Birthdays Are Special

March 31st.

We started off the weekend with a surprise from the Turners.

Well, we knew they were coming but Grace didn't know they would be there when she got out of school.  She thought they were coming a few hours later.  I love surprises!!!    

Grace turned the corner and there she was, her BFF.
She squealed and ran into her friends arms and then just kept hugging.

walking home from school 

and a stop at the creek to go "fishing" 

The fun never ends when our girlie's are together.
They played non-stop from 11:30-8pm.

they swapped PJ's

And, it's party time!!!
Jazzercise and a Candy Shop.

Jennifer had the brilliant idea of putting candy on top of the mini water bottles.
Attached with frosting!

Can you see G's shirt?  It says "Gracie's Candy Shop"
Jennifer made it for her.  The lolly pop on the right has a hidden number 6 in it.  

Cup Cakes by Johnny's Cakes

Cookies thanks to Pillsbury ;)

The set up.
Thank you Victoria and Jennifer for helping us set up in record time.

I borrowed this stand from a friend.  She let me paint it.
A little left over pink spray paint and chalk board paint and voila 

Dina made the party spectacular!

Sweet friends

Tristan breaking it down!

Cup Cake Time

The most special friend of all!

All the kids walked through the "Gracie's Candy Shop" before leaving the party.
It was so neat to watch their eyes light up when they made their way up to the shop and we filled their bags to the brim.  I love helping create an atmosphere where kids feel like they can be kids while doing things that bring them happiness.  It brings my heart great joy.

Thank you Jessica for helping me serve the candy.

It was a spectacular party.
And, it was incredibly fun to plan and put together.
One day I will have my own party planning business (along with all the other business I want to have as well----hey, my mom always said to dream big!!!)....you just wait.  Then I can use other peoples money to plan super awesome parties, make their kiddos crazy happy and I get to use up all the ideas I have rolling around in my head.  One day.....



After clean and saying goodbye to all the party guests, we made one last stop before the Turners had to head back home.

We all went to Carl's Jr.
Thank you Jennifer for the special treat.

Oh Gracie's T. you crack me up!

After this, my girl cried and cried and cried.  After a year and half she still sobs when ever we part ways.  She will never have another friend quite like this. It is one special friendship.  Thank you Jennifer for making the trip and for helping create beautiful memories our girls will cherish forever.



April 2nd.  Her actual birthday....

Red + White = Pink

Gifts from family

Ready for school

Birthday breakfast

Birthday poster

Snacks for school

presenting her poster in front of her class

Mrs. Ray, her substitute teacher

Mr. Weburg, the principal 

Birthday lunch

Mani/Pedi

Danney and I use the barter system.  I clean her house once a month and she does my nails one a month.
A few months back I took some photos of her daughter for her.  In return she did Gracie's nails for her birthday.
I love it!  

This mama got to lounge while she got her mani/pedi and L-man napped

She said Grace was a moving target and was amazed they were able to get paint on her nails.
Yep, that sounds about right.  My little mover and shaker.

Gift Time

Thanks Hand Me Down for the free leotard 

Clue Jr.  Thanks swapmeet

Horton Hears a Who game....also from Hand Me Down for free!

From Papabear (He also got her a Dino Train coloring book and a craft)

From Grandpa Guibert

Exactly what she wanted, thanks Dad!

Thank you Tyler

Thank you Katie

Thanks Mark and Ericka

Loving all the outdoor chalk fun

And, lots of books from mommy and daddy....been collecting them from Goodwill for the last 8 months.

Oh happy day.

If I could bottle up her energy & sell it I'd be a truly wealthy woman.  

But who needs that kind of wealth when I have an abundance of love filling up my life

bubbles

What kid asks for Potato Leek soup for their birthday dinner?  Gracie Statema did!

The day was drawing to a close.
We wanted to celebrate just one more time.
Our good friend Amy who works at Starbucks told Grace if she came in on her birthday she'd make her a free drink. So we went in, got Grace her free drink and played some games.

and I brought a cup cake curtesy of Freddies.  

We love Amy

April 3rd
Still more gifts thanks to Grandma and Aunt Arlene.

Super cute snack holder that came with a matching lunch bag.  From Grandma Armstrong

Lady bug ball

A bug catcher

and a cup cake princess shirt-so perfect for our princess who loves cup cakes.
Thanks for all the great gifts Mom!

And, some fun Disney stuff from Aunt Arlene

Phew.....what a wonderful, busy, spunky, fun Birthday Weekend.
Thanks to everyone who sent gifts, cards & birthday wishes via email/facebook.
Grace felt very loved and cared for. Thank you so much.   Hooray for 6!!!!



And, only one day after her birthday I got inspired for next years birthday.
What do you think???

A bug theme???  The possibilities are endless.......

Easter Groove....

So I found it.  I found my Easter groove.  Finally.
Surprisingly after only 4.5 hours of sleep I woke up ready to celebrate, which is a far cry from what I was feeling the night before.  I haven't had time to upload my own photos for the days events but we've been

baking......

dying......

and hunting.....

The Statema's hope your Easter Sunday is full of God's unchanging love and his peace that passes all understanding.

HE IS RISEN!



Now for a quiet night in with the hubby.  Thankful for Redbox and $1 movies.
Although I have a sneaking feeling one or both of us will fall asleep half way through.
The joys of getting older and having a family. And, I wouldn't change a thing!

A new tradition needed

I just realized I have a 6 year old who's never visited the Easter Bunny (her choice) & who's never received an Easter Basket filled with candy on Easter morning (mama's choice).  I'm wondering if we are the only family who thinks both of those things are just fine, yet don't do them.  Hmmmm......

