1st Injury

There's a reason my Dad started calling Nora "thumper." This girl is wild and adventurous and throwing herself/falling all over the place - usually to get right back up with a little smirk on her face. But not this time. Poor Nora fell over on one of our kitchen chairs last night and ended up at Children's Mercy today for X-rays and, eventually, this lovely purple cast. She has to keep it on - and dry! - for three weeks. Yikes! Despite our long day and the pain Nora surely must be feeling, she's been her usual happy and silly self and made friends with all the nurses and patients. Oh Nora, what are we going to do with you little "thumper?"

Nora's new accessory - a cast for her fractured foot



Here's the cast before Evie gets a hold of it with markers and glitter!

Our Girl Evie is 3!

One week later, I'm finally writing about Evie's 3rd birthday. What can I say - it was wonderful! See pics below ... We had a chef-themed party complete with personalized aprons and chef hats for all the kiddos. Attendees included Aunt Melina and Uncle Matthew, Yiayia and Papou, Great Yiayia, Phoebe, Ellie, Mabel, Maeve, Collin and Chloe (as well as their parents and siblings). The kids all played outside, made their own pizzas, sang happy birthday, ate cake and opened presents. Evie said her favorite gifts were from "anything from Aunt Meena," Cinderella and Prince Charming from Chloe and her camera. Here are the promised pics.

Right before the party began ... all is quiet and calm!

Evie waiting for her friends to arrive

Let the fun begin - our neighbor Phoebe is here!

Evie and Nora "making" pizzas (or eating all the shredded cheese!)

More cheese

All the little siblings

Evie's homemade pizza - see the "E"

Nora enjoying cake!

Evie with her presents

Oven mitts from Aunt Melina and Uncle Matthew

Chloe was such a good helper!

Since the party, I've had some time to reflect ... 3 is such an adorable age. Still a lot of whining but lots of imagination and personality. Evie is so observant and thoughtful, silly and creative. She loves dance (and even yoga now!), and she loves to sing all the time, color and craft, play outside with her neighbor Phoebe, look at Ella and Natalie on their blogs, make plans to hang out with Aunt Meena, Yiayia and Papou, play with Mommy's makeup and jewelry, watch Dora and Beauty and the Beast and, of course, terrorize/adore her little sister Nora. Evie, we are so proud to be your parents! You are beautiful and kind, and we love, love, love you with all our hearts!

Splish, Splash

I know I need to post pictures from Evie's birthday (it was wonderful), but here's a quick shot of the girls taking a bath tonight. They were having so much fun. Birthday pics coming soon ...