Four Little Princesses

Ella and Lillian are always good about sharing resources to get something they want.  They often pool their allowance or birthday money to get a bigger/better toy they can share, which I think is pretty resourceful of them.  This year they carried it a step farther and decided on a combined birthday celebration at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique inside Downtown Disney.  We agreed that they could each take one friend and then stepped it up a notch by adding a character brunch beforehand at the Grand Floridian.  We got to see the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland, Marry Poppins, Pooh and Tigger.  The food spread was AMAZING (I absolutely love breakfast out) and the kids had their own section of the buffet to choose from.  I made the girls goody bags with combs; mirrors; princess stickers, wands, crayons and a coloring book; an autograph notebook and silly pom-pom pen.  The coloring books definitely came in handy when my better half was getting his money's worth at the buffet :)  I think the girls were done eating before we even sat back down at the table with our first serving of food! 

We arrived a couple of hours early at Downtown Disney so we got to walk around and window shop.  The girls were very patient while we waited for our appointment time.  The boutique was over the top, like all Disney-related things are.  It was quite an experience for our girls!  I was so star-struck by it all that I almost forgot how expensive it was (even though we did the cheap package). The neatest part of it all is that the girls can't see anything that is happening while they are getting made over, and after everything is done their "Fairy Godmother in Training" spins them around with their eyes closed facing towards the mirror and then does a big reveal for the girls to see themselves.  Their little faces lit up when they got to see what they looked like, and seeing their smiles made it worth every penny.  

 Trying to decide (with Scott's help) which of the three makeover styles they wanted

 Ella the Fairytale Princess

 Lillian is our Pop Star Princess

Kenrda also chose the Fairytale Princess, while Janiya picked the Disney Diva.  So fun that each girl picked the one that most fits their personality!

Celebrating A Very Special 7 Year-Old

Ella woke up on her birthday to the wonderful news that she got a new baby cousin for her birthday!  Scott's younger brother and his wife had their 6th baby (but 1st girl) in the wee hours of the morning that day.  I can't think of a more special way to celebrate a birthday and she was giddy with excitement over it!  She got to spend the morning with Scott.  His plan was to take her to breakfast somewhere, but everything was closed since it was Thanksgiving Day so I think they may have ended up at McDonald's.  After that they went to Grandaddy's house to keep him company while he smoked and fried quite possibly the best turkey he has ever made.  We spent the rest of the day Thursday doing TG stuff, and had cake for her the next afternoon.  More pics to come on the real celebration :)

 Lillian made this card for her sister.  She insisted that Ella stay away from the table while she did it and then she put it in a gift bag with tissue paper for Ella to open.

 Our "Happy Birthday" glass that I scored at Dollar Tree - she picked sweet tea to drink!

Silly Uncle Austin and some adult humor :)  Good thing only some of our kids can read.

Celebrating Our First Little Girl (Posted by Scott)

So, I didn't do the whole daily thankful bit, but I will today. On this very special Thanksgiving, I am so very thankful to God for sending this sweet, special gift into our lives 7 years ago today. Ella Grace, my first daughter, you bring so much joy into my life. You are the best snuggler on the whole planet. Happy birthday, and I love you!

Love, Daddy

Happy 5th Birthday, Lillian!

Five years ago today we brought our precious, petite little Lily Bug into the world.  I find myself forgetting that she really is that old already.  Sweet Lillian, how is it possible that five years have passed since the day we met you for the very first time?  I would give anything to go back and hold you as an itty bitty baby again, smell your sweet baby smell and listen to you grunt and coo those precious baby sounds you made... Even if it meant re-living my labor with you that came on so quickly I didn't have time for an epidural!  If only we had known how fast the time would fly...

You were such a quiet and easygoing baby, just like your sister.  I remember toting you around in your moses basket and always laying you across my lap on your belly.  You were so little that you loved to do that even when you got to be a much older baby.  Now you are growing into a sweet and sassy big girl - you love to laugh and be silly and your smile is so infectious!  Your whole face lights up and everyone around you can't help but break into a grin right along with you.  You are so full of spunk and personality, so expressive and dramatic when you talk and tell stories.  Sometimes you talk like you are 15, not 5!  You are very bright and love to do any kind of school work, whether in your VPK class or at home with Mommy.  I think you would have been more than ready for Kindergarten this year, but I am so thankful that the way your birthday falls means I get to have you another year, since you have made quite clear to us your desire not to be homeschooled! :)  Happy Birthday sweet girl, we love you so much!

Birthday Thanks

Noah's 1st Birthday Brunch Bash

Saturday was certainly a day of celebration!  Knowing that a 1st birthday party is more for the adults than the 1 year-old, I wanted to do something inexpensive food-wise so we could invite more people.  I decided that brunch would be the way to go, and planned a 10 AM party.  I made as much as I could ahead of time and had a ton of help from my mom with food.  Scott and my mom gave me a hard time for going overboard but I do love planning a party!  And we have always done something big for their 1st.

 Kids' activity table (we moved it inside because it looked like it would rain)

 Small notecards for guests to write a keepsake message to Noah

 I only had cake for Noah, everyone else got coffee cake cupcakes (some were minis)!

The spread...  sausage balls, donut holes, rainbow fruit skewers, mushroom bread pudding, egg cups (low-carb for Scott), and homemade mini-cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing.

 Orange juice, pink grapefruit juice, water with lemon and coffee frappe'

 Coffee bar complete with coffee ice cubes for iced coffee

 Grits and fixin's station - this was very popular! :)  shrimp, butter, bacon, sausage, cheese, onions and tomato gravy (this was all prepared by my mom who was kind enough to entertain my lofty idea)

My friend Nicki helped me do a series of photos - one from each month of his first year.  We hung them with clothespins on white twine.

 Praise God the sun came out - I think we had around 50 people here and our house isn't that big!

 Noah woke up from his morning nap shortly after the guests started arriving!

  Cake-smashing time!

 Cleaning up in the bathroom afterward

 Our little presents helper!

We had a great time with friends and family celebrating our sweet Noah.  We love you so much, baby boy -  Happy 1st Birthday!