I voted!!

I just have to say I'm ready for this election to be over...that being said I hope the person I voted for is the winner. :)

I have tried so hard to stay out of all the political posts on Facebook and stay out of political discussions with people, so as not to become caught up in the fighting of it all.  I have my beliefs and I know others have theirs.  I just don't understand how people can be so brutally mean in the things they say to each other.  Isn't the ability to be different and believe different things and have our own opinions and free agency one of the best things about our country?

That being said...   I VOTED!!!

I have followed my beliefs and hope that my vote is heard.  I hope this country keeps being great and that we will always be able to express our views, opinions and beliefs freely.

First day of School

I know the first day of school was a month ago.  I'm that far behind.  But before you think I'm just a slacker (which sometimes I am), I've been busy. 

Doing what?

Being Super MOM!!!  There are lots of us out there.  Running kids to practices and sports, with 5 minutes in between start times, to places that are 10 minutes away.  Yet we always seem to make it work.  Which is why somethings get put on the back burner.  

The first day of school was September 4th.  I love that my kids are 3 minutes away from the school and they can walk themselves down.  It makes my life a lot easier.  This year we have three in the elementary school.  The school is Wellington Elementary.  Last year was great.  My kids have been in lots of different schools.  Noah and Jacob have been to 4 different elementary schools and Sydney has been in 2.  She is in 1st grade this year.  That's a lot of turn over.  I'm hoping we get to stay here for awhile... What do I mean by that? FOREVER!!!!!

This year Sydney is in 1st grade, Jacob is in 4th grade and Noah is in 5th grade.  Sydney has Mr. Elledge ( who according to her is really tall and funny).  Jacob has Mrs. Bailey, who he had last year.  She is now teaching a 3rd/4th grade split.  So far he really likes it.  The upside....she already knows how crazy he is so there is no learning curve.  Noah has Mr. Barnard.  He is new to the school and who Noah wanted so that works out great.  I like Mr. Barnard too.  He doesn't want volunteers.  He says it's his job to teach the kids.  Now I don't have to feel guilty that I can't get into everyone's classrooms.  It also gives me the chance to volunteer in other classes.  I like all the kids teachers.  It seems to be a great start to the year.  

On a side note, the kids school has 8 male teachers.  That seems like so much.  My elementary school had maybe 2 at one time.  I remember the male teachers being in Jr. High and High School.  My kids really seem to be liking their teachers this year.  

Here they are.  All ready for school.  I'd have shown you their whole school outfits but the combination of patterns and colors would have crossed your eyes so you only get the top.  My kids definitely have their own sense of style.

I do have one other kiddo.  Abigail.  It's always been sad for her to see the other kids leave for school.  She has school this year 4 days a week.  So happy.  She gets to see her friends.  She was very excited.  She has the same teachers this year as last year.  That has been helpful and most of the kids in her class were in her class last year.  She has had to learn how to share her friends with new kids and has struggled a little bit with that.  But all in all off to a good start.  

Here she is in all her purple Hello Kitty glory.    I love that she has on her  fuzzy purple ugg boots with her skirt.  It was really warm that first day.  But hey she matched.

Next year I will have all 4 kids in the same school.  It will be the only time ever they will get to do that.  As for me I have been loving my few hours a day of just me.  A little selfish I know, but nice too.  

Birthday! Birthday! Party!! Party!!

September is a huge birthday month for the Hannants!!  We have starting on the 11th my Dad's Birthday, the 15th is our beautiful Sydney's day, the 16th is our nephew Damon's, the 21st is Dave's Dad's, the 22nd is our awesome Noah's and the 28th is our nephew Isaac's.  It is truly a busy birthday month.  

Last year around Sydney's birthday and actually on Noah's we moved from Idaho to Washington.  Needless to say these kiddos didn't get a very fun birthday!  Or in Noah's case one at all.  So this year we promised them parties.  Or Dave did anyway.  He's the party guy.  He grew up having birthday parties.  I had one.  My birthday's were in the summer and most people were on vacation or had things to do.  So I would always invite a good friend to come have a sleepover and watch movies.  

Somehow with Dave's promise of a party I get to plan and make it happen.  He is usually there and helped a bunch this year with Noah's and made the pizza for Sydney's.  I don't want you to think Dave doesn't do anything.  He's usually working while I'm getting stuff ready.  And this year he was at football practice with Noah for sydney's.  

