Silly Sock Day

It's Vacation Bible School week and today is Silly Sock Day.  According to Gracie, silly socks are fun but you should at least match colors with your outfit.  HA!  Too cute!

Birthday Weekend!

A card made by Gracie is always the BEST gift!

Strawberry Tart

We have spent a lot of birthdays together.

On the Green before a birthday lunch with Daddy

Today is Matt's birthday.  We started celebrating on Friday when he got home from work.  Lily Grace surprised him with a card she made.  We also showered him with a few gifts, cooked several of his favorite foods and whipped up a yummy Strawberry Tart.  
Lily Grace and I love planning for and doting on Matt.  He does so much for us.  We are so very blessed.  
Happy Birthday Matt!  We love you so very much. We couldn't come close to making you feel as special as you truly are, but I hope we made you feel a little extra special nonetheless.  You are an amazing husband and father.  

A Trip Down South

Could she have possibly strapped on anything else to carry?

At least we didn't have to sit still for 8 hours.  However, it takes a lot of creativity to bring along half the house.  Poor Matt!

Lily Grace and Honey enjoying lunch after church

Tanner, Jessica and Lily Grace at Putt-Putt.  It wasn't until I  was transferring the pictures to my computer that I noticed Lily Grace's face.  Too funny!  

Excitement can be a little tiring.  

Sweet Molly...happy to be home herself 

Ahhhhh!....HOME

We made our first trip back south last week a year after becoming residents of the Northeast.  
It was the first time we had to fly, rent a car and fit all we could into suitcases for a trip to visit family. Before now, we would have just driven the eight hour trip with the car packed down.  
We flew into Alabama and Lily Grace had one thing on her mind.  Bingo!  That's right, Bingo- the game.  My grandmother, Honey (Yes, that is what all the grandchildren call her and honestly, most people probably don't even know her real name, Clara.) lives in a retirement complex and there are always activities going on.  Honey is in charge of Bingo and Lily Grace was so excited to visit and play along with Honey and her friends.  We did just that.  We had a great time  and it was fun to watch Lily Grace interact with everyone. She can definitely bring out a smile.  
Her second big request on our trip to Alabama was Putt-Putt.  This came out of the blue, but Cousin Jessica and her boyfriend Tanner were happy to oblige.  Actually, they were quite patient (Gracie lugged Molly Baby on this trip and yes, that meant to Putt-Putt as well. We all took turns holding her while Lily Grace putted or conveniently forgot to keep up with her. Even Tanner, who we had just met that evening took a turn holding her while Lily Grace putted.) and made her feel so big and special.  
Jessica also pulled out her old American Girl doll, Samantha and she and Lily Grace got busy dressing and styling.  Lily Grace was in heaven.  
Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Pam were kind enough to serve us a big delicious meal each night and we all enjoyed some game time.  
Leaving Alabama, we headed to Florida to visit with Gran, Grandma and Grandpa.  We had a good time visiting and filled up on boiled peanuts.  
Our trip back south was fun (and hot!!!!) and we had a great time visiting with family and spending time together, but we were all so happy to get back home to our own beds and to see Molly.  There's just no better place on earth.  
Thanks so much to our family for hosting us, feeding us and putting up with us.  We had a great time!

Last Day of 1st Grade!

Lily Grace: Second Grader

Lily Grace celebrated the last day of first grade last Thursday.  She only had a short two hours at school and walked out a second grader.  

A trip to the pool was a great way to end such a big day!

Happy Father's Day

Blessings!

Spring Recital

Spring Recital

School Talent Show

Two silly girls with their prizes after the talent show

Lily Grace had her Spring Violin recital and did a beautiful job.  She is really growing as a violinist and has started reading her own music too.  

For her recital, she played Long, Long Ago and Perpetual Motion.  She did a GREAT job!  

She also entered the school talent show the last week of school.  I have to say, Lily Grace is one of the bravest girls I know.  The girl is fearless.  Dressed in her favorite dress (Can you tell?), she played Long, Long Ago accompanied by her school music teacher, Ms. Stone.  

Lily Grace, daddy and I are so proud of you!

Festival of Cultures

Lily Grace had her 1st Grade Field Trip towards the end of school. There was actually a little warm front coming through which made for a pretty warm day in an open field.  The class attended the Culture of Festivals.  The event was much like a little mini trip to different parts of the world with each tent visited.  

This trip also meant Lily Grace's first ride on a school bus (and mine since I quit teaching) and let me just say, I don't think I'll be leaving car- line anytime.  (not that I would have it any other way)  In true daddy form, she was very concerned that there were no seat belts.  That's my girl Gracie.  

Nonetheless, we had fun and got to spend the day together with friends.  

A Very Special Week

Breakfast in bed is one of her favorite birthday traditions.  This year: scrambled eggs, fresh strawberries and salmon 

A little birthday love from Molly

Excited to get some new outfits and in particular a new pink tutu skirt

Mama and Daddy surprised her with her big wish: Lego Friends Olivia's House

Home from school with cards from her class.  Each card was  a message with why they liked her.  So sweet!

Dressed for the Daddy-Daughter Dance

Out to dinner before the dance

Both of them, so proud of the other: Cute!!

