A Very Merry Unbirthday Party

 With our trip to Disney this year, I said a big NO to a big Birthday party.

That was hard for me to do.

Even though our little family celebrated Addison and will celebrate Ansley on her upcoming day... even though extended family has and will celebrate them... even though Disney was the best imaginable celebration... It was hard for me...

So hard for me that I bent...just a little...and am having a few friends to the park after school to play and eat cake right smack in the middle of my September and October babies' birthdays. That's all. 1 gathering. The park. Cake. Candles.

But, I am a sucker for anything that warrants making a cute invitation and writing in pretty fonts on envelopes--even if it is just for a few of them. ;) And we had just returned from a magical adventure that had the princess love exploding, so how could I withhold my girls a princess party at the pinnacle of their obsessions, right!?!

So, tada.

It is documented, and the girls don't even know it is small scale. Love them for that.

I love Birthdays. What can I say? So celebrate we will!

 With our trip to Disney this year, I said a big NO to a big Birthday party.

That was hard for me to do.

Even though our little family celebrated Addison and will celebrate Ansley on her upcoming day... even though extended family has and will celebrate them... even though Disney was the best imaginable celebration... It was hard for me...

So hard for me that I bent...just a little...and am having a few friends to the park after school to play and eat cake right smack in the middle of my September and October babies' birthdays. That's all. 1 gathering. The park. Cake. Candles.

But, I am a sucker for anything that warrants making a cute invitation and writing in pretty fonts on envelopes--even if it is just for a few of them. ;) And we had just returned from a magical adventure that had the princess love exploding, so how could I withhold my girls a princess party at the pinnacle of their obsessions, right!?!

So, tada.

It is documented, and the girls don't even know it is small scale. Love them for that.

I love Birthdays. What can I say? So celebrate we will!

Spontaneous Discovery Mondays

We had nothing on the horizon for today, so when my friend Jen texted and invited us to the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, we jumped at the chance for something fun and different to do! The girls were excited and ready to go--especially on this crisp fall day.

We had been one other time to the Discovery Center, and I was so impressed with all of the interactive learning activities that my girls could be a part of and even comprehend. I had just begun teaching preschool at the time, and I came away with lots of ideas that I was able to implement in our class.

On Monday mornings, there is a special activity for moms and kids. It's kind of a mix between story time at the library and circle time at the beginning of a school day. Today the theme was spiders, so we started the day by reading Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider, 

singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", getting spider rings, and making spider handprint crafts and spider snacks.

Then we went to explore. The kids jumped in a ball pit that represented red blood cells and white blood cells; they were car mechanics; they operated dump trucks and cranes and learned about levels;

they sat in farm trucks and pretended like they were in Disney parades; 

they turned cogs; they sat in fire trucks, 

went down twisty slides, 

and were archaeologists. They learned about water supplies and farmers markets.

 We even played Pocahontas. ;)

Then we went back to Jen's house and enjoyed a fun lunch with fun friends.

Today we're celebrating spontaneity, learning through discovery, and good times with good friends. (These 6 kids have been friends since before they could walk and talk, and their moms are some of my dearest friends too. So, I'm also celebrating mom friends today. They're the best.)

We had nothing on the horizon for today, so when my friend Jen texted and invited us to the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, we jumped at the chance for something fun and different to do! The girls were excited and ready to go--especially on this crisp fall day.

We had been one other time to the Discovery Center, and I was so impressed with all of the interactive learning activities that my girls could be a part of and even comprehend. I had just begun teaching preschool at the time, and I came away with lots of ideas that I was able to implement in our class.

On Monday mornings, there is a special activity for moms and kids. It's kind of a mix between story time at the library and circle time at the beginning of a school day. Today the theme was spiders, so we started the day by reading Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider, 

singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", getting spider rings, and making spider handprint crafts and spider snacks.

Then we went to explore. The kids jumped in a ball pit that represented red blood cells and white blood cells; they were car mechanics; they operated dump trucks and cranes and learned about levels;

they sat in farm trucks and pretended like they were in Disney parades; 

they turned cogs; they sat in fire trucks, 

went down twisty slides, 

and were archaeologists. They learned about water supplies and farmers markets.

