Miriam's Fourth Birthday

Miriam had a great time on her birthday. She got two dresses from my Mom and in true diva style wore them both (first seen here and here; second one below). She wore the first one to church and the second one for her party.

Miriam is a lucky girl. She got all the things she wanted for her birthday. She was so excited and patient all day waiting for everyone to come join in the celebration. After presents we had brownies and ice cream.

Miriam's Fourth Birthday

from Vanessa Bishop on Vimeo.

Miriam: Three to Four

Here is Miriam's Birthday Slideshow:

Miriam three to four from Vanessa Bishop on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Miriam

My beautiful four year old girl!

July Fourth

Since we knew we were leaving on vacation the next day, we decided to keep the Fourth of July low key this year. We spent the morning at home together. Miriam wanted me to open my presents as soon as everyone was dressed.

After the kids had a good nap we headed over to Michael's parents house for some delicious food. We had chicken apple sausages, ribs, baked beans, grilled pineapple, and a corn salad. In other words we had a ton of food. For dessert Michael made me a delicious Tres Leches Cake.

After dinner we all headed out to watch the fireworks with some friends. I love that my birthday is a celebration with family and friends as well as the rest of the country.

Birthday Celebration

Before Michael came home from work yesterday, we went out and wrote him a birthday message in chalk. The kids had fun getting ready to surprise Dad.

As soon as he came home Miriam wanted him to open her card... well actually she wanted to open his card for him. She was just too excited to wait.

After she got that out of her system we could talk about my surprise. Michael's Mom lovingly agreed to watch the kids while we went on a date. (Our first since our anniversary in December.) She took the kids to Chick-fil-A and we headed to Fireworks Pizza. In Michael's words when asked what he wanted to say about our date, "we ate very delicious pizza". After we got back Miriam and Simon helped him open presents. (Rebecca and Mom joined us, but Dad was in NYC and missed the celebration.) He got some really exciting stuff including a wireless router and butane fuel. Michael's parents got us tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore so we look forward to that trip soon.

We finished off the evening with some homemade ice cream made with a vanilla bean (brought back from Mexico). It was so rich and delicious. Michael had a very happy birthday indeed.

Twenty Seven Years Young

Happy Birthday Michael.

I hope your day is as amazing as you.

I love you.

You are the bread to my sandwich.

Simon's Birthday

We had such a fun filled day celebrating Easter (more on that later) and Simon's birthday all in one day. Simon wasn't really interested in opening presents. He loved ripping the paper for a while, but his focus didn't last long. Miriam was more than willing to help him open presents.

 

I am not very good at letting my kids get messy, plus we made red velvet cake (not exactly kid friendly), so the cake eating was a delicate process. Simon didn't know the difference. He enjoyed every last bite of cake.

Today we headed to the doctor to see how much Simon has grown. Here are his ever important one year stats: Weight - 23 lbs & Height - 30 1/2 inches. Looks like he is turning into a tall skinny boy like his Dad. Simon is such a fun, sweet boy. I am amazed by how much he is becoming aware of his surroundings. He loves to point at everything he sees. He can spot airplanes and birds like no other. Simon is also becoming very vocal. His excitement leads to grunts and squeals. If he is in the right mood he will copy any word/sound you make. His favorites are ball, Mama, and bath... he also says these words the most. We love our little one year old boy.

Simon: Birth to One Year

A Year in the Life of Simon. Enjoy!

Music - Rob Taylor Reach Out

Matthew West Safe and Sound

Happy First Birthday Simon!

Today is the day... Simon is one!

Miriam's Birthday Celebration

We had a great day for Miriam's birthday. We wanted to make sure she felt really special for her birthday. Thursday night Michael and I put up a bunch of balloons all over so she would wake up and be excited that it was her birthday. It worked. She kept saying all day, "It's my birthday". (Simon loved the balloons too!)

We asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she chose going to the library. After we spent an hour or so at the library she wanted to go to the big park (because it is right next to the library, so who wouldn't be tempted). It was a chilly day, so Simon and I sat in the car while Michael took her to swing for a few minutes. It was enough to make her happy.

