Audrey- Age 5 1/2

 

This little lady is growing up in a flash!  Somehow, it seems that overnight my "preschooler" lost that baby look and is now a beautiful young girl. 

 

Not only in looks, but also in personality and quirks this precious child reminds me so much of myself.  Sometimes that makes me smile and other times that makes me worry.  (yes, a trait she got from me, too!)

 

Since I will always want to be able to reflect back on these times, I wanted to update and the 1/2 year mark, also. 

 

About Audrey:

 

* Weighs 36 pounds

* Is 42.5 inches tall

*Wears size 5/6 girl clothes

* Wears size 9 toddler shoe

* Still loves Lambie and Doggie- they go everywhere with her

*Loves to swing

*Loves dancing around and is really enjoying her ballet and tap class

* Has learned to like coloring and art

* Can read some sight words and 3-4 letter words

* Knows all letter sounds

*Can count to 100 with very little assistance

*Does simple addition and subtraction

*Can have quite the sassy mouth

*Loves to eat spaghetti, fruit, candy, chips

*Hates eating cheese (except mexican cheese dip), and any pasta other than spaghetti

 

*Is a tenderhearted child and easily gets her feelings hurt

* Worries about everyone and everything

* Loves listening to me read to her...especially Junie B. Jones books

* Watches Bubble Guppies and Doc McStuffins

*Is a great helper

*Is a daddy's girl

*Enjoys going to Grammy and Grandaddy's house

*Always asks to go eat at Logan's or Fantail

*Has fun visiting Bass Pro Shop

 

This sweet girl is teaching us many things about being parents.  I adore her and love every minute that we get to spend together.

Audrey's 5th Birthday Party

We had Audrey's 5th birthday party at a gymnastics center in town.  This was the first time in several years that her party wasn't postponed due to bad weather. 

She wanted Little Mermaid (Ariel) theme party.  That particular theme wasn't easy to find in the party supplies.  But after months of looking we finally found items at various locations. 




Audrey getting ready to blow out her #5 birthday candle.

Several of her friends came to celebrate with her.  They all seemed to have such a fun time.

There were lots of activities for them to participate in.  Addison loved doing what the "big kids" did.

After about an hour of playtime, it was time for yummy cupcakes and snacks.

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday girl.

This was a group photo of most of the children that attended the party.  I just love the looks they all have on their faces.  Such a silly bunch of kids!

It was a wonderful day! 

As soon as we finished up with her party, I loaded Audrey up and headed to her friend's birthday party.  We were partying all day :)

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.