january 26th - celebrate

We had a great Saturday morning at home today and Mommy and Daddy got out for an adult night with the Drebys to celebrate Daddy’s birthday a little early. Lots of fun getting out for drinks. We went to Rats, which is filled with statues of rodents. The rat faces came out in full effect (circa Spain 2005).  Aunt Tracey won the night, passed out on her driveway, and snubbed her babysitter. Classic adult maturity. 

january 25th - it’s friday....

...and Gemma is ready to party. Beeps and Grandpa stopped over to ight for some cocktails and Gemma put on a one-woman dance show...complete with costume changes. 

january 24th - give me cookies

Mommy and Alex have a bit of a MarioKart feud going on and neither of them like to lose. Lucy wanted animal crackers so badly that she went in the pantry and carried the whole canister out. Some superhuman strength given they probably weigh more than her. 

january 23rd - the puffy shirt

Lucy is rockin’ the puffy shirt and we cannot take much more cuteness. 

january 22nd - daddy morning

Mommy had to go to Washington DC today on a super early train so the kids all got a special surprise at breakfast. Lucy wanted the chocolate, but we convinced her to settle for the cheerios. 

january 21st - official weigh-in

Gemma’s milestone is now complete with her 5-year checkup. She had to get a couple vaccines but she is tough as nails. No tears. She did think that the gown was pretty funny. 

Height: 42.25 inches

Weight: 38lbs (39%)

january 20th - taking the celebration across state lines

Gemma got to open up some more presents this morning before we headed down to Philly for a birthday brunch with Gramps and Grandmum. Lots of fun art supplies to use!  We had an obligatory stop at Federal Donuts for Lucy first experience. She approved. Parc for brunch was delicious as always and Gemma got a free batch of macaroons....Lucy ate all of them. Happy Birthday tally = 6. 

january 19th - party time

Gemma chose to have her party at an art studio so all of her girls could paint together. Mommy found an awesome place in Forrestal called Pinot’s Pallette, and the party was a hit. Each of the kids got to paint their own masterpiece with their initial, which was pre-selected by Gemma. Her sparkling cake was so cool and she was all smiles. We had a follow-up celebration at Beeps and Grandpa’s where Gemma selected Beeps’ homemade pizzas for dinner. The singing of Happy Birthday tally is now up to five. 

january 18th - gemma’s weekend...day 1

Our GemGem is now a whole hand years old and we cannot believe it. She was so excited to come out of her room this morning to see all the decorations. She told us before bed that she would stay in her room until we came and got her...big smiles. Gemma especially loved the rainbow of balloons that Mommy hung from the bridge. 

We opened some presents this morning, had rainbow pancakes, a celebration at school, sang happy birthday 3 times, went to Roots for dinner (Gemma’s request), and had Nomad cannolis.  Her absolute favorite was her last present that she opened at nighttime...her very own iPad. Five is looking pretty good. 

january 17th - gradual surprise

Mommy and Daddy’s concert got cancelled, so we decided to surprise Grandmom Burger with a birthday celebration at our house since she was planned to babysit. She arrived first and then everyone else kind of randomly showed up at different times. At one point, we had her convinced that we were all going to the concert and she had to babysit seven kids. I think she was happy it turned into a party. 

january 16th - mommy’s helper

Mommy is baking an amazing coconut cake for Grandmom Burger’s birthday and she called in the help. It was a wildly complicated recipe that required Gemma’s expertise and about 4 hours of work. 

january 15th - school days

So much fun playing at school with friends. Lucy is still a celebrity and receiving special treatment. Gemma is not far off since she basically orders her own meal for lunch since Ms. Helen spoils her to death. The three of them started making a birthday banner for Grandmom Burger tonight. So much creative energy. 

january 14th - happy

Lucy is not letting the Eagles loss ruin her Monday. She had tons of fun today at school and got to visit with Gemma for hugs. 

january 13th - more playoff fun

Another round of the playoffs for the Eagles to make the weekend fun. We had them where we needed them to be in the first quarter but could not put the game away. The kids still had tons of fun. Makani and his family came over to watch the game so we had some other serious Birds fans to share in our misery. 

Beeps got some cuddle time with Lucy while Mommy took Gemma to see Mary Poppins and Daddy took Alex to see Aquaman. 

january 12th - where do i sit?

Fun day at home with nothing planned except Alex’s basketball. One more day until more Eagles playoff football. Mommy ordered Alex a cool desk for his room, so we got to build it today. He was so excited to have his own desk and fill it with all his stuff. So appreciative, he said “I really love my desk, but do you think I can get a chair too.”

january 11th - amped up

It’s football friday and we are getting fired up for the weekend. The Birds play the Saints so we have very tempered optimism. Gemma is wearing Eagles hats everywhere she goes, so she has the fever. 

january 10th - back up fool

Lucy looks like she is clenching her fist and ready to knock this dude out. Apparently, they are friends since they hugged and made up. Gemma and her class made some snow creatures today. She was very proud. 

january 9th - my girls

A rare picture of Daddy...some people on the outside workd may be surprised I live here. Gemma was super decked out today and Lucy was wearing a skirt. Picture worthy. 

january 8th - boot buddies

Gemma and Lucy rockin’ boots together today at school was pretty cute. Even cuter to watch Lucy walk in these things. She tries not to let then slow her down, so it is quite hilarious. 

january 7th - one year wellness

Lucy went for her one-year checkup today and she is a stellar human being. Poor baby had to give blood out of two different arms. Mommy couldn’t take another minute so Daddy had to hold her for her vaccines. Three shots. Her left arm got the worst of it. Still smiling!!!

17 lbs 12oz

28.5 inches tall