Sydney decided she wanted a barbie party.  I looked at the barbie party stuff and it was mostly gross so I decided to give her a fancy, pink, girly party.  Sydney's birthday party was a week after her birthday so there are two sets of pictures.  

Here is Sydney modeling the hat and hair accessories that her Aunt Emilee made her.  Just her style.  

Here is my girl wearing a little sparkle we gave her.  She is loves to dazzle.  

Here is her cake.  It was delicious too.  

The Big 7!  She's a pretty amazing girl.  

This is the start of Sydney's party pics.  We had a dress up area where they could get all dressed up and get their picture taken.  It was really cute!  Aunt Emilee is a life saver and helped get everything set up.  Ok she didn't just help.  She did it all!  Thanks Emilee.

The clothes waiting to be put on.  It wouldn't be fancy without feather boas.  

The vanity.  Make up and nail polish awaited the girls.  

Here is the craft table.  Each girl got a pair of pink flip flops to decorate.  There were also beads for the girls to make bracelets.  

Here is the food table.  We had pizza and watermelon.  Of course there were lots and lots of mini cupcakes.  Mini cupcakes are so much more fancy.  

Another view of the cupcake centerpiece.  Why yes I did eat about 50 of these all by myself.  

Sydney after she had done her makeup and put on the dress ups.  She seems pretty happy.  

My littlest Abby who loved being one of the big girls.  She dresses up great!!

The cupcakes were a hit.  They were literally climbing over the table to get them.  I did give them a limit of 3 and they could take some home.  

We had Sydney's party the day before Noah's birthday.  I remember when I was expecting Sydney my due date was the 21st and Noah was so scared he was going to have to share his 4th and every birthday after with a new sister.  We promised it wouldn't be that way.  So he got his own party on his actual birthday.

He went to his football game first, which they didn't win, but played pretty well and scored a couple of times.  Then after the game we gave the boys some cookies, they sang Happy Birthday to Noah and proceeded to soak him with all of their water bottles.  He was squishing as he walked.  He complained about the ice, but I know he was happy.

Noah decided (with a little help) that he wanted a Minute to Win It!  party.  If you've ever seen the game show on TV you know what I'm talking about.  If you haven't google it and try some of the games.  You will laugh!  So we spent the morning getting all ready for the party and I finished up his cake.  I didn't finish it because I ran out of time.  150 mini cupcakes take a little while to decorate.

Here is Noah holding up one of his presents.  Lego transformers.  Noah loves to build with legos.  He wants to be a builder when he grows up.  

Here is Noah's cake.  It is the timer from the game show.  That's what he said he wanted.  I did my best and it turned out pretty good.  It's a little hard to read because of the white frosting.

Just in case anyone forgot why we were eating it!!

Why yes that is panty hose on my kids' heads.  This is a game called elephant walk.  I thought it was one of the funniest.  They had to knock down bottles of water with golf balls in the end of a pair of panty hose which is worn on one's head like an elephant trunk.  You have to keep one foot on either side of the center line (the green tape).  And no hands.  It was awesome.  Here is Noah giving it a try.  He got 7 of the 8 bottles in a minute.  

Here is Jacob giving it a try.  He was the WINNER!  He knocked down all 8 in 40 seconds!  That kid knows how to work the elephant trunk.  

Even Abby got in on the action.  She did pretty great too.   She had really good control.  I'm thinking being short was an advantage for once.  

More presents.  I don't remember adding this one, but it's here so it must need to be seen.

Singing Happy Birthday and getting ready to blow out the candles.  As I was putting them on it seemed sort of small and I realized I was still in 7 mode and had put 7 candles on the cake.  Don't worry we added 4 more to make it 11.  He wasn't shorted on his wishes.   

I don't know how this got out of order but I'm too tired to move it.  Here is another game that was hilarious.  Yes those are cotton balls stuck to his face.  You stick your nose in petroleum jelly and then stick it in a bunch of cotton balls.  You have to run to the end of the table and shake them off onto a plate or bowl.  It has to stay on/in the plate/bowl to count.  They were definitely shiny after this game.

It was such a great birthday weekend.  The kids had a blast.  My next party I think I'll do Minute to Win It! again, but this time I'm having a couples party!  It should be so fun!!!

I love you Sydney and Noah!!  I'm so proud to be your mom!  You are truly great kids.   

Happy Birthday!! with a side of pain.

