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. 

Addie Kate Dances at the Fair!

AddieKate's dance studio though the dancers would have a good time dancing at the fair, then eating and having some fun with their friends afterwards. Addie Kate was so excited to do this! She was looking forward to it for weeks! They had to get a dance together really quickly, since dance started back in mid-August, and the fair is the first of October. I was really proud of how well she did! And looking back at it, it was great to see how much she grew throughout the year! 

 My all-made-up girl.

 This was my first time doing her hair and makeup, complete with fake eyelashes. I took off work early for it, and it was a good thing because it took forever! Fortunately, She looked ok and I learned a few tricks to make each time easier.

Afterwards, we ate lots of bad-for-you food and rode a few rides.

Drew had been SO patient. But bless his heart he was through with waiting and watching sister! He didn't even want anymore snacks! Ha! He told Tommy, "I am hungry. I don't want anymore crackers!"

Clearly AK was the only one in makeup that night! But I can't help it. He won't always want me to ride with him and sit by him! 

Sweet thing. It was a late night but we loved watching our girl shine! 

Drew's First Soccer Season

Well, we entered the world of soccer. I can't believe that a three year old can play sports, and I honestly can't say I agree with it. However, for an active little boy, he needed something. And bless his sweet heart, he has been drug from activity to activity for his sister, since birth, it was time for him to have a little something! 

This season was everything I expected - chaos, tears, tantrums, fun, hot, and plenty cute.  

I love the first of things. The first time of things. It's always the biggest mess and the cutest. 

I mean, I could have eaten him up! 

That sweet, happy face. He was SO excited. And then the first practice was cancelled because of thunderstorms. Bless his sweet heart.  He just got this sad look on his face and cried quietly. It surprised me so much. I would have expected a screaming, loud, meltdown, tantrum from Addie Kate. But Drew just quietly cried. His little heart broken. Bless him. When he does that it tears me to shreds. 

But, we had practice number two.... 

and he loved it. He listened to every single word and did exactly what the coach did. I was so proud and not the least surprised. He always listens (to everyone else) completely and perfectly. This was no exception and I was so proud. 

Then we reached the first game. It was hot and muggy. 

 Keeping big sister on the sidelines was close to impossible. They have a playground right there, and I reluctantly let her play on it. I hated it because I stayed on the soccer field. I constantly looked back and forth at the field and the playground.

 (Drew is pointing here at the goal he's supposed to go towards.)

 This face, above, is one we saw often. Nervous.

 Look at him GO!!!!

 Sweet babe made a goal most games.

But most games were tears, sitting on the field, us dragging him out there, etc. He did NOT understand, nor expect, that he'd have to share a ball with others during the games. He had only practiced using his own ball and nobody taking it from him. That did NOT go over well and it was hard to watch him act that way. I grew to not liking the games and hating going. I just hated seeing him frustrated and not having fun. Obviously, Tommy and I could care less if he ever made a goal. We just wanted him to run after the ball and enjoy himself.

Then came the final game. It was chilly, and Drew finally told us that he didn't like the sun in his eyes, so we brought his sunglasses.

 A cute little pep talk and hands in from coach.

 And then Drew was in! At his age, there are no goalies, they play eight minute quarters, with a short halftime. Each child plays two quarters (if everyone on the team is present - if not, some kids play more than two times.)

 Drew ran the whole time! He had a blast! He had fun! He made goals! But most importantly, he loved it!

 Drinking out of his water bottle was his other favorite part.

 His MOST favorite part was running under the parent "tunnel" after each game.

 They had a tiny little awards ceremony where each player got a trophy and a cupcake.

Sweet little thing. So proud of his trophy. 

All in all, we enjoyed the season and are glad Drew did it. Tommy and I aren't big on young kids playing the same sport year round,  we want them to get exposure to many sports. So Drew will likely not be playing soccer in the spring and we'll give baseball a try. (That should also be interesting. We come from a long line of baseball players and lovers, so we are excited, but hesitant at such a young age.) I will be looking forward to next fall, to see how he does with his second soccer season. 

Below are some miscellaneous pictures from the season.