American Girl Birthday Celebration!

In lieu of a party this year, Aubrey opted instead for a trip to Seattle to visit the American Girl doll store.  We decided to make a weekend of it, and headed up Saturday morning.  On our way up, we made a lunch stop at (where else?) Red Robin.  Aubs was super excited by her birthday sundae.  :)

Upon our arrival in Seattle, we headed straight to the Space Needle.  Aubrey has been intrigued by it for awhile now, and was thrilled to take the ride to the top.  Although a little anti-climactic for the 8 and under crowd, we did manage to get some photos at the top, and take in the amazing views of the city.  We also explored Seattle Center a bit, and spent some time running around the labyrinth outside the EMP museum.  :)

After checking into our hotel, and freshening up, we headed up to Lynnwood to the American Girl store.  I must say, the place was rather impressive.  There was absolutely everything you could ever desire for your doll.  And I mean EVERYTHING (doll eyeglasses, underwear, or crutches, anyone???)

The girls shopped and looked, and spent all of their birthday cash without any problem.  :)  Aubrey came home with three full outfits, a pet,  and historically accurate pajamas for Kit, while Camryn opted for two outfits, several accessories, and a doll storage and carrying case, as well as a trip for Caroline to the doll hair salon.  :)

After we completed our shopping, we had a light dinner at the American Girl Bistro, where Kit and Caroline were treated as guests with their own seats and treats as well.  :)

We finally headed back downtown, and ended up at one more restaurant for some yummy desserts.  Aubrey chose a strawberry milkshake for her birthday treat.  :)  Stuffed and happy, we headed back to our hotel, and everyone crashed.

In the morning, after a tasty breakfast, we hit the road for home, one more birthday adventure richer.  Happy 5th Birthday, Aubrey, our OWN sweet American Girl!  :)

Aubrey's Birthday

Being as it was school day, our celebrating happened intermittently, but that didn't stop Aubrey from having a BLAST!

We got some "Happy Birthday" photos before leaving for school...

Aubrey brought special donuts to share with her friends at school.  Apparently, they were a hit.  :)

Her requested birthday dinner?  Breakfast!  (Again!)  Mom's special whipped cream and strawberry waffles it is!

Then, it was time for gifts...

 "Squeeeeeeeeeal!"  It was the American Girl doll, Kit!

Happy Birthday, sweet Aubrey girl!!!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Aubrey!

Dear Aubrey,

My little bean.  How you have grown this past year.  And now you are 5.  Five!  Five is a magical number.  A turning point, if you will.  A fork in the road. 

In only a few months, you will begin a journey that will change the course of your life.  All because you are five.  Truth be told, the thought of this new adventure thrills you.  Your sister has regaled you with tales of elementary school for years, and now it is nearly within your grasp.  You show absolutely no signs of hesitation towards this major change in your life.  Only ecstatic, thrilling, excitement.

And I believe that you will be ready.  You are now the oldest one (though not the biggest!) in your preschool.  You know all of your letters, both upper case, and lower case.  You know all of your numbers 1-10 (and beyond!), and can write all of these things as well.  You can sound out simple words, write your first and last name, and make elaborate drawings.  I absolutely know for certain that you are going to love and thrive in kindergarten.  You are ready.

You have become a "big girl" in lots of other ways this year too.  You played soccer, though you didn't love the physical competition and confrontation.  You took an Acro class with kids three times your age, did well, gained physical strength, and loved it.  You helped care for your cousin when she stayed with us, running for items and helping change diapers.  :)  You went on an airplane (twice!), went to Bend, went to Disneyland, and went snow tubing.  You went hiking, swimming, and camping.  You did all kinds of things that only big kids get to do. 

And you grew.  You grew and grew, and finally pushed past the 30 pound mark!  In just the past few months, you have gained four pounds (a big deal for someone who hovered at the same weight for more than a year!), and sprouted a few inches.

In so many ways, you are truly becoming a big girl.  And now you are five.  And you can add that to your list of amazing things you did this year.  You turned five.

Happy birthday, my sweet bug.  We love you so much,
Love,
Mommy and Daddy 

Camryn's Pancakes & PJs Pajama Jam!