We were just down in Portland to do a surprise party for my dad!!  Tomorrow is his 70th birthday!!  That doesn't seem right... but it is.  I think he is healthier than the rest of us and I think he doesn't look anything like what I picture a 70 year old to look like.  Of course that might be because he is still 69.

We decided to try to pull off a surprise party.  Notice the word try!  My dad somehow always knows when something is going on.  He just has a sixth sense about it.  Kind of irritating.  It steals your thunder.  Anyway...we thought we'd done a pretty good job.

We told him Dave had to visit a client in Longview (he does, just not that day) and since Noah didn't have a football game (he did), we thought we'd come stay for the weekend.  We find out now that my dad thought Dave's reason was not believable.  But he was happy to play along and go golfing for a few hours.

We had around 60 people show up to surprise him.  My brother and nephews even flew out to surprise him.  That part did!  At least we kept something from him.  :)

We ordered his favorite BBQ.  We had their beach friends make homemade ice cream, which was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.  You have to spell it out and savor the word just like the ice cream.  Plus there was cake, cheesecake and apple pie.  All sorts of yum.  Over all I think he had a wonderful time.

We even sang him a birthday song it goes like this to the tune of Tra la la boom de ay.....This is your birthday song!  It isn't very long!    

It got a big laugh from my dad and everyone else.

So I guess you are asking, what is this pain thing about?  Well I'll tell you.  While getting ready for the party, I was taking a vegetable platter out of the fridge and somehow hit a bottle of apple juice.  Yes I know that doesn't sound very painful.  The apple juice didn't feel a thing.

Well it was on the top shelf and decided to do a perfect 10 dive, cap first, onto my right foot, which happened to only be wearing a flip flop.  It probably wouldn't have hurt so much if it had not been full or landed on a side or something, but it hit my foot straight on.  I'm pretty good at handling pain.  One of the ice cream masters (Dale) was in there with me and said "it's a good thing that didn't land on your foot.  That would have hurt."  I thought he was joking with me.  But I guess I go to a quiet inner place when dealing with pain, because he was surprised when I told him it had landed on my foot.

So anyway I limped around a little bit.  Then put some ice on it.  Then realized one of the guests at the party was  a Podiatrist.  So he took a look at my foot and declared it a Perfect Hematoma.  We are getting perfect scores all around.  He said it didn't appear to be broken, but keep an eye on it.  So it is all good, but very bruised.  It makes me look like my foot is dirty.  It does hurt a bit when I put shoes on, so flip flops it is.

And today my toes are now blue.  But so long as it's not broken and I can get around then Yay!!  I'm happy.

Besides it gives me an excuse to have my kids wait on me.  Is that mean?  I think it's only fair.

Holy Busy Batman!!

I know you never have those days that seem overwhelming.  Where it seems like there is not enough time to get it all done.  I feel like the year of 2012 has been that way so far.

It is one thing after another.  If you don't want to hear or better yet read my rant than this is not the post for you.  I know you might say those things were your choice to do.  Which yes it is true... I chose to have 4 kids.  I chose to do things with my family.  I chose to support my husband and his work.  I chose to put my kids in sports and piano and everything else.

Still this has been one crazy summer.  And not the movie kind.  It's been a good summer but the kind of summer that I sit down and feel guilty about it.  The kind where I want to take a nap and relax but look around my mess of a house and realize I can't.  The kind I want my kids to enjoy but really why can't they just clean up like they are asked?

I think part of the problem is the summer felt way too short.  Our school didn't get out this year until June 22nd.  That is almost a month after most of the country.  It started August 31st.  I guess moving a month into school didn't help the year feel any quicker either.  Maybe that is why I feel the need to get so much done.  It has been over a year and I'm still not quite all put away.

But once school was out we had a week and then headed out to Dave's 20 year reunion and a 2 week vacation to visit family and friends.  Yes this was fun, but still incredibly busy!!  It was go go go go go!!  Not to mention in Washington it was still winter and we went to Utah and Idaho where it was as hot as the sun.  Ok not quite but 105* is still pretty hot.  I was taxi mom and took all the kids to visit their friends.  It didn't seem like they had that many friends before we left.  But they had a great time and were really great kids.

We got home and had cousins visit us and then went to see Grandma with the cousins for a day of play.  It was a great time.  Then my parents came up 2 days later.  They were visiting so I could go to Cub Scout camp with the boys.  Camp was pretty fun.  I got to do the campfire cooking station.  I will say I'm not longer a fan of the smell of campfire.  It kind of makes me feel a little sick now.  Of course I was saturated in it.

