Olivia's Birthday Weekend

*This post may contain affiliate links.

We’re coming off of a three-day weekend filled with cake, family, fun times, and more cake!

Brian took the day off Friday and he and I spent the day with our girl… she had Mommy and Daddy all to herself!  We let her call the shots and it ended up being a great day!  We started the day at Krispy Kreme for donuts, spent some time on the playground, and went to a local indoor arcade for some games.  She ended up with almost 400 tickets so she was able to redeem them for a light-up wand, a tiny dog figurine, a Ring Pop, and then she also picked out a little sticky-hand man that “walks” down the wall for Jacob.  She missed him so much while he was in school and I think she asked us no less than ten times when we could go pick him up. 

Chick-Fil-A was for lunch and she also played on their playground.  Grandpa joined us for lunch and then we headed to Toys R Us to let her pick out a gift.  We have been doing this every year with the kids and it’s fun to let them pick out something for themselves sometimes!  She chose a PJ Masks Owelette Glider and she also picked out a Catboy (also from PJ Masks) figurine for Jacob. 

We ran to Old Navy and Gap while we were in the area, and then it was time to pick up Jacob in the car line.  The weather was gorgeous Friday so we headed to our third playground of the day so Jacob could partake in some of the fun.  B and I sat on a bench and chatted while the kids ran wild for a good hour.  And it was HOT!! 

We headed home after that and decided to stay in for dinner since we had been gone all day.  B and I cracked open a couple of his birthday beers (this one was AMAZING!  I love hints of orange in my beer!) and I made some grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. 

We popped some popcorn and settled in for a viewing of Cars 3 after dinner, and then it was off to bed for the kiddos and B and I finished season one of Friends from College.  I’m SO ready for season two already and I don’t want to wait any longer!

Saturday morning the kids requested homemade waffles as they pretty much always do, so I fancied them up with some leftover Valentine’s Day sprinkles, and then I set out to clean out and organize Olivia’s room.  Ever since Jacob’s room was cleaned out and reorganized last weekend, Olivia has been asking when I was going to do hers, and since our morning was free, we decided to go ahead and do it. 

I ended up getting rid of two huge plastic bins of clothes, baby stuff, and other junk, and I rearranged some things in her drawers for maximum functionality.  I also hung this closet extender in her closet and she can now reach all of her own clothes.  YAAAASSSS!  When I was all done she asked me where her new bed was.  Lol.  I had to explain to her that we didn’t have her full-size mattresses yet, but I’m guessing we’ll have to do that soon.  She has been begging for the last week ever since we pushed Jacob’s bed up against his windows and rearranged his room.

Before

During the purge

Closet Before

After

We all got ready, snapped some chalkboard pictures for Olivia’s birthday letter, and then headed out to my father-in-law’s house Saturday afternoon.  My Sister-in-law and her family were here in town so we spent some time hanging out with them, eating pizza, having cake, and opening gifts.  Olivia had requested an M&M Dairy Queen Blizzard cake and it was delicious as always!

Since that was the eve of her actual birthday, that evening the whole time we were getting ready for bed she kept telling me that she could already feel herself growing since she was about to be four the next day.  Apparently she thinks that you grow overnight when your age changes on your birthday.  Haha.

Sunday morning that little stinker was up bright and early… like sometime just after 5 AM, maybe?  And B and I told her it was still the middle of the night and to go back to sleep.  Haha.  I’m not sure if she ever did, but I know I sure did!  That is entirely too early to start the day!

We finally got up just before 8 and the birthday girl ran around shouting, “I’M FOUR, I’M FOUR!”  I don’t think I’ve ever seen her get so excited to add another year to her age!  She requested donuts again, and we rarely say no to donuts (especially on special occasions), so B ran to Krispy Kreme and grabbed a dozen to kick off her actual birthday. 

She opened her gifts from us after that and then she played with them all morning until it was time to go to Nana and Poppie’s for lunch.  My MIL and step-FIL grilled some chicken and cooked a huge Sunday feast and we opened gifts and ate Olivia’s main birthday cake.  She had requested an Owlette cake and she wanted the cake to be strawberry, so it was a nice change of pace from the traditional birthday cakes and Blizzard cakes we typically have.  It was soooo good.  The day was rainy so we weren’t able to play outside, but she did get a lot of play time with her new gifts!  She got a Fingerling and I think I love it just as much as she does!  Haha.

