happy, happy birthday Anna dear! - 8 is Great!

birthdays are special.  so we like to give each child a chance to plan their special day.  since we already partied it up with friends back in May.  Anna chose a to spend her day taking a break from swim team, eating german pancakes for breakfast, lunch with Grandma Colleen, and french toast for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Beardsley at home.  

she wished for a baby sister born on her birthday, and contractions were making it seem like she might get her wish.  but alas, she had to settle for a mani-pedi from Aunt Tara, loads of spoiling from the grandparents, and some sweet treats from sisters and brother.

Dear Anna,

you are just as sweet as pie.  dad and i could not have dreamed up a more perfect first born.  you are eager to learn at home, school, sports and church.  you love to know the rules so you can be sure to follow them.  you love your siblings with your whole heart, and show it through kindness and sharing. when conflicts do arise, i can count on you to try and be a peacemaker.  we are so proud of the decisions that you make and look forward to sharing your special decision to be baptized.  it seems like just yesterday you were a babe in my arms, and though sometimes a yearn to hold you like that again, i am so excited to continue watching you grow into a beautiful and sweet young lady.  thank you for all that you are.

love,
mom and dad

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

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!!!

happy birthday to me!

i had a wonderful birthday with my family.  i am spoiled by my sweet husband, and our little army of cherubs who flit around us daily.  words cannot express how blessed i feel to be sharing my life with these people.  (we did not take any photos today, we were too busy having fun, but here's one of mommy's little helper:)

Madeline is 6! How did that happen?

this sweet little angel went to bed a 5 year old. 

 and woke up a whopping 6!!!

 the day was full of fun, special meals, shopping with grandma, and on the weekend had a fabulous pink and red tea party.  

 the girls started with a hair bow craft, moved on to self-makeovers, ate delicious rolls and lemonade and cake, and finished up with a raucous pinata!  

Madeline,
you are simply the sweetest 6 year old in town.  you are always so happy and willing to help me and your dad.  you love your sisters and brother, and are always up for a good time.  you are a great friend, and teammate.  you love to play: soccer, basketball, swim, run, rollerblade, dance, gymnastics.  bring it on!  you love it all!  your teachers at school and in primary go out of their way to tell us what a great student you are, and that you are an example of citizenship to your classmates.  we could not be more proud of the girl you are!
i love you very much.  and as much as i would love you to stay my little baby forever, it is so much fun watching you grow up!
happy birthday Maddie!
love,
Mom

Avery's birthday party!

Avery was so excited for her birthday princess extravaganza!  

 she invited all her friends over in their princess best for a tea party, hair, nails, the works!

 the princes got to watch from the sidelines.  

 Avery went with grandma and grandpa Beardsley to get her birthday party dress, Rapunzel's wedding gown.  complete with veil, bouquet and ring.  (daddy is not a fan)

everyone seemed to have a great time, look at all these happy princesses.  

and no princess party would be complete without the ceremonial bashing the pinata with a bat!

it was pretty fun watching these girls scramble for their candy!  

the girl who went to bed 3 and woke up 4!

this cute little lovely put on her pj's when she was just 3....

 ...and woke up to a special french toast breakfast to celebrate

 turning 4!!!!

Avery, 

you are an adorable princess.  you are really the sweetest little four year old.  you are the best friend to your sisters and brothers, always sharing, always having fun.  you love to help mommy and daddy, and you always do your best to keep everyone else reminded of the rules of the house.   Colin loves being your baby brother, he wants to be just like you, and you are so patient and loving with him.  you are growing up so fast, and learning new things everyday.  we love you so much, and are so proud of you.  

happy birthday! 

love, 

mommy and daddy

Anna is 7!!!

this is the story of the girl who went to bed 6 and woke up 7.  

on her birthday she chose german pancakes for a special birthday breakfast. 

for her party, she invited all the neighbor kids to a swimming party.  

the party was a success.  there was much swimming, eating, playing and general partying.  

Anna, 

you are a lovely girl  inside and out.  you are always ready to have a blast playing with your sisters and friends.  you are an awesome student, always trying your best and getting great grades.  you have been such a big helper with your baby brother, and are always willing to lend a hand to your dad and me.  thank you for being such a wonderful daughter, i couldn't have asked for a better child to introduce me to motherhood. happy birthday!

love, Mom