Aubrey's party at Vine Gogh!

Aubrey celebrated her birthday with a private painting party at Vine Gogh, which turned out to be a BLAST!  Yummy goodies, creativity, and gifts always equal a good time!

Aubrey got to choose the painting that the art teacher taught them, and since she's recently developed a fondness for hedgehogs... a hedgehog painting it was!  She even had a special guest stop by....she invited her beloved first grade teacher, Mrs. Cox, who graciously joined us for a bit.

It was fun to see the girls' completed projects, and everyone got to take their paintings home to hang!  So fun!  Happy 7th birthday, Aubrey!

 

 

 

Happy 7th Birthday, Aubrey!

My dear sweet Bug/Bean/Aubey/Bob,

No matter what nickname or term of endearment we choose on a whim, they all refer to you...the baby who completed our family SEVEN years ago!  How can that be????  How can my baby be seven?!

I guess I can see it....  I mean, you are tall enough to hang your own clothes in your closet now.  You make your own breakfast most mornings, and can swim a length of the pool, in the "deep end."  You have opinions about fashion, hair, friendships, and chapter books.  But it's not until I see you interact with your younger cousins, however, that it really becomes obvious to me.  You are a tall, lanky, smart, bossy, loving, giggly, generous BIG KID!

There are so many things that I love about you now that you aren't a baby anymore.  I love that you enjoy taking walks with me, where we chat about school, your friends, and the things you want to do when you are older.

I love that you have already become a better swimmer than I ever was or ever will be.  I love that you are old enough to try playing softball this year, so that we can find out if your daddy's love of  "the game" lives on in you.

I love that your drawings have their own individual, recognizable style, and that you don't mind joining me on trips to the store, where you wander the aisles and notice all sorts of things that I never would on my own.  I love that your giggle has the power to bring about smiles on the faces of everyone it reaches.

I love that you swing on the monkey bars at school until you get blisters on your hands, and that you question things that have "just always been that way."  I love that you think about others before yourself, and how it must feel to be them.  I love that you have so much empathy in fact, that you cry during sad movies, as well as when your own friends are hurting.  I love that you move through life at your own sweet pace.

There are so many things I love about you, that there isn't room for them all here.  And I know that each year you grow older, there are more and more things that I grow to love about you too.  I can't wait to learn what's in store now that you are SEVEN, and have even more power to learn, read, dance, wiggle, swing, cry, and laugh.

I love you, sweet girl, and I always will.
Happy birthday!
Love,
Mom & Daddy

Happy 10th Birthday, Camryn!

Dear Camryn,

You have officially done it!  You have reached the DOUBLE DIGITS!  It doesn't seem possible, but it has truly been ten years since you came into this world.

I remember the days leading up to your arrival as if they were yesterday.  I had spent 3 long months on bed rest, feet propped up, with fingers crossed that you wouldn't arrive too early.  When the doctor finally gave me the OK to get up, she assumed you'd make your entrance within hours.  Instead, you once again took control of the situation, and waited a full 16 days to grace us with your presence.  I knew then, that I'd have a mighty headstrong girl on my hands, and boy was I right!

On Monday, February 14th, your daddy and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Nonna Emilia's Italian restaurant, the same place we hosted a dinner for friends and family just days before our wedding.  That would be our last evening out, "just the two of us."  The next night, I ate spicy chicken fajitas for dinner, and went to bed around ten o'clock.  About eleven p.m., you decided it was time, and at 4:18 p.m. the next day, we finally saw your little face.  From that very moment on, our lives have been changed, in the best way possible.  And now, ten years later, I can't even imagine my life without you in it.

So in honor of this special day, I would like to count down the TOP TEN things I love about you...my sweet, headstrong, creative, boisterous TEN year old!

#10- You love to sing.  In the car, in the shower, and especially as you dance around the house.  Music is a big part of who you are.

#9- You love to dance.  No matter the style, the music, or the time of day, you are most happy when you are able to dance along.

#8- You have been making great strides in school.  You have always been a good student, but your teacher specifically commented recently on your perseverance, positive attitude, and great gains, in Math especially.  When you put your mind to something, there is no stopping you.

#7- You are learning to cook.  You enjoy experimenting with food, and making meals for others to enjoy.  You take great pride in making great food for our family, and I am in awe that you are ready to do such a "grown up" thing.

#6- You are an amazing artist.  Doodles, scribbles, portraits, decorations, paintings, and creations grace every room in our home.  You naturally want to create, which is fun to watch and participate in with you.  Someday, when I am very old, I will have quite the treasure box of artwork to go back and sift through!

#5- You love to read.  We have known this for quite sometime, but I love seeing you excited about longer, more complex novels.  The best is when you get into a series, and voraciously read through each and every book.  If ever you're having a bad day, a few minutes with your favorite book can soothe you like nothing else can.

#4-You have a beautiful smile.  You are a beautiful girl, inside and out, but your big toothy smile is the absolute best. When you are truly, truly, happy, your entire face lights up and smiles, from your pink cheeks, to your big brown eyes.  Your smile is a look of true joy.

#3- You are a good friend.  You have your core besties, and you always will, but you have been branching out lately too...reaching out to other girls who want and need your friendship, and I admire that.  You have always chosen good friends, which is not always easy to do.  This is a gift.

#2- You are brave.  You have had to do some things this year that you didn't want to do.  Things that were scary.  Things that hurt.  Having surgery on your arm was a really. big. deal.  You were afraid, and to tell you the truth, I was too.  But despite your fear and trepidation, you soldiered on.  We recognize this and are so, so, proud of your courage.

#1- You are ours.  Ten years later, I can remember those days leading up to your arrival, but even more, I remember how much your daddy and I wanted you.  Our family was not complete without you, and your arrival filled a big hole in our hearts.  We couldn't be more proud, or love you more than we do today.

Happy birthday, sweet girl.  A decade looks good on you.
Love and hugs,
Mom and Daddy

Red Carpet Party