- Fantastically FOUR! -

My jaw dropped to the floor...

...'cause this beautiful girl JUST TURNED FOUR!  Ohhhh, someone say it ain't so!

**********

We celebrated Harper's birthday via a combined cousins party with the family in late February:

She was planning for a Peppa Pig party for prettttty much the entire last year, but the day I was ordering her cake she was insistent on having The Little Mermaid and so! Under 'da Sea it was... We ordered some bath squirt toys on Amazon to top off the cake and voila!

^^ HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Harper, Melody, Murphy, and Fiona -- you are the cutest cousins ever!

She got so many cool gifts this year, including Melissa and Doug tangrams from Grammy Ann and Papa Ron, a Barbie car and sleeping bag from Grammy Resa and Papa Mark, and a box of [knock-off] MagnaTiles from us! However! The two gifts that stole the show were a bag of preemie baby clothes/socks/headbands that fit Emma to a T from Grammy Penny and Papa Jim annnnnnd an LOL Surprise from Van the Man.  Thank you, everyone!!! She already says she plans to use her dolla dolla birthday bills to buy ANOTHER Baby Alive [dear God, help me...] and some more LOL Surprises, lol!  ;) :)

Next! A couple of uneventful weeks passed by between the family party and Harper's REAL birthday, but the big day finally arrived, and *cue more celebration!*  Doll clothes and shoes for Emma, spaghetti with extra Parmesan cheese, and funfetti cupcakes did not disappoint the birthday girl on her special day!

And finally! The next night AKA the long-anticipated grand finale: PIZZA AND POOL PARTY or bust!

We checked into the Comfort Inn and invited our favorites for a little more food and fiesta! Luckiest four-year-old ever?! I'd deffffffinitely say so. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Harper girl! You are the perfect mix of sweet and sassy; you're loved more than you'll ever know. I'm so excited for you to be FOUR, and I know this will absolutely be your best year yet! 

- They tied 'da knot! -

Nothing better than food and fellowship and A FANTASTIC FAMILY WEDDING!  Congratulations to John and Kata -- you tied the knot! You are a stunning couple!  

The kids had an absolute blast tearing up the dance floor [and unless my mom-memory fails me, I believe this was their first wedding], and Brian and I had a great time catching up with family and friends from near and far. 

To the new Mr. and Mrs.: thank you for allowing us to witness your love and share in your special day!  May you share a lifetime of happiness together!!! :)

- Endometriosis Awareness Month -

[A little plug for something I care about:]

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month...

...and I'm shouting it from the rooftops!

Did you know that 1 in 10 women of reproductive age is affected by endometriosis?  I was that statistic, and I am blessed to have been definitively diagnosed and treated by a NaPro surgeon a couple of years ago.  Erase pelvic pain and infertility, insert happy periods and -- most importantly -- our sweet Scarlett!  We are so grateful for direct access to this type of top notch, true women's health care.

If you or a loved one are suffering from symptoms of endometriosis, wait no longer!  The average time between symptom onset and diagnosis of endometriosis is 11 years, which is why every woman affected deserves access to the gold standard of treatment now! 

#naproforyouandyouandyou #realsolutions #endometriosisawarenessmonth

Hit me up anytime if you want to hear more of my story and/or would like a recommendation for a local NaPro provider!  :-* 

- Oh, fart... -

...we almost forgot to acknowledge the DAY OF HEARTS!  

Jay to the kay.  TOTALLY kidding...

Say halloooo to a whole week [and then some!] of celebrating Valentine's Day twenteeee-nineteen! 

[^^ We asked Scarlett if she liked boys and this was her response...  Real life!]

Brian was starting another one of his routine all-day-every-day-working-binges, so we packed up 2/3 of the things we own and hit the road for a full weekend getaway and Grammy and Papa's!

Sugar cookies for you and bananas for you...

 ...and a little bit of Valentine love for you and you and YOU!

Oh, say it isn't so: bedtime already??!

Then!  The sun set and rose and another day was on the horizon...

...which meant it was time to ice the cookies!

Sprinkles, anyone??! :D

When the "real" Valentine's Day finalllllly rolled around mid-week, Grammy helped Harper finish up her DIY Valentines...

...and deliver them to the classroom parties at daycare!

We celebrated with sweets and treats at Momma's work, too...

...and then with a pot of festive heart-shaped pasta and red wine at home for dinna!

Phew! The most extravagant Valentine's Day of ALL V-Days!!!  I adore these two little Valentines and all the love they bring into our lives.

Happy Heart Day, everyone!