Retro-Post: Back to School Celebrations

We've been back in school since the end of August, but it's never too late to document our celebration of a new school year.

I LOVE new school years. I always loved school growing up--shopping for new school supplies, a new planner, and back to school clothes, finding out who my teacher was and which friends would be in my class, and discovering which books were on our book list!

As I transitioned from a student to a teacher, I loved the same things in different ways. I loved making copies of my syllabus in fun fonts with inspirational literary quotes on bright colored paper, and when I ordered a novel for my students with course fees, I would get giddy opening up my Barnes and Noble boxes. I made a dramatic show of passing out books to my students, making them open them up and smell the pages. There is nothing like a new-book smell to English nerds.

When Patrick and I were engaged and talking about important stuff like budgets, dream vacations, how many kids, and who was responsible for what, I told him that one of my non-negotiables was that I would always need to have a new outfit for the first day of school. I didn't ask for much, so he obliged with a glimmer in his eye. ;)

Even though I no longer teach full-time, and my kids are in their preschool years, and I don't know how I feel anymore about how or where I will choose to educate them, the beginning of something new is always worth celebrating.  This year I decided that their "new" outfits would be homemade. After Patrick and I talked about putting our house on the market, I knew I had some sewing projects to tackle before I would be ready to pack some supplies away, so one Thursday night, I got busy and cranked out these appliqued shirts with matching shirts. They are full of imperfections, but I was still excited about them anyway.

As a rule, we try to steer clear from getting "Target Treats" all the time and just give our girls "occasion" gifts. It makes it more fun for me, and it makes them more appreciative, I think. Back to school gifts are some of my favorites, and when I heard that one of my favorite local gift shops was closing, I decided to stock up on some future gifts at such a discounted price. I was thrilled to get the girls these super cute personalized lap desks, and I filled them with new crayons, markers, pencils, coloring books, and preschool workbooks, and we picked them out some new water bottles.

Before school actually starts, we have a day called "Sunshine Smile Day" where parents bring their kids to meet their teachers while they attend an informational meeting. Addison was really excited to get to be in Mrs. Glenda's and Mrs. Carrie's class and in the long-awaited Pre-K program.  Ansley was excited to be in Mrs. Beth and Mrs. Debbie's class, and there were no tears for her this year. I was excited to meet my new 3's and 4's too. Since I am still new to the preschool world, I was anxious about how it would be without one of my own children in my class. Would I connect as well? Would I still have the patience, joy, and creativity that I would need to be effective? Honestly, it did take me a few times to get in the swing of things--as it always does no matter what level I teach--but I now have 11 sweet kiddos who have once again captured my heart.

Addison wrote the letters on the sign, and Ansley drew her trademark "Spider-sun."

(Luckily for Patrick, my new "first day of school" outfit is now partially provided by my employer, but I must tell you about the amazing dry fit "skort" concoction that I got. It is Royal Robbins at REI, and it is shorts covered by a skirt, and I would wear it every single day if I could get away with it. I really wanted to in Disney... It doesn't show sweat, and I can sit on the floor "criss cross apple sauce" because they are shorts, and I still follow dress code by not really wearing shorts since it's covered by a skirt. WIN.WIN.WIN.)

After Sunshine Smile Day, my girls were ready to go to school every single day, but they had to wait until the following Tuesday. We started off their first day with a hot breakfast (a rare delicacy), a fun sign, and a hand-in-hand walk into school.  I know that they will not always enjoy dressing alike, but right now they do, so I am milking it for all of its worth. Plus, this is the last year that they will be at the same school for a couple of years, so I wanted to etch this into my memory.

 I love these girls.

This is a moment that I will treasure for sure. My heart exploded.

They are both having great years so far, and I am continually so thankful that the Lord lead all of us to Sunshine School. It has been an answered prayer on so many levels.

We've been back in school since the end of August, but it's never too late to document our celebration of a new school year.

I LOVE new school years. I always loved school growing up--shopping for new school supplies, a new planner, and back to school clothes, finding out who my teacher was and which friends would be in my class, and discovering which books were on our book list!

