Celebrate Good Times, Come On...

GRACE IS 5!!!!

And, boy oh boy did it sneak up on us.  

These last 5 years have been the best years of our lives, but they went by faster than any other 5 years combined.  I guess the saying is true in reference to having kids, 

"the days are long, but the years are short."

You blink and they are grown.  It just makes us want to soak in even more every second we have with her and make every moment count.  

5=

Kindergarten

Her last year at home with mommy

No more baby (except she'll always be my "baby")

More responsibilities 

More to process and learn

More...More...More...etc. etc. etc.

What an age.  So monumental in numerous was.

But, more on all that in my special, "You're 5," post (soon to come).

Since we love Gracie birthdays so much we have had her party planned for the last 3 months.

After I found out they did birthday parties at Jazzercise (where I go for exercise) I immediately booked hers.....after relaying it to Grace and after she replied with a screech and a very loud and exuberant YES.  

And, after it was all said and done, I'd have to say this was probably the most fun I've had at a party (right there next to her 3rd birthday at Pump It Up in Tacoma).  

The goody "bags" aka Dollar Store 100 piece Toy Story Puzzles. Score and oh so fun and perfect as my girl is overly passionate about puzzles and she wanted to share her love of them with all her friends.  

 I adore the backwards "z."  And, the heart she turned into an ice cream cone at the bottom (sadly I had to cut off 1/2 of the cone part in order to make the paper fit into the plastic holder)

The party table

And, it begins.  Louise was incredible with all the kids (15 in all + 3 babies)

A warm up with some balls.  She really worked these kiddos. I was very impressed with all she got them to do and how they just jumped right in and did it, no questions asked.

Doing the Robot.  My girl has got it down.  

Girl has got some sweet moves.  

Hula Hoop fun.  They best part, they were having so much fun they didn't realize they were even exercising.  

And, who wouldn't want to get in on the fun, not I!  And, not Jennifer.  We couldn't stop laughing.  

Our Japanese Community Friend, Tetta came and brought 3 of his friends.  They had a BLAST!  It was incredible to watch them with the kids.  I am so glad they all came and got to have fun and enjoy a 5 year olds birthday party.

My girl was SO brave.  I could not believe my shy girl who gets anxious very easily got up on stage with Louise and danced.  She was amazing and I was so proud.

Other mama friends got in on the action.  Go Tiff and Elie

So sweet: Zaden and Rachel

And, my bud Brooke with sweet Addie

It was Disco and Dancing Queen time.  

That's right-a wicked awesome disco ball!

Playing a cat and mouse game.  

Instead of a cake or cupcakes we made Jessie hat cookies.  But, Grace also got a special birthday girl cup cake so she could blow out a candle (her request).  Thank you Fred Meyer for making the most scrumptious "gourmet cup cake" I have ever tasted.

One of my favorite moments.

I love my friends.  So thankful that after only living here for 7 months we have a group of incredible people who love my girl and really truly care about her and were willing to celebrate with us.  It makes not having family in town that much more bearable. 

Classic Grace....licking the frosting.  

Girlfriend is BLESSED! She received so many wonderful gifts for her birthday.  Thank you everyone for being so incredibly generous.

Gift Time

She was like a old soul while opening her gifts.
Very poised and respectful.  She did a great Vanna White impersonation with showing off each gifts she received.

Her sweet as pie "Thank You" face.

Thank you Brooke for catching some great moments for me!

Well, until next year my dear.  I am looking forward to what we'll do and how we'll celebrate.  Just don't grow up too fast.  I can only imagine how fast these next 5 years will go.  Oh, to only be able to slow down time....

Who Knew....

......at such a young age two little girls could love each other so much.

They have been friends since January of 2008 (3 years, 3 months).

About a half a year after we met, I needed someone to watch Grace two days a week while I worked.

I couldn't find anyone-we'll anyone I would trust with Grace.  All my meetings with people were disasters and I was devastated.  Then Jennifer told me she would watch Grace for me and they took her in like family.  The girls bonded and became sisters.  And, even after Jennifer had her second baby and stopping watching Grace on a regular basis their friendship remained and we continued to get together on a weekly basis. 

When we moved to Eburg 7 months ago we knew it would be hard on them but we didn't know it would be to the extent it has been.

They actually long for each other.

Grace keeps asking/pleading/begging me to allow us all to live together.  

She just can't fathom her life with out her best friend.  

And, Grace T. makes up songs about missing her friend.

I had tears in my eyes watching and listening to her song about Grace S.: You can watch it HERE

I've been grateful that we have been able to go back to Ptown 4 times with in our first five months away, but mine still doesn't understand why it can't be more often.

Grace and Jennifer came for a girls weekend April 2 and April 3-just in time for Gracie's Birthday.  

They had a blast together but of course wanted more, more more time together.

Gracie S. cried for an hour after they left and then again for about two hours at bed time asking my why God would let us move here if it meant she couldn't be near her best friend.  It broke my heart.  

Below are some photos of their time together this weekend (minus the birthday party-that will be a separate post).  It was a special time.  And, we can't wait for them to come visit again. We have lots of places we want to take them so the girls can explore and learn and have fun together.

At Carey Lake

We picked up Subway for a picnic dinner.

Sadly the main area was closed due to flooding but we made due and found a side trail (that was also flooded) and the girls had fun exploring and being kids.  

They were having too much fun to eat.  

Finding a worm

The worm

The best of friends

Silly gooses

And, they are off.

Whoa-big tress and lots of flooded land.  FUN!  

In the middle of the flooded trail were a violinist and a flutist playing beautiful music.  It felt like it was a concert just for us.  I like to say I hired them to surprise Grace for her birthday(wink, wink)

Loren had to rescue us girls from the flooded parts of the trail

Yep-see-the flooded trail. So fun to walk in-if you have rain boots-smart girl Gracie T.

This mama forgot her rain boots-Oops

Back at home while eating dinner.

LOVE

Make Up and Nail Polish Fun

Look at my pretty finger nails. I painted them all by myself

Eye Shadow

Thata girl

And, what's a make up night with out coloring our bodies.

 Bath time

Bath time fun.

 Bedtime 

Yes-they are both wearing footy dino PJs.

Gracie T. is singing a T-Rex song from Dino Train.  I wish I had video taped it.  

 Sunday, April 3rd in our backyard. 

Collecting grass & dirt for their birds nest

adding water to make mud in the nest

The finished product-way to go girls. 

Look what we did!

And, now off to water the rose bushes

Grace and Jennifer, thank you so much for joining us this weekend.  It was fun, fun, fun!!  I can't wait until the 16th when we can meet up in Seattle for the day.  Grace is already counting down.  11 days to go.  We love you girls.