Enjoying Days at Tracie's

Alyssa has great days at Tracie's house.  When she wakes up in the morning and we are getting ready, I usually tell both girls what is the general plan for the day.  When I mention to Lyssa it will be a Tracie day- she gets all excited and starts talking about all the friends she gets to play with.  She usually starts with the youngest- baby Joseph.  Today when I dropped her off, Tracie was upstairs and Lyssa kept saying "Tracie, Tracie- where Tracie?"- I am guessing because she usually starts her Tracie days with a big hug :)  Its been great hearing her verbalize and I feel so comfortable dropping her off, knowing she is in good hands and really likes to be there.

Playing with her friend Josie

She loves painting, drawing and coloring

Celebration #3

Millie and Shay had a combined birthday party this year.  Since they are only a year and 5 days apart, we figured a big party with 2 cakes was the way to go.  All the girls loved it!

The Birthday Girls!  Shay -4, Millie -3

Cousins Table

We got to be outside for hours and enjoy the 70+ degree day

Gregg and Dirk helping Millie become a ballerina

Rachel finally breaking open the pinata- after a few swings!

Celebrations #1 and #2

Shay had a great time celebrating her birthday yesterday.  At daycare they sang to her and they all got to eat cupcakes.  According to Shay, even the boys loved the princess cupcakes!  I think she has converted some of her friends.  Since she is with 2 boys during most of the day, each of them will play barbies and princesses with her- which is very sweet.  She also plays cars, trains and tag with them.

After daycare, we ate the dinner Shay requested - Macaroni and Cheese with warm and cold peas (warm peas means they are in the Mac & Cheese, cold means they are on the side), followed by cake and our present.  We got her a scooter and 2 dresses for her barbie.  Although she liked the scooter, her fav was the dresses.  Go figure!  Since it was such an awesome night (I don't know if we will ever see an almost 80 degree day on March 15 again), we headed to the park and stayed outside till it was dark.  What a great birthday!

"All done"

And what could be better than a Cinderella card!

Happy Birthday Shay Fontaine!

Shay turned 4 years old today, and boy, was she excited!  To celebrate she is having cupcakes with her daycare friends this afternoon, a special dinner with our family tonight and a big birthday party with cousin Millie on Saturday!

Words to describe Shay today: vibrant, healthy, detail orientated, rule follower, sensitive, logical, thoughtful, funny, and kind.
Shay loves princesses, barbies,wearing dresses, the color purple, drawing, painting, gymnastics, playing make believe and dress up, being a big sister and playing outside.  She is also good a fake crying and making sure you follow the rules, even if they are rules she just made up.  Shay is a delight to be around (most of the time :)

Last night  we were talking and could hardly believe we have been parents for 4 years.  It has been an awesome, challenging, sometimes surprising journey-- and we look forward to what the future may bring us.

Happy Birthday Shay!  Love- Mom, Dad and Lyssa

All ready for her birthday this morning!

We also want to wish Breck an Awesome Birthday- He and Shay are only hours apart!  We love being able to share the fun with the Burns family!

Happy Birthday to our friends Charity and Hope as well!  They turn 1 today and have come such along way in just one year!