Caroline: Seven

Happy birthday, sweetest Caroline! Seven years ago, you were born and we became parents. We had no idea what we were doing. I remember the first moment the nurses left and we were alone with you. I looked at your Daddy and said, "What are we supposed to do now?" And, honestly, some days we still look at each other and ask the exact same question.

Luckily, you are easy. You always have been. You are kind and obedient and sweet and generous. You strive to honor us as your parents.

You have my personality (we butt heads a lot), but you are a daddy's girl. I love that about you. Your daddy is amazing and I pray you find someone just like him when you are grown. He is showing you daily what a good husband and father is.

You love Helen and Peter. You take pride in being their big sister. Even though I have to sometimes remind you that you do not have to parent them, I am so grateful for your helpful spirit. You are dependable and responsible. I can always count on you to be an extra set of hands.

You are good at school. I never have to worry about your homework - you do it happily and immediately and expertly. I'm glad because soon your homework will be hard and you will be so much smarter than I am!

You love, love, love to read. I can relate. If you are quiet for a while, I know what you are doing. I am really enjoying reading aloud to you. It is so fun to read some of my favorite childhood novels together.

You are my introvert. I can also relate to that. You need quiet and personal space. It's okay. Embrace those feelings and needs. I know many awesome introverts.

You are talented. I'm not really sure what your "thing" is yet because you want to try everything and you love everything. You like soccer, swimming, choir, piano, musical theater, ballet, tap, jazz dance, art... Whew! I definitely see tendencies toward more artistic pursuits instead of athletic ones. Your enthusiasm and joy for your activities is inspiring.

Darling, beautiful, special girl, I look at you and am humbled by God's goodness in my life. He has entrusted your father and me to be your parents. We thank him for you every day. He is molding you into the most amazing young lady. We love you. To the moon and back.

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17

Peter: 1

Peter, you are one! How can 365 days have passed so quickly? Weren't we meeting you for the first time a few moments ago?

We all love teaching you new things. You can do a few signs - more, milk, dog. You point to everything, wanting to know what it is. You say "dog" with some regularity and I'm waiting to hear "Mama" in your little boy voice. You are days away from taking your first steps. It's going to get really crazy in our house when you can run with your sisters! And those sisters, by the way, take such good care of you. The "new" never wore off - you are still just as special to them today as you were a year ago. I'm thankful.

We're seeing more and more of your unique personality. Every day holds something new for you and we learn more about you. I love that. There are some things we've known about you from your first weeks of life and these things are still part of your makeup today. Like how your lovey (woobie) has to be smooshed into your face for you to fall asleep. Or how you love being close to someone, touching them or cuddling with them. Or how attached you are to your Mommy. (Had to throw that one in there. :-) ) You are sweet, happy, fun, loving. You are beautiful. I'm a lucky, lucky Mommy. I'm very happy that you're my baby boy.

We love you so much, Peter! Happy first birthday!

The "pink one" birthday

Several weeks before Helen's birthday I asked her what she would like for her birthday.

"A pink one," she said.
 
"A pink present? I think I can do that."

"No, Mommy! A PINK one!" she repeated. Obviously, I was missing something.

It took us several days and Daddy's interpretive ear to figure out that she was asking for a penguin. A big pink penguin, to be exact. I'm thankful she didn't expect a real penguin. I'm also thankful for Kevin's mad Google search skills. You can find anything on the internet, pink penguins included.

She saw a Rapunzel doll at Target like this one and started asking for it, too. Three times yesterday I saw her holding Rapunzel's hands, staring into her eyes and saying, "Rapunzel. I wuv you so much."

And a see saw! They have enjoyed this thing so much!

It was a really great third birthday celebration!

Helen: 3 years

 

Helen,

Here it is: your THIRD birthday! You are so excited to be three! Honestly, you are excited about almost anything. It's our favorite thing about you.

 

You are my most social child. You make friends easily. You start conversations with everyone you encounter. You always want to go somewhere, do something, see someone.

 

Life is brighter and more fun and more spontaneous with you in it. It's just plain fun with you around.

 

A verse for you popped in to my head last night as I was thinking about your sweet life.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:16

Your father and I give thanks for your light-filled spirit. We pray that the light shining in you will continue to spill out onto those surrounding you, showing them that Jesus lives in your heart. We are prayerful that you will strive to give glory to God in all you do.

 

We love you, merry sunshine! Happy third bithday!

(Incredible photos taken by EBW Photography)

The last 6th birthday post

Who doesn't love to celebrate their birthday for days and days? I realized I hadn't posted about our celebration here at home and her special birthday snack at school.

We celebrated Caroline's birthday at home with one of her favorite meals: ravioli with sauce, salad, and bread.

Caroline is the easiest person in the world to shop for. It is so easy to find things I know she will love. I think I've said it before, but she is the best gift opener. She is truly delighted with each present she opens. So much fun!

I used the "easy button" and picked up Muddy's cupcakes. I'm running out of room for candles on the cupcakes. I guess I'll have to start making cakes!



