Three Years and Counting

Tomorrow is actually the twins' birthday, but we celebrated it yesterday with a birthday party at JuJuBee's Playhouse. JuJuBee's is this great little old house-turned-toddler-fun-land that my kids LOVE. It is so much fun - they have a bouncy castle, dress up, play kitchens and work benches, a train set, dolls, trucks, bikes and the list goes on. I love having somewhere to take them in the winter to play, plus I can take them by myself and feel safe because it's set up specifically for kids their ages. 

Only a few of their friends were able to make it (5, to be exact) but it was perfect. They all had a blast, and it was easy since they were so entertained by all of the fun toys! I made these raspberry topped lemon muffins with this lemon glaze, along with a beautiful tray of fresh fruit (surprisingly delicious for the middle of winter!) and organic juice boxes and spritzers to drink. It was perfect for a brunch-type birthday party (I wasn't sure that anyone would want their kids consuming chocolate cupcakes at 10 A.M.)! 

I really cannot believe that Cade and Avery are 3 already. The last three years has flown by quicker than I had ever thought possible. They "graduated" from their NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) follow-up clinic last week and are progressing amazingly. We are SO PROUD of them! 

Their favorite meal is homemade pizza, so we made them that for dinner plus these chocolate ganache cupcakes for dessert (I omitted the coffee in the frosting, though. They were still good, but the coffee in the frosting REALLY makes these!). Also, even if you don't eat gluten-free, these cupcakes are TO DIE FOR. Seriously. The cake mix is the best ever -- they are the moistest cupcakes I have ever tasted. Ever. 

For anyone who eats gluten-free, I made the muffins with gluten-free flour and soy milk and they turned out DELICIOUS. No one at the party could tell they were different -- they all LOVED them! But I am sure they are good with wheat flour. :) 

Finally, here are a few pictures from our weekend:

Eating cupcakes in the buff!

The princess adjusting her crown while the prince looks on... for some reason, she would only answer to "princess" yesterday. Hmmmm.
Opening gifts
More opening gifts. I can just see him wondering if her gift is better than his!
Big smile from the birthday princess!
Birthday boy in the play house. He kept saying he was building a house for his friend Austin.
A platter of raspberry topped lemon muffins

Elyssa and Avery

Sliding

Eating a delicious summery-tasting strawberry
The fruit platter
The closest I could get to the two of them in the same picture smiling!
A little potty try before hand!