdates.

Davis and ME running through the Splash Pad downtown.

Ben and ME looking at the fish aquarium at the AR Game and Fish.

Davis, Ben, and ME at the Game and Fish.

M

cKenzie, Ben, and ME playing with puzzles at the local library.

• I figured out how to manage to get both kiddos down for a nap at the same time most days...even if it meant nap wherever you can.
  

  At the beginning of the summer, ME missed her old daycare and even wanted to take naps like she did at daycare.
  

• I learned how much fun playing in the water really can be no matter where you are.


• The kids learned patience by waiting for "Adult Swim" to be over at the pool.
• 

• I managed to become a culinary chef (at least in the eyes of Benjamin and hearing his response after each bite).
• I learned a new language (it's called "ME's special language"). Has anyone else's child done this? Kind of cool...kind of strange!
• I learned how to distract ME when driving by Sonic when it's not Happy Hour. ;)
• I saw the most beautiful 4 blue eyes almost everyday.
• I went to the rainforest several times (the tree that covers my deck or anywhere that there were lots of trees).

Nope. I didn't go anywhere, but I sure did make some great memories!

A visit from Daddy Mike

Daddy Mike came to visit us mid-August. Even though it was a fast trip, the kids had tons of fun!

Can you believe I actually got a group shot of everyone smiling?!?!

While Daddy Mike was here, he and Drew went back to school shopping. ME had to check it all out and make sure they got the right things.Surprisingly...they only got one wrong item.

Was Dora on the kid's supply list? But I don't think ME minded it one bit!
Ben even had to check out Dora. I wish you could see him shake his booty when Dora sings and dances!

{Ben, ME, Will, Thomas}

Just about everytime Daddy Mike comes, we have his brother's side of the family over, too. These sweet kids had too fun together.

Remember the good 'ole days?

In honor of me and my friends being born in 1980 and turning 30 this year, we decided to have like a "Totally 80's Birthday Bash". Why did the 80's fashion ever leave?!?! I mean the hair, the music, and the clothes all rocked! Ha! Hope you enjoy your flashback from the pix below. ;)

I painted a graffiti sign for the party. I thought it looked WAY bigger at my house!
Why don't people still play Twister more often?

The bday cake matched the invite for me, Bracy, and Terri.

Terri and Bracy have a bday exactly one month apart from each other and the party was their gift to each other, and Drew went in on it for me. This was a great way to celebrate all of my friends turning 30 this year!

Like, totally rad!

{Drew, Me, Hank, Hollie, Ryan, and Ashley}

Aren't you jealous of mine and Ashley's crimped hair? When ME saw my hair, she said I needed to brush it and she said that my blue "tolor" (eye shadow) looked silly and I needed to wash my face.

I should totally plan these far out glasses into my wardrobe more often!

Dancing to some 80s tunes.

{Bracy, Drew, and Tyler} My fam joined in on the fun, too! Isn't this a great family portrait?Don't my brother and I look tubular?

Me, Terri, and baby Cross (inside her belly) had so much fun seeing all of the cool fashions!

I sure do miss the 80s, especially the mullet...NOT! When Benjamin saw Drew's wig, he "wigged out" himself and cried! Ha!

Oh no, I've seen the big 3-0!

Turning 30 earlier this month wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. And now that I have reached 30, it's not nearly as old as I thought from when I was a kid! In some points of my life, I actually feel younger than I did in my early 20s. With that all being said, I had a great birthday...and it was great getting to spend it with my family.

This gives me every reason to smile!

My mom hung pictures of me from birth to 30-years-old all over their Dining Room. Talk about lots of memories!

My cousin, Leanne came to visit along with my Aunt Donna and Uncle Greg.

ME decided that I needed a purple cake and a purple birthday hat. Aren't you jealous?

More reason to smile about being 3o!

Another reason, too!

Leanne is a Yoga instructor and she thought it would be a good idea to a little demonstration with me. Interesting!

Nothing like a little Acro Yoga in the morning. ME even enjoyed it!Uncle Greg trying to show McKenzie how to do "The Greg" look. They're showing us what they think about this yoga stuff.