Happy Birthday Emily!

My oldest baby is 8 years old today. I remember June 9, 2000 as if it were yesterday. After 24 hours of labor, Emily arrived via c-section. Jason and I had opted to not find out what we were having and I think I couldn't have waited one more day. I remember Jason saying through tears and a big smile, "It's a girl!" Little did I know on that day what an adventure awaited me in becoming a Mommy. Within the week, my world had turned pink and it's been pink ever since.

I am so proud of my Emily! She is funny, smart, affectionate, nurturing, curious...the list goes on. She is an awesome big sister to Ben and Abby, who adore her 100%. She is a friend to everyone she meets and is very loyal to her friendships. She loves to learn new things, questions everything and constantly amazes us with her conclusions. She loves animals, bugs, camping, drawing, flip-flops, Hannah Montana, Lip Smackers, piano, reading, sleepovers, writing, and everything pink!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

I love you and I'm so proud to be your Mom.

1 year old

18 months old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

8 years old

Family Party Time!

Emily's requested meal:

steak & mashed potatoes

Ben's card to Sissy

"Enchanted" birthday card

"Oh yeah" was the response for this...

Doggie picked out by Abby

(although Abby doesn't quite understand why it's not hers)

We've graduated from the Barbie 3-wheel scooter!

Lookin' good!

First lesson from Daddy

Daddy's girl

Mommy's girl, too!

Happy Birthday, Sissy!

I really think this doggie should be mine!

We love Sissy!

Silly Faces

And the perfect ending:

Birthday Pumpkin Pie

(Emily's request + Paula Dean's recipe = yummy!)

Hope you had a special birthday!

We love you!

That's my girl!

Emily's spring recital was today. She did a great job playing her piece. She said she was a little nervous, but I couldn't tell. Towards the end of the piece, if you listen closely, you will hear a moan from a reluctant audience member (BEN) who was ready to go home after two students had played.

Great job, Em!

Summer Fun Idea

Ingredients:

1 plastic storage bin

plastic cups (5/$.99 @ Target)

a few bath toys, measuring cups, funnels, etc.

Mix ingredients in the plastic storage bin. Fill halfway with water, set on a table outside and you have a water table for at last half an hour of kid fun! (Keep a towel nearby for those cuties who tend to be creative with where the water lands.)

Variation:

Fill halfway with sand instead of water.  Not quite as messy as a sandbox but can be just as fun!

Speechless...

Praise God! I don't even know what to say to explain to you the meaning behind this sign. If you haven't been following the Lawrenson's story, you MUST read it now: click here.

The Toothless Wonder

Emily lost 2 teeth this week for a total of 8 now!

She's very proud of herself...

2 + 4 = TROUBLE!

So, Jason and I were sitting in the living room the other night and after a few minutes we both looked at each other and said, "Where's Ben and Abby?  It sure is quiet." It was so obvious because we had actually exchanged a few sentences with each other without being interrupted. We called out to them and they were in the front room (we call the library because that's where we keep all our books). Abby chimes in with "It's snowing!"  As we came around the corner, here's what we saw...

I asked, "Where did the snow come from?"  

Abby said, "My hands!"

So, how about a lesson in vacuuming?

Moving on from snow, Abby then throughly enjoyed an Oreo...

All American Weekend

Close your eyes for a minute and picture yourself inside a Norman Rockwell village. Words like quaint and picturesque might come to mind as you envision an all-American village with a town center surrounded by neighborhoods adorning Victorian and Colonial homes. Now open your eyes and you are standing in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (www.chagrinfalls.net). This place is beyond adorable! This is not a town you find just anywhere. Chagrin Falls sits in a valley, so to speak, and gets its name from the falls in the center of the town.

Sitting at the top of the falls is the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop where we frequently visit for yummy popcorn and/or ice cream. If you come to visit us, this will be a stop on our tour for sure!

Over the Memorial Day weekend, we got to experience Blossom in Chagrin Falls, a tradition that brings thousands of people into the village. It's a family festival with carnival rides and games, fair foods, local bands and much more! One thing we have enjoyed in Ohio is the festivals and fairs. Blossom will now be on our list of things to do each Memorial Day weekend. The kids had a blast!

 

Thank goodness for the "kids always win" booths!

Hold on tight!

Sunday afternoon small town parade...

Fun for all!