Las Vegas

I had a work conference in Las Vegas.  Lucky for me, Art and Pie got to come with me.  We had a good little vacation, but I really was excited to come home.  There is just only so long I can be there before I am ready for our house.  Grace made a lot of wishes on fountains.  Every one, she wished for her Mimi.  

 At our hotel room, she stood in front of the window looking out at the lights and wished that Mimi could be there with her to see them, she said she missed her and that she was so proud of her.  It breaks my heart to hear this and I try to explain that Mimi can't be there, but it just doesn't make sense to a 3 year old.  I just told her that Mimi loves her too, and misses her too.  I said I bet Mimi wishes for you all the time too, so this is a good way to tell her you love her too.

 We went to see this tree at the Bellagio that talks.  It was probably Graces favorite part and we had to go back two times.

 We went to the water show at the Bellagio.  It was the Pink Panther this time.  Grace thought it was very cool.

 Every escalator we went on, Grace would prop up her feet like this.  It made us both laugh.

 Art took her to the M&M factory, which she also loved.

 This is our second trip to the tree.  Grace wanted to do a dance for the tree.  Oh how I love this kid!

 Art took her to the Forum shops where they got to see these cool football guys.  Grace loved them.  (especially the Ravens one for some reason)

 We went to Cesaers Palace to see the statues talk.

 

 

 And to see the fish at the aquarium.

 

 She got to see the Flamingos by the pool and went swimming a few times with her dad.

Again a cute pic at the talking tree. 

These balloons were in the archways at the Bellagio.  Pie wanted to ride in one, because they could take her to see Mimi.   I am convinced now that Grace thinks every balloon goes to her Mimi.  I am so glad she thinks of her so often, but I miss her too, and we both just want her here.  It makes me even more sad to know that she is sad.

 A precious angel asleep at night.  Oh how I love her!   What would I do without her.

Toy Story Party

Grace has been wanting a Toy Story Birthday Party for months.  She has been so very excited.  We wanted to make the entire day special, so she asked for Mickey Pancakes for Breakfast.  

 We let her have her Birthday Outfit that morning.  It is Jessie boots, hat, and a bullseye purse.  She was so happy.

 Aunt Pete an I worked on the cake in the morning, trying to make it just like she wanted it to be.  It brought up a lot of memories for me of my mom, because we did the cake together last year.

 Pie wanted some cupcakes too, so we let the kids help put sprinkles on them.

 Papa came over, and Grace had him read her the Llama Llama book she got.  She was so happy with the Llama (what a silly girl!)

 All ready to go tot he park for the party!

  

 Being silly with Papa Box.

 She wanted a picture of Grandma and Papa so they played along.

 Miles and Finlee were excited to be there too.

 Jackson and Artie came down and got there right before the party.  She was so excited they were there and  it was so neat that they came that far!

 Because she is so into Cops.  Greg got one of his friends on the highway patrol to come to her party.  She was so happy.  This is the first moment at the party that I cried.  Seeing her that happy is a all a mother wants for her kid.  She took the time to introduce to him all of her friends and family.

 

 He let her wear his hat for a minute.

 And gave her an official trooper badge sticker.

 She made sure all of her friends got one too (she really is amazing at sharing for a 3 year old)

 He let her get in the car (this was the only time she was a little scared, because Shaye jumped in with her and blocker her path, she felt overwhelmed and needed me to come and rescue her)

 He let her push buttons to turn on the sirens.

 She loved it!

 He was so amazing. Trooper Hopper.  He gave all of the kids pencils.  When we got home Grace asked if I could sharpen it so she could write him a Thank you.  What an amazing little girl I have.

 The only request for a game from Grace was musical chairs.  We played musical papers instead, but the kids had a great time!

 Grace and Brooklyn.

 We did toy bowling.

 And a dump truck toss

 

 We did a cup shoot.

 

 And an obstacle course.  Grace wanted the kids to get ribbons, so we did lots of games and all of the kids got ribbons.

 Papa Box and Grace Rolling down the hill in the obstacle course. 

 Shaye and Grace.

 Then it was time to sing and do cake.

 Grace wished that her Nanny Kaelin could come back.  This is the second time I cried.  I really just want her to be happy everyday.  I know she wants me home most of all and asks all of the time, so I really wish I could do that, but I guess I got it right with Kaelin-we just miss her a lot.

 Then it was time for gifts.  She got spoiled rotten.

 This is Kaelin and her boyfriend Kota.  Grace was so happy that they came.

 We did a pinata-Grace was very serious and went for it right away.

 Grandma Dark made the cute gift bags again for the kids.  They turned out really cute.

 Aunt Michele and baby Jaxson.

 Grace even let one of her balloons go to Mimi.  This is the third time at the party that I cried.  Again-what an amazing soul this little girl has.

 We took a little ride to get drinks and come back to the house.  In the car, Grace said, "mommy, thank you so much for my party!"  I melted.  I am just so very proud of the little girl that she is becoming.  Even with all of the things that I sometimes feel I do wrong, somewhere-I must be doing something right.

Grace got a sprinkler for her party.  So we let the kids get in when we got back to the house.

 

 Finlee loved it most of all.  She would go right into the water.

 

 Grandma Box jumped with the kids on the tramp.  She would do one big jump and the kids would fall over, they called it "the big bounce"

 My mom had started working on this blanket before she passed away.  She was hand stitching it for Grace. I finished it for her and gave it to Grace from Mimi for her birthday.  She thought it was so special and loved it.  She knew it was coming from Mimi, so she was very excited when she finally got it.  

That night before bed, she even made sure to share her Mimi blanket with her brother, because he needed to see how special it was too.  She wrapped him in it and gave him a big kiss. 

 This is how Grace came into my room the next morning after her party.  Princess Sparkle Bag, Princess Wand, and no shirt.  Oh how I love this child!

 We waited to give her this little Dora quad because we didn't want her overwhelmed.  She thought it was so neat!

 She even let all of her cousins ride it.  She shares very well.

  It was a great party and weekend.  Grace says "It is the best party ever!" I hope so! I love you Pie!