Because she and Helen were sick the week of her birthday, her teachers and I postponed her birthday snack at school until after spring break - an entire 11 days of waiting. It was a really sweet time for me to get a glimpse of what goes on in Caroline's life at school. Her friends drew "warm and fuzzy wishes" for a special birthday book. There were lots of post of gold, disco balls, and kittens. Helen got to have snacks with the big girls (a glimpse of what her life at school will be like!).





Next up...Helen's birthday!

Sixth birthday fun

We had originally planned to do a small birthday celebration with a few of Caroline's friends the weekend before her birthday. But she got sick and we had to postpone and rearrange. 

Last Friday was the start of spring break, so I took Caroline and Shelby to the Children's Museum. They had a great time. 

The dinosaur exhibit was so interesting to the girls. They spent a long time reading, exploring, doing puzzles, and making dinosaur art.

 

 

Here I am with my "can't-stand-the-stroller-must-be-snuggled" baby. I'm wondering why in the world I left the Moby at home.

 

 

Then we invited Maddie and Elizabeth for manicures and pedicures on Monday.

 

 

 

 

And no birthday celebration is complete without cupcakes!

 

I am so thankful for these friends in Caroline's life. She is a lucky girl to be blessed with such sweet friendships at such an early age.

Caroline: 6 years

Sweet Caroline,

You are SIX! These years have gone by so quickly. They've been the best years of our lives. I could go on and on about how beautiful, talented, intelligent, graceful, wonderful you are. You are more than we ever imagined you would be! We are blessed.

Your daddy and I pray for you - prayers of thanksgiving and praise, prayers for the Holy Spirit to work in your life, prayers that Jesus will always be your redeemer and savior. We pray you remember the most important thing ever: that God loves you always and forever, deeply and intimately.

This was my "verse of the day" the day before your birthday. I thought it was so appropriate for you. I even put it on a note in your lunch box.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. -Luke 12:6-7

You are valued. Not only by those who love you here on earth. But by your eternal Father. Never forget that.

Happy sixth birthday, dear daughter!

(Incredible photos taken by EBW Photography)

Birthday celebrations

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Get your own

We have had a fantastic month, full of birthday celebrations!  We're so proud of our big four-year-old and our little one-year-old.

We took the girls to the Children's Museum and to an Imax film right before Caroline's birthday. Both of the girls really enjoyed that. Caroline got a special date with Mommy - manicures. I got to go to Caroline's school and deliver cupcakes and read a story to her class. The girls each got special birthday meals and cupcakes. And presents, of course! Caroline was so sweet. She said, "Oh my goodness!" with every present she opened. She was genuinely thankful of each one. My sweet big girl helped to make her little sister's birthday very special.

And finally, a couple of birthday videos:

I do this every year for my girls. Caroline got sung to probably six or seven times all day.


Helen didn't quite know what to think of her cupcake at first. But she got into it after a little experimenting.

Helen Renee

Happy birthday, Little Sweet Pea!  You are a joy in every way and a precious part of our family.  I can't believe you were this tiny just one year ago.  You came into this world in a hurry and it's been non-stop activity and excitement ever since.

You are a delightful, fun-loving, high-spirited, little girl.  We are so blessed!  God was so good to give us you.

Your first year has been wonderful! We are enjoying the wonderful person you are and are becoming.

We love watching you grow and learn. You fill us with gratitude and happiness.

We love you so very much! I hope you have a most wonderful first birthday!

Caroline Suzanne

You are four! We've been teasing you for weeks that you are really only turning three this birthday. But you are insistent and sure that this is your fourth birthday.

I can't even begin to quantify every single thing that makes you so awesome. But here are just a few things the we love about your four-year-old self.

You love reading. You read several words and can sound out easy ones by yourself. You are always up for reading a book together. We've started reading bigger books to you. We read The Tale of Despereaux and recently started The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. You really get into the story. You tell us all about what is happening in the book. Your eyes light up with delight when you say, "Aslan is on the move! Spring is coming to Narnia!" I am so excited about this. There are so many great books I want to share with you as you grow.

You love school. You are very smart. You can write all the letters, spell easy words, and do very simple addition problems. You have an amazing memory, as evidenced by the fact that you know several Spanish words, lots of sign language, tons of songs, and the Lord's Prayer. We are all excited about Junior Kindergarten starting this fall!

Princess is your favorite pretend scenario right now. Daddy is your Prince (of course!). You run off and say, "Where is my slipper? I can't find it anywhere!" And Prince Charming brings your slipper and it's magically a perfect fit! Then you dance together. You are definitely a Daddy's girl.

You are now big enough to play many games. Go Fish is a lot of fun and has become our "go-to" game or time-killer. You tell me that your favorite is Hullabaloo. We have so much fun playing games together.

You play and pretend and flit and dance and sing and twirl and party. All day long. You play so well by yourself. It is highly entertaining to watch you entertain yourself.

I feel like there are pages and pages I could write about you and all of your awesome attributes, sweet Caroline. Your Daddy and I think you are amazing - inside and out, head to toe. It is a joy and a privilege to watch you grow. It is exciting to think about who you are becoming, what you will do, where you are going. We are lucky, blessed, and humbled to be your parents. You are an incredible gift and we thank God for you.

Happy birthday, beautiful girl! We love you so much!

O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.
-Isaiah 25:1