Bluebonnets

We always try to take pictures of the kids in the bluebonnets, and I have been waiting for the perfect day this year. Well the weather has not really cooperated- it has been SO windy! We finally decided that our time was limited since our spring has been so dry and the bluebonnets are already going to seed. We headed out Saturday to get pictures. The wind was CRAZY! Pretty much like it has been all spring. So since the wind was blowing about 20 to 30 miles an hour, I decided no need for posing- just let the kids play. I did suggest a few things to them and they cooperated occasionally. I must give my husband credit for capturing so great pictures despite the conditions :)

Love this one!

Luke blowing Avery a kiss

A Party for the Girls

Avery decided right about New Years that she wanted to have an all girl birthday party. Like I mentioned in the previous post, she has been anticipating turning 5 for quite some time! She wanted to do crafts, decorate cookies and of course play party games. Avery is my party planner, so I had a lot to live up to! She always takes so much care making the day special for whoever is celebrating a birthday in our family, so I wanted to make her 5th party very special for her.

I decided to rent the Gober Party House from the City of Temple. This location gave us plenty of space to stage all the activities and let the girls run around. I could not have been happier with the location! I was lucky and got some great deals on table cloths and tea towels (which I turned into aprons) right after Valentine's day. I so wish I got a picture of all the girls in their matching aprons!

cookie decorating and craft tables

I spent most of the week prior to Avery's party staging our activities and sewing 15 aprons. I was very thankful for a patient husband who was willing to help. All the preparation paid off with a smooth party and lots of fun for the girls!

We started off the party with cookie decorating. I used pastry brushes to let the girls paint on their icing, and this worked great!

Next we moved to making a name bracelet. The girls were very patient in the beading process, and the moms and dads were patient with my choice of small beads. I had (well I should say Robb had) pre-cut the ribbon, put a wire needle on for the girls, and pre-bagged the beads for everyone.  

Next we made tissue paper flowers and decorated our party bags for all the goodies. Here is a picture of the girls dancing with their flowers. Robb helped me make a CD for the party which the girls loved!

 

Luke was a trooper and really enjoyed the playground outside the party house! Thanks to Papa and Robb for watching him :)

We played lots of party games- musical chairs, Simon says, dress up relay race, mother may I, and what time is it Miss Crocodile!

Avery running down during the relay race.

The girls had to put on beads and a tiara and then run across the room to set a table (table cloth, cup, saucer and spoon). We used TV trays which were a perfect size for the girls to handle!

Simon Says

Avery as "Miss Crocodile"

We are about to get her!

I think everyone had a great time and Avery was very happy the entire party- well except when she lost Simon says and was just SURE Robb had said Simon says. She admitted later that night that she must have imagined him saying that part :) The party was a lot of work, but so much fun making my 5 year old girl the party she wanted! I could not have done it without Robb, my parents, and the help of the moms and dads at the party. THANK YOU!

One Whole Hand

My sweet little girl turned FIVE on St. Patrick's Day. She had been anticipating this day for months. We had a count down, and she was so giddy the night before her birthday. When she woke up in the morning, she quickly said, "Mom! I'm 5 today! One whole hand!!!". I still don't know where the time has gone. Avery brings us so much joy and keeps us on our toes. She is full of questions and sometimes her own answers. She has a very sweet heart and cares so much for others. She LOVES to be creative, dance, and read. She has grown so much in her faith this year which is truly a blessing and answer to prayer. She will tell you she loves Jesus with her WHOLE heart. We love you and are so proud of you Avery!

Birthday morning with presents from the family.

A favorite gift- new piggy bank and $5 worth of special coins!

My little gardener loved her gift of seeds, soil and planters. We had to plant her new seeds right away!




Avery chose where we went to dinner. She picked a little Mexican food restuarant that both our kids really enjoy. We came home and had cupcake decorating and then blew out 5 candles.

love the determination!

That night when Avery was in bed, she said, "this was the best birthday ever!". We had fun celebrating our big girl!

