Sleepover Shenanigans

Maia hosted her very first sleepover last night. She has slept over at her Denver best friend's, Caroline and Sophia, house many times but she has never had anybody stay at her house. Until she and her Durango bestie, Vivian, planned a surprise ambush on us last night...

We had an awesome dinner with our friends, The Frazier's, and when it was time to go the girls strapped themselves into the car and informed us that Vivian was coming home with us. Why not? It's spring break. We had nothing to do this morning. We were suckers for their sweet demeanor. 
And all was right in the world through a bubble bath, a bedtime treat, a Frozen sing-along and dance party, reading books, getting tucked into bed…

We expected some giggling and some craziness but not party like a frat house until midnight shenanigans. Suckers! 

They girls were exhausted from a day at the ranch: driving the gator, herding dogs, watching the new baby cows play, climbing through the barn, etc. so we assumed they would pass out right away. It all started to go down hill about 11:30. That's when the giggling turned into arguing. At one point we heard Maia tell Vivian, "Get out of my bed. You ruined the opportunity."  Not exactly sure what that was all about but then Vivian fell out of the bed...or was pushed depending on who's version of the story you believe (still some controversy over that one!). 
Magan finally had to go lay with them until they went to sleep. And they slept a solid 6 hours until 6am...
It was everything a sleepover should be: staying up too late, being too tired the next morning, getting annoyed with your best friend because you have spent too much time together! Fun times, right girls??? 
Everybody was back to best friends again this morning. It was necessary to eat breakfast in ALL of the dress up clothes. 
Maia cried when Vivian had to go home. There were some serious sleepover hangovers which made for some serious napping!

 
Vivian is always welcome at our house! BUT we will not be such pushovers for a sweet face next time (next time meaning when they are teenagers!). Thank you for trusting us with your girl Mandie and Jonathan! 



Hasta...

More Dance...

More dance pictures just because she has SO much fun! Look at that beautiful smile!

 

P.S. These two need to work on their selfie poses.

Hasta...

Happy 4th Birthday Maia!

This birthday was a particularly special one for me. It has been almost a year since I started staying home with my girls (officially on April 8th). This last year has hands down been the most exciting, stressful, fun, educational, happy, loving time I have ever experienced with my family. 

This year I didn't just get to be a spectator in Maia's birthday but I actually got to be involved. I would like to think that she requested a Super Hero themed party based on my influence! She had a party plan in her head that I got to help make real life for her. We talked about her birthday. We planned her birthday. I even made her Wonder Woman tutu! No really, I've also become quite crafty over the last year! Don't believe me, ask Magan, she will confirm that I tied what felt like 8000 pieces of blue stuff to that elastic band!
And her party was everything she imagined it would be. We have made the most awesome friends here in Durango. Her best friends Vivian, Anderson, Mabel, Miles, Chase, Carter, and Weston (and their parents) all came. It was a packed house.

She was insanely excited about her Wonder Woman costume. It turned out a little over the top but she was stoked!

A boy, Anderson, brought her her first flowers ever! Yes, I got teary. Yes, those will be the last flowers from a boy for many more years. But he was a gentleman and combed his hair and wore his best cowboy boots for the occasion!

She requested capes and masks for all of her Super Friends.

Miles came as a Super Hero Cowboy and brought Maia her own western wear!


Even the parents got involved in the Super Hero action.


Today is Maia's actual birthday - March 10th. We spent it together as a family starting with birthday pancakes for breakfast and ice cream for afternoon snack.

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl! I love you Maia! And I look forward to not only watching you, but being there for you as grow up even more this next year!
Love Daddy

Hasta...