I don't know about yall, but somehow we have ended up with quite a few pieces of little crayons.
I'm sure some of them could be attributed to Abbey, but I'm pretty sure Miss Addie played a role in their destruction use too.
But I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away because I'd seen other people do this:
So we saved them. And saved them. And finally pulled all the paper off and broke them into tiny pieces and melted them in the oven.
To create these:
And Miss Addie-boo loves them!
I think it might be worth accidentally ruining my muffin pan for that!
Last week, ok really, the week before, Addie's mother's morning out had a spring program.
Over 60 children. Over 60 young 3 year old children. All on risers. On a stage.
No one ran off the stage. Only one or two cried. No one fell off the risers. And only one or two yell-sang instead of singing voice sang.
I'd say that's pretty impressive!
Ms. Deborah (Addie's teacher last year) offered to let the little girls stay with her in the baby room so Paul and I could watch the program. I took pictures and he took video, neither of which we'd have been able to do while holding a child. So thankful!
I told Addie beforehand that I would be taking pictures...but not of her. Just of her friends. All I can say is that it worked. And there was not a single picture I got that didn't have a friend in it either! So I was truthful. I just cropped them all out to post here. :)
As they walked up on stage and sat down, I could feel myself fighting back a few tears. She looked so big. Too big. So independent. I'd have it no other way. I am so proud of her. As time has gone by, we have loved every most new phases and stages, but there will always be that part of me that will miss those days gone by.
They said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang Red, White, and Blue (which you may remember from here).
Addie pretty much started out like this. Can we say deer in headlights?
They sang: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock, If You're Happy and You Know It, Eency Weency Spider, Jesus Loves Me, John 3:16, and the ABC's Song.
She actually sang and did the motions too!
But my favorite has to be Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee:
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.
Ouch! It stung me!
I'm squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Eew! It's yucky!
I'm wiping off my baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm wiping off my baby bumblebee.
Now my mommy won't be mad at me!
See her bumblebee in her hands?
And then they sang God Our Father, which is actually a blessing, for their last song. It was so sweet!
Afterwards, they had a party! Addie was clearly ready to get to the party, but I at least got one picture with her and Daddy! (she's holding up 3 fingers because she is 3 years old, just in case you missed that :)
We (Paul) did manage to get most of it on video. Unfortunately, it cut off right as they were starting the Bubblebee song! It's pretty long (almost 10 minutes), but I'm posting it for the grandparents and Nana (and of course whoever else wants to watch it ;)
This school year has marked a lot of milestones for our girl. Lots of growing up. Lots of transitions and change. Her teachers loved her through it all, and for that, we will be eternally grateful to them!
Next year, she'll be in real preschool! Slow down big girl, slow down!
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.
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 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!)
{Early} yesterday morning, we all piled in the car and headed to Atlanta for the day.
Everyone slept {some} on the way up and everyone slept {some} on the way back.
All in all, it wasn't a bad drive.
I got to see my {favorite} niece
(ok...so she's my only niece, but that doesn't mean she can't be my favorite! ;)
read All By [Her]self to Addie
But she {understandably} wasn't as keen on reading to the little girls.
We let our {four} girls play
(notice not a single little one is looking at the camera here. serious playing my friends. serious playing.)
But I was pretty excited to get to meet this handsome fella...
The newest addition to the Wamsteds:
John Rand Wamsted
born April 15th. 7lbs 12oz. 20 inches.
Sweet perfection!
I would not have a clue what to do with a little boy with all the pink we have around here!
But there was no doubt in my mind what to do with these perfect tiny feet!
As biased as I may be, I'm pretty sure he has the cutest nose, sweetest little lips, and softest skin of any present 2 week old I know! Perfection at it's finest!
I do miss {just a little} having a baby who can go from this:
to this:
in mere seconds even with all of this:
going on around him!
I know newborns have limited sight distance and clarity, but there is no doubt in my mind that this little guy knows exactly who daddy and mommy are and completely adores them!
And I do believe it's reciprocal! Don't you think?
Eli laid pretty low while we were there, but he stayed close to his newest family addition.