After nap-time we finished making ice cream and cheesecake cupcakes for her "party". Her favorite phrase of the day was "Let's get my party started". We put on her party dress after we were done baking. Then headed outside for a few minutes to take couple of pictures. She really thought she looked like something else in her special birthday dress. I am going to have to agree with her on this one.

Her birthday dinner was pasta (spaghetti). After dinner we got ready for her party. Grandma and Grandpa Bishop came over with Elizabeth (who by the way just got her wisdom teeth out and looks amazing) and Rebecca (who looked amazing too) to celebrate. We opened presents, which took a while because she kept wanting to play with the things she opened. Then we ate birthday dessert and played with her new things. As I was rocking her before bed she asked me when it will be her birthday again. I will take that as a sign that she had a good day.

Miriam: Two to Three

Here is Miriam's Yearly Birthday Slideshow.

It makes me happy and sad at the same time to see how much she has grown.

It may or may not be a bit lengthy this year :)

Miriam Turns Three

Happy Birthday Miriam! You are three years old today. Can this really be true? It seems like you were just turning two. You seemed so grown up last year, but I can't believe how much you have grown up this year. You are such an amazing little girl with quite the personality. I love you!

Miriam loves to learn. She knows all the letters in the alphabet. Miriam can count to thirteen and can recognize numbers one to twelve. She always wants to know what time it is. Miriam asks me everyday what day it is just because she wants to know if she can watch a show (because she can't on Sunday). She loves to sing primary songs and princess songs. Miriam loves to color and make crafts. She is really good at cleaning up and organizing things. Miriam loves to send text messages to Michael. She can start a new message, type it, and send it all by herself on my phone. She has started a new interest in typing on the computer and is figuring out how to navigate the mouse.

She has really taken to being potty trained and boy do Mom and Dad love this. She is such a big girl. The only drawback is her obsession with public restrooms. Every time we go somewhere she wants to go potty and check it out. She hasn't learned that you should actually avoid them at all costs.

Miriam loves to help me cook. She is always in the kitchen asking what she can to do help. She especially loves baking and cracking eggs all by herself. "I can do it", is definitely heard a lot around here. Miriam is our little sassy pants as we like to call her. We have to remind her who is in charge. Miriam can be stubborn, she has a need to do things her way and doesn't like things to be changed. She thrives on routine.

She loves to tell stories. She always starts with "once upon a time", then goes on telling you a story. Her imagination is really growing. Miriam can really make you laugh with the things she says and the silly way she acts. She is really caring about others and always worries about what other people need. She especially adores Simon and wants to help him be happy.

Here are some funny things Miriam has said over the past few weeks:

While I was in the shower one day I heard Miriam crying outside the bathroom door. I told her she could come in. When I peeked out to ask what was wrong she said, "I have an itch. I can't get it because of my skirt." She was wearing a denim skirt and couldn't get to her itch. You know she is really tired when an itch can cause so much drama.

Miriam: Mom let's make a craft

Mom: What do you want to make

Miriam: A ghost

Mom: Oh, do you want to be a ghost next year for Halloween?

Miriam: No, that would be too scary for me

Mom: Come brush your teeth Miriam

Miriam: I am not going to do it this time. You can. I am too tired

Miriam wanted to help lick envelopes for our Christmas cards. After her first one I asked her what it tasted like. She said meat.

Miriam: Mom please stop that. I am tired of it. Please stop that. I am tired of you being crazy.

Mmmm... I wonder where she heard this?

Once upon a time there was a woman. Her name was Ta. She only liked beans and rice. Now this is important because some people died. Jesus died and that is sad.

Birthday Celebration

Are you ready for picture overload? I love wearing red, white, and blue on the Fourth of July. I dressed Miriam and Simon up and spent the day trying to get good pictures. At the end of the day I wasn't sure what we got. Now I can't chose just a couple to post, so I am posting a bunch.


Monday was also my birthday. I love celebrating with the rest of the nation. I have always thought that my birthday was pretty great. Here are a couple of pictures from the birthday celebration.