Honestly, I'm glad she chose from day one that the Easter Bunny was creepy and never wanted to go near him. I wasn't sure how I felt leading her on about a big scary bunny coming into our home to deliver candy while she slept. I was fine with it as a kid but now that I'm a mom, I don't know, it just seems.....creepy.    Santa, I'm cool with (which I know has as much potential to be equally as frightening and creepy). The bunny, not so much.  So this worked out well for all of us.

The Easter Basket deal- just kind of never happened.   She has an easter basket for collecting eggs but we never used it as a gift holder....

-Thinking this blog post might just prove that we are a bit odd.  Ha!  I new it.-   

....When she was itsy bitys we didn't think she needed any gifts and as she got older the thought of more candy in my house made my tummy hurt. All the previous months brought us much candy and we are usually still trying to get rid of it come Easter.  
When Grace got a bit older we decided to just get her summer fun stuff: slip and slide, pool toys, etc.  And, we did it as a Spring & Summer Are On Their Way gift, not as an Easter gift. We wanted Easter to be about the Resurrection and about His incredible sacrifice not about Grace getting more stuff.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have no qualms about Easter baskets, candy or the Easter Bunny.  This is just something we've come to the conclusion is best for our family, at this time.  Growing up we did the Easter Bunny and we did baskets full of candy.  And, I loved it.  I don't believe there is anything wrong with either of those things. I think the world would be so boring if we all did everything the same.  I love hearing how others choose to celebrate.

How do you celebrate?  

This year we have yet to dye eggs or do anything "eastery." I feel so behind.  Everyone else is baking cakes, making creative spring cookies, doing crafts and have dresses, shoes and hats picked out for their little girls.  I have done zilch.  Easter is just two days away and I'm at a loss.  There is a potential 8pm Flashlight egg hunt tonight and there is also an egg hunt at our old church at 10am on Saturday.  We will surely do the latter.  The rest of the weekend will be spent at home, just us, doing yard work, getting our church on and remembering.  I did buy eggs to dye but honestly for the first time ever I have no desire to dye eggs.  WHAT??  Who me?  No Desire?  Maybe it's the sickness that's trying to creep into my body talking because that's not like me at all.  Sigh.  I am usually all for anything festive to welcome in a holiday.  Hoping I wake up with a renewed sense of joy so I can get my spring on.  

I am in the process of trying to merge a new tradition into our Easter Weekend.  Something that we can do as a family that will bring us closer together and closer to Jesus and teach Grace more and more about what this weekend really means.  She knows he died on the cross and rose again. She knows it is not about Peeps, pretty dresses, bonnets, chocolate bunnies, eggs...  But I want more.  I really want to start diving deeper in a creative and fun way for Grace.  I would love some suggestions from you.  Please help this tired, refusing to be sick mama out!  Thanks.

And, remember......

You're going to be how old??

Thank you Auntie Anni

I can't believe in just a matter of days year 5 will have come and gone.
Has it really been twelve months?

This is the time of year when I get most sentimental.  Every year my daughter seems to change ages quicker and quicker.  Age six has been the hardest for the me to fathom.  Six just sounds so old. So mature.  Like we are on the brink of a drastic change. Don't get me wrong, I love change.  I love seeing her grow and blossom.  But, at the same time I wonder. Will this be the year she stops wanting to snuggle with me.  Will she be too cool to kiss and hug me goodbye when the bell rings.  Will this be the year she stops thinking I'm cool therefore will want to stop spending a ton of time with me.  So many what ifs.  I'm sure I'm overreacting. I tend to do that.  But in all honesty, this worrying helps me to really appreciate each moment I have with her. It helps me to make sure to connect now while I can. While I can still make an impression.  And, I hope that some of the things I love about us now, will be the same things I love about us when she's a teenager, when she's married and when I'm old.

My prayer has always been that we are always close.  That she'll never to get to the point where she can't stand me or doesn't feel safe sharing her thoughts, feelings & problems with me.  I hope she always  knows I'm here for her.  I was like that.  I loved being home. I love hanging out with my mom.  And, I still to this day shower my mom with hugs and kisses.  I was an odd child and I'm hoping Grace will be odd too.

Happy Early Birthday princess Grace.
May you forever be odd.

We have a fun weekend ahead.
At 10:30am on Friday the Turners will roll into Eburg.
We'll surprise Grace at 11:20 when we pick her up at school.
Grace thinks they are coming at 2pm.  I really love surprising her.

Weather pending we'll head to the Japanese Garden for a lunch picnic.
Then home for hours of best friend play time.
Pizza for dinner and then last minute party prep with Jennifer and Loren after the kids go to sleep.

Saturday morning is her party.
It's going to be grand.
It's going to be full.
We have so many kiddos that want to help Grace celebrate.
I love watching her get showered with love.  Makes mama's heart happy.

Then on Monday, for her actually birthday, we will celebrate again.
Just us.  Well, the little guy I watch will be here too.
She will go to school. Then I have a surprise for her when she gets done.
After the little guy leaves at 4:30pm, we will make a special dinner for Grace and let her open her family gifts from the grandparents/aunts & uncles, etc.   It will be low key. It will be just as she likes things best. Quality time at home.

The next four days will be fun and busy.
They will be filled with joy.
They will be important.
They will be days I'm hoping she'll never forget.

Every life is precious.  Every life is worth getting excited about.  Every life is worth celebrating.
Now. let's get this party started!