Birthdays. Rapunzel. & Fairytales.

i get to share my birthday week with the best birthday present i've ever received! and this year, it was also fairytale day at school! addie had been talking about it for at least two weeks, so i knew it was something that meant a lot to her! when she asked to be rapunzel, i went on a mad amazon search for a dress and hair. i wasn't too broken up about getting the dress because winston that cat had just ruined one of the few dress up outfits that fit her!

 she donned her purple dress, and we braided her hair; and hardly anyone recognized her!

she was beside herself thrilled that fairytale day coincided with her birthday chapel at school! if you haven't seen chapel at the girl's school, you're missing out: 200+ three, four, and five year olds praising our amazing God! dancing. clapping. singing. and maybe a little shouting!

anne perry seemed a little overwhelmed, but Audry Kate stood in a chair and sang i have a little heart right along with the big kids! i can't wait to see them on the front rows next year as big girl 3 year olds! and then the birthday (real and half) kiddos climbed up on stage and got to introduce themselves, tell how old they were and who was there to see them and then say something! she was absolutely precious swinging around in her dress! (forgive the crazy shaky crookedness you're about to see. i was taking pictures with my right hand and videoing/balancing my big camera with my left hand.) and just like that...she was somehow more grown up that when she walked up on that stage!

once chapel was over, her little sisters and i met her in her classroom with balloons and cupcakes.

she decided to stay instead of check out, which made this mama even happier because i knew it meant she loves being where she is!

happy birthday day at school sweet addie! 

Addie's Birthday Day

This kid had one serious string of birthday celebrations: her birthday chapel, birthday tea party with family, her science birthday party with friends, and her actual birthday day complete with a birthday post and slideshow! By that Monday, we were all wiped! And then a week later we delivered her birthday dog/cat food! I think that's over 2 weeks of birthday fun!

On her actual birthday, she got to bring snack and share bag at school. Her picture was in the birthday frame when we got there that morning, and she was the helper for the day.

She brought her UV beads (notice them around her neck!) and safety glasses from her party and cupcakes and birthday hats for everyone.

Her teacher even let her baby sisters join her!

Everyone sang Happy Birthday...

and she got to blow out her candle!

She even looked straight at me so I could get a picture (who is this kid telling me something would be a great picture and asking me to take pictures of her?)

After snack, we checked her out and went to eat lunch at Chappy's, somewhat of a birthday tradition!

Addie got to pick what we had for dinner that night: daddy's pizza!

And we had cupcakes from Liger's

I'm pretty sure this 4 year old had a fun birthday 2+ weeks! We sure loved celebrating her!

Addie's Gifts

There is no denying that I love animals. We've naturally paired down our four legged friends from the 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 rabbits, and uncountable number of gerbils we once had to a mere 1 dog and 2 cats. Then again, we've added 3 two legged children to that mix in the process!

But our love of animals has already been passed onto our girls. They each have a slight obsession with pets and wild animals alike. A few months ago, we visited the Elmore County Humane Shelter to drop off some food after they'd shared a need for on the news. They let the girls pet a few kittens, and I avoided eye contact with any an all 4 legged creatures, lest we come home with one! But it made a tremendous impact on Addie. She knew we went to a shelter to get Finn, that he didn't have a home until we adopted him, and that there were many, many other animals needing homes. She doesn't know the rest of the story, and I don't plan on telling her that anytime soon; but we are committed to teaching about why we spay and neuter our animals, because that's the only way we can save so many of these already in the shelters!

So when we created Addie's birthday party invitation, she agreed to let me include this on the back:

I'll admit, she kinda got cold feet after I'd mailed them; but when I assured her that she could hold a kitten when we delivered the food, it was all better!

I wasn't entirely sure how Addie's friends would react to it though, if people would just not bring a gift or bring dog/cat food; and the response was utterly overwhelming:

After a Walmart run, we had (approximately) 3 ginormous, 6 huge, 6 medium, 7 small, and 8 tiny bags of cat & dog food, 8 cans, 2 bags of treats, 5 jugs of clorox, and 3 very happy little girls!

 It took quite a while to load the car, but I had the best help around!

We were so happy to have DiDi, Tyler, Ellie, Bri, Ms. Anna, Thomas, and Kennedy meet us at the shelter to deliver everything, which filled up half of the lobby area!

Of course my girls went straight for the kittens!

And Ms. Rea let Addie hold a special sweet one.

Look at that precious face!

We walked around a gave the dogs and kitties in the back a little love until my heart could take it no more. So many puppies. So many sad eyes. So many animals needing homes!

Since the little girl's birthday party theme is going to be kitties and puppies, we're planning to ask people to bring canned cat and dog food. Ms. Rea said they start to have so many entire litters of kittens and puppies show up, only days or weeks old; and they need soft food for those babies!

Happy girls!

