one lucky gal

My favorite little man and I at the celebration of my 33rd year.

Also, my first attempt at using mousse in my 7 month-old's hair.

I'm sorry Hank, but crazy hair just runs in the family.

All 26 of us gathered in the backyard for ice cream cake.

A gal couldn't feel more loved on her 33rd birthday.

We're missing sweet sister Rachel, who is taking the picture, 

and sweet niece Julia who is napping in our bedroom.

 

               

When I told Josie how old I was turning this year, she responded, 

"No, mom. Actually you are 6."

And I love how she pronounces every single syllable in the word "actually".

So there you have it.

I'm 6 this year.

                        

Toddie, thanks for planning my pancake party.

I LOVED it. Every single minute.

Todd was the griddle master for the morning.

He asked each family to bring a pancake topping that reminded them of me.

Pretty cute, huh?

Yes. Yes, he is.

We had a variety of delicious toppings:

Bananas, strawberries, peanut butter and milk chocolate chips,

raspberry glaze, whipped cream and some kind of candied bacon, er something.

What was that again, Mom? :-)

I will conclude this birthday post with a series of pictures.

Not because they are cute, I have great hair or because I like smashed cheeks 

or over-excuberant smiles.

But rather, because they perfectly paint the picture of my almost three-year-old, Josie.

The pictures start off sweet. Just a normal picture of Josie, myself and Emri.

And then...well, you can see for yourself as you scroll down.

In a matter of mere seconds, Josie starts to spasm into a sweet burst of super sass.

She's just busting at the seams with excitement.

And I can perfectly relate to that.

You know you love someone when it takes every ounce of your being...

not to eat them. :-)