Just Like That...

she is nine. I am the mom of a nine year old. Oh how that hurts my heart to type. Nine. The last year of single digits. P has been counting down the days. Me, not so much. She could hardly wait to be 9, and I would have been happy with 8 for much, much longer! But alas...

The celebration this year consisted of a sleepover with a few friends. Bless her, she went back and forth with all the ways in which she wanted to celebrate, one of which included "building" a bear, but in the end, we went with a sleepover with friends. That's right, friendS. Like more than one. Like six. I guess I am a sucker or a glutton for punishment. Or both.

The big day fell on a Friday this year, so it worked perfectly for having friends to spend the night. Six of her pals showed up Friday evening for the festivities. Instead of building bears, we built our own pizzas.


While the pizzas were in the oven we had a riveting game of charades. Oh my gracious, if you have never played charades with 8 year old girls, you are without a doubt missing out. Oh the hilarity. Between the pizzas and cupcakes we also had our very own dance party with dj Dad. I wish we had pics of the oh so stellar dancing, but I guess dj Dad couldn't drop the beats and be the photog at the same time. So, you are just going to have to take my word for it that these girls dance moves were no joke.

Somehow in my planning for this I thought it would be a great idea for the girls to frost and decorate their own cupcakes. Again, sucker or glutton? The frosting. Oh the frosting!





After watching two movies most of the girls crashed with the exception of a couple. Bless them. They were still ready to party well into the night!

In the morning I made blueberry muffins. The girls built a gigantic fort in the family room with every blanket under the sun, and then went outside until it was time to be picked up. I think they had a good time, and we are glad they all came to be a part of celebrating Peyt's day.


Peyt, I love you more than you could ever know. You are my firstborn; the baby that made me a mommy. I love you always! Happy Birthday sweet girl! And remember, this was your last one; no more birthdays for you.

A big 'fourd' year old

This little guy was counting down the days till he turned 'fourd.' Somehow in his little mind he thought that he would get to go to school when he was four. Sorry bud, not going to happen.
We did a little family celebration on his actual birthday. We had his favorite, pancakes for dinner, and then opened a few gifts.








For the past few weeks, maybe even months, Mas has had an obsession with 'bowling pins and bowl.' They have a little play set of pins and a ball in his class at church, and he plays with it every week. And every time we would pick him up he would say, "can i get bowling pins and bowl for my birthday?" So, when we were planning his party, we asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday party, and you guessed it... 'bowling pins and bowl' with my 'fwiends.' You got it mister! We can make that happen.











Oh my word, I love his guts! Happy birthday big 'fourd' year old! So blessed to be your mom!

Celebrating Peyton

On November 12, 2001 this crazy, fun-loving, full of life, little girl was born.

We celebrated P's birthday this year with her first party for girls her own age. She invited some of her friends from school, church, and soccer. Ryan was such a good sport and coordinated the games and entertainment. One of which was pin the tail on the donkey...can I just say, hysterical! The girls seemed to have a great time together, and we enjoyed having them here to celebrate with us. After the party Ryan, again, Dad of the Year, piled the girls in the mini and took them to see Madagascar II. Again, some little girls were lovin' life!

P, we are so grateful to our Lord for giving you to us. You are one of the greatest blessings of our life! We are honored to be your parents and to celebrate with you another year of your life! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Friends, Forts, and Fly Me To The Moon

This past weekend was a first in our house; I'm sure a first of many. This little event has been begged for and pleaded for by three little girls for quite some time. Well, the stars and planets aligned and P had her very first sleep over. Can I just say, these little girls are all about some FUN.
The night began with P's daddy taking her and her two friends to watch the movie Fly Me To The Moon. They had their tickets purchased, their popcorn and cokes in hand, and in their seats twenty minutes before show time. Ryan is such a good sport! Over the course of the next night and morning the girls managed to dress up all of their webkinz, watch yet another movie, build a fort, do some "extercising" out in the cul-de-sac, and then eat some homemade waffles by Ryan for their breakfast. Needless to say, they were lovin' life.
I am so grateful that these little girls are a part of Peyton's life. They have their share of discrepancies but all in all are very sweet and love each other very much. I hope these girlies are friends for many years to come.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

To celebrate Peyton's graduation from Kindergarten we had a little party of sorts at our house last Friday night. P's friends Evan, Parker, and Emery were invited to the festivities, all of whom just had graduations of their own. These girls are all about some fun! They are very sweet together and play really well with each other.




Our friends, who just happen to be the parents of the aforementioned girlies, and Nick and ML were present and accounted for as well. We grilled out, stuffed our faces, played some Wii, and all in all had a blast. Gotta love fun times and good friends... You know who you are... thanks for sharing in our lives!

Mary Leigh's Birthday party!

Mason's First Birthday Party!!