 We even played Pocahontas. ;)

Then we went back to Jen's house and enjoyed a fun lunch with fun friends.

Today we're celebrating spontaneity, learning through discovery, and good times with good friends. (These 6 kids have been friends since before they could walk and talk, and their moms are some of my dearest friends too. So, I'm also celebrating mom friends today. They're the best.)

Birthday Sunday

One of my favorite things about my church, Otter Creek, is the way that they celebrate and honor the Birthdays of the children. The first Sunday of each month, they call all of the children whose Birthdays fall in that month up on stage--kids in the range if ones who are celebrating their first birthdays all the way up to those celebrating their 18th Birthdays. Then they sing the Birthday song followed by a verse of "May The Lord Bless You." It is really so special.

Today my upcoming almost 3-year-old celebrated her Birthday Sunday.

Her sister was excited for her.

Patrick and I are so thankful to be raising our girls in such a loving church. This Birthday Sunday is a small thing that has a big impact. It's a way to make a big church feel a little bit smaller. 

Loved celebrating this October girl's Birthday month!

One of my favorite things about my church, Otter Creek, is the way that they celebrate and honor the Birthdays of the children. The first Sunday of each month, they call all of the children whose Birthdays fall in that month up on stage--kids in the range if ones who are celebrating their first birthdays all the way up to those celebrating their 18th Birthdays. Then they sing the Birthday song followed by a verse of "May The Lord Bless You." It is really so special.

Today my upcoming almost 3-year-old celebrated her Birthday Sunday.

Her sister was excited for her.

Patrick and I are so thankful to be raising our girls in such a loving church. This Birthday Sunday is a small thing that has a big impact. It's a way to make a big church feel a little bit smaller. 

Loved celebrating this October girl's Birthday month!

Soccer Saturdays

This season of life has been fun for us as Addison has entered into the world of team sports. Patrick and I both grew up playing sports, so when she expressed an interest in playing on a soccer team, we encouraged her and pursued it.

Williamson County has a top notch soccer association, and she was eligible to join the U5 league. She had participated in a soccer camp the summer before, so she had a ball, but we still needed to get her the rest of her gear, so we went to Academy Sports and got her the rest. We didn't know how she would do, if she would like it, or if she would do cartwheels and pick flowers, so we were looking for a deal. We found some--got her cleats for $6.99 and her bag for $3.97. Can't beat that! 

A few weeks later it was time for the soccer expo, and Ad was pumped to meet her team:

She loved practicing and playing all the creative games that soccer coaches come up with for little girls. Patrick was taking her to practice and helping out. He told me that she was doing well and having fun, but I had no idea what to expect for her first game.

Not only did she have a ball, but she scored 5 goals! My mouth was perpetually gaped open.

She had to miss a game because of Disney, and the next game was the day after her birthday, and it was more of the picking flowers variety, but today, she was back at it full force! And she was extra excited because her cousin came to watch. These are seriously two of the cutest soccer girls I have ever seen.

And these are two of the cutest fans--who wish they were out on the field themselves. 

Since Savannah and Addison's games were back to back, they got to watch each other, and then we celebrated with a Subway Lunch. My girls brought their Disney autograph books to show their cousins. Gotta keep that Disney love alive! ;)

It was a great day to celebrate soccer.

This season of life has been fun for us as Addison has entered into the world of team sports. Patrick and I both grew up playing sports, so when she expressed an interest in playing on a soccer team, we encouraged her and pursued it.

Williamson County has a top notch soccer association, and she was eligible to join the U5 league. She had participated in a soccer camp the summer before, so she had a ball, but we still needed to get her the rest of her gear, so we went to Academy Sports and got her the rest. We didn't know how she would do, if she would like it, or if she would do cartwheels and pick flowers, so we were looking for a deal. We found some--got her cleats for $6.99 and her bag for $3.97. Can't beat that! 

A few weeks later it was time for the soccer expo, and Ad was pumped to meet her team:

She loved practicing and playing all the creative games that soccer coaches come up with for little girls. Patrick was taking her to practice and helping out. He told me that she was doing well and having fun, but I had no idea what to expect for her first game.

