Our Girl Turns 5!!

Another year has passed and I can't believe our first baby turned 5.  I sound like a broken record each year, but it went very fast.

  She has turned into such an amazing girl.  Avery is kind to others and has the ability to work hard at things she wants.  She will spend hours doing puzzles, drawing, or using her imagination.  This girl is one smart cookie and we are proud of who she is becoming.  At 5 her personality has shifted-she has become much more independent and enjoys her time with friends and family.  She used to be VERY shy and now says goodbye to me as I drop her off at a friend or cousin's house.  There are much more hellos to other people around her and she has developed wonderful relationships with the people around her.  

So, when her party felt as if I was doing too much, I thought about all the things above and knew she deserved it.  We let Avery pick the theme this year and what do you know...

It was FROZEN.  Last year was a Princess party (which we combined with Mack's birthday) so at least she was more specific on this time.

She wanted it at Nanny and Papa H's pool where the kids could swim and we could have a big area to spread out.  I didn't stress too much this year getting it ready and knew I would have a lot of help the day of the party.

  Avery wanted a taco bar, so besides transporting it all, it was rather easy to get all the supplies.  Papa and Daddy stayed at home getting all the meat cooked and getting the kids out the door.  It was a little hectic, but they got it all done and brought some yummy taco meat!

The weather was a little iffy and I was worried it would rain...at a pool party, so at the last minute I thought of some indoor activities such as; build your own Olaf and pin the nose on Olaf. 

We had a make your own Olaf station using bananas.  

We had Olaf noses (cheese puffs)

Thank goodness for help with the decoration from my mom and sister-in-law because the place looked great!

This was the first year we invited more than one friend.  Avery had a few girls from her class...the rest were cousins.

and of course Baby Charlotte and Baby Kalen (must have missed the camera) attended with their sweet parents! 

Miss Rachel is Meme's (our nanny) sister and she fills in for Meme on occasion.  The kids adore her.

Avery got fake glasses and she loves them because she matches her cousin Lucie!

There was lots of dancing, swimming, running, and the occasional tickle attack!

The Mum and Nanny always helping out at the birthday parties.  Thank you ladies and thank you to all who attended!

Then we celebrated her actual birthday.  I had to work that day, but as soon as I got home we loaded up the car with pizzas and headed to a friends pool.  It was a very hot day!

My pictures are not in order, but before we went swimming the boys gave Avery her presents!

Papa H. and Nanny came over for some deserts and opening presents.

During the day she got to have lunch with her cousin Ireland and Nanny.

Mark and I got to go too! Of course we had tacos!

What a great 5th birthday.  Happy birthday Avery.  We couldn't imagine our lives without you!!!!

The Weeks Flying By

It's been a long few weeks and this blog has been the last thing on my mind.  It's been nice since I haven't cared if I get behind because there will be a time when I can sit down and write to my babies.  Our entire summer was laid back with lazy days mixed with busy days at the pool!  We got to spend time with the people that matter most to us and I feel like it was always fun for my kiddos.  

My mom and dad are selling their place and needed to get rid of lots of stuff.  Mark and I feel pretty confident we are done having babies, so we decided to sell it all!  Along with a friend and sister-in-law, we had a multi-family garage sale!  I have to say it will be the last time I do that again.

It was a lot of work and people can be hard to deal with:)

The kids loved it.  They greeted people and Papa went to get the fixings for a lemonade stand.  We live in the country, so they won't be having any stands near the road.  We handed a lot of quarters out to everyone to have them buy-they also drank most of it themselves!

Then that Monday it was back to work for me.  It always comes at a time that I am ready.  I love the time we have together, but it is hard work!  Give me a few months and I will long for our days together.  The lucky part is I can do it again next summer.

These three LOVE their time with Meme so the transition back is easy.  They had two weeks with her before Avery and Mack go back to school.  Lincoln is going to have alone time with Baby Kalen!

Since being back at work I tend to do more with them in the evening.  We have been to the pool, played outside, and this day started a Shoe store!  Or a Shoe Grocery Store!

Mack is getting pretty good at writing his name.  I want it to stay like this forever!

This is Avery's family portrait.  I'm going to love what she does this last year in preschool-she is already a writer, but want to know more about "making words".  I think she will be amazing by the time she gets to kindergarten (since she misses the cut off date by 20 days).  She will be 6 entering school.

In the morning, when Baby Kalen comes, they have so much love to give him!

Some other cuteness that happened...

Daddy brought the kids to meet me at a happy hour.  I loved this picture!

Lincoln was fired up for the fire truck party we planned for Mack.

and the boys had a lot of snuggles to give mommy on morning!

The next few post will describe why the weeks have been extra busy...besides going back to work!

A Dad's Weekend

Being a mom is very rewarding and full of excitement, but sometimes it's nice to have a break!

Our good friends are getting married and Anna included me in her bachelorette party. I have to admit I was a little hesitant since I'm a mom of three and out of the "party" stage. I don't know what I was thinking! I got to hang out with lovely ladies, have cocktails, lay out in the sun and then head out for the night...and sleep in the next morning. What a treat!!

These ladies were a blast! I danced and laughed all night. Thank you Anna for a fun night.

Meanwhile at home, Mark was creating a memorable weekend for our kids. He gets excited to have them alone and do the things he wants. This included fireworks, BBQ, bonfire with s'mores, and having his guy friends over! 

 

As you can see he has good friends that love our kids. He called it man on man defense:) MAN TIME!

They all got to have a sleepover in our bed-until Lincoln had enough and wanted his own bed. 

The next day Mark took the kids to a Cardinal game with another friend. My parents gave them the tickets for this special game.  They got there super early to get a free Build a Bear. It's a Clydesdale.

It was very hot! But they enjoyed the experience especially when they received cotton candy from our friend!

Mr. Lincoln got his own special treat...

He got alone time with Nanny and Papa H. They let him play at their house, took him to the river and then finished it off with McDonalds! He arrived back home just in time for naps. Thank you Nanny and Papa H. He loved it!

It was a wonderful weekend filled with fun things. I'm appreciative of my husband who adores our children and gets excited to give me a night away! Sometimes a mom just needs that. One more week with my babies before work. I'm going to miss these lazy times, but I also love to work!