Happy Birthday Addie Reese!!!!!

The day I thought would take so long to get here has arrived... my little girl is FIVE!!
She will gladly show you how old she is with her wide spread little fingers as shown above. Addie is so proud to be five and this mommy is having a hard time wrapping my head around it.
This little girl is such a miracle. How it seems like yesterday, Kyle and I were going to the hospital three weeks early because I had no clue I was in labor. Nervous new parents entering into the unknown... PARENTHOOD! She has made the journey with us and boy has she made it fun, challenging, ever changing, journey.
She has grown so much this year to me. Yes... everyone can see she is getting taller... hair getting darker... growing out of the "baby fat"... but I can see the inner growth of my little girl. She is learning to reign in the strong will and trading it for an obedient heart of the Lord. The will is still there but it is being controlled better.

What are some other things about Addie Reese???
Here is her list for her fifth birthday...

1. She weighs about 40 pounds and is 43 inches tall.
2. Her favorite color is light blue.
3. When she grows up she wants to be a doughnut maker and an artist.
4. Her best friend is Aubree R.
5. She loves princesses. Her favorite is Ariel.
6. She is learning how to ride a bike with training wheels (because she is five).
7. She can buy apps on my iphone.
   
8. She loves school and gets mad when she does not get to do "work" at preschool or Ms. Carlene's.
9. She loves to draw, paint, color, and make crafts.
   
10. She enjoys playing soccer although by the 4th period (or quarter or inning.... I am not a sports girl) she is ready to hit the playground with Drew.
11. She has a quick whit like her daddy and makes me laugh a lot.
12. She is good to her little brother. She is learning to give a little to him and is realizing he looks up to her.
    
13. Loves to sing. Her favorite tunes? Purple People Eater, any Disney Princess Song, Mr. Dave's Joy Time CD, and our church's Christmas Musical.
14. She loves going to Church, singing about our Lord, and learning bible stories... boy does this make a mommy happy.
    

So she is growing up. We are getting ready for a Princess Birthday party. She has been an infant, a toddler, a preschooler, and now we are entering the school aged years. I cannot stop it but I can enjoy. embrace. love. every second I can of my special little girl.
Happy Birthday Addie Reese!!!!

Fun In February...

Well what a blogging hiatus it has been. It is time to catch up on February happenings, Addie's 5th birthday, and the beginning of Spring Break.

February 2nd... Groundhog's Day for those who are not Kindergarten Teachers and do not keep up with silly holidays... we were greeted with this in our backyard. Puxatowny Phil predicted six more weeks of Winter. Since I am writing this six weeks later, I can safely say he was wrong. This winter has been almost non existent but if it is not going to snow and get me a few days off from school I say just bring on SPRING.

I was also greeted with this book in the mailbox this month. Addie's last book from the Imagination Library. I have mixed emotions about this book being added to the bookshelf. When I showed her the book, she just said, "Oh that's nice mommy but it does not have a princess in it." Addie is getting so big and as much as I want to slow it down, it just does not work that way. So I am taking some advice from a friend... just embrace it. Millions of people would love to have a little girl to watch turn 5!!!!

Drew just being silly showing his personality...

Addie and Drew cuddling on the sofa on a lazy Saturday morning... yes that is the back brush from the shower in Drew's hand... sometimes I wonder why we buy toys?
Kyle was away at a Men's Conference in Atlanta. We had fun drawing.. ALOT... making pancakes, and watching Lion King. Drew can do a mean Roar!!!!

Addie coming down in the morning with her loot...

Later in the day, Drew was not feeling well. After his nap, he woke up with a 105 degree fever. Thanks to "Dr." Caryn, we found out that Drew had a double ear infection. After a few days of meds he was on the mend.

Sunday Arts and Craft time with Addie. LiLi gave these to Addie for Christmas and she has been dying to make them. I thought these little cupcake magnets would be great to make for her teachers for valentine's day.

This is our future rock star. I was watching the Grammy's and Drew runs to get his "guitar"... please do not confuse the sucker stick for a cigarette:) He is totally a music lover.

Addie's favorite day... Valentine's Day... was complete when she received her balloons from daddy and got pizza for dinner.

Can you feel the love?????

The birthday festivities for Addie's big 5 seem to last forever.
Here she is making cupcakes for her friends at preschool.

The morning of her birthday wearing her cupcake shirt that kyle made for her. I could not get the thing to stick but daddy came to the rescue!!