more party than slumber

I started this blog knowing that I wouldn't be able to keep up with it daily, and perhaps not always weekly, but yikes--has it already been over a month since I've been back here?  Have I mentioned that time is flying?

So of course there are now lots of events and happenings (from the late summer) that I want to record, and they will just have to be retrospective since I've neglected this little blog for the last several weeks.

In early July, Madison got her wish for a her first-ever slumber party and invited over a handful of her dearest buddies to celebrate her 8th birthday.  They are all incredibly sweet girls and were so happy to reunite after many weeks apart during the summer.  The laughter, squeals, and innocent but incessant chattiness of 8 year olds were such a pleasure for me to witness.  I've not had that many girls here all at once and was unsure of what to expect, but I had no need to worry.  They all got along beautifully, welcomed a very eager Caroline into the fold, and kept me laughing throughout the night.

Some highlights....

Everyone seemed to love dancing to (and singing karaoke with) our Disney CD, which has selected songs from some Disney movie favorites.

And while these girlies might be past the "princess" stage, they are most definitely still way into dressing up...just in more comical and creative ways now

Since they attend an arts magnet school (and since they are little girls!), dance seems to be a central theme of much of what they do.  Here's a shot of their re-enacting the "Jai Ho" flash mob from last spring (note the five year old who is front and center and ready to learn).

Of course there was cake.  Per Madison's request, we went for an under the sea theme, with funfetti cake and chocolate icing.  "Mommy, can you make me a cake this year?  I don't really like the icing from bakeries."  Okay, sweet girl...but cake decorating is absolutely not my strong suit.

And what is a slumber party without popcorn and a movie?   Again, I was a little surprised at how excited they all were to see Disney's "Tangled."

Also surprising, these talkative and energetic gals did not take all that long to get settled down for a pretty good night's sleep.  I only had to intervene once to confiscate the headlamp that one of them had brought and flipped on--it was like a lighthouse in our otherwise dark living room!

The next morning was a bit quieter.  Time for prayer before breakfast.  So sweet...

And we even got to squeeze in the tie-dyeing activity we just hadn't gotten to the night before.

 I'm grateful that Madison is surrounded by such precious girls.  My prayer is that she will always find good and godly girls to call her friends, and that she will be blessed by deep and meaningful friendships as she grows.

eight...really?!

Our beautiful Madison turns eight years old today and I once again find myself sitting here in absolute disbelief at how rapidly the days, months and years have flown by.

From the start, Madsi has been her very own person--so strong 

and self-assured, a fabulous mix of sweet and sassy, unafraid to voice her opinion, and passionate in all things.

As she has grown, one of her especially wonderful qualities has been her generosity.  Especially for the last year or two, she has thoughtfully planned way ahead for birthday and Christmas gifts for everyone in our family.  I'm talking Christmas presents wrapped by Thanksgiving, birthday gifts ready one month in advance.  Most gifts are lovingly handmade (beaded bracelets, necklaces, and most recently, tie-dyed shirts), but she sometimes uses her own money to purchase gifts (a candle for me, books for her siblings, a favorite cookie for Daddy, etc.), and each gift is always accompanied by a lovely and very personal handmade card.   

All this planning ahead from my daughter--I who still find myself running to the store for last minute cards and gifts, often 24 hours before (or even on the day of) the occasion, routinely up late at night, frantically packaging, wrapping, writing.  Where does this sweet girl get such thoughtfulness?  Oh yes, it must be from from her father.  No doubt her wonderful earthly father has become less of a procrastinator and more of a planner in recent years, and I know that she has learned much by observing his loving and very giving heart.  But her heavenly Father is without question the source of all of Madison's most precious gifts.  He who knitted her together in my womb, who formed her in the unseen places and who knew her even before she knew herself.  HE is the One who supplies all that loving, giving, hugging, smiling, running, giggling, snuggling, praying, drawing, dancing, playing, reading, creating, chatting, bubbling wonderfulness that is our precious Madison.  Thank you, God, for this most precious gift.  We are eternally grateful and stand in awe of your generosity.

 

tiaras and bowling shoes

In the tradition (in our little family anyway) of 5 year old girl birthday parties, Caroline and about ten precious friends celebrated her fifth birthday with a bowling party...in princess dresses.  I can't assume that any of those kids' parents want their pictures posted on the internet, so I'll just share a few shots of our babes and family here.

It was a great afternoon and reminded us of what a fun family activity bowling can be...especially as we watch the thermometer rise this summer.  The little ones enjoyed being able to bowl with the assistance of metal ramps to roll the balls down on, bumpers that prevented any gutter balls, and watching scores tabulated on the big screens above.  Such simple fun.

 And even with all this princess business, Caroline insisted that "Hello, Kitty" be the theme of her cake.

These days of princess-loving seem to go on for so long, then one day the fascination dims then suddenly it's all over.  So we enjoy the frill and fun while they are still here...

And anyone with more than one child knows the challenges of getting everyone to smile and look in the same direction at the same time, so I'm extra thankful for a couple of good shots...

a golden birthday

I know it seems like such a cliche', but I just can't believe that our sweet baby girl turns 5 tomorrow.  The days, weeks, and months literally seem to be passing more quickly these days and we just try to savor each one.  She continues to grow and change so much.  She's still thoroughly enjoying her time in her Montessori school--learning life skills, some basic math and early reading, and plenty of important life lessons as she navigates the various personalities of her classmates.  She is very open (when she's in the mood) about sharing challenges and joys from school.  As her wonderful and insightful teacher has remarked, Caroline really "takes it all in" and is both very observant and loyal.  She continues to push the envelope on her independence and sincerely believes that she should have all the rights that Joshua and Madison have (e.g., staying up later, riding in a booster seat, not napping).  She is such a lover of books and can still easily keep herself occupied for close to an hour flipping page by page through a mountain of books.  I am excited to see how the world opens up to her once she starts reading on her own.   Before bed tonight she asked that I read one of our all-time favorites, "Owl Babies."  This is the book that she first memorized and "read" back to us when she was less than two years old.  So nostalgic for me...

Caroline told me tonight as I was tucking her in and remarking how big she is getting, "You're not ready."  "For what?" I asked.  "For me to turn five.  I'm too BIG...to sit in your lap...for you to hold me.  But even when I'm ten, I'll go with you, and I'll hold your hand, and I'll sit in your lap."

Just for posterity's sake, here is a picture of little C on her BIRTHday

And a shot of her on her 1st birthday

Her 3rd birthday

And one just recently...such a beautiful, strong-willed, loving big girl now.

And one who will hopefully always let me at least hold her hand.