Bunny's 7th Birthday Pictures!

Unfortunately, some of these pictures are weird sizes and I'm too tired to fix them now! I had to download a few of them from Jay's facebook page and they saved in a weird size. But, you get the picture!!!!

A few Gifts!

These are handmade in Philadelphia from reclaimed sweater material and stuffed with bamboo. I had a difficult time deciding which one to go with, but finally took home the monkey.

Also, we grabbed two of Starlights as well! Bun has been very into her room lately and these are a great, colorful addition!

On Bunny's actual birthday we had a little cake for her and she opened her gifts!

This morning we woke up, had breakfast and headed to New York City. Our initial plan was to picnic in Central Park after going on a spree at the American Girl Store, but the weather thought differently. We were really fortunate to get a reservation at the American Girl Cafe and though I initially scoffed at the prices, I have to admit that I left impressed. The experience was wonderful!!!!!

They had a little box of questions sitting on the table and Bunny wowed me with her reading ability and comprehension!

Also, the food was delish!

And then we went to see the Imagination Movers. Thanks to my bestie Siet, the Movers left an autographed poster at will-call for Bunny that said, "Happy Birthday Bunny. Think Big!" And included all of their signatures! Bunny went nuts for it!

And Finally, we came home and Bunny was able to put on her pj's and match them with her new American Girl Doll Lisa.



This was such a fun birthday. Bunny says that it was way better than a party and I have to agree 100%. This year we were all really able to celebrate. There was no stress or running around. Just lots of fun and love.

Poor Babies

Both of my girls are sick.

Bunny couldn't sleep last night. She just tossed and turned, laying in bed, wide awake and coughing until almost midnight. It's so sad.

I wish that I didn't have to send them to school today, but I do. Neither Jay or I can stay at home.

In other news, we ate crappy pizza ON THE COUCH WHILE WATCHING TV last night. It's a toally illegal move in our house. I did baths early and got everyone in jammies right away. I have been feeling a little bit under the weather myself, and it just felt so relaxing to cuddle up with my children, a little bit of cheesy bread and Anne of Green Gables. I think that I'd like to get the books for Bunny. I'm not sure if they're too far above her reading level at this point, but if so, I could always read them to her.

While they were still feeling well, the girls were doing a bit of song writing.

Here are a few clips of them singing and judging each other. We watch the X Factor together, so, they have learned to be discerning.

The last video of Lila is really the best.

Speak Now

Pop culture is one of my deep loves in life. I loved Lost. I watch Gossip Girl and Americas Next Top Model. I pick up Us Weekly and read Simon Cowell's autobiography. I devoured the Twilight series in a week and have been sitting on my last of the Sookie Stackhouse novels. Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Selema Gomez, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus are all in my ipod. I'm a popular culture junkie.

One artist that my children love (especially Lila) is Taylor Swift. We have both her self titled album and her second record, Fearless. I sort of love Taylor Swift, but until yesterday my love for her had nothing to do with her music. I just think that she's a nice girl and great role model for my impressionable five and six year old daughters. Though a few songs have adult messages, she also sings about the value of coming from a great family and about how much she loves her parents. Most of her songs emphasize loving yourself and having self-respect. Also, she's not stumbling out of Hollywood bars and clubs every night. Though her personal life has been a bit of a spectacle, I get the feeling that Taylor Swift is the sort of girl who spends more time alone in her bedroom with a guitar than she does anything else. Because she's a super-star, this is a choice that she makes and I respect that.

Yesterday we got the album Speak Now, which was released on October 25th. We spent our trips to and from New Jersey listening to all the songs on her new cds. Previous to hearing the entire cd I heard her first single "Mine" and was completely unimpressed. After listening to the whole album I have to admit that Mine is still my least favorite track. That mentioned, I LOVE this album.

I love that Taylor wrote every song on the album "all by herself." I love that the songs are honest and that she's opened up a bit about who inspired them (Camilla Belle, John Mayer, Kanye West, Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner). I love that her songs are confessional. I love how incredibly well written they are lyrically (particularly in comparison to her last two albums). I can't believe the growth that I see in her as a writer and an artist. The songs are interesting, heartbreaking, storytelling, diverse and engaging.

Here are a few of my favorites from the album: