Monday, July 27, 2015

frozen, hearts & more birthday fun!

I'm admitting blog failure.  I'm so behind.  I have like 7 updates that need posting.  But what can I say?  School is in swing, I'm back to work and playing catch up.  Between the kids activities, my job, the house... and life, I can't find anywhere to fit blogging.  You know, unless I get up at like 5am.  And we all know that's not gonna happen!  Ha!  So.  I'm backing up a little bit.
The night before our vacation to Myrtle Beach, we had to fit in attending our heart support group's silent auction and dinner.  Where we honor all our mini heart heroes!
And look who stopped by this year!?
Seriously?  Anna and Olaf??
It's better than Disney World, people!  I mean, we just got back from Disney a few months ago and never saw Olaf once (except in a parade, and we didn't get to meet him).  And the wait for Anna was over 3 hours long... luckily we had a fast pass for early morning, but still!
We are talking no waiting... tons of attention, and they just loved on and hung out with all the kiddos the whole night!  It was AH-Mazing!  My kids were in heaven, but especially this sweet mini Anna.
And... who needs Olaf when there's a giant soccer ball?  Ha!  It's a mascot for the local team, and Kerigan was a little apprehensive when he sat down to color with her.
This is sweet Ava.  Her mama watched Andrew when I went back to work when he was 18 months old.  These two were two peas in a pod.  They both have special hearts... and pretty sweet hearts too!  Love them!
I think this is my all time favorite picture of them.  I mean seriously?  How adorable are they??  Andrew loved this little girl!  Look at that dreamy look in his eyes!?  He always was and still is such a charmer!  Her glasses and his hearing aids just made for a funny story, and these two just ate up the attention!  They don't remember back this far, but Jess and I are quick to remind them!  Ha ha.  And it's perfectly fine with us if they get married someday!
The kids went to a couple nights of VBS with some friends the week before our trip too... then they went again in August to our church but I didn't get any pictures!
Best babysitter Olivia has saved us this summer and they've only been swimming more than once because of her!  She's always texting me pictures of them and I love it!
She sent me this of them in the hot tub and I melted.
And when she brings them home after swimming, this happens!  It's the perfect way to get trick her into napping!
I haven't gotten around to blogging about Andrew losing his beloved Raffi... I just can't find the words and my heart hurts too much for him.  But sometimes we can joke and this was a joking day... he found a giant Raffi in Sams!  Ha!  No I didn't buy it.  But almost.
Skipping ahead back to Kerigan and Ga Ga's birthdays... the day after her mermaid party was her actual birthday and we went to a friend's 90th birthday party.  She was partied out and fell asleep in the car and for half the party.
Afterwards she chose to have dinner with Ga Ga and Papa at Hickory Park (a favorite place!) and so we did.
More on the Cy's later... but we found over 20 of them one day on our summer bucket list scavenger hunt!  I think the Hickory Park one is still my favorite.
I grew up with this restaurant.  People come from all over the country to eat here.  And it's nestled right in the middle of my hometown.  Such special memories.  And they do birthdays.  These are my two favorite birthday girls in the world.  I love that they "almost" share a birthday (4 days apart).
The best part is the old fashioned soda fountain and candy jars on the way out.  You get a bag and fill it up and put your money in the coin box.  My kids love this.  And I have to admit I do too!  It's the little things!
After a yummy dinner we went back to Papa and Ga Ga's to open gifts.  Possible next year's birthday theme.... the girl is obsessed with Fancy Nancy!
That night she insisted on sleeping with her jellyfish Ga Ga got her from the aquarium in Myrtle Beach.
I promised myself I wouldn't let these two have a sleepover every night all summer long.  We started this in the spring as an incentive to keep Andrew is his own bed during the week.  Sleepovers on non-school nights.  Oops.  What was I thinking?  Every night is a non-school night in the summer!  They are so precious squeezed in there with the cat.  Ha!  I couldn't resist.  But I'm paying for it now!
On Ga Ga's birthday we went to her favorite restaurant- Noah's Ark.  Also a family favorite from before I was born.  She and my dad used to go there when they were dating.  It's a special place.  And clearly I could benefit from a selfie stick.
So we all ordered pizza and Papa got spaghetti.  Andrew nibbled on his pizza and next thing we knew was gobbling Papa's spaghetti!  Ha!  It is his favorite.  We should have known!
And now they're eating Ga Ga's birthday dessert!  Ha!
I'm pretty sure she didn't mind. :)
After dinner we went back to Ga Ga and Papa's to open gifts (do you see a pattern here?  We do birthdays big in our family!  And when two people have birthdays 4 days apart, we just celebrate twice!  Ha!)
They loved giving Ga Ga their gift.  Mommy's first attempt with mod podge and photos... it worked pretty well!
Then we all had a good laugh over the birthday card Andrew picked out for Ga Ga...
He is getting to be such a witty little guy and loves to tease.  He knows Ga Ga hates chickens.  Like HATES them.  And it was just an added bonus that it said "spring chicken" because she is always all concerned about her age and hates getting older.  Even though she is the youngest looking grandma I've ever known!  Anyway, we laughed and laughed.  Andrew loved the joke.  This was his favorite part for sure.  I love that he's getting to be more and more like his grandpa Bill every day.

