Emma's Birthday

Last Tuesday, October 19th, my beautiful daughter celebrated her 5th birthday! I know it's cliche, and I say it at every child's birthday, but it seems like just yesterday that she was born. She's grown and changed so much over the last 5 years and I wouldn't change a single moment (well, except maybe the fact that she didn't sleep through the night until 14 months old!).

Since Casey had to go to school and Chris had to go to work, we had a little family celebration in the morning. Gifts (of course), a birthday breakfast at Bob Evans (complete with singing waitresses), and a pony cake. That evening, the kids and I had a fun dinner at Baughers where she got lots of attention from the waitresses who could not believe how much she's grown.

Fastforward to Saturday and we find ourselves in Lancaster, PA at Dutch Wonderland's Happy Hauntings. Instead of having a "kid's" birthday party, Emma chose to invite some friends here for some Halloween and amusement park fun. Thanks to Miss Sharon, Isabel, Nick, and Anna for joining us and making the day special. Anna is Emma's good friend and it was her first time on an outing with another family and her first visit at an amusement park- she loved every minute! (And, don't worry Mom, she was very well behaved!)

And, finally, yesterday (aka Ravens Day), we celebrated with family here at our house. Emma had such a great time (as did Jacob and Casey). We watched the Ravens pull off a nail-biting overtime win (yay!), had some more horse-themed cake, opened gifts, acted goofy, and played outside. What a great day!

Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us!

Grandparents Breakfast

Last year, Casey's school started a new tradition of hosting a Grandparents Breakfast one morning in September. The kids can each bring one grandparent before school for a breakfast spread sponsored by the PTA. Last year, my dad accompanied Casey and, this year, my father-in-law, was her date. Thanks to my good friend, Sharon, for snapping a shot of the two of them!

Lake Hashawa

For anyone who still bothers to check my blog (!), I apologize for not posting anything almost all summer. Many of you probably know by now that we are expecting a new baby Jillson this March. As I was feeling sick for most of the summer, I, sadly, neglected our little blog. And, since I started feeling better, I've had good intentions of playing catch-up- with pictures of the beach, Knoebels, Dutch Wonderland, horseback riding lessons, etc.- but have yet to do so. So, today, I decided to just move forward and am posting a few pictures from today's adventure.

It was beautiful weather today- 70s and low humidity. After Casey's check-up at the pediatrician and some lunch, we headed over to Lake Hashawa for a family hike. The kids have a great time exploring nature, finding sticks, looking for bugs/snakes/deer/bears, watching for the giant poison ivy vines that wrap around trees, tasting acorns (Jacob), and just running and wandering around.

Casey's 8th Birthday Party

Even though Casey loves to spend her actual birthday on the beach at the Outer Banks watching fireworks (OBX pics coming soon), she always enjoys getting together with friends to celebrate as well. This year was no different. She had 19 friends over last Thursday for her "beach" birthday party where the kids enjoyed the water slide, inflatable pool, and playing "water tag" with Mr. Chris. There was pizza and watermelon, cake, and ice pops. At the end of the party, we rolled the beach party into a slumber party for her fellow 2nd grade (soon to be 3rd grade) girlfriends- some of the nicest girls ever! We made a "beach in a bottle" craft, watched a movie, had snacks, played games, and generally did everything except sleep!

A few pics:

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the wonderful fathers (and grandfathers) in my life!

Relay for Life 2010

I had the honor of participating, once again, in the Relay for Life of Catonsville this past Saturday. Five years ago, I chose to support this worthwhile event that benefits the American Cancer Society as a way to honor the memory of my mom and try, in some small way, help others who battle the disease of cancer. Along the way, I've met many inspiring people and heard stories of courage, bravery, and grace. I come back each year to honor those who have battled cancer and won and those who have been lost to cancer along the way. I come back so that my children will, hopefully, never hear the words, "you have cancer" or, if they do, they will know that cancer is a survivable or even curable disease.

This year, my girls, Casey and Emma, actively participated with me (as they have each year). And, they brought along a dear friend, Isabel, who walked and played with them throughout the night. The girls made it until 1 am when this tired Mommy drove them home to bed and let the other dedicated members of our team walk through til 6 am. Sadly, Chris and Jacob did not make it due to a bad storm on their way out of Westminster that caused them to turn around.

The girls enthusiastically ran our on-site fundraiser, a Chinese Auction.

That's my little Emma beginning her brave rock-climbing expedition on the inflatable rock wall...

And there's my baby way up high!

Then, up went Casey...

Chris, Casey, Emma, and I raised a total of $634 dollars this year. We'd like to send a very special thank you to everyone who supported us in this event that is near and dear to us!

Piano Girl

Casey just finished her first year of piano lessons and was very excited (and very nervous) about performing in her first recital yesterday. Luckily, three friends and two parents on our street were also performing so there were many familiar faces in the audience.

I did my best to take a mini-movie with our camera of the performance. It's a little shaky because a certain very bored four-year-old tugged on my arm while I was trying to steady the camera, but you get the picture. We had to really turn the volume up on our computer to hear it well. Her first piece, "Ba Ba Black Sheep" is a duet with her teacher, Mr. Paul. The second piece is "Little Indian Brave".

We're very proud of our little pianist and look forward to more recitals in the future!

Happy Mother's Day!

My three most favorite things about Mother's Day:

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommies I know and thank you to my darlings for these heartfelt Mother's Day gifts!

Miss you, Mom....

Mom's Tea

There are so many things I love about the Christian Preschool. Today, I got to participate in one of my favorite things, Mom's Tea, hosted by Mrs. Hawkins and the six children, including Emma, that make up her 3s preschool class this year.

The kids, 3 boys and 3 girls, were beaming with pride as the moms walked into the classroom. They each had a special mat on the circle time rug laid out for us to sit on with them.

Mrs. H assumed her spot in the rocking chair and welcomed us all by leading the kids in some of the cutest little songs dedicated to us moms. We had a little flower ceremony where she called each child up to pick a pink carnation out of the basket to present to his/her mom.

Before we came, she questioned each child about what special thing they love to do with their mom and she read the answers to us all. Emma apparently loves to eat ice cream and donuts with me- a girl after my own heart. The moms responded in kind and I said that I like sharing bedtime stories with Emma.

Next, she read small "surveys" she'd given the kids where they were asked to fill in the blanks with info about their moms (see above). They were so cute. I always laugh at the ones that say "My mom's job is..." and the kids fill in "...to clean". I still have Casey's survery that purports that that's my job. This year, Emma said that my job is to help people and I like that a lot. Of course, she also said that my favorite food is mac & cheese (yuck!), my favorite song is the ABC song, and that I look pretty in my pink dress (which I don't own). I love that she enjoys playing Barbies with me and that I am special to her.

If my kids only knew just how special they are to me!

Mrs. H and the kids had decorated the tables in some of my favorite colors- pink, orange, and white. We shared cookies and, in the case of Emma and I, chocolate milk. Hugs and kisses were everywhere.

In preparation for our special day, Emma asked me to curl her hair last night. That's no small feat given the length and thickness of her locks. It takes two packs of pink rollers. But, the end result, is BEAUTIFUL!