Happy 5th Birthday Alice!

We celebrated Alice's 5th birthday with a Princess Tea Party. She had a few friends over for games, lunch, dress up and pinata!

Here was the table setup...and notice the dollhouse in the background. It use to be mine, any my mom spiffed it up and brought it for Alice.

Barbie Cake! The last 'wheat' cake for Miss Alice.
Alice's Place Setting

Bracelet making station

Miles "The Prince" was dancing with all the damsels

Pin the Crown on the Ballerina

LUNCH!

Poor Barbie Cake!

Enjoying her that Mermaid cake

YUM!

Time to open the presents

Pinata Time! Alice has always wanted one, and this year was prefect since we haven't had any snow yet.

The crew was chanting 'Go Alice Go! Go Alice Go!'

One swing and the mermaid pinata was beheaded! Very poor design!

The pinata became a torso

Who wants the head?!?!?!

Then it became just a tail.....

FINALLY!

Buh Bye Wheat

As most of you know, Alice has been struggling with tummy issues since September. Out of the blue, she would throw up every 10 to 14 days. We have been to the doctor numerous times, tested for every bacteria known to man, been told 'it's just a virus', maybe it's an intolerance to dairy, etc.

This week we went to a Pediatric GI Doctor, which was a classmate of Tommy's in high school. And ironically, I met him this summer and said to him 'No offense, but I hope I never have to see you.' I jinxed myself!

Originally, he suspected abdominal migraines which requires daily medication and imitrex drugs to be given to Alice the moment she feels nauseous. After two days of being on these meds, she was drowsy and got violently sick again!

This morning Dr. Burpee (gotta love his name as a GI doc) called me. He suspects Celiac Disease. We had a blood test earlier this week, and with the celiac test they want people to test between 4 and 10. Alice's results was 54! To truly verify she has Celiac Disease, we are taking her in for an endoscopy next week.

I have started to mourn the loss of wheat for our dear daughter. I'm feeling sorry for Alice and all the choices she is going to have to make to avoid wheat in her daily life. It's going to be a shift in our day to day life, but we don't even blink an eye since Alice will be back to her normal self. I realize it's 'not that big of deal', especially when I compare this diagnosis vs. the others we were looking at.

So, if any of my friends and family have recommendations of blogs, cookbooks, products, websites that they have heard about, please send them out way. As you know, our family (especially Alice) LOVES good food.

Saw Christmas

The yearly gingerbread house. As usual, the kids had a blast decorating it (and eating lots of candy during the process).
Watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Tom made a super yummy pork roast, it was so pretty i had to take a picture.

Waiting for the go ahead to come downstairs - Tom has them wait at the top, it's torture for them.

Santa brought Rapunzel hair and dress for Miss Alice

Alice's first makeup set

My folks gave Kyle his first sleeping bag - he loved it so much he wouldn't get out of it!

Playing Sponge Bob Operation - Alice was not ready for the noise/shake when she touched the side. Tears!

Kyle and Papa doing a puzzle waiting for Christmas dinner

Mogey Christmas

Kyle marking his territory! Sorry Gracie, Kyle has not been the most accepting cousin. Kyle was NOT happy about Gracie taking over his high chair at Thanksgiving. Mind you, a near three year old should NOT be sitting in a highchair!

Andrew was in charge of handing out presents this year - could explain why two of my presents were opened by people other than me. :)

Mid present snack

Anna: 'I LOVE it!'. Kathy: 'That's Laura's!'

Hula Hoop or Bean Bag Toss?

Dude - Where did your clothes go?!?!?!!?

Camo Christmas Gotta get this photo each year, Tom having to put together some crazy toy that he gets frustrated with.

Hey - Why is my toy not put together yet?!?!?!?!

On his first run, Andrew won the 'Risalamonde' - aka finding the almond in a boat load of rice pudding. Mind you, Dennis has been playing this for 60+ years, and has only won 3 times. Beginners luck!

Santa Brunch

Alice loves this guy!
Kyle is not too sure...checking Santa from afar.

Kyle gets coaxed into getting closer to him

a little closer....

Touch Down!

and...yelling 'Ho Ho Ho' together

Me Eat CRAB!!!!

Mmmm, loving this!

Scary Santa

And my all time favorite picture....

Eva and Brynn last year
Eva and Brynn this year...still not a fan of 'ol Santa.

The Newbies

We had quite a few new timers this year as you can see.....

Stella (who was not a fan) and her big sis Addie
Regan and Thomas (whom were born on the same day)

Benny

Mr. Cool - Alexander

Miss Josie