80's Day

All dressed up with only school to attend!

 CC's class met for donuts and then walked to school!

 (I think the glasses I purchase a month ago are the same as hers!)

High Five!

I am posting G's 5th birthday.... really late. We've had a computer glitch and these are the only photos we have of her day. So, here's the celebrating of Age 5 in FROZEN style!  All guests put on their princess dresses and came for games and fun.  The decorations were really fun and the layered snow cake was decorated with blue ice.  Olaf also joined.  His head can be seen between CC and G dancing in the first photo. 

At G's preschool, they have a great celebration for birthdays.  G walked around the sun 5 times and we shared special memories from each of her five years!

We love you so much, G!  Our lives are so much fuller with you and your vivid imagination!  You're almost 6 now and you've ROCKED Kindergarten!  WE ALL LOVE YOU!

Another Year!

SHE'S SEVEN!!!

Styling her own hair. Choosing her own outfits. Creating her own art. Choosing her accessories (oh wait, she's been doing that since 15 months)! 

Deciding a party theme. Decorating for the party. Planning all the games. Making a guest list and learning the painful task of taking the guest list from 26 down to 12!  And for the grand FINALE decorating her own cake!

 Isn't it great?!

Her party theme was "Starbursts".  So, the colors and goodie bags centered around starburst candy.  But really, it was filled with one party game after another.  We had 12 games and the girls got to rummage through the treasure chest when their team won.  I think it was a hit!

I loved how all her girlfriends gathered around our table and sang her happy birthday.  After she blew out the candles, I said, "I hope you didn't wish for a dog."  She looked up shocked and said, "I did!" and then we all had a wonderful giggle together!

And the party is over, so it's time for one last photo!

CC, you are an amazing gal!  You are cheery, friendly and inclusive.  You are full of life and ideas!  Your energy abounds!  I love watching you play with and coach your little sisters, they are so lucky to have you go ahead of them... Best Biggest Sister ever!  If anything has taken your full attention the last month it's been that cartwheel (I see you sneaking them in whenever you can)!  Remember when you cartwheeled like a frog?  :)  Look at you now!!!  Determination, hard work and practice! practice! practice!  You've mastered it!  We love you oh so dearly!!!

O My Gracious!

Hijacked!

While an unnamed sister excused herself to the bathroom.  

Fresh Strawberry Syrup No More!

I love her "Who could have possibly done this?!" stance!  :)

Slightly more angelic!

A Whole Year Behind Us!

Today was a mix of happy-sad for me. M is one. Wow! It's gone too fast.  A year ago, within 40 minutes of her arrival, I said to Ben, "She is going to be such a good baby!"  Wow!  Was I right!!!  Rock Star Baby, Folks!  The unknown: walk at 8 months, run at 9.  Did not see that coming!  Whew! I'm exhausted at bedtime EVERY night, but wouldn't have it any other way!

PARTY TIME!!!

I'm pretty sure M's favorite part was her cake.  She was so excited when we sat it in front of her... she squealed and oooo'd and ahh'd!  So funny!  She took her own jolly time, savoring each bite while everyone else partied on!

Balloon Games...

Ice Dancing...

A more serious side.

G made some snow scenes to make our "winter" party complete.

M, you have filled our days with joy and laughter.  Your never ending energy keeps us running.  Your expressions tell all.  Your giggles are silly and infective.  Your determination does not waiver.  How are you so sweet and mischievous all wrapped in one small package???  We all love you like only G can say, "I love you 'til the world ends and back again.  Plus any extras I can have."

2015

Happy New Year!

From the four of us and...

A Wee Mischievous One!

Window Markers

The girls had a great time with their friends and window markers!  It entertained them for almost 2 hours (ages 3-7).  Of course, there wasn't a window in our home without doodles once they had finished.

no No

Luckily the weekend looks more promising!

Thanksgiving!

Giving thanks for a preschool that values community, feasting and guides children to open their hearts and give thanks for abundant blessings!

G is behind our little plaid friend.

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle C and Aunt E and new friends we met this summer.  Love filling our home with family and friends!  We also had a guest of honor, a puppy named Roxy!  For dessert, we were joined by G & CC's preschool teachers!  The day was wonderful!

Turkey cupcakes? or Spider cupcakes? or Hedgehog?!
(smarties courtesy of Diane!)

Everyone wrote down one or two things they were thankful for.... here is a small sampling.  Everyone had a good laugh when the bottom left was read out loud!  :)

Giving Thanks Drawing Board

"In all things, give thanks."

I'm always looking for ways to teach my girls to be thankful.  Last year, I kept hearing about these wonderful "thanksgiving trees" with leaves that had words and phrases of thanksgiving.  I really wanted to start one for our family, but I had a slight dilemma... my girls couldn't read or write.  My hope was for them to participate actively.  So an idea started to form.  What they could do was draw.  Thus began our "Giving Thanks Drawing Board".

It's not glorious, it's not marvelous, but it's full of heartfelt thanksgiving.  The girls begged me to keep it last year, so I've pulled it out for this year and our giving thanks continues.

It's interesting to reflect.

Last year our hearts were full with gratitude for Children's Hospital as G was admitted there.  Had we known how much time we were going to spend there in the next year, our center piece phrase may have read, "Giving Thanks For Children's Hospital".

 G's heart was full of C-Bear!  :)

CC drew pictures from her new school and friends.

CC at her school desk with some WILD hair!

This year we are giving thanks for answers to G's health issues!
She hasn't been admitted to Children's once in almost 2 months!
YAY!  Trusting we follow that trend!

In years to follow, I know we'll have a beautiful "thanksgiving tree" in our home.

RIGHT NOW, I'm thankful for little sticky fingers that can't wait to draw what's in their heart.  I'm thankful for the joy & laughter we share around our board, for the conversation.  I'm thankful for the mess.  I'm even going to give thanks in the squabbles that surround pink markers!  :)