The birthday dresses

The birthday dresses deserve a post of their own, don't you think?  I wanted to make the girls a dress that would would for early spring with turtlenecks, late spring with short sleeves, and summer with no shirt underneath.  I'm all about getting as much use out of a dress as possible.  I used the same jumper pattern that I used for the blue corduroy snowflake dresses.  I chose a floral cotton print.



For a fun little embellishment, I embroidered the girls' first initial on a tab that is attached to the yoke with buttons.  It's something I've wanted to try for a long time.  I like how it turned out.  What I didn't plan was how perfectly the embroidery would mimic the floral pattern of the fabric.  I picked the design out of a book without even realizing how perfectly the little lazy-daisy flowers and leaves matched the fabric.  A very nice surprise!


I'm looking forward to a full six month's worth (or more) of these dresses!

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

Adorableness

Mornings are so fun!

I love the greeting that I get after her every sleep.

Caroline celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday at school this past week. It was "Mixed-up Monday." I let her pick out everything - inside out and backwards dress, two different shoes, unmatched hair barrette. How can she be all mixed up and still so adorable?