colleen writes: April...Busiest and Most Fun Month!

Thank goodness March didn't last forever because we were all very excited for April. We had a trip to Chicago planned over spring break and, of course, our little darling was getting ready for the big 3 birthday!

We had an excellent time in Chicago. The drive was quick and easy. We had all the necessities for the car: portable DVD player, DVDs, CDs, and snacks. While in Chicago we visited with several friends, ate at some tasty restaurants, and visited some kid-friendly tourist spots such as Shedd Aquarium and The Children's Museum. Gabrielle is really into Disney Princesses, so she was super excited to go to the Disney Store on Michigan Ave. where she got to pick out some birthday presents. She searched through the whole store and decided on a large plush Cinderella and 7 small plastic princess figurines. She was in 7th Heaven. It was really cute and it was actually a highlight of the trip for Adam and I as well. She also loved swimming in the hotel pool. Luckily there was a pool! (See February's post for more info on why!) Adam was a trouper--he took Gabrielle swimming at least twice a day. I was not about to get into a bathing suit! Overall, it was a fantastic little trip, I'm sure we'll do it again.

A week or so after Chicago, it was time for Gabrielle's 3rd birthday party. She got to pick out the theme and all the decorations--including her cake. She really wanted an Arielle birthday party, so that's what we did! This was the first year that Gabrielle knew what was going on. This birthday was 10x more fun than her first or second birthday. We had a family party at our house, and she was so well-behaved. Even without a nap, she was very polite while opening gifts and thanked everyone, and she also gave hugs and kisses to everyone when they left. We played "Pin the Tail on the Bunny" and the kids enjoyed running around in the basement and playing in the Giga Ball. (It's a giant inflatable hamster ball type thing.) Gabrielle said her favorite part of the birthday party was her cake. (It was pretty awesome. See pic below. VG's did a great job!) Gabrielle got a lot of fun gifts...her favorites all had to do with Disney Princesses!!

This was a really, really fun month!!

Here are some funny Gabrielle quotes:

1. Gabrielle to Poppy: "We have to go to your birthday or else it will be closed."

2. Gabrielle to Mommy: "Do you have 'sunscream' on?"

3. Poppy had just gotten home from a race and was wearing his racing outfit (think bumblebee in spandex) at that moment he was wearing his bike knickers with suspenders. Gabrielle said, "You look fashionable!"

4. "You look incredible!" (said to me wearing an Easter hat that was 10x too small!)

5. "It's snowing! ....(in the saddest voice possible) ....AGAIN?!"

6. "I want to go to summer." (Me too, Gabs! I think she said this because I always tell her that we can do something or go somewhere 'once it's summer.'

7. Gabrielle in the backseat of the car: "Mama, can I have my binky?"

Mama: "No, sorry babe, I didn't bring it."

Gabrielle: "Well, actually you did. It's in the pocket of the diaper bag."

Our "Amazonian" Amaryllis