The Polar Express 2014

The Sweatmans went for a second ride on the Polar Express this year! We took Addie Kate when she was three and I was pregnant with Drew. She enjoyed it, but not near as much as her brother did this year. Trains are his thing, and The Polar Express is his favorite movie of all time. He was beyond excited the entire time. And that made it wonderful for us! 

We got there early, or what we thought was early, but the tiny little town was packed and we barely ate our dinner in time for the train. (Then of course we had time to spare after choking down our dinner!) Drew had no idea what we were doing. Addie Kate had a vague idea. So when we gave him his golden ticket, he just lit up. It was such a sweet, sweet moment! 

A few obligatory pictures before the trip. 

We really couldn't decide on a good weekend, and really didn't want to go before Thanksgiving, but it turned out to be the only time we could. So we bought tickets very, very last minute (so much so that we had to get them from the ticket counter once we got there) and the first class seats that we wanted weren't available. I was so upset, but honestly the kids knew no different. Drew could have sat on the stairs and been thrilled, and that's all that mattered. 

That precious face. He was spellbound for most of the ride. 

Addie Kate did not want any part of this, but eventually was a good sport about it. 

My kids don't like hot chocolate, but they took a few sips and we kept two of the cute mugs. Drew loves to drink out of them. I climbed beside them for us to read along with the story while it played on the train. 

Drew stayed like this for most of the trip. He just loved every part of it. 

Of course Santa coming on the train was a big hit! 

Another sweet, precious memory. I share Drew's love for The Polar Express. I'm so glad we took them both at just the right ages. 

(The souvenir $22 family picture that we bought on the train. I love it and love the last one we bought too when we were just a family of three!) 

Happy 7th Birthday Addie Kate!

Well. We have had our precious girl for seven years now. Seven. And it feels like longer. Even though it's completely flown by. We just can't imagine how we lived without her for so long. And we certainly can't remember what life was like without her. She is such a bright light to our day. A happy, loving, eager child. She loves school and reading and her teachers and wants to please. She loves her friends and she loves to talk and play with them. She loves her brother, but they are full on into normal sibling behavior now of fighting one minute and playing the next. We are so completely proud of everything this girl does. We are so thankful to be her parents. 

  
So here she is, other last night of being six! With one big tooth coming in the top and another one missing! Blue eyes shining, a bed full of books, and a smile on her face. That's our girl.

On the day of her birthday, Tommy was the Watch DOG at school. Addie Kate just loves this!

When we get home, we let her open her gifts from us. 

 We gave her Isabelle, the American Girl Doll of the Year - who is a dancer, which Addie Kate loved. She also got a few other little treats.

  

 And little brother was just so happy that it was his sister's birthday. He has such a sweet heart.

Drew got hold of my phone and took a picture, that I love, of my girl and me. My sweet seven year old. 

 That night, Addie Kate wanted Mexican food, of course. All her grandparents, and some aunts and uncles and even Marsha came to celebrate.

And my girl, with her dozenth piece of birthday cake. 

A few days later she had her birthday party. She wanted a skating party and I gladly obliged. It's the easiest and cheapest party ever. And she and her friends had a blast. It was a win. 

A friend's mother made her cake. Addie Kate asked her to three days before the party and was very specific - she wanted chocolate and vanilla cake and wanted it decorated in pink, purple, and aqua. My girl. I love her.

 I thought the cake turned out exactly right for AK, and a little 80's as well! Ha!

 Right when I went to take the next picture - in hopes to get just ONE good one (despite this wall in the picture) - Addie Kate busted it right there in front of everyone. Bless her heart. She handled it though.

You know you can't have a picture without a silly one following it.

We got home, tired, and late, and it was a Sunday night, but Addie Kate wanted to open her gifts from her friends and we let her. (In Christmas jammies nonetheless!)

My two precious babes. I just love how they love each other and I pray that they are always so close and so happy for each other. Happy Birthday to my precious angel. The one that made me a mama, and the one that is my "trial and error." Thank you for being a good listener, doing your best all the time, and just being my girl. I love you more than all the stars in the sky.