Friday, August 17, 2012

5th Birthday Party

 

It was that time again. My little chica was about to have another birthday party. It is crazy to think I am now done with 5 birthday parties for her and as always, pinterest took over. A couple months in advance, my chica decided on a cowgirl party. This should be easy right!? Well, it was. There were so many ideas running in my head, on my pinterest board, being talked about. So, this is what the end results were:

 

Extra large cardboard 5 outlined in rope
multiple pictures (from the photo-shoot I haven’t blogged about) framed on tables
a horse on wooden board
Wanted poster with her picture
Number 5 wrapped in twine
Birthday banner, Grub banner, Watering hole banner
Large wood boards with her name in rope
Mason jars with paper straws and fabric
Hay stacks everywhere
Corn hole, Ring toss, swing set, make your own cowgirl/boy hat
Tin cans with wild flowers as center pieces on top of round burlap table cloth
Burlap wreath
and the list goes on:

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Now for the “Grub”
Cake of course (made by my Mom)
Capris kabobs with balsamic glaze drizzled on top
Fruit kabobs –grapes, strawberries, blueberries
Hanky-panky- bead, meat, cheese (made by Aunt K)
Mac and Cheese Bake (made by NuNu)
Slaw Cups (made by Lauren)
Veggies- carrots, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli
Ranch for dipping
Roasted red potatoes
Hot Dogs- with side toppings
Lemonade, water, sherbet punch

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Being caught up in the moment, I didn’t get all the people pictures I wanted to. Every year I regret not getting at least one group picture and this year, I failed again. While we had everyone there that we love, I wish we had pictures with everyone. The flip side, we were all so busy enjoying the moment that pictures didn’t really seem to be the importance.

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I must say, a 5 year olds presents are the coolest yet! Heck, who doesn’t want to make friendship bracelets, pottery, color, color a dolls hair, play with barbies, go to a play, role play vet, role play cops and robbers, fly a kite, play with paper dolls, take riding lessons, snorkel, read books, listen to music, paint, and put stickers on everything??

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The decorations were beautiful. The food was delicious. The presents were great. Having everyone there to celebrate Mady Turing 5 years old… celebrating being Mady’s Grandparent, Aunt, Grand Aunt, Cousin, Uncle, Godmother, Friend, blood related or not, for the past 5 years… that was the best part of it all. We have ALL watched Mady grow from a tiny little baby to this beautiful little girl. Each of us playing an important part in her life and who she is becoming. Each of us teaching her the important things we learned growing up. Each of us being there for her in the moment we are needed. Each of us encouraging her to grow up. Each of us learning something from her. Each of us showing her how to love unconditionally. Everyone (and some people that were not able to make it) are more important in her life than she will ever know.

I want to thank everyone of you for everything you have taught, given, expressed, and shown Mady. Thank you for loving my little girl with all your heart. Thank you for always being there no matter what. I love you all. SHE LOVES YOU ALL. {to the ones that were not there physically, you were thought of and were greatly missed!  - thank you to you too)

SIDE NOTE: I want to give be thanks to everyone that helped with her party. From making food and decorations (mom, thanks for everything you did behind the scenes), to loading up the cars with all the huge decorations (Kayla, next time we will get the boys to help) to bringing down hay and taking it back where it needed to go, to helping out that hour before set up, and definitely helping cleaning up. This party could not have been this amazing and easy going without each and everyone of your help. Thanks!! I OWE YOU BIG TIME!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

so she says

 

This has to be the BEST conversation of the day.. maybe even the week so far! I want this framed and hung in Mady and Pax bedrooms!

convo of the day:
Mady- so mom, how did Pax and I become friends?
Me- well, before you and Pax were born, k and I were friends so when yall were born it just kinda happened.
Mady- so yall made us friends because yall were friends
Me- well yea, pretty much. Yall didn't really have a choice
::about 3 full mins of nothing passes::
Mady- mom...
Me- yea?
Mady- thank you for being friends with Kristen so I could have Pax as my best friend. I just love her. ..... oh, and she is pretty like me

 

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these are only a few of the 100s I have of these two together!

Madyson and Paxston are 11 months and 2 weeks apart in age. They have been best friends since Pax was in K’s tummy. (well really from the day she was born since Mady didn’t get the whole baby in tummy thing back then.

Although they had no choice of being friends, they have embraced it and we have had the pleasure of watching such a wonderful friendship/sistership grow. These two care about each other in a way that I can’t explain. When one goes to timeout, the other cries. If one is hurt, the other kisses the boo-boo. If one needs help, the other is there without being asked. When one is hungry, the other find her food. When one needs to potty, the other is standing there cheering them on.  It is how the basis of any friendship should be. So innocent, so pure, so real. They have their moments of not sharing or not wanting to play with each other, but that is where the “sistership” comes into play. I am so excited to watch their friendship grow as they mature. I can only hope and pray that they stay pure, honest, and real with each other until the end of their days.

With the reality of the possibility of one day not liking each other, the only thing Kristen and I can do is continue to be role models for them and have the always be honest and work things out. I am so thankful to have Kristen and Pax in my life and I can’t imagine life without them. We are blessed in so many ways, from being able to share our struggle of being moms to these two, going places together, or just putting them in a room together so we can have some “friend time” with each other.