Justin Bieber 2011!

Tonight we ROCKED it out with Justin Bieber and all of Lillian and Lydia's friends for their joint birthday party! Lydia turned 3 years old on September 20th and Lillian will turn 7 years old on October 8th. This was the first year I combined the girls' birthday parties, but they both wanted a dance party..so, why not?

We had a Justin Bieber Dance Party at Play Bounce and Jump. We rented our their Mini Night club and turned on the Justin Bieber movies, flashed the lights and disco balls, and played Musical Chairs, Freeze Dance, Pass the Microphone and just DANCED! We even had a great friend, Sarah, who placed Justin Bieber tattoos on the kiddos faces as they arrived tonight. All the kiddos, all 40 of them, seemed to have a great time... I hope so among all the chaos!

My girls enjoyed every minute! Lydia said tonight at bedtime that she wanted to go back tomorrow and Lillian said it was the best party ever! So, in my book, it was a successful night! All of their friends were so generous and we spent a while going through the oodles of presents. The girls are really lucky to have such amazing friends that care so much about them and their happiness. They have been spoiled all week by presents and more presents. I don't know what we will even think about asking Santa to bring them for Christmas. He might have to skip this house!

Thank you for everyone who came to ROCK it out with us this year. We want to thank you for all your kindness and generosity. The girls had a night to remember always! Love to everyone and Happy Birthday Lillian and Lydia! So, the big question is... Will I ever combine the parties again? NEVER SAY NEVER!!!

Lillian and Lydia- How did you grow up so fast?

Love you all!

Julie

To My Daughters:

Can I Carry You?

I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you'll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it's love I've shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
so let me care for you.
I want to be a part
of every little thing you do.
Tonight could I please wash your hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes
before I teach you math?
Before you join a baseball team
can I pitch you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near
to make sure you don't fall?
Let's take another space-ship ride
Up to the Planet Zoor.
Before our Cardboard Rocket
doesn't fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill.
while you're still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
while you're young and have the time.
I know the day will come
when you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides
and all the balls we've thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
than your Mom could ever be.
And when you find success
there will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you'll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day
from now until you've grown.

Buffalo Bill Days in Leavenworth, KS

We headed out this morning to Buffalo Bill Days. "The festival — honoring one-time Leavenworth resident, Wild West show organizer and Medal of Honor recipient William Frederick Cody — started in 1969 in Leavenworth and lasted for more than 20 years before several different city celebrations were consolidated to eventually become what Main Street has hosted for the last several years as the First City Festival." But, now it is back!

We had fun strolling the streets of downtown Leavenworth. There were lots of little games to play along the way, carriage rides, and lots of different vendors. The girls also enjoyed the Kiddie Corner where they made a bead from clay, had their face turned into a butterfly and colored some pictures of Buffalo Bill. We even enjoyed a traditional Indian show. We will miss the Outhouse races due to nap time, but it sounds hysterical!

After lunch and almost three hours on the streets of Leavenworth, we decided to come home for naptime. Lydia was worn out! Onto the circus tomorrow! Love you all!

Julie

Freedom Walk 2011

Today we walked for freedom with Bradley Elementary. The whole school participated in a little under a mile walk to a track field on post. The Fort Leavenworth USD 207school district held a Freedom Walk Ceremony for all schools on post. The kiddos sang a couple of patriotic songs and we listened to a guest speaker. It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful way to help remember all those who lost their lives on that horrific day 10 years ago. I know I will never forget and I don't think Lillian will truly ever know what it was like on that day. Let's just hope my children never have to live through such tragedy in their lives! Thank you to all those who lived, died, ran to help those who who trapped and served year after year in the war. Thank you honey! We love you!

We Shall Never Forget (9-11 Tribute)

Let the world always remember,
That fateful day in September,
And the ones who answered duties call,
Should be remembered by us all.

Who left the comfort of their home,
To face perils as yet unknown,
An embodiment of goodness on a day,
When men's hearts had gone astray.

Sons and daughters like me and you,
Who never questioned what they had to do,
Who by example, were a source of hope,
And strength to others who could not cope.

Heroes that would not turn their back,
With determination that would not crack,
Who bound together in their ranks,
And asking not a word of thanks.

Men who bravely gave their lives,
Whose orphaned kids and widowed wives,
Can proudly look back on their dad,
Who gave this country all they had.

Actions taken without regret,
Heroisms we shall never forget,
The ones who paid the ultimate price,
Let's never forget their sacrifice.

And never forget the ones no longer here,
Who fought for the freedoms we all hold dear,
And may their memory never wane,
Lest their sacrifices be in vain.

Alan W. Jankowski

Love you all! God Bless U.S.A.!

Julie

Selena Gomez We Own The Night Concert 2011!

All I can say is, I had one excited 6 year old girl when she came home from school today! I had bought these concert tickets months ago and finally the big day arrived! SURPRISE SWEETHEART!

Lillian came home from school and I told her about her BIG surprise. It is an early birthday present from Rich and I. She was so excited and was jumping up and down! Lydia even got a special day with dad and they went to Play Bounce and Jump and then to dinner. So, both girls were entertained for the evening!

Selena was amazing in concert. She has TONS of envegy, bounced all over the stage and was sweating with the rest of us! Lillian just poured sweat all afternoon into the night. It was 101 today and was still in the 90s driving home at 10:00pm. This is an outdoor arena. But, we still sang and danced the night away in Starlight Theatre!

Lillian was secretly hoping Justin would make a surprise appearance, but not tonight. We will have to see him another time! As for this pop star mom, I am tired and so is pop star daughter! I never stay up this late and feel like I am pulling Wendy's crazy hours...I know you are still awake woman! And you know Lydia will be wide awake ready to start her morning bright and early even if I am not! :)

Thanks Selena Gomez for some wonderful mom and daughter memories! ROCK ON!

Julie