Addie's Birthday Chapel

I'm about to play some serious catch up.

Over the past 2 weeks, we've had Addie's birthday chapel, prepared for her birthday party, traveled to Augusta and attended a wedding and had a tea party birthday there, driven home and made final preparations for Addie's party, and had her party. Then I drove to Atlanta late Monday night, and my aunt and I flew to NYC Tuesday morning, where we saw Wicked and I'm certain we trekked up and down at least 50 flights of subway stairs, and came home Wednesday night.

My picture count: 975. That's a lot of editing/deleting/saving/posting!

I'm wiped out...and a wonderfully blessed exhausted mess!

But since we really didn't get to celebrate my birthday in the midst of all of this, Paul is taking me to Birmingham tomorrow for the night to eat a yummy birthday dinner, see a movie, and sleep in late! I.am.so.excited!

So back to the purpose of this post! Since we traveled to Augusta on her birthday weekend, we did Addie's birthday chapel at school the Friday before. This is a special time where the birthday kiddos get to come up on stage and everyone sings happy birthday to them!

They always start chapel with lots of singing and dancing! i love this one where addie realized i was taking a picture of her!

Addie was a tad nervous to say the least! I wasn't exactly sure she was going to make it up there when i dropped her off that morning. BUT, after several reminders that when she is afraid, she must trust in God and that God is always with us and that ms gail would be up there with her too, i hoped everything would be ok.

And as you can tell, she.ate.it.up!

She got to say her name...

...and tell how old she was/would be!

but the sweetest moment was when ms. gail asked her what special person was there. and after she said mommy, ms. gail asked her if she wanted to say anything to mommy. and without hesitation, she said, i love you!

...and i near about melted!

happy birthday chapel to our sweet big 4 year old! we love you too!

here's the video from the morning. i edited it to just show her part (and not show me filming the ceiling!), but i had to leave in a few other places so you could see her waving at everyone she knew! Please excuse the shaky craziness and loud camera clicks. i'm not use to taking pictures and videoing at the same time! ;0)

needless to say...more to come!

Our Big Girl

I always get a little sentimental around our girl's birthdays. maybe that's why i love planning their parties...it keeps me super busy!

Today, our Addie Marie turns 4. There's always something about each birthday: it seems like such a huge jump, like she's growing up before our very eyes...because really, she is.

She's turned into the most wonderful helper. She loves her sisters and has resorted to telling them that she loves them so much, even when they aren't nice to her because God loves us that way. She loves to be the first in their room to greet them in the morning and get them a kashi bar as soon as they're out of bed. Her caring heart has come out in so many precious ways.

She loves gymnastics, and her new nickname is "addie marie flipadoodle wamsted".  There is absolutely no piece of furniture in our house that hasn't been flipped onto or jumped off of! She started ballet this year and loves to twirl and twist and skip. She loves to read, and animals or science continue to be her favorite topics. And she is reading! She's got word families and a few sight words down and has moved onto full fledged sounding out words! We end each day right now with a puzzle. She's not afraid to get dirty and would stay outside for hours at a time. She loves science. In fact, her birthday party was a science party. We erupted her volcano and mixed colors; made snow and exploded things. 

Her imaginary friends: Tutu, Allison, Mickens and Mr Fitts accompany many of our adventures. She reads to them and plays with them, always making sure to instruct them in what they should do. They even run races. Mr. Fitts has yet to win. Her imagination is wilder than I sure every imagined it would be, chasing alligators or giants or jaguars. She looks for clues and solves mysteries and loves to go to the grocery store for us...in her crazy coop that she can hardly fit in anymore!

And let me tell you, this kid loves to talk. Her vocabulary shocks us on a daily basis with words like fascinating and cumulonimbus. She can talk about at least 5 different topics without taking a breath. She notices the birds in the sky and the machines on the side of the road. She tells us about school and her friends. She.loves.life!

But one of my favorite things about our Addie is when she looks up at me and says: I love you so much Mommy!

Addieboo, we love you so much too precious girl. You are an amazing daughter and a sweet big sister! God blessed our family immensely when He gave you to us! 

Happy Birthday Addieboo! 

Click here to see a slideshow of our big girl!

Our Addieboo

P-A-R-T-Y

Today was the twins' 1st birthday P-A-R-T-Y!

They were surrounded by grandparents, family, and friends.

And a sweet photographer friend who took ALL the pictures.

That's right people. I didn't even pick up my camera.

I enjoyed the day. Enjoyed the girls. Enjoyed the friends and fellowship.

And enjoyed being actively engaged and involved in the whole party instead of attempting to capture all the memories.

p.e.r.f.e.c.t.

So I have not a single picture of the day for you right now. But when I do, have no fear, there will be a huge post!

There were smash cakes and party hats, a birthday cake, cookies, banners, birthday dresses, monthly progression pictures, balloons, lunch, and lots of fun.

