Colin is 2!

i love taking a little snapshot of my kids on the eve of their birthdays.  usually, they are fresh from the bath, and we take a second as a family to think about what a great year it's been and how FAST the time has gone.  this time, the girls realized this is their ONLY brother, so this is the last time they will say goodnight to a 1 year old brother.  (have to admit, that got me a little teary).

 these girls love their baby brother so much, i think sometimes he feels like it's a little too much!

 here he is shouting"i'm one", i think it's going to take a while to teach him a new age!

 the next morning, he woke up a brand new 2 year old!  (notice the crossed two fingers, he can't really seperate them, and when he does he says, "west-side" instead of "two")  

 we had a fun time putting together our little family birthday party.  i took the girls to the dollar section of Target, and picked up a cake, keeping everything very low key.  unfortunately, the bakery had their big book of cakes open to the Superman section, and i found out how very into Superman our little guy really is!  they could not put anything Superman on the cake with such short notice, so we settled for the traditional "Happy Birthday Colin." (and I took the pic after i started cutting, doh!)

 the girls hit it out of the park in the gift-giving department.  Anna gave him this glowing bouncing ball:

 Avery chose a rad motorcycle:

 and Madeline filled in the Superman gear with some coloring pages (combining 2 of Colin's favorite things):

 this was one happy birthday boy!!!

Colin,

How are you already 2???  we have been so blessed to welcome a son into our family.  you are growing up so fast, and it doesn't help that you are in the 100 percentile for height.  you are ALWAYS happy, and the friendliest kid in town.  someone at church (i can't remember who) calls you the Mayor, because walking down the hall you say "Hi" to everyone, and usually remember everyone's name.  around town you are no different, but since you don't know the names you just shout out, "hi Friend!" to everyone you see.  even the most grizzly looking stranger gets a friendly "hi" from you, and if they don't respond, you are relentless until they do.  you always get a smile, even from the grizzly ones.  we are so excited to keep watching you grow!

we love you son.
love,
Mom and Dad

Madeline is a Ki!ndergarten Graduate

i'd like to take this opportunity to once again declare that we, the Earl family, LOVE our school!  our experiences thus far at Benjamin Franklin have been nothing short of phenomenal!  not the least of which are the wonderful programs our children have participated in.  Kindergarten graduation is a great time to see the progress and fun these kids have had during their first year of elementary school.  

Madeline's class recited the Preamble to the Constitution, sang a cute rendition of "New York, New York" with the lyrics 1st Grade, 1st Grade.  her teacher, Mrs. McGregor gushed about the children in a way that let you know she loved your child this year.  and to finish it off, each student was presented with a darling certificate with a photo in a cap and gown.  

 we were so happy to have Mrs. McGregor as Maddie's teacher this year, and such a small world that she used to be in the 6th ward as a child.  Mrs. Dawson was the aide in Anna's class last year, and what a treat that Maddie got to have her too.  we love our teachers!

 Anna was happy to come cheer on her sis, and make a quick visit to her classroom to say goodbye to Mrs. Casey and all her friends.  since she is still covered in a rash, this was as far as she went on the last day of school.  Avery and Colin we enthralled with the program, and can't wait to be just like their big sis!

 we snapped a few cute pics with Maddie and her friends.  

 i will miss our cute little carpool buddies!

Madeline,

We are so proud of you and the big girl you are.  You have grown and excelled all year, from the first month of kindergarten as Student of the Month, to your confident performance at Kindergarten graduation, you have shown us how much you love to learn!  Your teachers have nothing but the best to say about your sweet personality and work ethic.  Thank you for working so hard, and being such a great example to your siblings.

We love you so much,
Mom and Dad

Citizen of the Year!

last week we received an invitation to flag ceremony with the notice that Anna was receiving an award.  when Anna woke up feeling lousy, we convinced her to go to flag and see how she felt afterward, after all, she was receiving an award!  

Anna was awarded with the Citizenship award for her class, for the entire year!  we were so proud, especially since she also received this award in Kindergarten.  it is so nice to know that the sweet, obedient and helpful girl we see at home, is making the same impression at school.  

after the ceremony, it was clear she was still feeling crummy, so we took her home to rest.  she spent the ENTIRE last week of school in bed with a terrible virus, including an icky and itchy rash!  she was so sad to miss all the fun of the last week of school.  but i was happy she at least got this moment. 

Anna,

Dad and I are so proud of you and all you do to try your best at home and at school.  you are a darling daughter, and a great example for your younger brother and sisters.  thank you for all that you do to make our lives so happy.

we love you so much,
Mom

Anna's 8th birthday party - 2 months early!

Anna's actual birthday is in July, but ever since last year, she has wanted to throw her party on the last day of school, so all her classmates would be there.  so, all year long, I figured her party would be at the end of May.  when May arrived, she started telling all her friends that she was going to have a last day of school birthday party, and the reports started rolling in of Memorial Day getaways and friends who wouldn't be in town.  (just like her actual birthday).  so, we set out choosing a new weekend for her party.  as we went backward through the month, we realized that YIKES, her birthday would have to be now!  and that's how Anna had a birthday party 2 months early!

she had her heart set on a pool party, and the heat was on so it was perfect!  we set up a little photo booth and took some test shots before guests arrived.  

 once the friends started rolling in, the photos and swimming were in full swing!

 Anna had fun with friends and cousins!

 love these girls, they are such great playmates!

 it was a really windy day, so i wasn't able to capture all the fun elements we had on the table, but here's a sampling of the fun colors.  these printables were so much fun, and added so much to a simple swim party. 

 i saw these cake pops on Pinterest, and just HAD to try them.  i have to say, they were pretty time consuming, and probably not the best to make for your first time, but i loved the way they turned out and they really were special.  Anna loved them, and actually helped make them, so i guess i'd probably do it again.  

i just love these shots of Jason trying to light the candle on this very windy day.  Anna looks quite concerned.  

 ...and then, she blows it right out.  

 Anna was simply spoiled by her sweet friends.  

 but one gift in particular had her very happy, and Dad very concerned.  an adorable boy gave her a heart necklace.  Anna is smitten....with the necklace of course. 

Anna sent the party-goers home with a pack of gumballs.  

 we are so happy Anna has so many nice friends that she really wanted a party to include them all!  happy early birthday Anna!!!