Not only did she have a ball, but she scored 5 goals! My mouth was perpetually gaped open.

She had to miss a game because of Disney, and the next game was the day after her birthday, and it was more of the picking flowers variety, but today, she was back at it full force! And she was extra excited because her cousin came to watch. These are seriously two of the cutest soccer girls I have ever seen.

And these are two of the cutest fans--who wish they were out on the field themselves. 

Since Savannah and Addison's games were back to back, they got to watch each other, and then we celebrated with a Subway Lunch. My girls brought their Disney autograph books to show their cousins. Gotta keep that Disney love alive! ;)

It was a great day to celebrate soccer.

Holidays are more fun with festive shirts

Today, I am celebrating being festive. Since my house is on the market, and I am not bringing out all of my fall decorations, I decided that I'd overcompensate in the fashion department. ;)

I went to Hobby Lobby this week because I saw that all of their Halloween fabrics was on sale and picked up these cute designs.

I had already purchased two long-sleeved black shirts from Dharma Trading Co back when I bought back to school shirts and Stuff for Disney sewing.

I also restocked my sewing closet with Heat and Bond,

And then scoured Pinterest for an appliqué idea.

I loved this one:

So, I pulled out my mom's old Singer (since I have yet to learn my new machine) and used a simple zig-zag stitch to make these two shirts for my two little soon-to-be festive girls. 

Think we'll celebrate with a playground party tonight! 

Today, I am celebrating being festive. Since my house is on the market, and I am not bringing out all of my fall decorations, I decided that I'd overcompensate in the fashion department. ;)

I went to Hobby Lobby this week because I saw that all of their Halloween fabrics was on sale and picked up these cute designs.

I had already purchased two long-sleeved black shirts from Dharma Trading Co back when I bought back to school shirts and Stuff for Disney sewing.

I also restocked my sewing closet with Heat and Bond,

And then scoured Pinterest for an appliqué idea.

I loved this one:

So, I pulled out my mom's old Singer (since I have yet to learn my new machine) and used a simple zig-zag stitch to make these two shirts for my two little soon-to-be festive girls. 

Think we'll celebrate with a playground party tonight! 

Celebrating Getting Our Fix

When you're missing Disney, the next best thing is to go to Disney on Ice, right?!? Especially when you have two little girls and the theme is "Princesses and Heroes."

There will never be another surprise that matches the friendly bomb we dropped here, but we still get so excited about surprising our girls with fun things, and they were so excited when I told them where we would be going tonight!

Addison beamed and told me that she just knew that those princesses could find her in Tennessee, and she asked if they took the "Magical Express" to get to the airport to fly here all the way from Disney World. ;) love that kid.

When the "When you wish upon a star" intro came on, and Mickey and Minnie skated to mid-rink, the girls squealed and yelled, "We miss you!!!"

Then we settled in to watch the spectacular show.

We loved it all!

The girls kept "oohing and ahing" and marveling that the princesses were such amazing skaters.

I will never tire of seeing and experiencing moments through the fresh, animated, joy-spilling eyes of my children.

We had so much fun, and it definitely gave us our fix...

For now.

When you're missing Disney, the next best thing is to go to Disney on Ice, right?!? Especially when you have two little girls and the theme is "Princesses and Heroes."

There will never be another surprise that matches the friendly bomb we dropped here, but we still get so excited about surprising our girls with fun things, and they were so excited when I told them where we would be going tonight!

Addison beamed and told me that she just knew that those princesses could find her in Tennessee, and she asked if they took the "Magical Express" to get to the airport to fly here all the way from Disney World. ;) love that kid.

When the "When you wish upon a star" intro came on, and Mickey and Minnie skated to mid-rink, the girls squealed and yelled, "We miss you!!!"

Then we settled in to watch the spectacular show.

We loved it all!

The girls kept "oohing and ahing" and marveling that the princesses were such amazing skaters.

I will never tire of seeing and experiencing moments through the fresh, animated, joy-spilling eyes of my children.

We had so much fun, and it definitely gave us our fix...