As I transitioned from a student to a teacher, I loved the same things in different ways. I loved making copies of my syllabus in fun fonts with inspirational literary quotes on bright colored paper, and when I ordered a novel for my students with course fees, I would get giddy opening up my Barnes and Noble boxes. I made a dramatic show of passing out books to my students, making them open them up and smell the pages. There is nothing like a new-book smell to English nerds.

When Patrick and I were engaged and talking about important stuff like budgets, dream vacations, how many kids, and who was responsible for what, I told him that one of my non-negotiables was that I would always need to have a new outfit for the first day of school. I didn't ask for much, so he obliged with a glimmer in his eye. ;)

Even though I no longer teach full-time, and my kids are in their preschool years, and I don't know how I feel anymore about how or where I will choose to educate them, the beginning of something new is always worth celebrating.  This year I decided that their "new" outfits would be homemade. After Patrick and I talked about putting our house on the market, I knew I had some sewing projects to tackle before I would be ready to pack some supplies away, so one Thursday night, I got busy and cranked out these appliqued shirts with matching shirts. They are full of imperfections, but I was still excited about them anyway.

As a rule, we try to steer clear from getting "Target Treats" all the time and just give our girls "occasion" gifts. It makes it more fun for me, and it makes them more appreciative, I think. Back to school gifts are some of my favorites, and when I heard that one of my favorite local gift shops was closing, I decided to stock up on some future gifts at such a discounted price. I was thrilled to get the girls these super cute personalized lap desks, and I filled them with new crayons, markers, pencils, coloring books, and preschool workbooks, and we picked them out some new water bottles.

Before school actually starts, we have a day called "Sunshine Smile Day" where parents bring their kids to meet their teachers while they attend an informational meeting. Addison was really excited to get to be in Mrs. Glenda's and Mrs. Carrie's class and in the long-awaited Pre-K program.  Ansley was excited to be in Mrs. Beth and Mrs. Debbie's class, and there were no tears for her this year. I was excited to meet my new 3's and 4's too. Since I am still new to the preschool world, I was anxious about how it would be without one of my own children in my class. Would I connect as well? Would I still have the patience, joy, and creativity that I would need to be effective? Honestly, it did take me a few times to get in the swing of things--as it always does no matter what level I teach--but I now have 11 sweet kiddos who have once again captured my heart.

Addison wrote the letters on the sign, and Ansley drew her trademark "Spider-sun."

(Luckily for Patrick, my new "first day of school" outfit is now partially provided by my employer, but I must tell you about the amazing dry fit "skort" concoction that I got. It is Royal Robbins at REI, and it is shorts covered by a skirt, and I would wear it every single day if I could get away with it. I really wanted to in Disney... It doesn't show sweat, and I can sit on the floor "criss cross apple sauce" because they are shorts, and I still follow dress code by not really wearing shorts since it's covered by a skirt. WIN.WIN.WIN.)

After Sunshine Smile Day, my girls were ready to go to school every single day, but they had to wait until the following Tuesday. We started off their first day with a hot breakfast (a rare delicacy), a fun sign, and a hand-in-hand walk into school.  I know that they will not always enjoy dressing alike, but right now they do, so I am milking it for all of its worth. Plus, this is the last year that they will be at the same school for a couple of years, so I wanted to etch this into my memory.

 I love these girls.

This is a moment that I will treasure for sure. My heart exploded.

They are both having great years so far, and I am continually so thankful that the Lord lead all of us to Sunshine School. It has been an answered prayer on so many levels.

Friends Who are Family

Our Saturday was blessed.

We got to spend good time having real conversations about life with our dear friends the Blackburns.

When we were newlyweds living in the same city (a.k.a. Footloose and fancy free) , we used to have slumber parties at each other's houses; we used to do spontaneous double dates; we stayed up all night scraping 7 layers of wallpaper and painting kitchens; we got our dog babies together for play dates; we had marathon life group gatherings.

Later, we celebrated the excitement of simultaneous pregnancy announcements and have watched our kids bond as babies and consider themselves honorary cousins.

Today we celebrated Franklin in the fall.

Our Saturday was blessed.

We got to spend good time having real conversations about life with our dear friends the Blackburns.

When we were newlyweds living in the same city (a.k.a. Footloose and fancy free) , we used to have slumber parties at each other's houses; we used to do spontaneous double dates; we stayed up all night scraping 7 layers of wallpaper and painting kitchens; we got our dog babies together for play dates; we had marathon life group gatherings.