But what I loved the most about the day were the people that surrounded our girls and our family.

So many of the people who have supported us and loved us over the past year and a half.

Through surgeries. Through births. Through transitions. Through renovations. Through life.

Our baby girls are one.

And we could not have asked for a more beautiful day!

Today:

Anne Perry has decided she wants nothing to do with nursing. Tomorrow she starts whole milk.

She also pushed up on me today and stood for a good 10 seconds holding onto nothing.

Audrey Kate is a little talker! She loves to have conversations with you now. Back and forth.

But my favorite is when I sing Old McDonald had a farm...and sometimes (sometimes) she will bust out with ee-ie-ee-ie-ooooh. Her new favorite sign is please, as she sweetly rubs her finger on her chest for the sign!

Such tremendous joy!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing.
Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down, and the seas will roar,
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love you,
Forever I'll stand.
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In You.

Happy 1st Birthday Day!

The little girls turned ONE on May 4th.

Unbelievable.

I've been working on their birthday party and 2nd shot a wedding with Allison most of the day yesterday, so I haven't had time to post some birthday day of pictures!

With a 3 year old in the house, we certainly weren't not going to celebrate the day of!

The little girls hadn't had much any sugar in this volume before...ever!

A taste of ice cream a few weeks ago. A pinch of something I was eating.

But nothing like an entire cupcake...

One was excited...

while the other studied things intently.

All before digging in.

Watching them eat a cupcake was just a demonstration of how very different our twin girls are!

Can you see the difference?

Simply amazing!

I'm pretty sure the end result was the same though!

I loved watching things start like this:

and end like this.

And then everyone got a bath!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girls!

I absolutely cannot believe it's been a year since these little girls were born.

They are each so different.

And yet so similar.

Two tremendous blessings!

Happy Birthday Anne Perry and Audrey Kate! We love you! 

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

Psalm 116:5
How Great Is Our God!

(ps: 12 month pictures and a longer post to come...after their party...when i finish their 10 month...and 11 month post...and Addie's 3 year old post!)

Let's Party!

Who knew how much fun (and work) it would be to pull off birthday parties for our girls.

Invitations. Planning. Cakes. Decorating.

But I think this year tops the list

...in fun.

and in work!

I should have known the first birthday party would have to be rescheduled when the first cake started like this:

Thankfully having to reschedule because Addie was sick gave us a little more time to create this:

and put the finishing touches on all these Sweets...

And after all those sweets, we had to make sure we didn't cause any cavities.

My favorite part used to be the cake. Now I think it stresses me out! But after my friend Anna told me about gum paste, life cake decorating became so much easier! Thank goodness for googling cake ideas!

Addie's appliquéd outfit, made by Rie Rie with fabric that Gramma helped choose, turned out pretty cute if I'm allowed to say. And after threatening bribing her with time on her playground, I actually got some pictures!

But I think this has to be one of my favorites!

The party was more than I could have ever imagined! The rain held off so we spent most of the time outside.

Daddy grilled 300 56 hot dogs.

And so many sweet friends and family came, all the way from Atlanta and Augusta!

 

(I would have never made it without my aunt, Nana! She called me Thursday and asked to come help! Thank you Nana for all you did!)

And even sweet Kennedy (Thomas' baby sister) came in her sweet lollipop dress! Can we say adorable?!?!?

But after everyone ate, it was time for cake. And for a little girl who sings Happy Birthday all.the.time. to everyone else, it was pure bliss to hear everyone sing Happy Birthday to her! And it was that moment that caught me off guard, as everyone begin to sing. Friends. Family. Moms and Dads. Children. I didn't know Happy Birthday could be so beautiful until it was sung by people who truly love my little girl and our family! Blessed. So very blessed!

I loved watching her face and smile! And finally it was time to really blow out the candles!

The pull pinata was a huge hit! Since we had so much candy inside waiting for the kids to make goodie bags with, there were small toys: rings, necklaces, bubbles, bouncy balls, etc in the pinata.

Oh. And a handful of suckers. You think the birthday girl was excited here! (thank you Erin for taking these pictures!)

As I look back on this day and the days (or weeks) preceding it, I am reminded at what amazing, precious friends and family we have! I had family helping me finish painting the kitchen. More family here the day before and day of tirelessly working to get things straight and ready. I had friends who helped me bake cakes, make chocolate covered goodies, had Addie over to play for the morning, even one who brought a yummy mexican dip to the party, and two in specific that were fervently praying for things to go smoothly. And then there's my husband who kneaded color into gum paste and stayed up late with me to finish the cake in addition to everything else he did!

Amazing. Precious. Selfless. Wonderful.  

Thankful. Blessed. 

Happy Birthday our Big Girl! We love you 

and so do many, many others!