A Winter to Remember

Oh yes, this has been quite a winter, one we will never forget. The one that we will talk about when our kids have kids and I will hate it just as much at that time as I do now!  It's almost the end of March and we're still in the negative temps at night and there's piles of snow everywhere. Green grass has never looked so good!

Here's our picture for memory lane...our driveway snow was taller than the kids for almost 3 straight months.

Zach made ice balloons at school.  They were made in January and are still frozen!

Found a coupon at a restaurant for the Children's Museum in Ann Arbor and the kids and I spent a day hanging out there.  The kids on an ambulance, pretending to go to the hospital.

Before we left, they wanted to see the ambulance one more time.  I walked in to Helaina being the paramedic while Zach was being treated for an upset stomach.

Making slime at Zach's school with his best buddy Griffin. If all works out in the universe, Zach and Griffin will be in the same preschool class next year.  For Zach to have a buddy on his first day of class would be the biggest blessing for all of us!

Had the opportunity to spend a night out for a friend's birthday and attend the Robin Thicke concert.  Didn't really know many of his songs, but the venue was good (The Fox) and the company was even better. Thank goodness for girls' nights out!

More school pictures, Zach fishing with his friend Cole.

Since we've moved, we have been trying to find some new favorite places.  Our family likes to be close to everything, but we also have a double standard and favor low-key, relaxing, show up in your sweats and hoodie kinda place.  Those go hand in hand, right?!?  We're not fans of big crowds, especially since Zach seems to disrupt everyone, everywhere.  And finally, we have found a few places that just might be our new fave.
Sunday night bowling in South Lyon.  They have snacks, alcohol, and room for Zach to be a boy.  One last perk, glow bowl on Friday night.  Sweeet!  

Helaina's 5th Birthday Party

Last Sunday, Helaina celebrated her 5th birthday with a small family dinner at our house.  In keeping with her love for princesses and Disney, the theme was Arial and The Little Mermaid.  She received many cards/gifts from friends and family that live out of town and for almost one full week, she searched through our mail looking for anything that was addressed to her.  Thank you to all of you that have made her feel like a true princess!

  

Zach serenaded his sister with Happy Birthday in English and in Arabic!

Again, thank you for all your love and joining us to celebrate in Helaina's special day!

We have a 5 year old!

Dear Helaina,

On the eve of your 5th Birthday, you went to bed this evening with a big smile on your face, excitedly telling us that when you wake up tomorrow, you will be 5!  Yes, sweet girl, tomorrow afternoon you will officially be 5 years old.  You are special to us for so many reasons.  You are our first born, you taught me how to be a mommy and Randy how to be a daddy.  Now you're a big sister, a cousin, and a friend.  The past 5 years have passed in a flash, but our hearts are filled with memories and laughter.       

This past year, we have watched you grow from a preschooler into a girl who is ready to start elementary school and the next chapter of her young little life.  Your preschool teacher from last year told us in a conference that she was sure that you would run a large cooperation one day and to no surprise, your teacher this school year remarked about your mature personality.  You are quite young to know what the future will hold, but we do know that you are one of a kind.  Your Dad and I are excited to start this journey with you, but instead of always leading you, we will now begin to hold your hand and offer our help when you ask.
Dad says that you may look like him, but you're all me on the inside.  Truth is, I think you're a little like both of us.  Your sense of humor, witty personality, and ability to hold a conversation with anyone are genes inherited straight from your Dad.  You are fiercely independent and a bit feisty and Dad seems to think those are my genes.  At the end of the day, your heart is soft and you are quite happy when you know you are helping us.  You are proud when you give your brother a bath, when you make your bed, when you wash the dishes, help cook dinner, and fold towels in the laundry.  You love princesses, make-up, nail polish, dancing, church, coloring and reading, but you also love riding your bike, fishing, playing outside, and watching sports!          

Lastly, my favorite part of everyday is bedtime. We pull your covers over you and as we lean down to push your hair off your face, in your soft, nighttime voice, we hear "I love you Momma.  I love you Dada."  Then you plant a beautiful kiss on our lips and every time, every. single. time. my heart bursts because it's hard to contain all that love for you.
Happy 5th Birthday, Helaina Catherine, we love you to the moon and back!

Love,
Dad and Mom