Later, we celebrated the excitement of simultaneous pregnancy announcements and have watched our kids bond as babies and consider themselves honorary cousins.

Today we celebrated Franklin in the fall.

Friday Fun

In our month that is jam/packed full of celebrations, sometimes it is refreshing to appreciate a good regular ordinary day.

Since our house is on the market, I am finding it easier to get out of the house with the girls... It's easier to keep it "show ready" that way. After a lazy morning, we ventured out to Target to spend some Birthday gift cards, and what do you know!?! Both girls picked out Ariels.

Ariel is overtaking my home!!!! 

They thought it was so cool to pay for their goodies themselves, and their favorite thing to do at Target is to sit in this red circle thing. I love that the best things in life are free.

Afterwards, we had packed a lunch, and so we went back to Pinkerton Park to eat and play with friends from ballet last year. We had each been to Disney back to back, had even planned our trips together during ballet hour, so we were both aching to swap stories. Aubrey and Addison are both in PreK, and Ainsley and Ansley are both about to be 3. Love it when things work out like that!

Good play equals good rest, so we all three took some hard naps today! After we woke, up we played with new Birthday toys until it was time for Pizza-Movie Friday. The girls got all they could have asked for or dreamed of, and one of their cutest gifts came in the mail yesterday from their sweet friend Mary Ella and her talented momma. These peg princesses are so intricately detailed. Ariel, Belle, and Mulan are displayed in Addison's room, and Cinderella, Sofia, and Aurora are in Ansley's room. 

Haley has an etsy shop where you can buy personalized family peg people, princesses, and Pixar people. We love our long distance friends!

Now, we're just watching some Cinderella with full pizza bellies. Loving these days with little ones in the house. 

So thankful to celebrate the ordinary today with some Good Friday fun!

In our month that is jam/packed full of celebrations, sometimes it is refreshing to appreciate a good regular ordinary day.

Since our house is on the market, I am finding it easier to get out of the house with the girls... It's easier to keep it "show ready" that way. After a lazy morning, we ventured out to Target to spend some Birthday gift cards, and what do you know!?! Both girls picked out Ariels.

Ariel is overtaking my home!!!! 

They thought it was so cool to pay for their goodies themselves, and their favorite thing to do at Target is to sit in this red circle thing. I love that the best things in life are free.

Afterwards, we had packed a lunch, and so we went back to Pinkerton Park to eat and play with friends from ballet last year. We had each been to Disney back to back, had even planned our trips together during ballet hour, so we were both aching to swap stories. Aubrey and Addison are both in PreK, and Ainsley and Ansley are both about to be 3. Love it when things work out like that!

Good play equals good rest, so we all three took some hard naps today! After we woke, up we played with new Birthday toys until it was time for Pizza-Movie Friday. The girls got all they could have asked for or dreamed of, and one of their cutest gifts came in the mail yesterday from their sweet friend Mary Ella and her talented momma. These peg princesses are so intricately detailed. Ariel, Belle, and Mulan are displayed in Addison's room, and Cinderella, Sofia, and Aurora are in Ansley's room. 

Haley has an etsy shop where you can buy personalized family peg people, princesses, and Pixar people. We love our long distance friends!

Now, we're just watching some Cinderella with full pizza bellies. Loving these days with little ones in the house. 

So thankful to celebrate the ordinary today with some Good Friday fun!

Celebrating 5

I cannot believe that my baby is 5.YEARS.OLD.  The day before her Birthday, I instagrammed this collage of some of my favorite photos of her:

It really does seem like just yesterday that I was holding her in my arms for the first time--falling completely in love with this little person, my Addison Camille.

On the day before her Birthday, I made some castle and crown princess cookies and took them to school to share with her class (on Sofia napkins to boot). She was excited to get to wear her special hat and have Mrs. Carrie do the Birthday "cha-cha-cha" with her.

After school we went to our favorite park, Pinkerton, for a play date with Savannah that she had been begging for. Savannah brought her an early birthday surprise too--a Sofia plush doll and...The.Amulet.Of.Avalar. All she has EVER wanted. ;) Loved letting these kiddos play with each other!