Happy birthday to my mom and daughter!  The most special girls in my life!  Love you both!

Friday, July 24, 2015

4th birthday mermaid party!

My beautiful little girl somehow just grew up overnight.  She is 4 going on 14...
I found this online and it couldn't be more true.  I think Kerigan really does dream she has a fin and can swim with mermaids.  Her favorite Sofia episode is when she turns into a mermaid.  Not to mention she has pretty much turned into one this summer in swimming lessons.  She has taken off and is getting pretty independent in the water. This party theme was just perfect for her.
We were so blessed and just couldn't believe that after all that downpouring of rain in the morning, by party time we had a beautiful, sunny day!
We had the guests come around to the backyard where we had the bubble machine up and running, which was quite entertaining!
It was the perfect thing to have going as guests arrived as it kept them all occupied and in one place!
And happy!  This picture shows her true joy she was feeling this day- she was SO excited.
I threw a couple of beach balls on the trampoline and they had a blast in it too!
The water slide also got a work out!
I can't get over how old Kerigan looks in this picture!  Just a few of her sweet friends... the little girl on the right is Avery, and her mommy just asked me to plan her birthday party coming up in September!  Maybe my true calling is party planning!  I love nothing more than to plan parties and entertain... it's just hard to do while teaching full time!
These two sweet cousins were the only boys at the party and they couldn't have been happier!
It was quite a surprise when Ariel arrived at the party!
She brought them all inside for some games and a story.
She was the perfect entertainment.  This is the 2nd year we've hired a princess and I just can't say enough about how it is worth every penny.  They take a large chunk of the party and keep it going and keep all the little girls 100% engaged.
She read a mermaid story, which they all loved.
Then she had Kerigan come up and gave her a princess crown and some jewels.
She just felt beyond special and couldn't stop grinning.
My favorite part is that she helps open the gifts by reading the cards and just managing the whole process.  It is so organized and I can just watch and enjoy!
And take pictures!  Ha!
She got lots of nice gifts!
books, barbies, and even a carrier for her baby to ride on the back of her bike!  I thought that was a great idea!

She loved this princess bath toy and had been begging for it!  I can't get her out of the bath tub now!
Ariel was just perfect and made the whole day special
I always love pictures of the party guests all together because it really is all of Kerigan's favorite little people all in one place, which doesn't happen very often!  Birthdays are so special!
After gifts, Ariel took Kerigan over to the cake and sang the most beautiful happy birthday song we ever heard!
Then my sweet 4 year old blew out 4 candles...
I loved how Ariel picked her up like this!
As we were passing out cupcakes Ariel said goodbye and we all headed back outside for treats!
The girls loved the mermaid cupcakes and grape "seaweed" and shark teeth cheese!  The party was after lunch on purpose so I didn't have to serve much food!  Ha!
After eating we had a water balloon toss, which they all loved!
I love taking pictures of my house from this angle because it just feels happy and cozy.  All our friends and family, hanging out and celebrating one special little girl.
I've loved having our family party right after the kids' friend birthday parties.  It has worked really well since we've moved here.  Our family only has to travel once and the party can continue into the evening!  We always grill out and it's just nice to have everyone hang out and I can relax!  Ga Ga and Papa gave Kerigan their gift- she had been wanting Sofia legos.
Cousin Evi helped her put them together and was so patient!
I love this- Uncle Tim having a little fun on the trampoline!  I can just see our dad when I look at this picture- he always loved to have fun and even rode our wave runner the summer he passed away.  Tim reminds me so much of our dad, and I love that.
And the best part- we get to sing and blow out candles again!  And eat cake.  Lots of cake!  My sweet girl had the best day and was the sweetest little mermaid.  Happy birthday Kerigan!  We love you to the bottom of the ocean and back!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails