More Photos

Some more shots...Elena loves Monkey Joe! ;)

Our Baby is now 5 Years Old!

Elena turned 5 on Sunday, and we had quite the day planned. We filled her room with balloons, confetti streamers and such so she would wake up first thing to a party for her. She was in awe, but unfortunately one of the balloons popped and she mourned the one over the many left standing bright and full...which really touched me.

So here's my sidebar: There's a couple life lessons right there. One silly pathetic little balloon with literally over a dozen left in perfect condition was cradled in my daughter's arms, and sadly looking up at us asking to fix it. How many times have we felt like that sad balloon amongst the brilliant "perfection" that surrounds us. Yet, our Saviour sees our need and cradles us close, loving us all the more, imperfections and all, because His Perfection covers all our flaws. Praise Him! Or an example how we should be to others, while enticing to hitch our wagon to those who look like they have it all and hang with the people who "look good", we have a calling to be loving to the unlovely. And also how truly symbolic that each balloon was treated the same and of those on the floor, one "died" unexpectedly: how quickly any one of us could experience that loss, or be that loss...just like that. So thank you, Lord, for some things to think about in that little moment.

We tried singing to Elena first thing, but she stopped us, saying we had to wait until Monkey Joes...so yep, now you know the rest of the story, right?!? We headed out to Cheesecake Factory for a favorite lunch, and asked if she would like to be sung to, but she refused because "it's not time yet, Daddy!" We did have a mild breakdown because there was singing for another birthday a few booths down, so we had to explain that she was not the only one born March 14th...hehehe.

Then we headed home to pick the cake and head out to Monkey Joe's for her very first big birthday party. Between family far away and her illness a couple years ago, we've not had a party with kids until now. She's always had a great one planned by Daddy (yep - gotta cheer him on for doing that!) in years past, but this was a really fun first for her. We had a wonderful mix of family, friends from church, school and work, and had a great time spending that with everyone. Thank you all for being there and making her feel so special!

St. Patrick's Day in Chicago!

Honestly, I didn't even think about this! After a night filled with dancing and celebrating breast cancer survivors, Kaili and I woke up to streets filled with green fashion flare and GREEN WATERS! Peering below our room we got to witness the dyeing of the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day weekend...very neat to see up close and in person, and a first for me! Can you tell we were starving for breakfast, literally throwing ourselves together after a good night's rest to search for food? Kaili wanted to treat me to the Walnut Room in Chicago's downtown Macy's (which I had never been to and was in total awe - it's HUGE, people!!!)...but we got there too early, and my train wouldn't allow us to wait...next time, Kaili! We did find a cute place with bagels and croissants that did the trick just fine! Bring on the fat, folks! ;)

Booooooooob the Builder...Can we Fix it?!?

Elena is a big fan of Bob the Builder...and has been working around the house as much as Daddy...guess I oughta get to work on something, too! I did have to ask her (of course) that the potty does not need to be fixed and we don't need to play there...bleh!

I Own You

Now I am catching up on family blog...after a string of illnesses ranging from flu and sinus infections and well, you name it...so here we go. Apparently, Diva would like to let everyone know SHE wears the pants in the family...or at least eats them...