The next morning when she woke up, she requested Mickey Mouse pancakes. Of course I obliged the Birthday girl this request, and I surprised her when it came on an Ariel plate with an Ariel napkin and a "5" candle. I wish I had recorded the giggles.

Next she got to open her presents from her great grandparents: Ariel Lego Duplos, duh. The only OTHER thing she has EVER wanted. (We may have heard this a few times. ;) )

 We had to get ready for her 5-year-old well visit, and I let her pick out her clothes. She insisted on bringing Kit (in her Birthday dress--thanks, Mom!) and Sofia just in case she had to get a vaccine.  (I hadn't told her, but she was supposed to get 2. We got there, and they were out of vaccines... Special little Birthday surprise she didn't even know she got...)  She also orchestrated this picture. Bless.

We dropped Ansley off at my mom's since she lives down the street from our pediatrician, and it was Ansley's nap time. On our way there, my dad called and said he was coming home for lunch, so he and mom gave Addison her birthday presents: roller skates and an Alice in Wonderland dress (the ONLY other things she has EVER wanted). We had a quick lunch and went to the doctor where I learned that Addison is in the 95% for height and 65% for weight and is growing and developing as a little 5-year-old girl should.  She wouldn't stop talking to Dr. Leeper (who we love love love as a ped and even-more-so since he is a shepherd at our church)--even as he had a tongue depressor in her mouth. He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, and I just shrugged. I did get tickled as I watched him fight getting tickled when she told him that she's really not eating her boogers anymore because they have dirt and germs in them... Bless...

When we picked Ansley up and got back home to make Addison her Birthday dinner of Poppyseed Chicken Casserole, rice, strawberries, and salad (her request), she immediately transformed into Alice and began signing autograph books, playing Disney World with her sister again.

As they waited for Patrick to get home, they stared longingly at her presents that she got to open AFTER dinner.

First she blew out candles again with another iced castle cookie (saving the cake for their little party).

Then she opened her card and money from her Nana and Pop, and by then, her sister was busting at the seams to give her the present that she got her.  She had already told her earlier in the day--I heard her whisper to her--that she had gotten her a new "Kit book," but Addison was sweet and still acted surprised.

Then we gave her our boring ones: clothes and shoes--things she NEEDS. ;)

Then she opened her remaining few things:

Patrick gave the girls a bath, and then Addison put BACK on her Alice in Wonderland dress to watch her movie of choice: The Little Mermaid, of course. ;) [Side note: She has worn this dress EVERY DAY since her Birthday.  Sometimes like this as Alice. Other times, she just wears the blue part, asks for a low ponytail and wears blue slippers as Wendy Darling. Other times, she tucks in the collar, wears princess shoes and a "half-tail" with a ribbon and parades around as Ariel-human. We had NO idea she would love a dress-up dress THIS much, but it has provided HOURS upon HOURS of entertainment.] 

It was the perfect ending to a special day.

At 5 years old, Addison loves princesses, fairy tales, Disney World, Kit Kittredge, playing dress up, writing and coloring, reading, riding her bike, roller skating, and playing soccer. She is starting to read more fluently and is picking up new words and sounds every day. She loves to eat and has been going through a growth spurt. She is trying new things like avocado, mango, other new vegetables, new casseroles, and chicken salad sandwiches from Meridees and the Puffy Muffin are her favorites. She also loves oatmeal cream pies and starbursts. She is very social and makes new friends wherever she goes. She is starting to get more self-conscious about her beautiful curls, and she is starting to evangelize. Her teacher told me last week that she overheard Addison asking one of her friends if she wanted to be a Christian and follow Jesus. ;) Addison told me last night that she "lives life with merriment," and that made my heart overflow with love.

I love this little 5-year-old more than I could ever imagine, and Patrick and I are so thankful for, sometimes challeged with, but mostly blessed by this sweet, spunky, strong-willed, fun-loving, fierce, full-of-life, friendly little girl.

I cannot believe that my baby is 5.YEARS.OLD.  The day before her Birthday, I instagrammed this collage of some of my favorite photos of her:

It really does seem like just yesterday that I was holding her in my arms for the first time--falling completely in love with this little person, my Addison Camille.

On the day before her Birthday, I made some castle and crown princess cookies and took them to school to share with her class (on Sofia napkins to boot). She was excited to get to wear her special hat and have Mrs. Carrie do the Birthday "cha-cha-cha" with her.

