Madelyn's 6th Birthday

Madelyn's fave gift was her new sewing machine. We finally got it out of the box a couple of weeks ago. Her first project was a blanket that she made for her teacher...Awwww!

Madelyn had a Halloween themed birthday party. Pictured here is Madelyn the Ninja...Hiii_YAA!

Jon took the party "up a notch" by renting an inflatable slide.

Hope all your birthday wishes came true sweet Madelyn!

When the sun went down, we watched "Spooky Buddies" on our garage door via a projector. Moms, dads, & kids snacked on pop corn & sipped on warm apple cider.

Day Out With Thomas

Family photo with Thomas the Train. A Day Out With Thomas was equivalent to Disney World to Nolan.

Nolan plays with his identical train table at home daily, but its more fun to play with it in a real round house!

Wow...pretty impressive!

Harmony meant Ansley getting window seat 1st half of ride & Madelyn getting it 2nd half.

Nolan talked about the train ride for days.

Ansley's 4th Birthday

Ansley's Actual Birthday

When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, Ansley said she wanted to stay home & hold the babies. So that's what we did!

I gave Ansley her birthday presents throughout the day. I surprised her with a Hello Kitty shirt & purse when she woke up. When it was time to brush teeth, she got her Hello Kitty battery operated toothbrush. In the picture, she is showing off her new notebook & "diamond" stickers.

We met Jon at Build A Bear for our family birthday party. Ansley made a rainbow bear named Rainbow Heart. Madelyn made a cat named Kitty.

After Build A Bear, we stopped by Dewey's Bakery for some cupcakes.

Goodnight sweet Ansley! She wanted to sleep in her birthday shirt. I"m happy you had a wonderful day. You were precious today when accepting your gifts. I love you so much!
The Birthday Party

I love Ansley's expressions during her party. She was humble & grateful for all the attention & gifts.

Happy Birthday to you!
(Side note for Katherine & Gary: Notice I'm wearing my new necklace & earrings you gave me. I intended to get a better picture of them but I forgot once the party started.)

Another cute cake by Carla!
Nolan cut the cake pre-party with a butter knife a couple of times. He sat at the table for 30 minutes saying "cookie" (meaning cake). He just couldn't wait!

Weekend in Boone

Us at the top of Grandfather Mountain. The record low temperature there is -32 degrees, while the record high is 83 (in 1983). It was in the cool low 60's for us. We crossed the mile high swinging bridge to pose for this picture. Our heads were in the clouds...literally! I cannot wait to go back for some hiking, sans kids.

Here's the cute black bears we saw in the zoo at Grandfather mountain. Did you know that Black Bears aren't always black? Fun fact for the day.

We spent Saturday at Tweetsie Railroad. Its an Old Western/Cowboy/Native American theme park. Jon took the older 3 on a real train ride. I took Madelyn & Ansley on a chair lift. The rest of the day was spent riding rides for Jon & the kids. I hung back with the babies, & sometimes Nolan.

Nolan rode this one by himself.

Ellory & Edie relaxing in their stroller

P.S. Me holding the twins

P.S.S. Ansley has been a very picky eater lately. One of the few foods she will eat is Parmesan cous cous. Mean mommy makes her eat it outside b/c its incredibly messy. I will find balls of cous cous everywhere in the house for 2-3 days...and that's when she eats it outside! Ansley demands to use the "sea shell spoon" each meal (as pictured).

Dan Nicholas Park

Our family took a road trip to Dan Nicholas Park last weekend. Very cool public park to visit. There was something there for everyone. First stop was the train ride. Nolan took off at top speeds toward the "choo choo". It was just not an option to not ride the train first. We couldn't pass up gem mining for Ansley. Since she was a toddler, she has always loved the texture & beauty of rocks. She loved finding pretty rocks in different colors, sheens, & sizes. Madelyn enjoyed riding the dragon on the carousel best. I think we're going to try to go back this fall for the Halloween festivities.

Summer Rewind

Here's my new 8 passenger swagger wagon. Sweet ride!

3 of my pretty girls

Silliness

Sweetness

Ansley posing at ballet camp

Madelyn lost her fist tooth (Bottom front left)! She lost it while eating an apple.

Nolan's first horse ride. He loved it!

First Day of Kindergarten

Madelyn has been counting down the days for her first day of Kindergarten! She was excited to wear her school t-shirt that we bought at open house. The Kindergartners were able to bring a stuffed animal to class. After much consideration, she chose her dragon Happy Napper. Jon took her to school. She had a half day, only going in the morning. Full days will begin on Monday. Madelyn was perturbed when I picked her up from school. Apparently, a "bad boy" in her class got a Tiger Buck (school money) & she did not. I don't know what went down or why the "bad boy" got money & she did not. When asked why this boy was bad, Madelyn said he didn't use his manors nor raised his hand. Madelyn is very competitive. I hope that she will find joy in school & most of all, get a Tiger Buck of her own.

I am excited about Madelyn's teacher. She sent home a sweet poem (sniff, sniff)...

The First Day
I gave you a little wink and smile
As you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay.
You've been with her for five years now
And have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave her at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love her as I would my own
And help her learn and grow.
For as a teacher, I too know
How quickly the years do pass
Just know that I will protect her
While she's in my class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love her and take her in
When you leave her at my door.