Sunday evening we headed to my parents’ house for Sunday dinner.  We hadn’t yet celebrated Brian’s birthday with my family, so we did a combination celebration for Brian and Olivia.  Brian had requested my mom’s meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and roasted carrots and I was excited, too, because my mom makes THE BEST meatloaf and I always request that for my birthday meal as well. 

After dinner they both opened gifts and then we had more cake.  I had baked a Funfetti cake Sunday morning and the kids helped me adorn it with loads of sprinkles, so we had that as well as some of the leftover strawberry Owlette cake from lunch.

It was the very best weekend celebrating our girl, and we are so thankful for that little stinker of ours!  I posted her birthday letter yesterday so you can read it here if you missed it. 

Happy Monday!

Don't forget to link up with us... just grab the graphic and link up below!

*Linking up with B Loved Boston for Weekending and HoHo Runs for Weekly Wrap.

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Fourth Birthday to Our Olivia Cate!

My Dear Girl,

Today you are four!  But you’re basically four going on fourteen. 

At four, you are much the same as you were at three.  Your leadership skills have only strengthened and you almost always have a pack of girls (and boys) following you around on the playground. 

You are perhaps the jolliest little gal I’ve ever met, and you are always smiling, laughing, and being silly.  You are always happily smacking people on the arm or the back to get them to join in with your excitement, and you let out random whoops and hollers sometimes for no reason at all.  We lovingly refer to you as our drunk college girl because, well, a lot of the time that’s what you look like. 

You never. stop. making. noise.  Like, ever.  You are constantly talking, singing, and making noise.  Even when you’re chewing your food at mealtime you are humming.  It seriously never ends, and I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing some yellow and red lights in the fall when you start at your new school because you just always have something to say and I highly doubt you’re going to be able to keep your mouth shut all day in class. 

You are still obsessed with princesses and this past year has been the year of Moana.  You, of course, still love Anna and Elsa and Belle and the whole gang, but your love for Moana was probably stronger than your love for any other princess this past year. 

However, this past year, your love has grown exponentially for a new character, and she happens to not be a princess… she’s a super hero!  You are completely and utterly OBSESSED with PJ Masks and Owlette is your new favorite character.  You received an Owlette costume for Christmas this past year and I think you wear that more often than anything now. 

You love to dress up, and when we’re at home you are always in some kind of costume… I think you have about 20 different dress-up outfits now. 

Being naked still trumps all, though.  You would run around naked twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week if we would let you. 

This past year has been the year that your attention span has finally stretched out long enough to sit down and watch entire shows and movies, but you still wouldn’t sit there all day like your brother would if we would let him. 

Your favorites right now are PJ Masks (as I already discussed) and sometimes Masha’s Spooky Stories… but mostly PJ Masks.  Did I already mention that?  ;o)

You are now wearing 5T shirts but you can still fit into most 4Ts and you are mostly wearing 4T pants, but you can also still squeeze into 3Ts if they’re stretchy.  You refuse to wear jeans most of the time, and you just want to live in leggings… a girl after my own heart.

You are still the pickiest eater on the planet and you rarely sit and eat an entire meal… unless it’s peanut butter and jelly, of course.  And it has to be the “pocket peanut and jellies” AKA Smuckers Uncrustables that we keep in the freezer.  You would eat those for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if we would let you.  Well, as long as Mexican cheese dip wasn’t around.  You LOVE some Mexican food and you love the cheese dip so much you eat it by itself.  Who needs chips?! 

We moved Jacob to a full-size bed about a year ago and just recently we rearranged his room which prompted you to start asking when you can have your big girl full-size bed.  I’m not quite ready for that, but since you are I guess we probably need to look into it.  Sigh.  Where does the time go?

Although, I’m not even sure why you’re even asking for a new bed, because you STILL end up in ours every. single. night.  And I secretly never ever want it to end.  <3

You adore animals and we are contstantly saying that you are going to be a veterinarian.  The first time you met Uncle Zachy and Aunt Cheryl’s 100 pound Doberman, you walked straight up to him, gave him a big ol’ bear hug, and immediately started talking to him in a high sing-sing loving voice.  You weren’t afraid at all. 

