Big Girls

As I do every year, because I am just soooo super organized and am up for the Mom of the Year award, I did a mini photo shoot for the girls' birthdays. 
And since I am just that awesome, I am posting them a year too late. 
Sigh.

 

 

Howdy Doody, Partners

In true living-in-an-RV-at-a-dude-ranch style, the girls' birthday party was hillbillied out.  (Yes, that's a legitimate descriptive word.)
We invited some folks out for a horse ride, hot dogs, bounce house, and mechanical bull rides.  The horse was supposed to take the kids around on a trail, but we had a freak cold front blow through that very morning.  It ended up freeeeeeeeezing.  No one had a jacket, so we pulled out whatever we had in the RV and passed them out according to whoever/whomever (whatever!) we loved most. 
(kidding, JUST kidding)
Tay talked FOREVER about riding the horse.  Like, it was seriously annoying.  And then, the day of, she woke up in a funk too early from the excitement and BAM!, zero interest in the horse. 
So, I did as any good mom would do - I forced her to ride it. 
Just ride the FLIPPIN' horse, and smile DAMMIT!
...You know how it goes.  The whole "be happy or I will make you run for your life" bit.
Then, the cheap and desperate resort to bribery - candy.
Neither tactic worked.  She whined and fought.
She barely even wanted to ride the bull.  At first.  Eventually, the bull was bombarded by flying tiny people  (mostly Tay, Maven included) like shrapnel from a bomb.  Poor ol' thang. 

The two green flower pots with the pink tulips are actually dirt cake - complete with oreos, pudding, cream cheese, and whipped cream.  I think its supposed to be diet friendly.

 
We served the dirt with shovels. And by "served", I mean the kids licked them like suckers.

Is there a plot behind those eyes to eat all of Tay's candy?

Tay apparently sensed Blue's corruption.

 

I know this is so blurry, but he wouldn't let me take a picture.  He looked like a little Dopey, to me!

 

As if there wasn't enough sugar in the dirt cakes I made, Bonnie made herself some sweet with a splash of tea.

 

After the temperature had dropped, the horse had left, and Tay was doped up on sugar, she begged to ride Blue. 
Of course.

 

Taylor Rose Turns Two!

We had let Tay open her presents from Mommy, Daddy, and Christian on her actual birthday.  Her Dad surprised her (and me) and bought her an adorable dress from our favorite boutique. 

 He also got her this teddy bear, which is in a bunny costume.  She loooooves it!  She loves anything soft and cute.  She saw the stuffed animal first, so the dress stayed in the gift bag.

 Chel and I got her a Kindle Fire tablet, already loaded with LOTS of toddler-friendly games and Barney videos.

 Taylor Rose loves it!! (So does her brother.)

 Christian picked out a gift for his sister...

 A Lego zoo set!  They both play with Legos A LOT.

 I got her some super cute espadrilles that she refuses to wear.  She says they're for the "tiny baby".  I also got her some bright colored summer dresses.

 That weekend, we had her bubbles and balloons party.  We had all kinds of fun activities planned for the outdoors, but it POURED.  So, we moved it to the garage.  The kids all still had a really, really good time.  Silly string, candy, popcorn, lemonade, bubbles, and balloons... the perfect concoction for a bunch of hyper kids. 

Taylor Rose took it upon herself to get ready for her party and got into my lipstick.  She actually did a pretty good job!

 Check out that beautiful bright pink smile!

Christian and his sisters

 Tay and Brai

 The huge bubble maker!

 Awwww... look at the newest addition to the Elsner family laying on her mama.

 Brailyn and Kelli

 Brailyn in the huge bubble.

 Another huge one!

 Tay was so excited about this!

 Look at that crowd!  (And there were more kids in the garage)

 

 Happy Birthday, Taylor Rose!  And many, many moooooore.