We were so excited to get back to visit Brighton this afternoon. We just LOVE this place! We knew it had been really cold, but were not expecting to see in buried in feet of snow. Luckily we brought warmer clothes with us and the temps were in the low 40’s.It was an absolutely beautiful day! Even Lucy(although she had just woken up from a nap) was so excited to get out and enjoy the mountain air. She even had a snowball fight with Dad.We found lots of Painted Lady butterflies on our walk. Their warmth would melt them down into the snow in a perfect outline of their body. We were hoping that they’d revive after they warmed up a bit. No such luck on that though.Lucy loved stomping on the crunchy snow. She kept telling me that she was going hiking! It’s crazy to think that this whole area is usually a lake. The ice and snow, from what we could tell, was an average of about 3-4ft deep. Except this area, where Alex about gave me a heart attack going to look at it. The movement of the water had washed away the underside and created this ice window. Alex definitely got a talking to about ice safety. We found several more butterflies encapsulated in ice, and then Lucy’s little legs got pretty tired out from all the snow stomping. We found a plowed road that lead back to the van, so we decided to walk on that to head back. We picked up a little friend along the way. He was five and from Malaysia. He stayed with us the whole time, asking questions and making sure we didn’t get too far ahead of him. He was the cutest little boy. His parents were super nice too. I think they were pretty embarrassed that he wouldn’t leave us alone, but we assured them that we didn’t mind at all. Lucy was testing out her super powers on this log and blowing William away. She has gotten “so big and brave” since she has turned 4. 😉It was such a wonderful trip. I’m so glad we decided to take the drive.

After a little bit of R&R time, we had to bring Brie to work. We were going to go to Brighton after she got off, so we decided to stay and watch her Live Animal Show. Brie did AMAZING! The kids REALLY loved her show. Alex and Lucy kept trying to answer all of her questions though. I had to about sit on Lucy to keep her from jumping up to raise her hand a E.V.E.R.Y question.They loved getting to see the animals up close too.Alex was intrigued and wants to come back and see more. After the show was over, we stayed behind and the kids were able to touch and hold the critters. Alex held the tarantula. Lucy was able to get a high five. She thought it was SO funny that a tarantula can give high fives. The biggest highlight, though, was Alex getting to hold the ball python. He has been begging us for a snake. I just cannot do it. Nate’s snake just died a few weeks ago and he really tried hard to keep that snake alive. I just don’t have the time or patience anymore for another pet. I’m so glad we can visit here though. Alex wants to come see all the shows. He absolutely loved it!