You don’t listen to a flipping word we say. Ever.  You always do what you want and it can be soooo frustrating at times.

You are still soooo clumsy, girl!  I keep thinking that you’re going to outgrow it one of these days, but I’m beginning to think that might not ever happen.  My daily wish of wrapping you up in bubble wrap is still going strong.  And I swear, I’m the worst helicopter parent when you’re on the playground because I’m so afraid you’re going to fall off of something.  And knocking over drinks!  Lawd have mercy, you knock your drink over at literally almost every meal.  It’s insane.  We recently went back to putting your drinks in cups with lids because you just can’t handle regular cups. 

In addition to being clumsy, you still put everything in your mouth!  It’s like living with a teething eight month old!  I’ve never seen anything like it!  You completely defy the “Ages 3+ choking hazard” labels on all of the toys because you still haven’t outgrown this weird habit!

You are also one of the most decisive, yet indecisive people I have ever met.  You always know what you want, yet you always say the thing that you don’t want first.  We know to wait about 30 seconds because you always change your mind.  Me: “Olivia, would you like a hot dog or peanut butter and jelly for lunch?”  You: “Ummmm HOT DOGS!”  Wait for it… “NO, I WANT PEANUT AND JELLY!” 

Every.  Single.  Time.  

You are a piece of work, girl, and I mean that in the very best of ways!  You have stolen our hearts and we love you fiercely.  Just as you love us as well.  I say this every year, and I’m probably going to continue until I stop writing these letters, but our lives would be utterly boring without you, my girl!  You are definitely the fun one of the bunch!  

We love you so SO much.

Happy, happy birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Birthday Letter - Age 2

Birthday Letter - Age 3

Five on Friday - Old Navy Sale, A Day with the Kids, & Celebrating B Again

*This post may contain affiliate links.

This week felt extremely short.  Monday the kids were off with me, and today Brian and I are keeping Olivia home from school to spend the entire day with her for her birthday. That only left three days for me to get some things done, but I managed to be super productive during those days!

And now some favorites from the week!

O N E – Old Navy Sale (Toddler Girls)

This past week my friend Katie texted me to let me know that Old Navy was having a HUGE sale, so I did what any other Old Navy loving person would do and I immediately pulled up the website on my phone and I LOADED UP.  Olivia has outgrown pretty much everything from last summer so she will need a whole new wardrobe, so I figured it would be smart to go ahead and get it while the gettings good! 

And FYI today only you can get 30% off of your entire order, and always free shipping for orders over $50.

As of yesterday, these dresses were still only $6!!!!  SIX DOLLARS, Y’ALL.  An entire outfit for only $6!  It comes in light pink, yellow, and baby blue and I bought one in every single color!

This dress right here was on sale for $12 and it comes in lilac, rose, and black.  I picked up two of those… they are perfect for really hot days and aaaallll the heart eyes for those ruffles!

How darling is this one??  I am a sucker for gingham so this one is on its way to our house as well!  It is currently only $6 which is even cheaper than what we paid for it!

And y’all, they also have the tutu dress for summer!  Olivia had one of the long-sleeve tutu dresses this past winter and she wore it out!  I’m so excited to see a sleeveless version!  And it comes in six different colors.  Only $10 today!  It would make an adorable Easter dress.

And I’m SO SAD that I didn’t see this one the other day.  I would have definitely ordered it!  I love the chambray so much!

They also have all of the fitted shorts to wear under dresses on sale today as well… they are only $4 each and they come in 10 different colors and patterns.  I love this floral version!  Olivia pretty much lives in dresses so she always wears shorts under them during the summer so she can still flip and roll around and play and feel comfortable.

We also picked up these shoes because they’re perfect for playing on the playground during the summer, but they still look cute with all of the dresses she wears!

And she needs some new sandals, so these are also on their way.  That little ankle strap kills me!

And y’all, THESE!  Are these not the cutest freaking shoes you ever did see?!

And these are darling as well.

T W O – Old Navy Sale (Ladies)

I’m LOVING this off the shoulder jersey dress… it looks so comfy and cool for spring, but the off-the-shoulder makes it so fun!  It would be perfect for a date night.

