BIRTHDAYS!!!

Bailee (aka "B") chose to have a Little Mermaid birthday. This being her first year in school, she had all kinds of birthday fun. I got to take cup cakes to her class at school and she had two parties at home. On her real birthday she had her two church friends over for pizza and cup cakes and girl fun, and the day after she had a party with 5 good school friends and their families. We planned to have a jump house for her school friend party but it had to be canceled because of rain and some more rain, and even more rain! We were planning on her party to be outside since we were not only having her friends over but their families as well. I was a little stressed that morning when we were preparing things because I didn't know how so many people would fit comfortably in our house and I didn't know what to have the kids do. My wonderful and creative husband had a back up plan...he went and bought the games Twister and Operation. Bailee's party was anything but stressful. It was a lot of fun for the kids and the adults. The kids had fun with the games and the adults had a good time talking and getting to know each other a little better. We hope to be able to rent the jump house sometime over the summer and have everyone back! Bailee has had a wonderful kindergarten year. We couldn't be more blessed to have her in such an awesome school with awesome teachers and an awesome principal. This school year has been such a great experience not only for Bailee but for Alan and I as well. Bailee is reading like a champ and has learned things that I didn't learn until 2nd grade. Bailee is a wonderful big sister and helps out a lot in taking care of Brikelle when I have things to get done. We are grateful she chose us to be her family. Love you Bailee!

Our Braden Boy had a Thomas the Train birthday. Anyone who knows Braden knows he is a HUGE Thomas lover. He knows all the names of the trains and owns more than I can keep track of! For his birthday we kept it simple but nice. We had Braden's best friend and family over for a BBQ and cake and ice cream. Braden is all boy and keeps us laughing with the things he thinks up to do and say. Braden loves his sisters and loves to bug them! He is very sweet and loving and tells us all the time that he loves us. Every day when we pick up Bailee from school, he picks her a flower (dandelion) and gives it to her with a huge hug that about knocks her over every time! We love having Braden to keep us laughing. Love you Braden!

Brikelle's 1st Birthday was an Elmo one... she LOVES "O"! Her special day was celebrated with just US, her family, because we are all she needs to be happy! On her actual birthday we just did the traditional dinner, presents, cake and ice cream. Then the day after her birthday we went to The Children's Museum in Fayetteville...the kids had a ball. Brikelle is our little "Angel Cake". She is such a fun loving baby and loves life. She is a big mommy's girl but loves to play with and be tickled by daddy. She absolutely adores her big sister Bailee and wants to be right there doing everything Bailee does. She also loves her big brother Braden and likes to make him cry! Anything Braden has, Brikelle wants. It's funny to see how differently she treats her sister and brother. We are so blessed to have our Brikelle in our family. We love you baby girl!