Saturday was the day!!!  It was time for Camryn's "Pancakes and Pajamas" birthday party.  (Think:  PJ party/sleepover without the sleeping over!)  A gaggle of her girlfriends were invited to come over for the evening (in their PJ's, of course!), and enjoy games, crafts, movies, and pancakes for dinner.  :)

As the girls arrived, they played Disney Dance Party on the Wii.  (I'm not sure if this was more entertaining for them, or us!)

After pancakes, it was time for some games!  They enjoyed their "Minute to Win It" cup stacking, and "Wiggle Bottom" games.  :)

Then it was time for crafting...  What better take-home from a PJ party, than a pillow you make yourself???

Of course, we had to make candy necklaces too, for munching on during our movie!

 

Finally, it was time for cake and presents!

 

The girls finished off the night with a movie and popcorn.  The best part, though?  When it was time for the guests to go, we were already  ready for bed!  Happy Birthday Camryn!!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Camryn!

Dear Camryn,
(Sigh.)  You are 8.  And that makes me...well...OLD.

At least I feel like it, anyway.  Lately, I find myself looking back at your early years, and wondering, "How did they get so far away from me?"  and "Where did the time go?"

I guess I'm getting all sentimental and sappy, because even though I remember those baby and toddler days like they were yesterday, YOU my dear, are fighting to be free of them.  And what a fight it's been!  For the most part, you are uninterested lately in anything that might seem "babyish."  This includes some of your (formerly) favorite cartoons, books, and games, and (unfortunately) sometimes even your little sister. 

Instead, you prefer to engage in chapter books, screen time, whispers with your girl friends, and plenty of eye rolling.  Most days, you are certain that your father and I are the epitome of unreasonable, and that our sole purpose in life is to make you miserable as you fight mightily for your independence. 

But then, there are moments.  Moments when you snuggle up next to me, and beg for me to hold you, even though you don't really fit on my lap anymore.  Moments when you beg for a little "Mommy and Camryn time," (sans sister), or when you ask to be read one of your tattered old picture books, instead of Little House on the Prairie or Harry Potter.

It's then that I realize you are engaged in a battle.  Not with me, but with yourself.  You are trapped between "little kid" and "big kid," when sometimes what you really need is to be a bit of each.  You are struggling to find your niche, vacillating back and forth between the two.  I try my hardest to remember this, but it is difficult sometimes, because as you fight this internal battle, you lash out at everyone else.  You are up and down, crying, then laughing, loving, then hating all of us, all at the same time. 

I keep telling myself (as I did when you were two, and struggling with a different kind of "difficult" phase), that someday, (someday!) this fight that you have inside you;  this persistence, tenacity, sheer strength and stamina will get you somewhere.  Probably somewhere great, somewhere far, and somewhere I can't even imagine right now.

In the meantime, you are doing a phenomenal job of channeling it into the things you are positive you do love.  You still love to read.  You love to do art, be crafty, and create.  You love to dance.  You love to be with your friends.  Especially Gracie and Emma.  Though you have many others, those two hold a special place in your heart.  You love your baby cousin, and are ecstatically awaiting the arrival of the next.  You simply love.  A lot.

And eventually, you will realize how much we love you too.  That your dad and I aren't really fighting you at all.  That by steering, guiding, and sometimes getting in your way, we are really cheering for you.  We are screaming and yelling, and jumping up and down on the sidelines like crazy people.  And I guess that's where the time went...  Simply put, it went to you.

We love you, Baby Girl.  Happy 8th Birthday.
Love, Mommy and Daddy

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2013

As per tradition, the mid-February madness that started with Valentine's Day, continued with the Deer Creek Daddy/Daughter Dance the very next night.  Camryn was so excited, she couldn't stop jumping for joy all afternoon.  Literally.

Before they left, I managed to get a few pics of C and her daddy, as well as her showing off her corsage.  She felt like such a big girl.  :)

 Of course the Daddy/Daughter dance for C and B, meant a Mommy/Daughter date night for Aubs and I.  She chose Thai food and a movie at home in our jammies.   I *heart* her. 

 Camryn and Brian planned a pre-dance double dinner date with Emma and Dan.  Two perfect pairs!