This past Thursday, Lily Grace celebrated her 7th birthday.  I still can't believe that she is 7.  She is growing into such a sweet, funny and caring girl.  Matt and I are so proud of her and love her more than words can express.  She is a blessing that we cherish.  She is truly the best part of us.  God is so good!
She woke to breakfast in bed, gifts and an all around special day. The night before her birthday, she told  us she didn't want to turn 7 and grow up.  She liked being a little girl.  I was thinking 7, are you kidding me?  This year, your daddy and I will turn 32 ok 37 well it doesn't really matter but anyway, 7 have mercy.  I assured her that she was still very much a little girl and would always  be my baby. (The morning after  her birthday, she woke to tell us that she would like to have yesterday back and do it all over again.  Ha! I'm positive I haven't said those words in the last several years.) 
Her classmates all made her birthday cards and her birthday was announced over morning announcements.  She was so excited about this. I also packed her special treats for snack and lunch. Matt and I both took her to school Thursday morning.    
After school, Matt and I picked her up and we were off to swim class and then back home.  For her special dinner, she requested prosciutto cups with strawberries and a milkshake for dessert. (Lily Grace could eat breakfast for dinner every night of the week I do believe.)  Afterwards, she slipped into some new birthday pajamas and enjoyed an extra 45 minutes added to her bedtime.  
Her exciting week continued on Friday when she and Matt attended the Father- Daughter dance at school.  She looked adorable and was most excited about her new glitter ballet flats.  I was invited to join them for dinner by the water before the dance.
Matt sent me video and text throughout the evening and she appeared to be having a wonderful time.  She and daddy even won a dance prize and she enjoyed participating in the hula hoop contest where she won some beads.  
Matt, you were a wonderful date, daddy and example of how she should expect to be treated.  You are also a real trooper when it comes to Gracie, caring not about how you look in front of others but that your daughter see you in the moment.  She will cherish that about you always.  I know that I do.
What a special week!  Quite fitting for a very special little girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhode Island

Cliff Views

Reminds me of some Hunting and Fishing Magazine ad.  Molly is just  happy to be along for the ride. 

We all navigated down these large rocks to see the waterfall.

The girl is funny

Along with Forsythia, Daffodils cover new England in yellow beauty.

The Atlantic Ocean and  a little girl who could care less how cool it is

Over Spring Break, we took a short hour and a half trip to Newport, Rhode Island.  The wind was a little cool but otherwise beautiful.  
We visited the 40 Steps Cliff Walk as well as the beach.  The scenery was charming and easing going.  The quaint town is filled with shop lined streets and a beautiful marine.
Despite the cool breeze, Lily Grace had a wonderful time playing in the sand at the beach and even managed a sand castle with help from daddy.  

We had a HOOOT!

Just waiting for her guests to arrive

In addition to the door decor, Daddy wrapped our outdoor light pole in pink lights to welcome guests.

One of my favorite decorations was the mantle which took on you on a little walk down memory lane.  

This years cake

Meagan, who is Erin's big sister agreed to be my assistant.  Lily Grace adores her and having her here only made her party more special.  Thanks so much Meagan.  You were a trooper.

Good friend Erin was the first guest to arrive.

Bottle Cap necklaces in the making.

One silly girl having tons of fun

Signing pillowcases: This activity had Meagan and I looking at each other in disbelief.  You think telling 8 seven year olds to pass to the right and sign would be easy huh?  As soon as we said pass, all we saw were pillowcases flying and squeals followed. HA! HA!

Blowing out the candles and making it official

Opening her gifts and choosing a boxed owl

Finally unwrapping their owls: They were about to bust waiting for everyone to get a turn selecting a box and being told to open. 

Here they all are before they flew the nest

Here is Dress Up Owl made especially for the Birthday Girl

Adoption Cards: Susan at JPress did an amazing job on the invitations, adoption cards, water bottle labels, favor bag labels and character cards for the party.  Thank you so much Susan.  You always make everything so special and cute. 

The girls and their owls 

Dancing the night away!  However, with daylight savings time working against you, creating the dark takes a little imagination.  And trust me, they could have cared less. 

This year Lily Grace decided on a Night Owl theme for her 7th birthday party.  She was so excited about having friends over so late and partying until the wee hours of the night.  The party didn't end until 8:00 pm.  To my almost seven year old, that was LATE.  :-)
Lily Grace invited 8 girls over and everything we did revolved around owls.  
The party kicked off with everyone arriving in their PJ's and lugging a sleeping bag.  With owls so popular right now, Lily Grace and I happened upon some adorable owl fabric that we used to sew her pajama bottoms.  She looked so cute.
The girls quickly got busy making their own bottle cap necklaces, with an owl at the center of course. The girls also enjoyed signing their names to the back of owl pillowcases as a keepsake to remember the evening with friends.  And of course, pizza and cake were in abundance.  Lily Grace's favorite part of the party was the Owl Adoption.  I sewed owls for the girls.  Each owl was different.  Each came with a card telling what kind of owl it was.  We had owls like Wise, Dreamy, Crafty etc.  Knowing all the characters, Lily Grace had asked to be Dress Up Owl.  I agreed that she could choose hers, but that she couldn't see it before the party. She had to be surprised like all her friends.   Once I sewed all the owls, I wrapped each one in a box and included the character card.  As Lily Grace opened a gift from a friend, they got to choose a box.  Once Lily Grace had opened all her gifts and each girl had selected a box, they all opened their boxes to reveal their owl.  There were so excited!  Lily Grace was thrilled with Dress Up Owl.  The girls were then given Owl Adoption Cards where they named their owls.  The girls then got together for a picture with their owls. Matt printed the picture before the girls left and placed it in a frame that I had fabric wrapped for each girl.  
We ended the night with glow sticks and dancing in the dark.  Three hours later, 8 tired and still excited little girls called it a night.  (And two tired parents did too.)
According to Lily Grace, this was the best birthday ever.  Glad to hear that Gracie!  Daddy and I love sharing in these special and fun times with you.  We had a great time and look forward to celebrating her actual birthday in just two short weeks.  Until then, we are off to enjoy Spring Break!  (And I shall ponder what in the world I did before etsy and Pinterest. Ha!)
Thanks to everyone who came and helped Lily Grace celebrate.