Then we had my brother and family come visit.  It was nice except for the broken ankle my brother received when he fell down my stairs.  But the cousins had fun.  After they went home I had about a week and then we headed down to the Oregon Coast.  It was fun and we actually got great weather.  Always a little hit or miss there.  Dave surprised me by coming down a night early and bringing me roses.  He's the best hubby ever.  I was like a giggle school girl.  It was great.

After that we had a camp for the kids, which was really nice.  3 days of 5 hours just to myself.  Did I get anything done?  Nope not at all.  I went to lunch everyday that week.  I had no idea I had enough friends to go to lunch with.  It was much needed, but of course that set me back about 4 days on my get it done list.

Of course the kids have been having piano lessons, gymnastics and tae kwon do this whole time and guess what just started up?  FOOTBALL!!  I'm trying to be positive about it but I'm really not a fan.  I don't like anything about it and the time commitment is crazy.  But Noah wanted to do it and I'm hoping Dave will take him to most of it.  Besides I have gymnastics, piano and tae kwon do that I have to take the rest of the kiddos to.  Oh yeah and scouts are starting back up again.  2 more weeks until school starts.....

I think I'm looking forward to the break.  Actually all this ranting aside We have had a busy and fun filled summer and I wouldn't change it.  It's great to have kids busy and not sitting around watching TV all day.

But still I wish the kids would just clean up.

Cayman Islands? Yes please.

Dave and I had the privilege of going, yet again, on a wonderful trip.  This time we went to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.  It was so beautiful there.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the water, but I was too busy working on my tan to take pics.  We had a wonderful trip.  We are so lucky that Dave works so hard, and that AFLAC rewards us with all these trips.  It has been a really great experience and it rewards us with much needed alone time.  We love those kiddos but it's still nice to not have to herd everyone everywhere.  

The kids keep asking us when they get to go...my answer is never.  Ok maybe not never but it'll definitely be a while before they get to go anywhere foreign, besides Canada, and even then I still need to get them passports.  I should probably do this soon since we only live 2 -3 hours from the border.  

While we were in the Caymans, we went around the Island.  We even got to drive thru HELL on our way back to the hotel after the turtle farm.  It was pretty nice, surprisingly, a little warm.  Anyway I'll get to that.  

The first day was travel, or I guess I should say night was travel, we took a red eye to Charlotte, NC and had a lovely 4 hour layover.  Then our next flight was to Grand Cayman.  It amazes me how they fly these big planes onto these little Islands, and when we lived in Arkansas we had to take small planes to get anywhere.  Arkansas is huge compared.  Anyway, I'm not a good traveler.  So when we finally got to Grand Cayman, and were awaiting our luggage, it wasn't there.

What??  Yep no luggage in GC.  What they were doing in NC the whole 4 hours we were there I don't know but ours bags never got on the plane.  Fortunately we were one of the first ones to realize it and got to the service desk before the other 25 people on our plane lined up behind us.  Apparently an entire car of luggage didn't get put on the plane.  They later delivered it to our hotel for us. 

Dave and I were smart or possibly had jinxed ourselves, because we had swimsuits and a change of clothes on our carry-ons.  Yay us.  Because it was humid.  Anyway after lunch and a nap we were ready for dinner.  I think that's all we did was eat, sleep, and sweat on the beach.  Ok we swam a little and Dave went golfing.  Dave also went swimming with the stingrays.  I don't do boats, so I laid on the beach and read my books. 

We decided that if we were going to go that far we needed to stay at least an extra day.  So we talked our friends the Streetman's into staying too.  So here is what we did our last day without the rest of the AFLAC West Territory State Managers.  

We went to the turtle farms.  It was cool to see the turtles and a little sad too, because it turns out they are breeding them to eat.  So all of the turtles you see will one day be someones turtle steak or soup.  

Dave holding up a friend.  They were so funny when you held them.  They would start to flap their arms like they were flying.  They would also hold onto you as you can see it doing to Dave's hand.  

Her is another one a little smaller.  They had different tanks for all the turtles.  They were separated by age.  There is also a breeding pond.

A baby baby.  So very cute.  They were just swimming around in a bin.  There were about 6 or so of them.  Very soft shells, compared to the older ones.  The older ones also had algae and stuff growing on them.  Kind of gross.

