Birthday Blessings!

Today is officially my 34th birthday. (To all of you rubbing your head, come on.... I have the cake below to prove it.- ha!) Matt and Lily Grace kicked the celebration off this weekend. They went shopping together and Lily Grace picked out some lovely gifts for me (and herself, poor Matt didn't stand a chance). They also baked and decorated me a cake. We enjoyed it for dessert following my favorite meal which they prepared for me.
Today, Matt took off from work today. (It may be my birthday but it IS the day he became eligible for his phone upgrade and he and the iPhone 4 are becoming fast friends.) Before that much anticipated trip to the Apple Store, Matt read to Lily Grace's preschool class. It was "silly sock" day at school and Matt being the awesome dad that he is, joined right in. He sat wearing a brown and a white sock and read Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy. You are truly one in a million daddy.
After some shopping, we enjoyed lunch out and a wonderful afternoon of family fun.
I am so blessed. I have a wonderful family to celebrate and share special days with, who always make me feel special, no matter the day. I am blessed knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally and has blessed me with all that I have, all that I am and all that I celebrated today.
Thanks so much to everyone who has called, emailed, sent text and cards. I am blessed by you also.

Snow White and some Halloween Fun!

..with Snow White hair

Lily Grace and Claire at the Church Carnival

Snow White golfs??

Harry Potter, Snow White and a cute Giraffe on their way trick or treating

Her first house

And near the last house (and this isn't even our wagon or her daddy pulling)

This year, Lily Grace asked to be Snow White. Her other request was for "Snow White Hair." She was so serious, that she would pull out books with Snow White in them and insist that she needed curls. Well I obliged her. Sure Lily Grace has hair as straight as a board, but you see, there are two things us Southern girls know and that's teasing big hair and hairspray. (And I will admit that I lived through the 80's with big hair, I just won't show you any pictures.- HA!) Curling her hair actually took about 35 minutes and half a can of extra hold hairspray. When I finished it, Lily Grace took a look at herself gasped and then squealed with excitement at how she looked. I will say, she looked cute as a button.
Now only did Snow White enjoy trick or treating with friend Claire (this is actually the first year that Lily Grace has asked to go), but we also joined Claire and her family at the church carnival. The girls even entered the costume contest. They marched right up on stage, one adorable giraffe and precious Snow White. They looked so cute. Lily Grace did her princess wave and blew kisses to the audience the entire time she was on stage. When the announcer got to her to introduce her as Snow White, she touched her hair and let him know that it was special. So funny! And on a side note, Daddy also contributed to that hair. Who do you think stopped on the way home from work and picked up the curling iron? Thanks daddy!
Matt, along with a couple of other dads took the kids trick or treating. He said they all had a great time. Apparently! I think Lily Grace was asleep before her head hit the pillow. Well actually, the two shampoos and blow dry it took to get all that hairspray out could have something to do with how relaxed she was. HA! HA!
Happy Halloween!

The Many Faces of Lily Grace

Digging away.....even in a big pink bow

One cute little dirty girl and her latest outside find

The Bride...

...and her husband (you're a great sport daddy)

In mom's wedding dress

Lily Grace has a huge imagination. She keeps Matt and I laughing. Her latest is digging in the flower beds and playing bride.
According to her, she is either digging for dinosaur bones or planting. She is very girly, but doesn't mind getting dirty. I told Matt last week that she is such an answered prayer. What momma doesn't pray for a precious little girl covered in dirty fun? I know I did!!
Playing bride is her other favorite thing right now. When she does, her name changes to Mary. Get it??? ( I must admit, that when she first started dressing up and told us that her name was Mary, Matt and I thought she meant the Virgin Mary. We were so proud like awww, she's really been listening in church. Then she explains to us that because she is getting married that her name is Mary.) So funny! Daddy is her husband and she lugs around those artificial flowers. That veil on her head is actually a cape which she used to wear as a super hero. (What a versatile wardrobe piece. -ha) Last weekend, I snuck upstairs and put on my wedding dress and came downstairs. She has never seen it and the look on her face was hilarious. Of course, she had to try it on after that.
She's also very in to being like mommy. Believe me, I am cherishing this time. I know that soon enough, that might not be as cool. Wait....of course it will, you've met me right?? I'm a fun hip mom. HA! HA!
I got out of the shower last week to find her standing in my bathroom with my rollers in her hair. She rolled it herself and told me she was getting ready to go to Target.