Best 3rd Birthday Yet!

Yesterday was quite a fun, but exhausting, day as we celebrated Arianna's 3rd birthday. Arianna was quite aware that it was her birthday as she asked all week if she would get cake, presents, and a party.

We had a nice little gathering under the gazebo at the Radcliffe Park in North Redington Beach, just a hop, skip and a jump from my parents house.

Arianna took on the climbing wall. Unfortunately, a few minutes later this became the scene of her first wasp sting. (We found out she's not allergic and did very well after the immediate sting left. Today you can't even tell she got stung.)


While the kids were playing, the grillmasters were at work.


Before cake was the only time that our kids were willing to sit. And I'm pretty sure they're only sitting next to each other because the cake was close by.


Speaking of cake, it was unbelievable. A great friend of ours volunteered to make the cake, as this is a side hobby for her.


I never imagined it to be this beautiful! Everyone at the party agreed that this should no longer be just a side talent.


Arianna made her wish and blew out the candles.


We had such a great day. Thank you to everyone for celebrating it with us!


See you in a month so we can start all over with the terrible two's!

Look who's turning 3 tomorrow!!

Cow problem solved!

Today we headed to Tyrone Mall to catch all the action that the mall kids club, Kidgets, was having. Unfortunately for Arianna, Kidgets activities usually equal (Mimi and Papa's) Chick-fil-A cow being present as well.

As we're approaching the mall, Arianna figures out where we are going. She precedes to ask her typical series of questions: We going to the mall, Mom? We go to Chick-fil-A? We going to see Mimi and Papa? Is the cow going to be there?

I try to avoid that last question. Well I only avoid the last question if I know the cow will be there. If I know the cow will not be there, I promptly and firmly say NO.

As soon as we go to the activities at the mall, Arianna spots the cow and gets hysterical. This child starts shaking, and yells "NOOOOOO cow", and proclaims "I want to go home." You would think as a nice mom, I wouldn't subject her to such fears.

Fortunately, Papa has a few spare minutes, and whisks her away to distract her. They get a balloon and head down the way and end up at the candy store. And now after 5+ trips to the mall with cow around, Papa has successfully calmed her down. It's called The. Candy. Store.


In the end, Arianna still believes in Chick-fil-A, just as long as the cow is absent and the candy store is close!


Bubby's "I caught a fish!" balloon.

Happy Grandparent's Day!!!

Thank you Grandma Spilker, Grandma and Paps Williams, Mom-Mom Bricketto, Grammy and Grampy O'Cononor, and Mimi and Papa Spilker for being the best grandparents any of us could ask for.



We love You,
Marty, Karen, Arianna and Bernie

Hanging Around

Over Labor Day weekend we enjoyed the dear company of Josh and Ashley. Unfortunately I didn't get my camera out very much and don't have many pictures from their visit.

I'll have to steal from Mimi, as we all know her memory card got filled up.

Other than that, when the kids aren't busy opening doors, tearing down blinds, coloring all over the walls, they are just hanging out around the house.


Occassionally, they stop for a photo op.

Although Arianna is under a table....


and Bernie is standing on the couch.


This must be the reason I recently felt compelled to purchase accident insurance through Aflac. You know, just in case we'd need some stitches or broken bones fixed. But hopefully not.

Three Baby Boys

You know how they say your friends know you better than yourself?

Up until my future husband came into my life, I ALWAYS proclaimed that I never wanted any children. This was no secret.

However, there was a certain 3 or 4 friends (and roommates!) in college that consistently and persistently declared I would be the first of our group to have kids. Of course, I would always deny and tell them no kids for me.

Little did I know, that they were right. By three years none the less.

But now, it's their time to stay up all night, change diapers, and love their adorable little miracles!

That's right. All three of these wonderful college friends are pregnant. At the same time. With Boys.


Spring Break 2003

Katie, on the left, is due in two weeks. Danielle, to the right of me, is due right around Halloween. And Jenn, on the far right, is due 2 weeks into November.

I'm so excited for these precious friends who are about to begin a new phase of life. And this time, I might know a little bit more than them!

I can't wait to share my experiences with them as they are finishing their pregnancies, getting to hold their bundles of joy, and being new mommies! Although, I wish we were all closer together and not spread out amongst 3 states.

I love you ladies and your precious little boys!!!!

Brush Your Teeth With Soap

*These pictures are completely irrelevant to the story.



Arianna is potty training. We're trying to teach her to be self-sufficient; so that she can go into the bathroom, do her business, wash her hands, shut the light out and close the door all by herself.

However, I'm finding that teaching an almost 3 year old to do all these steps by herself is nearly impossible. Especially if there's a 22 month old who comes in right by behind her and has to stick his hands in the toilet.

As a result of the potty training process, the soap dispenser is not behind the sink, but sitting at the edge in Arianna's reach.

At teeth brushing time, I prepare each toothbrush with a tad bit of toddler toothpaste. Bernie and I (and toothbrush) head to the changing table for a diaper and pajamas. In the meantime Arianna is standing at the sink brushing her teeth.



One particular day this week, she comes running to me gaggily saying, "Yucky, Soap on toothbrush, YUCKY, YUCK!!!!"

Yes, my selfish desires for her to be self-sufficient backfired.

While standing at the sink alone, she added some of that yummy handwashing soap to her toothbrush.

But, I don't think she'll ever do that again. Or at least voluntarily,.