Butterfly Birthday Pics

I'm pretty disappointed in our photography skills, or lack there of, for Maren's birthday party, but here are a few:






We also had great intentions of getting all dolled up for the party, but nap came a little late that day so the guests started to arrive just after she got up. Oh well, she's still pretty darn cute - I might be biased though!

Since her party, she's been telling us that next year she's going to have a T-Rex Party. ROOOAAAR!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Maren!

Our baby girl is three today! Where did one and two go... and how did they sneak by so quickly? I took the day off and we celebrated with birthday muffins for breakfast and a trip to Austin for a new bike, helmet, and lunch at McDonalds. She also got a few fun presents this morning when she woke up: an outfit, nail polish, stickers, and make up brushes - just like Grandma's (No Make-up!! - She's a great pretender!) Grandma also brought over some new clothes for Bitty Baby.



~Maren loves to play make believe, especially with her babies: Clara and Bitty. She is usually the Mom, and Cale is either the Dad or Son. Ryan and I get in on the fun occasionally, too. She cooks food for us in the play kitchen.
~She also loves to color and do stickers. She colored a mothers day card for me this year - it was a beautiful bouqet of flowers in all black! :)
~She loves to be outside on her "park", swinging and going down the slide.
~She'll also get in and play ball whenever she gets the chance. She often plays catcher in baseball. If you ask her brother, she needs a little practice in soccer - she uses her hands too much! ;)
~As I write this, she's finishing up her big day with a tackle football game with Cale.
~She's like a fish in the pool. There is no fear near the water for this girl, and she'll stay in as long as we let her.
~She loves to play games: Memory and Zingo are her two favorites.
~She's a great helper and quite the little Miss Independent. We often hear: "I want to do it by myself!"
~She loves to tell stories and always starts them with: "Listen to me, guys."
~I also think she's going to be somewhat of a class clown. She loves getting a laugh out of us, and she does a great job at it.
~She was fully potty-trained at 2 1/2 and just occasionally has an accident for waiting too long - so it usually happens as she's getting on the potty! ugh! She has never had a night time accident, and that totally amazes me! Girls really ARE easier!!
~She's already mastering her skills of negotiation. Yikes!
~She loves her brother and fights with her brother frequently...she tries to copy everything that he does, and they entertain each other quite easily.
~She loves to sing, and her current favorite is: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep.
~And we all love her to pieces!!!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl! Sorry, I mean, Big Girl!



On Saturday, we'll be celebrating more by having a "Butterfly Birthday" with family.

**If you have time to go back, I've finally added pictures to Cale's birthday post!

Phil Mickelson*

We potentially have a future PGA Tour golfer in the family!

Cale sunk a 45 foot putt during his outing at the golf course with Grandpa.

Way to go, Buddy!

*I thought Phil was the better choice. ;)

Last day of Preschool

Today is Cale's last day of Preschool... Kindergarten, here he comes!!

We had a parent/teacher conference last week with Cale's Preschool teacher, Mrs. Reburn. We came away as very proud parents! Everything she said was great...and she had some wonderful keepsakes to take home for our school days scrapbook. It was so nice to hear such great things! Sometimes I worry - does he act this way at school?! Whew! The answer is no, he's pretty perfect, but really... I already knew that! ;)

So, I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon of your last day of Preschool than with your Grandpa! Grandpa Olson is going to pick Cale up, and they're going to have Grandpa's delicious scrambled eggs for lunch. Then they're headed to the golf course to hit some balls on the range, and possibly play a few holes. I'm sure there will be some football and fishing stories somewhere in there, too. Hope the guys have a great day - Can't wait to hear all about it!

**Added**
Since I missed the post about the first day of Preschool, here's the picture - So Proud of you, Cale!

Wow - look at these blondies!

Nice smile, Mar! :)

Fun!

Ryan and I made it out to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday in April. Great times with old friends!!


Tomorrow night we're going to St. Paul with a lot of Ryan's family to see Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn in concert. Excited for lots of fun!

Copy Cat

Last night, the kids and I were playing a friendly game of Zingo (fabulous game if you're looking for one). At one point, the competition gets heated and Cale gives Maren a little push....

Maren's reaction: "CALE! That is not necessary!!" - shouted as well as an almost 3 year-old can say, necessary. :)

Ryan and I look at each other and just laugh.

Friends

It's been awhile. Time gets away and I forget to write it down, but this one is too good. I wish I would have gotten the audio....to play back years later.

Last night, Cale was testing his limits - because he's so good at it! He ended up in his room for the night at about 6:45. Then, for the next hour and 15 minutes, we heard, "Mommy is not my friend. Daddy is my friend, and Maren is my friend but not Mommy. Naughty, naughty Mommy."

Then he made his declaration: "Mommy, I'm not going to be your friend until the 3rd Thursday!"

He apologized when it was time for bed. Kissed me goodnight and added a great hug. I'm not sure if we're friends again though! LOL! :)