Wow! Today was an absolutely incredible magical day. Out of the blue yesterday, Lucy asked me if I thought unicorns were real. We’ve been reading the book Brie gave her, Uni the Unicorn, multiple times a day. My reply was, “I don’t know Lu. What do you think?” I knew she had a big surprise coming this morning, and couldn’t wait to see her reaction. Natalie was so sweet and got Lucy all dolled-up while Sam, Brie, and I finished up the party preps. When the trailer arrived, I knew Lucy was going to be in heaven. We walked her outside when they were ready for her, and she was stunned!She kept petting the unicorn, and telling everyone, especially Sam, “Look Daddy! It’s a REAL LIVE Unicorn!” She was absolutely thrilled. The animal owners let Lucy have some time with the animals early all on her own, before everyone else came for the party, which was so nice. We were able to spend one on one time talking with her about everything, which was great because usually party days are crazy and that doesn’t get to happen as much as I’d like. Lucy was SO excited to be able to ride the unicorn. She had no issue at all asking Miss Elise for permission first. I was so proud of her. The horse was amazing, and so gentle to ride.I think Lucy felt confident too. (Maybe a little too confident for Mom’s comfort! 🤣)The animals were SO cute! Lucy got lots of cuddles, especially with this little baby bunny she named “Snowball.” Miss Bridgett told Lucy that the bunny didn’t have a name yet, and she thought that made a great name for it.So the little animals felt more secure while being held, they had these little flannel bags that you could put the animal into. They worked really well.Soon our buddies started to arrive for the party. It was really another BEAUTIFUL day! And perfect for an outdoor party.Everyone had a great time petting and holding the baby goats, sheep, chicks, chinchillas (Which accidentally got out and ran under our van. Luckily they caught it pretty quickly and all was good.) guinea pigs, rabbits, and a ferret. The kids were even able to walk the ferret on a leash. Lucy thought that was great and oh so silly.The kids were able to feed the animals lettuce and carrots.Lucy was able to feed the baby sheep their bottle. It was a lot of work, because they kept fighting over it, but she laughed the entire time.Our “Make Your Own Magic” (bubbles) and “Create your Own Rainbow” (sidewalk chalk) stations were barely used because the animals were such a big hit. I was super glad. Somethings you just don’t know how kids will respond to. A HUGE shoutout to Taylor’s Traveling Troupe for providing the animals. They were fantastic! Mrs. Bridgett was so super sweet and patient with the kids. They arrived on time, gave us special time with the animals before the party, and cleaned up like nothing had happened when it was over. We will definitely use them again and refer them to our friends!When the animals had to leave, it was time to paint our unicorn paintings. The kids all really enjoyed painting! Everyone did a fabulous job! (Everyone kept laughing at Lucy’s poof. Her dress under her painting shirt made her look extra poofy. 😂 ) I was able to sneak inside and grab a quick pic before everyone came in for snacks and cake.Brie sure did an incredible job on decorating and making the amazing rainbow fruit kabobs. We had rainbow unicorn dip and unicorn muffins as well. It was just perfect for an early morning party. Lucy was SO surprised when she saw her unicorn cake. We saw this cake at Walmart weeks ago, and it is what helped me decide what her party would be. (I was so grateful to be off the hook for making the cake this go round!)After cake, the kids played a bit, then it was piñata time. I always underestimate the time a party takes. We were already 2 hours into the party, still had the piñata, and never got to Pin the Horn on the Unicorn. It’s recital time of the year, so some of our friends had to go. But we gave lots of hugs and “Thank You!”s.Piñata time was great, and hilarious at the same time. It was a bit tricky keeping little ones out of the way of a swinging stick and pulling the rope though. Several kids even wanted to help pull the rope. Lucy cracked me up! She has watched way too many videos of people breaking open piñatas. She thought that when she hit it with her stick, it would bust open immediately into party favor heaven. Yeah…not the real case!It was a great piñata though. Everyone got multiple turns, and then the piñata DID successfully bust open by William and Jonny. After everyone gathered their prizes, we went back inside for presents and to hand out favor bags. Lucy was so very excited and grateful. Everything turned out fabulous!I know Lucy had a very wonderful birthday! ✔️On party success until next year!!!

Lucy has no idea what her birthday party is going to be like this year. Her ideas kept changing and changing, so I finally told her I would just surprise her. She is going to be SO surprised! I am so incredibly grateful for my craft room, even if it is a horrible unorganized mess at this point, because I’ve been able to lock up all the party fixings for the past few weeks, and have not had to worry about them being discovered or disturbed. I so SO grateful we finally have our own place again!

We were ahead of the game this morning. I had to bring Brianna to work pretty early and finally was leaving the house ahead of schedule! That is until I noticed that overnight the back driver’s side tire had gone flat. I have so much to get accomplished before Lucy’s party tomorrow, and Brie REALLY needed to make it to work on time! Plus, I’ve never changed a tire before. Luckily, Sam was able to take a phone call and FaceTimed me to step me through what I needed to do. I could not imagine life without him! Brie and I were able to get the tire off and put on the spare in about 20mins.I don’t think that’s too bad for never having done it before. Brie was only 15 minutes late for work, and we ended the day with 4 brand new tires. We needed them anyways, since in Utah you really need tires for snow. This just sped up the process. One more to-do item marked off the list for doing before vacation.

Oh this morning was gorgeous! The sky was SO blue and the air was just perfect. Lucy wanted to try out her silly string again. (It can be super hard for little fingers to push that button, but she did it!)She had so much fun playing with all her new gifts, especially the sticker ballerina book that Brie gave to her. Several of the outfits are real fabric. Lucy also HAD to try one of her bath fizzes. She loved how pink the water turned. (And promptly told me that she’ll have to eat a lot of greens to turn back normal again. Thanks Pinkalicious.) But I’m truly glad the bath fizz didn’t actually turn her pink. I was a bit worried. She had to have her one legged LOL doll with her. I’m just hoping it will go okay at the store when we bring it back today. It’s not fun to have your main birthday present be broken.

