one for franny.

a wee bit belated...

our sweet little frances turned one july 10th! 

since she is quite the food lover she went crazy for her cupcake

like it was the best thing she has ever had. 

franny frou we love you so!!

7 year old tea.

so little miss ruby turned seven on us. with such a sweet little group of friends from school, i thought we just might have a fancy tea party, and while were at it make the cutest mini pies you ever did see.

it was just right, and i seriously can not believe how our little babe is growing up on us. where did chubby little rubes go? 

i found the sweet little pie dishes at crate and barrel. i made a triple batch of two crust pie dough, and divided each batch into four discs, so each girl could roll out a bottom and do a lattice top. 

i made an apple pie filling so they could just scoop it in. and i found pink pie boxes at the bake shop; topped it with a chalk board label and let them draw their names on the boxes.

and with what fabric i had in my stashes i came up with some sweet little aprons.  

mid morning tea 

*menu*

passion fruit tea

scones with butter and jam

nutella flower sandwiches

cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches

chicken salad croissants

dessert

pink pavlova with berries and cream

6 years old.

so we officially have a big six year old in the house! make this growing up thing stop already!!!

the morning of her birthday she actually had school so free dress was in order. fortunately i had this dress to offer or she was set on wearing the 'shaky dress' (red flapper dress) that her coolest godparents ever got her in the shiny gold purse full of dress-ups! not that i mind, but i didnt want to be the one to put a ban on birthday free dress up if for some chance it was not approved:)

so it was a pretty perfect birthday with uncle al and aunt mary in town (two of her favorite people); we had a nice requested dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, and brownies for dessert...which they had a bit of fun mixing and tasting. 

she wanted to go on a picnic for the actual birthday day so after school we headed to tempe town lake for a change of scenery and she flew her bday kite. the weather was rather perfect. we'll have to head back soon for a boat ride...perhaps without kids? 

ps. can i mention how hilarious mikey is;  in so many pictures he is found looking over at ruby. he sure loves his siblings! 

so happy happy birthday to you Ruby girl! 

we love you too much!!

one year old mikey.

finally uploaded some old photos. happy belated bday mikey! you are the yummiest little man around! smooches.

5 yrs old.

the big five arrived. things are officially changing around here. kindergarden next year? ahhh. its going to be rough, but good nonetheless. this big girl is growing up. 

we had a nice little post st. patty' day party for ruby, starting the day off right with over 50 balloons. ed just couldnt be stopped. 

the cake request this year was chocolate and turquoise frosting. better than last years bright yellow cake request i guess. she told me 'mom, pink is not my favorite color anymore; its turquoise'. so thats that. sorry pink, you're old news. 

big on the birthday list this year were an ironing board...which as you can see below was pretty exciting to open, and a piggy bank. so big big thanks to all of you who were able to come and make it special for our ruby girl. it meant a whole lot to her! 

cheers to being five!!!

{opening the iron}

{thanks gina and jason...great pic!}

{science experiments...fireworks in a jar...thanks tim and sara!!}

happy no. 4 !!

i just cant believe she is growing up so fast on us. 

already four this past sunday!

 ruby had a pretty awesome pre-b-day celebration at 

the annual burch st. patrick's day block party, 

and followed it up by a lovely chilly rainy actual 

birthday.....presents, choc croissants, and general squeals

of excitement from her and declan. 

I do have to say it is funny to have such a little brother 

so close, who also happens to think his birthday is 

march 18, as he has told us several times. 

luckily he was able to share in the morning 

with ruby handing him a present to open. 

such love. 

cheers to another year!