Here I am holding a baby.  It's true everything baby is cute.  I don't care what you say.

Dave having a baby turtle sandwich.  Ok not really but look how tiny they are compared to the 500 pound adult turtles.

Here are some of the adult turtles.  They are in the breeding pond, but not they aren't doing anything naughty.  They were climbing all over each other trying to get out of the pond.  It was crazy.  It's like they knew they were going to be dinner sometime.

Here is a little bit closer look at the adults.  you can see all the yucky stuff on their shells.  They really were amazing to see.  I can't imagine what it would be like to see them in the ocean.

Here I am with the Mauri and Damon.  I can't even tell you what the cannon was for, but it looked cool so we took a picture.

My sweetheart and a couple of new friends.  The Tortuca Rum Pirates.  We were making our way around town.  One of the main desserts there was rum cake.  Everyone said it was delicious.  I didn't have any.  I prefer chocolate.  Or Key lime pie, which was fabulous there.  

When we went to the turtle farm we decided to take a "local bus"  which is basically a big van that honks at you and if you nod they will stop and pick you up wherever you are.  So we decided to try out one of those, but they have bus routes they need to stay on so we drove all over GC and got to see some of the Island we wouldn't have visited otherwise.  That is when we drove thru HELL.  I have to do it in caps because I think it's funny.  While driving thru HELL the driver was talking to a lady and I can't tell you what they said.  It sounded very Jamaica-ish.  Anyway we made it back to the hotel and had a lovely dinner.  At least I think I did.  We ate so much food that all the nights are one big blur.  

We did go to the movies on Sunday because the Island shuts down for the most part because of the Sabbath.  While we were there I noticed a sign that said they won't play any R rated movies on Sundays.  I thought that was interesting.    There was also a sign at the theater that told you who could see what movie.  It made a lot of sense.   It said G - Bring the family, PG - Might want to stay with your kids, PG-13 - might want to think about what kids can see it and stay with them.  R - no kids unless you are with them, and NC-17 - Leave your kids at home.  

What a fun trip, and the kiddos had a blast as usual hanging with Grandma and Grandpa.  The only thing they wanted to know was what we brought them.  

Oh and just so you know we went end of March beginning of April.  See how behind I am on everything?  I still have to post about Cancun...

Flat Stanley and the Museum of Flight

Our sweet cousin Lily sent us Flat Stanley in the mail.  We had to show Flat Stanley around the area we live and take him fun places.  He just happened to show up when we had a field trip, gymnastics and volunteer time at the school.  So we took him with us.  I think he had a lot of fun and I know the kiddos had a blast with him.  There were lots of other things he did with us too because he hitched a ride in the pocket of my purse.  Of course we didn't get pictures everywhere, but here are a few we did get.  

Here is Sydney in her Kindergarten class.  Flat Stanley and I helped out at their centers.  This one they were stamping parts of words with pictures and filling in the blanks.  

After our visit to the museum Abby and I stopped by Dave's office and had a picture with the giant AFLAC duck.  Flat Stanley also got to sit in Dave's chair behind the big desk.  

Here is Jacob and Sydney at the start of gymnastics.  They both take and so does Abby on a different day.  Flat Stanley had great balance when he was laying down.

At the beginning of the museum.  It looks promising.  

A little blurry.  This is Abby in front of a giant parachute.  I really liked how bright it is.  My guess is so you could see it.  But it's just a guess.

In the cockpit of a blackbird.  I think that's what it was called.  Anyway a little too cozy for my comfort.  

Abby even went into space.  Just for a short while.   

In front of a space capsule.  Way to tiny for floating around outer space.  I would definitely need more room to float around.  Who am I kidding?  I can't even fly on airplanes with out stressing out.  

Moon buggy or rover or car.  Whatever it's called.  It was pretty cool.

This is an old Air Force One.  I think it was from the '70's or early '80's.  It was cool to go in and see.  They had tables and chairs, TV's, bunks that folded down.  Kitchen areas.  There was a bathroom complete with shower.  Oddly though the area with the toilets, still really small.  I guess you really don't need too much leg room but still.  You can't fit too many people on it but it would be a more relaxing way to fly.  

