The 23rd of December

I love it. I love them. I love their love for Christmas. For the lights, for the want to be kind to others, the desire to be on the good list, the joy in Christmas music, for making my favorite time of year their favorite time of year, and for making it the best ever. I have never been so excited for Christmas morning. Ok, maybe yes, when I was a kid who didn't want to sleep because I was so excited, but I never knew just the giving part could make me that excited. I have always loved giving a great gift & how it feels when you really feel like you made another's Christmas special, but the excitement of knowing your children are going to have sparkles in their eyes, this tops all. 

We spent the 23rd getting our hair done, all 3 of us ladies together, visiting Santa, baking a pecan pie, finishing up wrapping and we ended the day with cookies in the car while taking a stroll to look for the best lights in surrounding neighborhoods.  Great day, can't wait for the next two! 

Merry Christmas!! 

He didn't even complain

Here is a good idea. "Mickey we have scheduled family pictures, but when we are done, why don't you go watch football with some friends while I spend some time with the girls, ok?"
It worked. For the first time ever, I heard zero complaints, everyone was all smiles, and we had a great time.

One or more of these will be part of our Christmas card this year, but considering only about 3 people (ok, 4) regularly read this blog, I feel safe posting them here and getting your votes for Christmas card selection.

We are some fun ladies

Girls trip: 

It started with a groupon purchase, it ended with unforgettable memories. The Historic Powatan Resort in Williamsburg, VA was our 2 day destination. We received the usual tourist info at check in, and for some reason before heading to historical Williamsburg the make your own candle idea on the Yankee Candle store brochure grabbed my attention. After a delightful & very informative breakfast with Martha Washington, we headed to Yankee Candle. 

What we didn't know was this store would be magical, a true highlight of the trip, and a wonderful way to get us in the Christmas spirit early, which loving Christmas in just in our blood.

Singing mice were Lyla's favorite along with already getting to see the real Santa. Kate soaked up the beauty of the holiday shop with a real bridge guiding you through the Christmas village where it snows and has a sky full of stars. We all picked out ornaments, & yes, made candles in the coolest set up I have ever seen.After 2 hours in this Christmas Mecca the mood for our trip was set...magical. 

And these are just the phone pictures- so much more from the camera! We even experienced a carriage ride on an old fashioned Cinderella looking carriage, (girls LOVED that part) ending in a Revoluntionary War reenactment. First girls trip with MiMi, Mommy, Kate & Lyla, a success. It will be the first of many. 

Princesses at the Park

Lyla is officially three. She buckles her own car seat & can officially write her name, all signs our baby is growing up. Sniff sniff. :( 

Here are pictures from her princess party, which she LOVED. 

Wrapping up Summer at the beach

Thanks to Amanda, we spent the weekend at Carolina Beach. You know our girls LOVE the beach, & this weekend a perfect way to wrap up the summer. We even got in an evening of back flips on the trampoline & train rides at the boardwalk after a great dinner at Gibby's on the water. Good times. 

Can you tell we had fun!?! 

It's her last day being 4

This is one smart kid. All parents want to brag on their children, we do too, but more importantly we want to offer this child the learning environment where she can continue to excel. This 4 year old entered kindergarten "early" because she misses the birthday cut off by 4 days. She had to do early entry testing, & she tested at the average age of a 7 year old at 4 1/2, she entered kindergarten in the 99.7% which means on average her learning ability & comprehension are ahead of 997 out of 1000 kids entering kindergarten. She had to do many tests, & she loved every minute of it. She has rocked her first few weeks of kindergarten making new friends, having a perfect behavior record & loving coming home to only do homework right when she walks in the door. Her writing beats most males (sorry guys) & her drawings, well, lets just day it's in her blood. Her attention to detail is impeccable, & her maturity amazes us on a daily basis. Her memory, well, it's probably fair to say she remembers every person she has met, every place she has been, every book she has read, pretty much her brain is a sponge that soaks it all in. Kate, we promise to do our best as parents to let that amazing brain of yours continue to soak it all in. We couldn't be more proud of you and what you have already accomplished, & we can't wait to see what you do & learn as a 5 year old. We thought you were amazing 5 years ago when you were born, we had no idea being your parents could truly be this good. 

Let the birthday season begin...

It's a regular dinner conversation around here, all year long. Birthdays are big. It usually starts right after one birthday passes with Kate planning what type of party she wants for the next year. Of course themes change over 365 days, but a butterfly party was this years choice for our rising 5 year old, and this one has stuck since at least April. She chose a butterfly backpack for school, we picked out butterfly bushes at the farmers market, and now, the time has finally come for the real butterfly party. You know Kate is my child when she's truly more into the decorating & the theme than what will actually take place at the party! In true Kate fashion, she is gluing, cleaning & setting tables for her special day...and now that the party has come and gone, was it worth it? Of course it was. Her friends were amazing, everyone laughed & smiled, all of the girls were courteous and well mannered, and most importantly, Kate loved her party, every detail of it. 

Now for the last birthday detail, tomorrow, the real day she turns 5. This day is saved for our family of 4, it's one of the best days of our lives, can't wait to celebrate! 

Life

Life. It's a gift given to us from God. We all have many options on how we choose to live our lives. We can plan for the future, we can live each day as if there is no tomorrow, or we can do our best to do both. Today is Monday. It's a Monday coming off of a wonderful weekend with my family of 4. We took in some history walking around downtown Raleigh, we swam, we ate out, we ate at home. We went bike riding, we finished projects around the house, and we soaked in Gods best present to us ever, our amazing daughters. We watched Kate choose to work on subtraction by herself because she has a thirst for learning. We belly laughed at Lyla because she is gifted with humor that brings laughter to all who know her. We took videos of her voice so we will never forget this precious stage.

On this Monday, I am proud to take them to school with smiles on their faces & excitement to play and learn. I am eager to make great things happen at work to offer my children the futures they deserve. I am thankful for my family & I do know that every day is a gift. Life is good. 

Lyla's new room

The big girl bed came when she was two, but we waited to decorate until we knew what colors & theme would fit her personality. Bright & wild works for this 2 1/2 year old, & it's been a family project to get this one together. We aren't done yet, but here is the room that fits our colorful Lyla. 

I did a little touch up after Lyla got her hands on these, but I can honestly say Kate did many roofs, bases & trim lines on her own! I think the reason I love this is it is unique, just like Lyla. No ideas from Pinterest or magazines, just having fun playing with a bird comforter MiMi spotted at Homegoods. Now it's time to get the rest of the room to match, oh how we love to complicate a project! But it sure makes it fun having two little helpers.