It rained quite a bit today, so we were not able to take our birthday picnic to the lake like we had planned. Lucy decided that she wanted a game day at home instead.We played LOTS of Zingo, Candyland, and Sorry. It was a very low key day. I have never had one of my kids tell me Thank You! so much than Lucy did today. She kept telling me, “This is the best birthday ever. Thank you Mommy for giving me the best birthday.” We didn’t even have cake or presents. However, Lucy did not know she was going to have a big surprise at dinner time…Natalie brought home her friends for Lucy’s birthday (who Lucy believes are her best friends too.)Lucy was SO super excited!!!! She kept running all over the house and had to give them the grand tour. She played lots of Zingo with Landon, then they all played hide and seek. These youth are amazing! I don’t know any other teenagers who would give the time of day to a little little kid like they have given to Lucy. They always make her feel important and special.We ate dinner, had birthday cake, and then it was time to open presents.Lucy could not contain her excitement. She has been asking for an LOL doll for months, but was SO disappointed when its leg broke off right out of the package. Looks like we’ll have to return that gift tomorrow. After presents, all the kids went outside for the rest of the evening. William showed everyone his bike course.And his jumping skills. He is getting much better after his first team ride.Lucy played with her bag of fun that her friends gave her. She especially loved the silly string.Then it was time for her buddies to head back home. It’s such a long drive to make late at night. Lucy was really sad and did not want them to leave. Hopefully they can come visit again soon.When Brie got home from work, it was pretty late, but Lucy was still awake. She had the sweetest gifts for Lu, but Lucy was a turkey and ran off after opening them. I had a LONG talk with her afterwards about being kind and appreciative when someone gives you any gift.I think cake and over tiredness were huge factors. When she actually took a second to see what Brie gave her, she was in love.

I was so excited! I made it home just as Lucy was waking up for the morning. (Praise the Lord for no traffic days! That would never have happened on 75!)I brought home special birthday donuts from Cowboy donuts, since we will have birthday pancakes another day. Lucy was so super excited to see fruit loops on her donut. (Oh boy, I hope we won’t all pay for this later!) I cannot believe our little munchkin is 4!!! already!!! This time has gone by so very fast. Lucy loves that she is getting older, but I don’t like it at all. Today she was telling me and William about all the things she can do now that she is 4. She’s taller. She’s faster. She has gained new super powers, like “extra super star vision.” And… the killer of the day…

“Mom! Why are you putting me in this car seat!?! I’m four now! I don’t need to be in this anymore!!!” Wow! I thought I was going to die! Who knows where she heard or how on earth she came up with the idea that her car seat was no longer needed at 4, I have no clue! I quickly debunked that idea though, and let her know she’d be in one until she was 9! At least!!! (And if she followsNatalie’s growth rate (which at this point, Lucy is even smaller than Natalie was at this point) it will be even longer.)

At 4, Lucy still loves books. She loves to visit all the libraries, and she’d check out everything if she could. It has been SO nice to get our own books back too! I forgot what we had until we brought them out of storage. Lucy is reading and writing on her own, and has been doing wonderfully with it. She gets so excited when we are out somewhere and she can read all the signs. Lucy LOVES to dance as well. If she is not reading, or playing dolls, she is dancing. She even dances with her dolls. She really believes that she can do a Grande Jete like Felicie. I just love her imagination! Although it does make things interesting when she changes who she is. We walked down to a friend’s house the other day. The mom said, “Hello Lucy. How are you today?” To which Lucy promptly replied, “I’m not Lucy. I’m Vanellope. Lucy is in the hospital with a broken bone.” I’m not sure where she comes up with these things! Lu still loves to go to bed listening to Piano Guys Jurassic Park! Yes, 4 years after that song came out, it is still part of her nighttime routine. Usually by the end of the second time of it playing, she is out.

Only a few hours of sleep, and I’m truly feeling it! However, it was well worth it. I left the house early this morning to watch Natalie be awarded with the English Department’s Student of the Month. Parents and their student were treated to a very nice breakfast and then the students were each presented a certificate and pin for their hard work.I am so very proud of Natalie. She has worked and dedicated so much of herself to her school work this year, and it has really showed and paid off. I really hope she will continue this way and do well for herself into her senior year. I really think she can. She is one amazing young lady. He teacher had so many nice things to say about her, as well as the vice principal.

Wow! It’s late, but I’ve finally got something put together for Lucy’s birthday tomorrow. I won’t be here in the early morning, so hopefully she’ll be surprised and it will hold her off until I get back home.