Happy Birthday Kyra

My oldest child turned 6 today. She has anxiously waited for this moment for months. When Katie turned 4 back in March, she had already begun planning who she was going to invite, where she was going to have the party, and what she was going to eat. Unfortunately, due to my anxious/nervous personality, I had told her it wasn't going to be a grand affair. I can only take a party of several giggling girls every few years or so. I also find it kind of tough to invite classmates from her Kindergarten class, when she hasn't seen them in months and I didn't know many of them that well to begin with. But I'm going off on a tangent. I told her we would gather with family only, and she pleasantly nodded. She can be a very gracious child, for which I am very thankful.

We ended up having one of the best parties we've ever had. It's always great gathering with family, enjoying a little chat time while watching the kids race around the hallways...and Andrew trying to keep up. And who could resist the pigs in a blanket accompanied with chips, dip, and watermelon (the birthday girl's choice of entree')! After opening some presents and letting our "oh so healthy" dinner settle a bit, we dug into my first ever "barbie cake." I have to say, I think it was my best cake ever (and really good tasting too). I hated to eat it, and ruin my glorious creation. But all good things must come to an end right? But the evening didn't end, because we decided to surprise the birthday girl with a bonfire (one of her favorite things to do), along with the company of some good friends. She hadn't seen her little friend Maia in so long, we were sure she'd be pleased. And she was, in fact, the bonfire was very short lived, and after a few attacks from mosquitos we headed inside and enjoyed some catching up time with friends while the kids played "store" with Kyra's new toy...a cash register.

Yes, I think she enjoyed her day, and is looking more like a six year old already (actually more like 7-8 year old). We love you, Kyra, and thank God every day for enriching our lives with your bubbly, caring, genuine life. You are such a precious gift to us.

Monarch Monday

My daughter, Katie, made this creation. Looks like a hodge podge of things right? Two picture frames, and a jewelry box. What in the world?

But let's take a closer look. What is that behind all those objects? Looks like a container of some sort, right?

Oh...a container with leaves. But what's inside that container?

Ahhh...it's a caterpillar!

Katie and I had a little one on one time the other day and went to the farmer's market. I expected to get some peaches or maybe a hairbow from a craft booth. But we found this instead. A lady and her son were selling butterfly kits and for only a few bucks. Katie was very intrigued, so I decided to indulge her, and figured both girls would get into it. I let her choose the kit (they had large caterpillars that were just about ready to make their chrysalis, or baby ones that you could watch grow). Of course Katie picked the baby ones, which just like regular babies, poop and eat all day. We are only 2 days into it and already lost 1 out of the 3 we were given (probably because we didn't clean out their home quickly enough. But hopefully we do a better job from here on out. Katie is thoroughly enjoying checking on her babies and has even gone on to make them a bedroom...hence the pictures of her creation. She likes to open their door and tells me to be quiet so they can rest and makes sure they have shade. It's fun watching her curiosity and tender heart wanting to help something grow. Now let's just hope we can keep the remaining two alive for the duration of their caterpillar life (especially since we are going camping soon and will have to take our leggy creatures with us for vacation!!).