horsing around with Irelyn

We had a couple impromptu play events with Irelyn recently--we met up at the Indian Trails park to play--it was HOT!

Amara still had her long pants on from school (a chilly start to the morning) but she was so thrilled to see her pal, she didn't care.

We also met them at the ATV store, to look at toys--and the girls had fun testing them out.  Oh the trouble we could get into there!

Cora gets called up

Cora can't help herself.  She does everything Amara does--which I think is pretty common with siblings--but anything with running and dirt, and she's ALL IN.

Happy 5th birthday Amara!

This has for sure been the fastest five years of my life.

I have been reflecting on Amara's "childhood" all day--looking at photos, thinking back to past birthdays and parties and it's all somewhat of a blur.

The day is 2/3 over now and we're excited for a great dinner with G'parents--but this morning started off priceless.

As i'd been running a countdown to her birthday, i finally got to draw the "Happy Birthday" and she was thrilled to see it--that is, after Eric helped her break out of her paper door decorations I thought she'd break-through.  *Fail*

I also had her birthday shirt ready for her and her presents wrapped in princess paper, courtesy of daddy and I last night...off to Sarah's for a day of celebrating with friends and the day had rolled on.

So tonight we celebrate, tomorrow she gets to celebrate with friends at school, the big party is Saturday and then Monday is our annual zoo trip.

I can't wait for tonight and the next few days--and we will have a great time...

But....this morning, she pointed out how tall she's getting, standing next to daddy and me--and whenever I well up, she always tells me she'll be my baby-girl, but that she can't stop growing, even if I want her to (and I do).

The big reveal--taking her to the beach!

birthday girl picked this one out herself--even without knowing the beachy surprise to come!!

Happy birthday Beanie, my baby-girl. I hope you have had and will continue to have a wonderful day and weekend, surrounded only by love and hope for you and your future.  xoxo

(PS) sister is stealing your cake...

T-ball, year 2--a whole different game

Amara was excited to get ready for T-ball this year--we've been practicing a lot in the yard and her coordination is really coming along!  She was drafted to the Indians, so we showed up, met Coach Jason and got to work.Q

Quickly, we realized that her old friend Abbie--the neighbor's granddaughter, was on her team too.  The two had fun kicking dirt in the field--funny how things come full circle.  They don't see each other often, but always loved playing together.

Amara took BP in the field, new bat in hand.  She has quite the swing, and didn't waste any time getting her practice in.

Cora, meanwhile, took every opportunity to ham it up with Gee-maw, who showed up to watch--we all tossed the ball and enjoyed suckers during downtime.

When it was time for the Indians to bat, Amara walked right up and knocked the first one good! She took off down the first base line and took her position on the bag.

I think she and the little girl there were comparing fashion notes, clearly.  Up next she took the field and got to field one ball--they all just kind of run for it when it's hit, so even getting one is pretty impressive, she was pretty happy.

She went to spend the night with Grandma after the game and got some alone time. It's a short 6-week season, so I hope we have a great time this season too, I think next year it's coach-pitch, wow!

Mother's Day

Mother's day was great this year (as always) but daddy certainly spoiled me too!  The morning started off with a lovely drawing of the girls hands and breakfast sushi--banana and PB, rolled in rice krispies. I think I had 2--the girls took the rest ;)  The also brought me back beautiful roses from the store, after their morning grocery run!

Next up, a trip to my mom's to give her her gift--then on to Denton.  In the barn, Eric had 2 whiskey barrels for me--we talked about doing a container garden this year! score!!  My mom came out too and gave me (and the girls) this strawberry plant--and they wasted no time picking the red ones right off of there!

At home during nap, Eric slaved away and made me the BEST homemade carrot cake too--the house smelled amazing!  I also scored a replacement pair of sunglasses (the girls always break mine) so now I just have to find time to try them on, uninterrupted ;)

Back out to Denton after naps, we worked and played, then finished the day off with a brush bonfire, complete with smores, hotdogs and drinks.  Believe it or not, we got a cold snap--enough to actually ENJOY the bonfire, so it was perfect!  We got to sit around and soak in the new house a little more--as we waved at an engineer and the train passing by.  Amazing.

I loved spending the day with my family, doing our normal things, but with the special little touches all day. Eric wanted to take me to Chocolatiere Stam in Westerville, but we tabled it for another time...I had plenty of blessings with just  my family alone!

Grandma Young''s quilt

Grandma Cindy has shown an interest in my quilting ever since I started--so fitting that we'd make one for her!

Eric helped me pick out a color palette for her this winter and right after Cora's birthday party, we got started on it. The top came together quickly, then boarders, then finding that perfect backing.  I was happy too finish it a few weekends ago--in plenty of time for Mother's  Day.

Next I'm starting on quilts for the girls rooms in the new house--those will be my first bed size quilts, but this throw for Grandma was the perfect next quilt for us. It's a great size, has her favorite color (purple) and involved the girls AND Eric--my favorite people.  We can't wait to give it to her!

sharing a shamrock shake

One night, as we're prone to do--we splurged and took the girls to McDonalds. Not because that in itself is a splurge, but because we don't do restaurants all that often.

We were on the way to the big Disney on Ice show--and dinner was hitting at a funny time. They weren't really THAT hungry, but we knew we had to get something, and wanted the whole evening to be a treat.

Amara saw the green shamrock shake on a poster and asked for it. I had the server divide it into 2 cups (I've learned that not only do they not even come CLOSE to finishing something that big, but it's too heavy for them to hold with one hand).

So after dinner, the girls got their surprise and LOVED them. I had no idea they would both like it that much! and of course, it was mid March and now we can't get them.  Amara asked for a shake last week at Mc.D and when the chocolate one came, she was notably disappointed.

I guess we're going to be 'those people' who wait for the shamrock shake all year and then enjoy it while we can  :)

Kennedy and Payton's princess party

Perfect timing! Amara was invited to Payton and Kennedy's 3 and 5th birthday parties--a Princess party :) They are new friends from gymnastics and happen to live just around the corner from us!

Amara was a little shy--but was excited to have her face painted for sure.  The artist did a crown on her forhead and all the little girls loved it--and she kept looking at it in the mirror ;)

Cinderella showed up too! All the girls were excited to see her--especially the 3 or 4 who were dressed as Cinderella.  She gave lots of hugs to the girls and posed for as many pics as she could.

The girls got to take pony rides with miniature horses too--and the girls who weren't riding would follow behind the wagon--it was quite the parade around the yard and the neighborhood for sure.

Amara and one of the birthday girls--Payton.

Kennedy digging right in to her cake too!

Amara enjoyed some quite time towards the end of the party--she's not a huge chalk drawer, but there was a lot going on and a ton of people--so as she got tired, she tried a few other activities. She also participated in the pinjata event, and got a few swings in--but she wasn't lucky enough to bust it open.