And my FAVORITE jersey knit swing dresses are back yet again in new colors and patterns!  I LIVE in these dresses during the summer, y’all.  They are comfy, cool, and you can dress them up for work or you can dress them down.  I think I have four of them!

This cold shoulder top is fun as well!

Y’all know I’m a huge fan of graphic tees!  How cute is this one?

My go-to for skinny jeans in fun colors has always been these Rock Star Jeans.  They have them in lots of new colors this spring, and I’m loving these mint ones, which is funny, because I’ve never really gotten into the whole mint craze…

Has anybody ever tried leggings from Old Navy?  I love the knotted details on these, but I’m so spoiled by my Zella Live-In leggings I’m not sure I want to ever buy another brand.

My love for Old Navy runs deep, y’all.  DEEP.  I swear I feel like they design most of their pieces to target me directly.  Haha.

T H R E E – These Tanks Are Only $5.88!!!!

Walmart has really stepped up their fashion game these last few years, and although I never go there specifically to shop for clothes, every now and then something will catch my eye as I’m there shopping for something else. 

Ladies, they have THE CUTEST cage-back camis right now for only $5.88 each!  They come in 12 different solid colors and patterns, they are light, and LOOK AT THE BACK!  The fabric is extremely soft… they almost have a linen feel.  I tried one on and they are true to size.  I wear a small for reference. 

Load up load up load up!  These are PERFECT for summer!

F O U R – Soccer is Back

Soccer started for Jacob a week ago yesterday and he’s already had three practices.  He’s on the same team as last season, but only two of his teammates are the same as last season.  He has been enjoying practices again and I think it’s going to be another great season!  He is already looking a little more confident this season than last season!

F I V E – Day Off with My Babes & Celebrating B

Monday was President’s Day so the kids were both out of school.  We met B for pizza for lunch, played on the playground, and then we got everything set up for Brian’s birthday.  His birthday was Tuesday, but Jacob had soccer that evening, so we celebrated Monday instead.  For part of his gift, I bought 40 different craft beers (40 beers for 40 years!) and we also got a cookie cake.  I had asked B where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner, and he randomly said IHOP even though I think we’ve only been there twice together ever… and not even in the last ten years.  Not to mention it’s a weird place for a birthday dinner.  Haha.  He wanted to go there because he knew the kids would enjoy it since they love breakfast for dinner so much.

Little did he know, I had arranged for his best friend and his family to meet us for dinner to surprise him, but they love IHOP, too, so they didn’t mind his restaurant of choice.  B’s BFF practically used to live at our house before we had kids… we hung out all the time.  Now that we all have kids (five among the two families to be exact) and now that Casey (his BFF) has a job that requires him to travel the majority of the time, we rarely get to see him.  Sometimes a year goes by without us seeing him and he lives in the same city that we do.  So it was great to catch up with him and see him and it was a great evening celebrating our old man!

Finally, before I go, I wanted to mention it here on the blog since I think it’s so important.  Lately I have had many new ladies commenting here on my blog and I so appreciate all the love!  I respond to every single comment via email, but if your email address is not attached to your Blogger account I can’t respond to you directly and it makes me so sad!  If I can’t respond to you directly via email I always respond right here on the blog, but I don’t think most people ever see the responses.  Anyway, I just want all of the ladies who never hear back from me to know that I’m trying to respond and I want to – I REALLY DO – but there’s no way for me to get in touch with you if your email address isn’t available. 

If you want to find out if you are a no-reply blogger, check out this blog post here by my friend Emily.  Just follow the steps real quick and she’ll show you an easy way to fix it!

Well, that’s it for today!  As I said before, B and I are spending the entire day with just Olivia for her birthday so it should be a fun day!  We have always taken off from work and kept each child home for all of their birthdays because it’s something extra special to do.  Not to mention it gives that child a chance to have Mommy and Daddy all to themselves for the day.  We are going to let her pick where to go for breakfast and lunch and I’m sure we’ll also spend some time outside at the playground.  Not sure what else is on the agenda, but it should be a fun day! 

*Linking up with A Liz Adventures and Carolina Charm for Five on Friday, A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites,  September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday, Meet @ the Barre for Friday Favorites, and Cup of Tea for High Five for Friday.