Happy Birthday Tinsley, Tinsley its your Birthday!!!

Our little monkey turned 3 on the 21st of June!  Casey and I spent part of the night before getting the house ready for our little one's big day.  I finished up her presents and daddy blew up balloons.  :)

When they woke up they went directly into their play room, and didnt even notice the banner down the hall.  They played in there a good hour before I herd Riley yell at Tinsley that there was balloons down here.  Then they ran down the hall and told me.  I got up and made our girls our famous chocolate chip pancakes while they played with the purple balloons.  

Tinsley had to wait until daddy got home for lunch to get her bike she has been begging for!  Everyday for the last month thats all we herd about. "Mom if Im good I get a purple bike for my birthday" Or "Im getting a bike for my birthday".  She really wanted a purple bike.  We went looking as a family a few times to see what size she needed and which bike she liked.  

When dad got home for lunch we decided to give her one present, her bike, before he had to head back. 

We told them to cover their eyes so dad could bring Tinsley's surprise out.

Although this picture doesnt show it, she was so excited to see her bike.  Well at first she was excited it was a bike, but didnt think it was hers. She said "oh a bike! Dad I want a bike."  So we had to explain that it was hers, and then she screamed and danced around haha.  

Ready to ride!

She wanted to share with Riley, so she let her on and gave her a push around the house.

She wanted to take more pictures when she saw my phone.  I sure love this girl!

Daddy got home, which meant present time!

Present from Grandma Ballatore! She loved it!

She got a pillow pet from Grandma Ahn that lights up.  She loves it.  She wanted to take it with us to dinner, and she would clap the arms together saying arf arf.  :)

We took out the family to a restaurant called the Ram for Tinsleys birthday dinner.

We let her choose what she wanted, and told the waitress it was her birthday.  While daddy took Tins to the restroom the waitress came over to me and told me they were going to bring a yummy dessert to her when she got back. 

She got an Ice cream cupcake!  YUMMY :) Of coarse she shared.

When we got home we watched a movie and just relaxed as a family.

Tinsley is almost inseparable from her back pack now.  I cant tell you how much it means to see her so excited about it!

Daddy, Riley and Mommy on the couch.

This little bundle of joy is such a blessing to our home.  We are so grateful to have her in our lives!!  We sure love her! <3

Business license

Well I broke down and finally applied for a business license.  I got it in the mail a couple weeks back!  Its kind of surreal knowing that through all of this hard work and family sacrifice we have been able to make this hobby into a business. I have slowed things down right now, but I am happy to be finally doing it the way its supposed to be done and being honest in my dealings with man.  Although I do not look forward to paying tax.

This year has brought many changes to my business, including a new logo, blog page, new machine and many new customers.  There are lots of military bag makers out there, but my fans are growing by leaps and bounds.  Im not always sure how to keep up with it, but the Lord has helped!  We just continue with faith and pray every step of the way.  This hasnt been something that I imagined would ever get so big, or even wanted to get so big.. But we were blessed with another means to help our family.

I am grateful for where my love of puzzles has brought me! 

I have grown in leaps and bounds this last year or so.  Heavenly Father has blessed my with a wonderful talent that has blessed our family abundantly.  I dont get to do much for my family with how many orders I have up, but I got to make Tinsley a backpack for her birthday.  She loves showing it to everybody and telling them that her mommy made it for her.  Theres nothing like that feeling!  She loves that back pack and I am so grateful that I could do that for my little one!   

My girlies :)

Every time Im doing something the girls can help with they beg for pictures :)  I just made dinner and Tinsley pushed over a stool and asked for mom to take a picture of her helping. 

One of the nice days past we went to the park with our friends  Lilly and Zacky.  Tinsley jumped on the caterpillar and said "mom take a picture.  I did and she promptly got off and ran to the rhino and said the same thing.  She took me all around the park asking for pictures.  I had no choice but to do as asked.

Riley loves going to the park!  She is a climber through and through! 

Even thought this is one of my more random posts, I do sure love seeing pictures of my girlies!

Riley's big day!

As a mom you know there will be moments where you want to cheer and cry all at the same time.  This was one of those moments.  Riley graduated preschool, and this mamma was proud!!  She has struggled this year, but the last few months has made leaps and bounds.  She loved going to Preschool, and absolutely loved her teachers!  

She and Tinsley are standing right in front of Riley's page.  

The kids had a special program for us.  Riley had a prime location right at the end, so I was able to get some pretty good shots.

 They had some fun songs playing and they were doing some actions while singing the songs.

Shes making a square :)

Ill post a video at the end of part of the show. 

Here shes being called up to get her certificate.  She was the first one called!  One of the perks of a last name that starts with A.

She had the biggest smile on her face the whole time after!  I almost cried when it was all over.  

My big girl!!!  I was so excited for her!

We brought gifts for her teachers.  There was a rice bag and hugs and kisses inside, nothing much but something we love! Riley was really excited to give them to her teachers.

This is Mrs. Toni.  She was Riley's favorite.  Riley talked about her all the time at home, and whenever Mrs. Toni was sick Riley would always show so much concern, and say "Mom we need to send her a card". She will miss her!

This is Mrs. Bonnie.  Riley really enjoyed her as well.  Mrs. Bonnie helped us get Riley on track and showed us some helpful tips to help Riley out.  I will be forever grateful to both her and Mrs. Toni!

This was one of the helpers in the classroom Miss Deborah.  She was a wonderful lady!

We had a fun time celebrating Miss Rileys big accomplishment! This little girl is getting so big!  We love her more and more each day!