Here is Abby and her friend Megan (also Flat Stanley) about to board the Concorde.  I was really surprised at how skinny it was inside.  Really long.  Seats were 2 and 2.  I'm guessing the whole plane was pretty much 1st class since tickets cost $6000 - $12,000 one way.  I think the seats at the back of the plane were the cheap ones even though they all looked the same.  There were some plaques in there that also said the plane flew so fast that it actually stretched in the air.  Crazy. Sounds like my kind of flight.  Instead of 6 hours to England it was 3.  They also were only allowed to fly over seas because they caused the sonic bomb.  Or breaking the sound barrier.  I'm never sure if I use the right words.  I'm sort of the goonies mom. (you know what I mean if you've seen the movie.  If not...I recommend seeing it.)

One of the Blue Angels planes.  There were all sorts of other kinds of planes, helicopters,  jets, biplanes, gliders, you name it.  If you are ever up in Seattle I'd suggest going and taking a peek.  It was pretty cool.
I thought a lot about my Grandpa Rich while I was at the museum and how much he would have loved to be there.  He loves planes and everything flying.  I wish my kids could have known him.  Jacob is writing a report on Orville Wright, and I bet my grandpa would have had fun talking to Jacob about the planes.  

We had a fabulous time hanging with our friends and Flat Stanley.  I can't wait to take the rest of my kids to the museum.  I also hope Lily and her class enjoy our adventures.  

Another year gone by...

Here we are another year gone by.  I can't believe that my baby is 4.  That is her showing us how big she is.  I can remember the day exactly.  Abby was my last baby and my very first induction.  I had never been able to prepare for a baby to come.  They usually came all on their own.  We lived 1 hour from the hospital in Portland.  I was wanting to have the Dr. who delivered Noah to deliver Abby because he is awesome.  So he decided to induce because I have quick labors.  So 3 weeks early we went in on a Wednesday at 1:00.  We were ready.  They got me all hooked up and Dave and I started watching a movie.

The nurse kept checking on us to make sure I was doing ok.  I wasn't in pain or anything but according to their monitors I was in labor.  So after a couple of hours she came in and upped the pitocin.  She wanted me to deliver by the end of her shift which was 7.  Otherwise she would have to stay late.  She was nice about it, joking really so we were all in a good mood.  About 20 minutes after she upped the dose of piton things started working.  I called her in... We shut off the movie, and called the Dr.  He came over and got all ready in his scrubs and birthing shoes.  Made me laugh a little bit.  And sort of grossed me out.  But I bet he saves a lot of money on buying shoes he messes up.  

We got to work, and by we I mean me.  Dave is awesome as always and my mom too.  She has been at the birth of all my kids.  They kept me focused and Dave kept giving me my ice chips.  Finally, and by that I mean 4 1/2 hours after they first hooked me up to the pitocin our sweetest baby was born.  At 6:40 pm so the nurse got her wish and was able to go home on time.  

She reminded me a lot of Jacob and so as I looked at her I had a hard time deciding who she was.  Was she Abigail or was she Laurel?  Finally I spent the whole night with my sweet baby girl and knew she was definitely Abby.  So that is what we named her, one day later...Abigail Laurel Hannant.  What a blessing she has been.

Here she is showing us how old she is now.  The big 4.  I'm sorry I fixed the picture in my photos to be upright and blogger switched it back and I am just challenged enough to not know how to fix it.  I'll work on.  It might get fixed someday.  

Here are the start of her gifts.  She got a set of Princess story books.  

Again challenged.  Here is her new princess CD player with special princess songs.  She loves it and dances around to it.  So cute.  I know, I know... Still she is soooooo cute.  

This is her Tinkerbell art easel.  Abby loves to draw and paint and make a mess so this is perfect for her.  

I think this is her favorite toy.  It is a puppy that walks and barks.  If she puts her  (she named her Lucy, all her toys are named Lucy) down she walks back to her and makes Abby so happy.

The final present is Skipper and her little sister Chelsea.  Abby says Sydney is Skipper and she is the Chelsea doll.  

Abby wanted a Dora cake for her birthday for the second year in a row.  I couldn't stand to do the same thing again so here are her Dora Cupcakes.  They were fun to make and tasty too.

A close up.  

So challenged.  Sorry.  Here is Abigail blowing out her candles which read ABIGAIL.  I know she was only 4, but I couldn't find ABBY.  I guess I should have gotten one that said BABY, but I didn't think about that at the time.

We had a wonderful day with miss Abby and the cupcakes went really fast.  I think Abby ate 4 on her own.  Ok she only eats the frosting, but who doesn't?