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!!!

snowflakes!

the Snowflakes had a great season, and Madeline had a great time meeting new friends and playing hard!

this season was so fun, that we are already signed up for another with Coach Hal and the gang!  great season Maddie!!!

orange crush!

 it's the last day of soccer season, so i took some team pics.  the Orange Crush had a great season!  Avery had so much fun in her first season of soccer.  she was fortunate to have a team with a bunch of great kids.  

and some great coaches!

Avery was thrilled to get her first trophy.  way to go Orange Crush.  

a lovely shower!

a friend of mine has a beautiful family of 6 handsome boys.  but when she felt that stirring that her family may not be complete, she answered the call and discovered there was indeed a princess in her future.  we joyfully celebrated the pending arrival of this sweet baby girl, with a fun baby shower.

 i basically just opened my home, while my friend Mirium planned all the fun details of the day.  she chose burlap and lace for our pink-shy first time girl mom.  and hand painted these sweet onsies:

of course this was the hottest day in a two week period!  we brought out the market umbrellas in droves.  

 love the look of these sweet paper straws!

my favorite part, maybe everyone's fav was the popcorn bar!  3 kinds of delicious popcorn, along with all the handwritten chalkboard details.  

 i love using my vintage carriage whenever possible, it was the perfect gift table accessory. 

 this girl had some fun with all the delicious girly-ness her little babe was showed with.  

fun times were had by all!  now if all these babies would just be born already!  (okay, that's totally my pregnancy hormones flaring up with the heat!)  happy shower Miss W!

daddy's big helper!

Jason has always accused Colin of being a momma's boy.  admittedly, he has spent the better part of his 22 months wanting me to hold, feed, bath, rock, him, etc.  but lately, it's become apparent that Dad  is becoming Colin's new favorite.  he is obsessed with everything Dad does, and is his constant companion for yard work, and of course anything involving tools!

recently we were lucky enough to inherit Jason's big boy bed!  since Colin will be needing this soon, we assembled in his bedroom.  at first, he wasn't that into helping:

 but when Jason offered him a tool, he started getting serious about this project.  

 i hope our one little prince continues to stick by his dad's side.  Colin, this is definitely the one to emulate if you want to become a man!

and the soccer lovin' saturdays continue!

so, soccer season is in full swing, and the Orange Crush and Snowflakes are dominating.  

not to mention looking super cute!  

 in years past I have lamented that I never catch goals with my camera, because i am too busy watching the game.  well, this year the girls decided to make it super easy on me and average at least 3 goals a game.  this allowed me the freedom of focusing my lens on the first goal, and then relaxing and enjoying the 2-5 others that were sure to follow.  thanks girls!

 it is a pleasure watching all my girls play sports, and grow and excel in their various activities.  but Avery has been especially fun as she dons a cool-as-a-cucumber persona on the field.  

 Madeline is no slouch out there either.  if you ever oppose Maddie in soccer, a good rule of thumb is: DON'T LEAVE HER UNGUARDED.  she can outrun anyone, and scores almost every time she breaks away.  

 everyone gets a chance to play "patrol" or the defensive position in 4 on 4 soccer.  but this particular game, coach had to pull Maddie back there right away, since the had 3 in the first quarter.  though the girl loves offense, she works just as hard in the back field as well!

 boot it Maddie!

i wasn't the best player when i was a kid, but i sure loved the game.  it is a thrill for me to cheer on my girls each week!