Every Monday Ryland and I meet up with a group of other moms and kids for a play group. All of our kids are within a few months of each other, so it has been fun to watch them grow and learn together. It also has been really nice to develop friendships with the other moms. 
I celebrated my 32nd birthday in true style. I spent the morning scraping and repainting the iron fence in preparation for new plants. The boys and I planted jasmine along the fence and wrapped the runners around the fence like a trellis. I heard the ice cream truck in the distance, and I thought Ryland would enjoy a new experience. I grabbed some cash and we headed out to flag down the truck. Ryland was a bit shy at first, but after we received our delicious ice cream treat, he started coming around. We enjoyed our ice cream in the side yard where we had been working. He couldn't stop talking about the ice cream truck. 
After working hard in the yard, we cleaned up and headed out for dinner. We headed to a cool little sushi restaurant for what we hoped would be a relaxing family dinner. We talked to Ryland about sitting in his seat and eating, so we all could enjoy dinner. To our amazement, he was a perfect angel. Ryland couldn't get enough soy beans and soup, and Reed slept through the whole meal. We headed back home for singing and birthday cake. It was a fabulous day, and I wouldn't have wanted to do anything else. 
Brad and Chanda came out for dinner and visiting tonight. We just love them to pieces! Ryland gets so excited when we tell him they are on their way over. It is really cute, because he says their names over and over and over. 
We had a wonderful Christmas dinner with Uncle Brad and Aunt Chanda. They were so kind and invited us to join their family dinner. The food was delicious, and Chanda had a beautiful table scape including her newly completed set of china. 
Ryland helped make chicken nachos for dinner tonight. He was really curious and was saying "up, up, up" over and over, so we put a step stool next to the island for him. He helped sprinkle the cheese for us.
Just like a true chef, he had to taste his masterpiece. He loves cheese.
Ryland is a big boy tonight. He was pointing at one of the dinning chairs and wanted out of his highchair. We put him in a normal chair, and he acted like such a big boy. He ate his dinner, and he behaved very well. It must be getting time to get a booster.
We had a wonderful visitor this week, and we can't even begin to thank her for all the hard work and help. Lizzie, John Chris's mom, spent a few days playing with Ryland and helping us with house projects. After a long, hard day we had a pizza dinner with ice cream for dessert. Ryland and Lizzie shared a cold treat after a fun filled day.
I am completely wiped out at this point, because I have been fighting a nasty stomach bug that Ryland catches and then Lizzie catches. Yuck! 
We headed to Dallas to have dinner with Branda, Corrine, and Ella. There is an awesome sushi bar with $1 sushi that we all are totally loving right now. What is really cool about this place is they have a glass enclosed private room that we request. It is great to let the kids play and have a good time while we eat and drink. Ella brought coloring books and stickers, and Ryland had a blast.
