4 Years old

It is hard to believe that this precious little baby is 4 years old today! Looking at this pictures makes me remember that day she was born all the more. You look at a little life and wonder what the future holds, and how such a small baby can grow up in to a child and then adult. (thankfully we aren't at the adult stage yet!) I can tell you...she has grown to be such a joyful, excitable, imaginative little princess! She make me laugh on a daily basis. Just yesterday I was laying down for a nap with her and she was being her typical goofy self making me laugh. She has a personality like none other.

My prayer for this sweet girl is that she grows to love and follow the Lord. I pray that the joy she possesses today would never leave her. And that she would be a blessing to all the people she meets! She sure is to me and our family!

American Girl Doll Birthday Party

Carys' birthday party was on Friday. We had a great time. When she told me she wanted an American Girl doll party I was a little stumped. When I googled to get some ideas most of them were tea party types for the older girls. Carys just has a bitty twin so I didn't want to go that route. I decided to focus on the red star. Which worked great since July 4th is not to far off. It ended up being one of my favorite parties to date!

Here is the birthday girl with Lizzie, her bitty twin.

I made this sign on my sisters cricut machine. That is the most amazing thing EVER!

We had a dress up relay race. My nephew, Kyler, is a champ...he was the only boy to play!

I got the cake at Sam's club and just had them do red polka dots with cupcakes sprinkled with red. I added the red stars to the cake...again cut from the cricut machine.

The party favors were the cute little tins (bought at Target) with stars on them. I purchased red and white candy (I found white star candy and star marshmallows at Walmart) and had a candy bar. Each guest got to fill their tin with candy. I bought the measuring scoops at Target and wrapped ribbon around the handles so you couldn't see the measurements. I had red and silver stars hanging from the tree branches, and star garland on the tables. Like I said, it was one of my favorite parties and Carys had a great time!

This Girl...

(September 2009)
just looks bigger! Don't get me wrong, she learned a lot this year, but look at her! There is clearly a big difference in a 3 year old and a 4 year old. (Well, almost 4!) What a great year she had. To think back to that first day of preschool...I was so nervous. I thought she was going to cry and be so sad. Boy was I wrong! She cried on the days she didn't have school. It has been so neat to see the ways God has grown this sweet child over the past several months. She is more mature, her imagination is out of control, she is a little more self sufficient, and she stills light up my world. Her teacher was also AMAZING. (And I am super excited that next year she will be the director of the preschool.) It is so hard to say good-bye to these people that have spent so much time with my children. They have done so much and I don't know if they will ever know.

(August 2010)
So as school ends (and I pull myself together) I say HELLO to new routines, long days, and lots of FUN!

Can you see the differnce?

(August 2009)
- He looks a little older.
- He is a little taller.
- He is six now.
- His hair is shorter.
- He has different clothes on.
- He has a different school bag.
*But these are not the differences I am talking about!*
(June 2010)

This boy has changed so much over the past 9 months. These are the differences you can't see in these pictures.
- He can read.
- He can write sentences.
- He can jump rope.
- He knows all kinds of things about animals.
- He knows lots of new songs.
- He draws great pictures.
- He can write a story.

All these things I owe to a lot of wonderful teachers, but mainly to one...

his fabulous Kindergarten teacher!

Gearing Down, Or should I say UP!?

Well it seems summer is here. The kids have 3 days of school left, the pool is open and it is HOT. Yup, sounds like summer! Memorial Day weekend Rob's parents came for a visit. We had a great time. The kids loved having them. When they pulled in the driveway Carys said, "The Pennsylvania people are here!" It was so funny! We just don't get to see them enough.

Like I said the kids only have a couple days of school left. I am left feeling a little sad about this. I have really liked both of there teachers and hate to say goodbye. It has been awesome to see the Lord work in the lives of people at their schools through our family. Our prayer has always been that he would use us as a light in a very dark world. I believe that has been accomplished this school year.

Another sign of summer...I have a tomato on my plant. Yeah, I am trying my hand at gardening. So far one tomato. I have a strawberry plant too, but no berries yet! I was hoping to have a picture, but I will soon.

So the pool is open, school is coming to an end, vacation is not far off and tomatoes are growing. Is it time to gear down...or up!?