Kalia turns 3

I just typed a freudian slip (can you type those? I know they are more a slip of the tongue...) anyway, I titled this post "Kalia is 4." Oops. But really I think it's because I've spent the whole year reminding people that she's not 4, not even turning 4. Both sets of grandparents needed reminding that she was turning 3 and not 4. Kalia even thinks she's 4, because her cousins just turned 4. I prepped her for months that she would be turning 3 on her birthday, but when the birthday arrived, she decided she's 4. She is tall. She is smart. She is athletic and very capable of doing anything she sets her mind to. She reasons and speaks and acts like a 4 year old, at least that's what everyone thinks. Okay, enough on that.

I don't like to plan parties. I don't like to make cakes. So we kept it simple this year with a family party with immediate family members of the Bigler family, and one couple from our last ward who we love and it feels like they're family (plus they have 3 girls that get along wonderfully with our 2.)

We swam in the backyard and BBQ'd and had ice cream cake (I made it...it looked kinda lame but tasted delish. Only got a phone pic.) Also had the most divine red velvet cupcakes, thanks to Grandma Bigler.(I love Kalia's face in the background.)
I couldn't deny a cupcake from Annie (ok, she had 3). She still has most of her food allergies/intolerances, so I knew I'd pay for this later, and I did, but it is getting really hard to deny food that everyone else around her is eating. And to quote her as she devoured her cupcakes, "MMMMM!!! I like cupcakes!!!"

Kalia insisted on buying the extra large party hat from the dollar store. She actually wanted to buy one for everyone but I convinced her that she should be the only one wearing the big hat, and that everyone else could wear the normal hats.

We got a smokin deal on craigslist for this bike. We actually got two bikes, two helmets, two sets of knee pads, and a tire pump for $35. The other bike will be Annie's present in November.


I feel a little twinge of sadness when I watch Kalia cruising down the sidewalk on her new bike. When did she turn into such a big girl? I also have a whole new world of anxiety about her being hit by a car, swerving into the road at JUST the wrong instant...that part is not fun for me, but I love seeing her so happy on her big girl bike.


Let's not forget that Samuel turned 33 one day before Kalia's birthday. Poor guy will never get all the attention of his own birthday again. Sorry babe. (We did get to go out just the two of us to a fabulous Thai restaurant and out to a movie. That was wonderful.)
I love it when he wears blue. And I love it when he's scruffy.
These two little girls have been amazing lately. I absolutely love the age and stage that they're at, and they haven't been fighting hardly at all, so I'm just enjoying it while I can. Finally after 18 difficult months, their closeness in age is really paying off and I couldn't be happier about their 14-month age difference. Here Kalia was trying on one of Daddy's belts. Not too bad, eh? She did that on her own.

Kalia also loves to play Reader Rabbit on the computer. It kinda blows my mind that she can use a laptop already. The girls will sit and play this game together (well, Annie just watches mostly) for at least 30 minutes. I love it.


Ok, enough rambling for now.
Bye.

Costco Favorites!!!

I guess I'm just on a favorites kick, but I am REALLY in love with these 5 items from Costco. Even more importantly, Kalia (going through a very picky-eating strage) loves all of the above and will eat big helpings of each. Reviewing from L-R, back row first.

1. Healthy Choice Fudge Bars. They are delicious and super creamy!! But here's the best part: (I love that fiber!)
2. Harvest Village Fully Cooked Brown Rice
They are not kidding about how fast it cooks. Here's how easy it is: Pour 1 cup into a bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds. Done. You don't have to water or anything! It comes out perfectly tender and moist, and both my girls devour it. It's so convenient. Best find ever.

3. Kirkland Brand Fresh Pressed Apple Juice. This stuff is so good, and I LOVE that it's not from concentrate, and that there is only ONE ingredient. (Very important for Annie who has problems with all kinds of preservatives.)

Let me warn you though! If you put this in a sippy cup, and the sippy cup gets lots for a day or two, you will open up the cup to find APPLE BEER. It ferments fast and smells exactly like stinky beer. So gross. Only slightly better than the curdled milk cup. Hope I haven't grossed you out though, this fresh juice is delicious, and you can buy two gallons for about $7.50.


4. Kirkland brand Four Cheese RavioliI swear this stuff tastes just like Olive Garden's. I never order it anymore, cause I can make it at home for way cheaper...any time I want it. Kalia eats adult sized portions of this stuff.

5. Prego "Heart Smart" Traditional Italian Sauce
That's right folks, NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP! Hard to find in spaghetti sauce. Everyone in my family likes this flavor. It pairs nicely with the Ravioli. (My #1 favorite spaghetti sauce though is still Gia Di Laurentis at Target, the Creamy Tomato is incredible. But Annie can't have that...fresh cream and butter is involved. And it's obviously not sold at bulk/warehouse prices.)

What are YOUR favorite Costco items?

Love my girls

I seriously love these two soooo much. They are at such a fun age right now, and I know I'm going to miss it. I'm so glad that Brittany at MyFramedPhotography could capture them so perfectly (even if Kalia wouldn't give us a real, genuine smile).

My mom helped me choose the photo spot- it's a neighbor two doors down from my Grandma Esplin. He has a beautiful green yard, and gave us permission to take photos there. And an added bonus...they just happened to have all this cute stuff around their yard- a vintage tricycle, wagons, benches...it was a dream. I was really stressed out about how the pictures would turn out, since I've never had the girls professionally photographed. (Ever!) Everything went so well, I felt like we had a little divine help from above. :) Thanks to my mom and and little sis Kimmy who came along to help. We definitely needed extra hands. (Oh, but after almost 3 years without any hair-cutting mishaps, Kalia did take scissors to her bangs 2 days before the photoshoot. I was not happy. But what can ya do. Actually, my brother is probably editing them as we speak. But we'll keep some with the chopped bangs so we can look back and laugh, just like we look back and laugh at my sister Tara's butchered bangs in a family picture from way back....HAHAHA love ya Tara!)

I know many of you have already seen these on Facebook, but here they are again anyway.