Crafty

We had a really great Spring Break with nothing on our agenda. I think we really needed a week of no schedules (and I needed the week to prep for Avery's 5th birthday party- more on that in another post!). Both kids were so well behaved and really enjoyed their time at home. When I thought about this, I realize they are either at Preschool or we have activities on our "home" days during the week. Luke had so much fun playing with his toys, coloring, painting, building, and playing outside. We did make a couple visits to the Library - a good place to go when you need a break from the house and your 3 1/2 year old just came out of a cast!

Avery loved having extra time for crafts. She amazes me with what she can create from "left overs" that I throw into her craft drawer. She is WAY more creative than I am! She is always dreaming up something to make, and seems to find a way to make it happen! Here is a sampling of some of her creations. She did these all by herself (and was quite proud- me too!).

Butterfly hat

bird and robot

Avery's bird

And it's off!

Luke got his cast off on March 16th- just 3 weeks after his fall. I started prepping Luke that the cast would be coming off early that week. At first he would always say, "No thank you". I think he remembered how much he hurt before his arm was secure in the cast. I worked with him and told him the doctor would take it off is his arm was all better. He started to come around to the idea!



A treat for my brave boy!

 Luke was SO good the entire time he had his cast on. Not once did he ask for the cast off, and we got good at bath with a bag on our arm. I was very nervous that Luke would be very scared when they used the loud "saw" to take the cast off. I had warned Luke it would be noisy, and he was SO BRAVE! I was so proud.
They sent Luke for x-rays to see how things were healing. Both doctors were very happy with how Luke's arm was healing and commented on how much growth there was (I could see what they were pointing too, but I have no idea what it actually was). They decided he was ready to stay out of his cast so he could begin getting his range of motion back. Luke was put in a cuff and collar.

Our friend Dan, a 5th year Ortho Resident, wished me "good luck" as we left. He knows Luke too well! The idea behind the cuff and collar is great- remind you that you just broke your arm, remind you to slow down, remind others that you were hurt. The trouble is our 3 1/2 year old felt fine! As soon as he realized this contraption could come off and on, it was all over. For a few days I insisted on him wearing it when he went outside. Many times Luke would just choose to stay inside instead. We were suppose to leave him out of the contraption when he wasn't being too active so he could get his range of motion back. After only 3 weeks, Luke could not completely straighten his left arm.

Luke became so good at getting out of the cuff and collar that I gave up. And honestly he looked more dangerous when he was playing with it on. For the first week I was very good and did not let him do anything high off the ground. Well, that has faded and we were just at a 3 story playscape today. And Dan was there shaking his head. I am keeping a better eye on Luke and not letting him take jumps from high up. I have decided that 3 weeks in a cast are a breeze- this 3 weeks of being "safe" with Luke are stressing me out! Luke is ALL boy and just wants to go, go, go! Only and week and a half to go- praying all the way :)

St. Patrick's Day run

This year Avery, Luke and I participated in the Scott and White St. Patrick's Day run. We were so honored to join Landry's Legacy and support our dear friends, the Steeles. Holly decided she would run this race and form a team to honor her precious son, Landry James, that went to heaven 43 hours after being born. Landry's only earthly home was Scott and White- what a beautiful way to honor Landry and help raise funds for the Children's Hospital.

The day was perfect and it was so special to run that day with Holly. We did a little walking and talking too which was so special. The kids had a great time with all the Kids in the Kitchen activities as well as the bounce houses and horse rides. Avery did a great job on the kids run and Luke - well he had a good start :)

We were so blessed to be a part of the top fundraising team- Avery and Luke did a great job raising money! I think they came in 3rd over all thanks to family and sweet friends. Thank you Holly and Ryan for the great team shirt. We love the Steeles and continue to pray for them daily. Landry is celebrating 8 months in Glory today. What a wonderful place! My heart hurts for the Steele Family tonight, but I rejoice knowing that Landry is with our Heavenly Father and has only known love. Landry, Holly, Ryan, and Tyler have all taught me so much these past 8 months. I am blessed beyond words to be their friend.




Avery gearing up for the race! Poor Sadie- she's a trooper!



Horse rides!

Holly and Me at the end of our race.

Luke, Avery and Mom during the Kid's Fun Run

Avery finishing strong

Avery's balloon for Landry.