Playdates

So most days I feel like an average Mom, who's mostly just lame, but tries to keep us busy with fun (sometimes creative) activities.  But Today.......I definitely "Rocked".  The three amigas have been talking about planning an "American Girl" playdate for a few weeks.  Mind you....none of the three actually have an "American Girl".  They all have the Target knock off....Our Generation!.  But they don't know....or care!!!!  So they decided when they had this playdate it should be at our home since Neveah's mom doesn't know Julia's mom and vice versa.  I thought this pretty good thinking on their part.  So the day arrives and here is what they came home from school to:

A lovely china set buffet with cheese and crackers (cut in the shape of tiny flowers), grapes, peanuts and raisins in small flower cupcake papers, and purple flower cupcakes (thanks Angela), with fresh squeezed lemonade.  After the girls ate they set up their play scene complete with a canopy bed (made out of a table turned upside down and a blanket).  After two hours of playing, I informed them it was time to clean up and get ready to go home.  Their response ......"but we didn't even play yet...we are still setting up".  Isn't that typical though.  It is more fun to set up the play area than it is to actually play with it!  I love these girls!!!!!

Happy Birthday To Katherine!

35****35****35

This was the age at which I thought life would permanently change.  When I was 20, I thought that when I turned 35 I would need to chop my hair off and stop shopping at the Gap!  I am happy to announce that I have not cut my hair off and in fact, my friend Zil, brought me a Gap shopping bag that had the cutest "GAP" t-shirt I've ever seen.  (Thanks Zil).  

I had an amazing birthday with my parents, husband, and kds.  I had several friends comment on how lucky I was that my parents would drive 5 hours just to spend my birthday with them.. My response was 

"that's because I was adopted so they love me more".  

I do somewhat belive this to be true.  They seem to treasure each gift they are given with their children as they recognize how hard it was to get us!

Since we moved here three years ago my Mom has been trying to get us to go to Queen Califia's Garden in Escondido, and we finally went.  What a great display of talent and dedication.

  That evening we shared a great birthday dinner complete with my traditional ice cream cake that Paul and the kids pick out for me. 

Thank you Dad, Mom, Paul, Chloe Ryan, and Callista for a FABULOUS birthday! 

Twin Day!

For the past 2 years Chloe and Julia have celebrated twin day in style.  This year was especially fun as Angela and I took the girls out for our own version of Girls Night Out which included shopping and ice cream! 

Compared to last year....it makes me sad to see them grow up...especially now that they have two front BIG teeth!

The Shupe Girls' and Their Sports!

Today was an athletic day for the girls!  Chloe's school had their annual Jog-A-Thon and she jogged 23 laps.

Callista even ran three of them with her.  She said: 

"I Free Years Old so I runned Free laps."

Then I took Callista to her First Gymnastics Class.  I know it is bragging to say, but at that very moment, I truly do think she was the CUTEST 3 yr old in the world.  She loved every moment of it and wanted to know if  "gynamics" was every day!

Happy Easter!

The kids woke up excited to see if the Easter Bunny came.  He hid 16 eggs for each child.  Chloe was to find all the pink and orange eggs, Ryan was to find all the green and blue eggs, and Callista was to find all the purple and yellow eggs.  Nobody cried that someone got more eggs than the other.  

That Easter Bunny....he is so clever.

Easter Dinner with the Cox Family.  We have known the Cox's since we moved to Mission Valley in 2003 and have kept in touch with them through 3 moves before we came full circle again.

Ryan - 5, Corey - 7, Taylor - 6, Chloe-7

Shawn and Callista have a secret crush on each other!

Friends Forever!!!!

Easter Eggs

Since we first started coloring eggs, Paul has been the "Man in Charge".  He loves it and the kids look forward to doing this activity with their Dad every Spring!

Somehow Callista got it in her mind that she had to give a hug in payment for an egg.  Paul didn't mind at all!

AND...you can't do any activity with Paul and not have a "funny face" picture.

Spring Break!!!

Spring Break in Vegas?  Why not....with two sets of Grandparents to hang out with, you can't go wrong.  The first day we were there the kids enjoyed just "hanging out" in Papa and Nana's backyard.

The next day was a fun shopping day with Grandma which included a ride on the Merry-Go-Round at the Mall.  

Of course, you can't go to Grandma's unless you are going to swim.  Thank goodness for heated jacuzzi's.  

Then we decorated Easter cookies and Grandpa even helped!

On Tuesday we went to the Springs Preserve.  We love watching the flash flood, playing in the sandbox, and on the turtles.

Wednesday was Grandma's 58th Birthday!  We made sure that all 58 candles were on the cake.  The Hardy Cousins came in to celebrate with us too!

On Thursday we went to the Circus Circus Adventure Dome.  Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of that because after being talked into going on the "Pirate Swing" by Chloe, I got soooooo sick!  I couldn't even look at the carasol after that.  I had to lay down in the middle of the amusement park for 20 minutes.

  HOW EMBARASSING!!!!

 But thankfully.....we went out for pancakes afterwards...and I felt much better!

 Our trip wouldn't be complete unless we had a visit to 

"The Donut Shop With The Machine"

AKA....Crispy Creme.

It's become somewhat of a tradition to go there with Grandma because she lives so close!

 

 What's wrong Chloe....Ohhhhhh.....your mouth is full of donut!

 It was a great Spring Break with memories we will have forever!  Thanks Papa and Nana, and Grandpa and Grandma for spoiling us and taking us on so many adventures!