For now.

Celebrating the change in the wind...

Fall has always been refreshment to me. Whether it's the excitement of a new school year with new markers and crayons, notebooks and pens, or the hype for a new football season, or an approaching anniversary that inspires nostalgic reminiscing, or the celebration of a new year of life for both of my daughters, the change that comes with fall breathes new life through me.

Especially when a fall morning begins like this:

and includes this:

(The best pumpkin coffee creamer and pumpkin cream cheese can be yours by venturing out to Aldi.  It is seriously out of this world.)

With our house up for sale, we've been a little paralyzed with how to decorate for fall. We spent so much time decluttering and streamlining our house that we don't want to bring out anything that would junk it up and turn off a potential buyer. This is HARD for me. I love being home during this time of year because my house is filled with festive things that make me happy. I took the girls on a nature walk the other day, and Addison kept marveling at everyone's pumpkins, begging me to put out our fall stuff.  (We appeased them with the pumpkins above and the scarecrows below.) I came home from that walk and cried because I couldn't find my harvest candle because I packed EVERY.single.thing away.  We're slowly bringing out the festiveness, but I'm also trying to celebrate in simple ways--wrapping up in blankets and drinking pumpkin spice coffee. 

 Celebrating fall--it's in the little things. Nature walks, collecting leaves, simmering soups, pumpkins, jackets, togetherness...and sweet moments like this...

Fall has always been refreshment to me. Whether it's the excitement of a new school year with new markers and crayons, notebooks and pens, or the hype for a new football season, or an approaching anniversary that inspires nostalgic reminiscing, or the celebration of a new year of life for both of my daughters, the change that comes with fall breathes new life through me.

Especially when a fall morning begins like this:

and includes this:

(The best pumpkin coffee creamer and pumpkin cream cheese can be yours by venturing out to Aldi.  It is seriously out of this world.)

With our house up for sale, we've been a little paralyzed with how to decorate for fall. We spent so much time decluttering and streamlining our house that we don't want to bring out anything that would junk it up and turn off a potential buyer. This is HARD for me. I love being home during this time of year because my house is filled with festive things that make me happy. I took the girls on a nature walk the other day, and Addison kept marveling at everyone's pumpkins, begging me to put out our fall stuff.  (We appeased them with the pumpkins above and the scarecrows below.) I came home from that walk and cried because I couldn't find my harvest candle because I packed EVERY.single.thing away.  We're slowly bringing out the festiveness, but I'm also trying to celebrate in simple ways--wrapping up in blankets and drinking pumpkin spice coffee. 

 Celebrating fall--it's in the little things. Nature walks, collecting leaves, simmering soups, pumpkins, jackets, togetherness...and sweet moments like this...

The Morning After: Celebrate, we will!

Y'all it's hard to come back for Disney World, and not just if you are a little girl. It was super hard on this momma too. It's like you are trapped in this state of euphoria with an all-consuming exhaustion and some letdown. I compared it to Patrick like the feeling you have when you first return from church camp. 

Our girls didn't let it slow them down one bit. Bless them. Minnie Mouse showed up for a character meal,

and then I was invited to Ariel's grotto for a "Meet and Greet." I was even provided an autograph book and map of the Magic Kingdom,

 and after Ariel, I was able to meet most of the princesses and watch the Disney "Celebrate" parade.

That's what I love about the creative celebrations of children, and I was so thankful that my little girls kept the magic alive a little bit longer.

Y'all it's hard to come back for Disney World, and not just if you are a little girl. It was super hard on this momma too. It's like you are trapped in this state of euphoria with an all-consuming exhaustion and some letdown. I compared it to Patrick like the feeling you have when you first return from church camp. 

Our girls didn't let it slow them down one bit. Bless them. Minnie Mouse showed up for a character meal,

and then I was invited to Ariel's grotto for a "Meet and Greet." I was even provided an autograph book and map of the Magic Kingdom,

 and after Ariel, I was able to meet most of the princesses and watch the Disney "Celebrate" parade.

That's what I love about the creative celebrations of children, and I was so thankful that my little girls kept the magic alive a little bit longer.