Audrey's 5th Birthday

On Monday, April 23, 2012, we celebrated Audrey's 5th birthday.  I'm not sure how it is that I was holding this tiny infant in the hospital then I blinked and we were celebrating her 5th birthday.  I will post more about the emotional mommy-moments in another post.  For this one, I wanted to remember how we spent this special day.

We began our day with our family tradition- "Birthday Muffins".  The birthday girl got to blow out her #5 birthday candle.  

Then Corey, Audrey, Addison and I loaded up to go to Birmingham to spend the day at the McWane Science Center.  The exhibit that Audrey was looking most forward to was the touch tank, where she could pet sharks and sting rays.  Audrey was so brave sticking her hand in that water without hesitation and petting all of those sharks and sting rays swimming around.  Addison liked the idea of touching the sharks, but she wasn't quite brave enough to actually stick her hand in the water and touch them.

The water table was Addison's favorite exhibit.  We had trouble pulling her away from it.

Daddy and his girls were operating the submarine.

Then we went to visit the fish.  Fish of all kinds! My girls were in heaven.  They loved looking at all of these creatures.

The Digging for Dino Bones exhibit captured their interest for a LONG time.  I'm trying to talk Corey into building one of these in our back yard.  The girls had so much fun brushing the fossils and digging for bones.

Audrey- our little archaeologist!

Audrey and Addison played us some funky music...

...And made some beautiful designs

Addison was the conductor on this train,

while Audrey operated this tractor.

Our little golfers got in some practice on the course, also.

Audrey had her own personal golf coach.

Mommy and the birthday girl!

After leaving the McWane Science Center, we let Audrey pick where we would eat supper.  Surprise, Surprise- she picked Mexican food!  This girl doesn't like cheese, but for some reason loves the cheese dip.  (weird kid, I know!)

Once we got our bellies full from our yummy supper, we went home for some cake and presents.

Addison bought Audrey a much coveted Rapunzel that changes colors with her special light.

Audrey got a telescope and microscope set from Mommy and Daddy.

This is just the 2nd of 4 birthday celebrations that Audrey will have.  She had a party at her preschool on Tuesday.  This kid is doing it up right :) 

It made it all worth it when Audrey looked at me that night and said "Mommy, this was the best day EVER".  I thought it was a pretty amazing day, too!

Audrey and Keith's Celebration

This past Sunday we had a celebration at Grammy and Grandaddy's house for Audrey's 5th birthday and Keith's Recruit School Graduation.  We were hoping that family members that wouldn't be able to travel for Audrey's "big" birthday party would be able to join us for this one since it would be closer to their home.

Audrey- the "birthday girl"- thrilled about turning 5 years old!

While some of us were finishing up preparation for lunch, Audrey and Addison entertained the rest of the company.  They had Nana "fishing".

Then Addison decided that Nana needed to toss the fish into her net.  It was good therapy for Nana and apparently lots of fun for Addison.

Audrey got to show off her Happy Birthday crown.  She was excited about her pink birthday balloon.

 

I just love the look on Audrey's face while everyone is singing "Happy Birthday" to her.  It looks like she just can't wait to blow out that candle and make her wish.

Addison didn't want to be left out of the celebrating so we had to include a little candle in her cupcake, too.

Mmmmm.....Yummy!!

I'm pretty certain Addison enjoyed that icing. haha  She made sure to lick every bit of the icing from the cupcake.

Uncle Keith had his own cupcakes that read "Congratulations" with the candles. For the record, he didn't eat ALL those cupcakes on his own.

It wouldn't be a birthday party without gifts, right??

Aunt Carolyn gave Audrey some money so she could go to Build-a-Bear and create her own stuffed animal.  Audrey can't wait to make the trip there.  She has already been telling me what she wants to make.  Of course, she changes her mind daily, so it will be interesting what she will choose to make once we go.

She also got some art projects to do.  Aunt Carol, Uncle Jim, Keeley and Brantley gave her a precious outfit and some stickers.  They were kind and bought Addison something, too, so she wouldn't be left out.  Addison got a wooden puzzle and some stickers.  She loves putting the puzzle together over and over.

Since Nana was unable to attend Keith's graduation, he put his uniform on for her to see him dressed up and so we could get some photos of them together.  I love this one of the two of them.  She was so proud of him.  Nana teared up when he walked in wearing his uniform.

The girls gave Nana some loving, too.

And since were were taking pictures, I took the opportunity to get one of Nana and me, together.

