Aubrey's big day!

For her birthday this year, Aubrey asked for a Lego "Friends" party.  These crafty little sets are a big hit around here lately, and so we planned her party around them. 

We built Lego towers, and had Lego relays, made birthday cakes out of Legos, and then ate a real cake that looked like one!  We estimated how many Legos were in a jar, and even got to celebrate with a Lego pinata!  Her favorite gifts of the day?  LEGOS!  Happy Birthday, Aubrey!!!

  

  

  

 

 

Happy 6th Birthday, Aubrey!

Dear Aubrey,
Where do I begin?  My sweet, smart, spunky, sassy little girl...  You have kept me on my toes each and every day this past year, living and breathing these four little words.  Sweet.  Smart.  Spunky.  Sassy.

Anyone who truly knows you can see it in your very eyes.  They dance a bit with a light that says, "Watch me.  Watch what I can do.  And watch me get away with it."  Sometimes, I swear I even see a wink...

You are so sweet.  Wow, this is an understatement.  You are fun loving, and a joy to be around.  You give the best monkey hugs, and you share freely.  Special belongings, treats, and love...you share it all!  You have a way about you that makes others gravitate to you.  Your teacher adores you.  You have more "best friends" than you can count on two hands.  Your principal, bus driver, older kids...they all know and love you.  Just as we do. 

You are so smart.   We've known this for a long time, but WOW.  You have blown us away!  You have learned so much in the first half of your kindergarten year, I sometimes can't believe it. Not only are you reading, but you are writing stories, and are on to second grade level Math.  You never tire of school"work" and just simply love to learn.  Your daddy and I couldn't be more proud!

You are spunky.  You love to be the life of the party.  You love to dance, sing, make people laugh, and simply have fun.  You loved your first ever concert this year (Taylor Swift), and could have danced ALL night at Chris and Christy's wedding.  You live for fun! 

You are sassy too.  Simply put:  You like to do everything your own way.  You live life at an entirely different pace than everyone else around you.  Sometimes we get frustrated because you are "slow" at eating, walking, or pretty much any mundane task, but when we take the time to watch you instead of hurrying you along, it is obvious that you are taking everything in, completing tasks to meet your own standard of perfection, and enjoying the process as you go along.  There is no use in rushing you.  You simply won't let us.  Occasionally, this causes problems, but more often than not, I wish I could slow my pace to match yours, and see the world from your perspective. 

There are so many other words that describe you too, but these four seem to sum you up perfectly.  :)  So happy 6th birthday, my sweet, smart, spunky, sassy little girl.  I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Love, Mommy

Happy 9th, Birthday, Camryn!

Dear Camryn,
Oh, my goodness.  This photo says it all.  Look how grown up you are!  It has been a full NINE years since you made me a mommy!

There are so many things I have always loved about you, but there are a few things that have really developed this past year.  My favorites to watch have been:

#1:  Your sense of humor
You have really ramped up the goofiness lately!  You have funny friends, you love to laugh, and you love to get a laugh from others too.  Your Halloween costume was by far the best example of that this year...  Little old lady?  Perfect!  You are truly funny, and I love your beautiful smile and laugh.

#2:  Your work ethic
Speaking of your beautiful smile...That is only one of the many things you have been working hard on. You started speech therapy this fall to help us address your tongue's impact on your teeth, and you have  done such an amazing job for Miss Barbara.  You faithfully practice your exercises three times a day(!), and love visiting her every week.  Your effort has not gone unnoticed, and we can see a difference in your smile already.  :)  You have also been working hard on your multiplication facts, and have come a long way in adding details to your writing as well.  You have truly attacked these goals with gusto, and continue to work to make yourself better.  I love that.  :)

#3:  Your willingness to try new things
You have tried all sorts of new things this past year.  You signed up for hip hop dance class, and performed your routine for recital.  You tried both tennis and volleyball, finding that neither is truly "your sport," but never giving up on either one.  You are even flourishing in your first class without your bestie, Emma, by your side.  You are always willing and eager to attempt something new;  a characteristic I both envy and admire.

#4:  The way you care for young children
You are the biggest cousin to Keira, Josephine, and Bailey, and you love them all dearly.  You also have a special way with the babies at daycare too...you can always make them smile and laugh.  You want so badly to be old enough to babysit, and are so good about helping with all of the babies in your life, getting gear, changing diapers, and even picking them up when they are sad.  The way you speak to and engage with them is a natural gift, and is amazing to watch.

As you continue to grow and change, I am amazed by all of these things, as well as countless others.  You always seem to be able to surprise me in one way or another, and I find myself not just shocked, but so, so proud.  You are a smart, hard working, beautiful girl, and I couldn't be more proud to be your  mom.

Happy 9th birthday, sweet girl.  I love you to pieces!
Love,
Mommy

Camryn's party

To celebrate Camryn's birthday this year, she asked for a "smallish" party with some of her closest friends to do one of her favorite things in the world...Art!  So we took the kids to Ceramicafe, where they got to choose their own piece of pottery to paint.  After painting, we headed next door to Mango Tango Frozen Yogurt where the kids built amazing creations and gobbled them up.  What a fun celebration!  Happy Birthday, Camryn!!!!

 

3rd Grade Music Program

This year, Camryn's grade level performed a min-musical titled The REAL Story of the Three Little Pigs.  It was originally scheduled for the night of the big snowstorm, so we were glad they were able to plan it for another night so that we could support Camryn and watch her sing, and play the recorder!  Can't believe that she is possibly old enough to do that!  :)