After school we went to our favorite park, Pinkerton, for a play date with Savannah that she had been begging for. Savannah brought her an early birthday surprise too--a Sofia plush doll and...The.Amulet.Of.Avalar. All she has EVER wanted. ;) Loved letting these kiddos play with each other!

The next morning when she woke up, she requested Mickey Mouse pancakes. Of course I obliged the Birthday girl this request, and I surprised her when it came on an Ariel plate with an Ariel napkin and a "5" candle. I wish I had recorded the giggles.

Next she got to open her presents from her great grandparents: Ariel Lego Duplos, duh. The only OTHER thing she has EVER wanted. (We may have heard this a few times. ;) )

 We had to get ready for her 5-year-old well visit, and I let her pick out her clothes. She insisted on bringing Kit (in her Birthday dress--thanks, Mom!) and Sofia just in case she had to get a vaccine.  (I hadn't told her, but she was supposed to get 2. We got there, and they were out of vaccines... Special little Birthday surprise she didn't even know she got...)  She also orchestrated this picture. Bless.

We dropped Ansley off at my mom's since she lives down the street from our pediatrician, and it was Ansley's nap time. On our way there, my dad called and said he was coming home for lunch, so he and mom gave Addison her birthday presents: roller skates and an Alice in Wonderland dress (the ONLY other things she has EVER wanted). We had a quick lunch and went to the doctor where I learned that Addison is in the 95% for height and 65% for weight and is growing and developing as a little 5-year-old girl should.  She wouldn't stop talking to Dr. Leeper (who we love love love as a ped and even-more-so since he is a shepherd at our church)--even as he had a tongue depressor in her mouth. He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, and I just shrugged. I did get tickled as I watched him fight getting tickled when she told him that she's really not eating her boogers anymore because they have dirt and germs in them... Bless...

When we picked Ansley up and got back home to make Addison her Birthday dinner of Poppyseed Chicken Casserole, rice, strawberries, and salad (her request), she immediately transformed into Alice and began signing autograph books, playing Disney World with her sister again.

As they waited for Patrick to get home, they stared longingly at her presents that she got to open AFTER dinner.

First she blew out candles again with another iced castle cookie (saving the cake for their little party).

Then she opened her card and money from her Nana and Pop, and by then, her sister was busting at the seams to give her the present that she got her.  She had already told her earlier in the day--I heard her whisper to her--that she had gotten her a new "Kit book," but Addison was sweet and still acted surprised.

Then we gave her our boring ones: clothes and shoes--things she NEEDS. ;)

Then she opened her remaining few things:

Patrick gave the girls a bath, and then Addison put BACK on her Alice in Wonderland dress to watch her movie of choice: The Little Mermaid, of course. ;) [Side note: She has worn this dress EVERY DAY since her Birthday.  Sometimes like this as Alice. Other times, she just wears the blue part, asks for a low ponytail and wears blue slippers as Wendy Darling. Other times, she tucks in the collar, wears princess shoes and a "half-tail" with a ribbon and parades around as Ariel-human. We had NO idea she would love a dress-up dress THIS much, but it has provided HOURS upon HOURS of entertainment.] 

It was the perfect ending to a special day.

At 5 years old, Addison loves princesses, fairy tales, Disney World, Kit Kittredge, playing dress up, writing and coloring, reading, riding her bike, roller skating, and playing soccer. She is starting to read more fluently and is picking up new words and sounds every day. She loves to eat and has been going through a growth spurt. She is trying new things like avocado, mango, other new vegetables, new casseroles, and chicken salad sandwiches from Meridees and the Puffy Muffin are her favorites. She also loves oatmeal cream pies and starbursts. She is very social and makes new friends wherever she goes. She is starting to get more self-conscious about her beautiful curls, and she is starting to evangelize. Her teacher told me last week that she overheard Addison asking one of her friends if she wanted to be a Christian and follow Jesus. ;) Addison told me last night that she "lives life with merriment," and that made my heart overflow with love.

I love this little 5-year-old more than I could ever imagine, and Patrick and I are so thankful for, sometimes challeged with, but mostly blessed by this sweet, spunky, strong-willed, fun-loving, fierce, full-of-life, friendly little girl.

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.)