Our family...(we were missing Brantley and Corey)...and yes, Addison was showing off how well she can pitch a fit like a true 2-year-old...but at least we got a group picture.

It was a wonderful day and I am so glad that most of our family were able to join us for this special time. 

This was the first of the birthday celebrations for Audrey.  The fun has just begun.  She will be celebrating all week, so there will be more fun memories posted soon.

Addison- 2 Years Old

This is a bit late being posted...mainly because I forgot to hit that "publish" button waaayyyy back when I wrote this.

Little Bit,

You are now 2 years old. I know I keep saying this, but I just don't understand how time keeps speeding up. In spite of your "terrible-two" tantrums, this has to be the funniest age right now. You are so comical and your vocabulary has increased dramatically just in the last 2 weeks. It is unbelievable.

Here are some things I want to remember about this time:

You:

* weigh 23 lbs

* are 34 inches tall

* still have that papa (paci)

* always have your blankie and Care Bear with you

* wear size 18-24 month clothes

* wear a size 5 toddler shoe

* wear a size 4 diaper

* love to sing and dance. You really love watching the Cedarmont Kids Sing-a-long DVDs and sing and dance with them.

* love playing with babydolls and in the play kitchen

* pull out tons and tons of toys so it looks like a hurricane came through our house on a daily basis

* say "I DO IT" often. You are becoming very independent.

You:

* love Elmo

* enjoy seeing the cows at Grammy's house

* always want to eat bananas and PB&J sandwiches

* say "Mommy, I NEED You" when you are upset and come to me with those sweet arms up waiting on me to pick you up.

* wear your sunglasses upside down

* have learned to swing in a regular swing like a big girl

You:

* are so expressive with your eyes

* are scared of bugs and thunder

* love to play in the sand and water

* can count to 20 in English and 10 in Spanish

* can say your ABC's

* know most of your colors consistently

* do a good job putting simple puzzles together

* like to play "Memory" games

* know your shapes

* love "reading" books

* think you are as big as your sister and try to do everything she does

You, my precious child, are such a joy! You keep our family laughing and entertained. I am so thankful that God chose me to be your mommy! I love you, Little Bit!!

Congratulations, Keith!

We are so proud of my brother, Keith!

Yesterday, he graduated firefighter recruit school at the Alabama Fire College. He spent 10 long and grueling weeks learning physically and mentally how to become a firefighter. This has been a dream of his for many, many years and we are so excited to watch him achieve his dream.

It is terribly difficult to find dresses with firetrucks on them, so I had a friend of ours make these adorable dresses for this special occasion.

The girls have been super-duper excited about watching Keith graduate. We have had to keep this quiet for 10 weeks. Since I work at the Alabama Fire College, we didn't want anyone to know that he was my brother to avoid any claims of favoritism. We just wanted to make sure he was treated as fairly as the other candidates. We weren't sure we would be able to keep the secret because I am there often, but we pulled it off and even pulled off a prank on one of his instructors with our identity. Everyone at work was very shocked to find out that we were related.

Keith asked for Audrey to pin his badge on him at graduation. So a few days prior to the ceremony I began explaining to her what would happen and what to expect. Addison made it very clear that she would be going up on stage to pin him too.

At the very start of the ceremony, the chair folded up with Addison and she fell out backwards and hit her head hard on the concrete floor. It scared me horribly. I just knew a trip to the ER would be inevitable, but she recovered quickly and we were able to carry on as planned.

When Keith received his certificate, we went on stage to pin him. Audrey helped me pin him (I insisted on helping because I was afraid that she would pierce him!) Addison threw her little arms around Keith and gave him a gigantic hug. It brought tears to my eyes.

Afterwards, the girls had to give "Uncle Keif" more love.

Mom and Dad are very proud of his hard work.

Doesn't he look so professional in his uniform??

I had to get a photo with him, too, because I am thrilled that he followed his dream. Plus, I was the big sister that stayed on him about studying for his tests, made trips to the school to secretly check up on him, fed and housed him when needed, bought goodies on those hard days and left them for him in his truck, and made sure his uniform was up to par for graduation. :)

I am happy to have this picture. It is rare to have all 5 of us in the same place at the same time for a photo.

Showing off his certificate he worked so hard to get.

Aunt Carolyn came to celebrate with us.

Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim joined us for Keith's graduation.

Here is most of Keith's cheering squad.

Congratulations, Keif!! We are all so proud of you!!