Pool Playdate

It is a rare occasion when all the stars align and everyone's schedule is open for the kids to get together and play, and so it was particularly nice on this Wednesday that we could join Emmie and Kim, Lexi, Kyle and Lauren, at Maddy, Dylan and Jen's neighborhood pool for a playdate. We packed a lunch and enjoyed a fun afternoon swimming and splashing around. Hopefully we'll get a chance to do it one more time before the kids have to go back to school.

The girls in their wobble goggles

Posing for a few pictures after lunch


Dylan and Ava
Two cute little blondies

"Dylan, I said, stop grabbing my hiney!"

Caitlin and I were enjoying the baby pool until the big kids decided it looked like fun

Lexi and Kyle came a little later since they had to eat lunch with their grandparents

I thought Ava was looking particularly cute with her suntan after the pool, but I'm biased :)

Here Comes Trouble

This made me laugh this morning...

What do you mean? I'm not doing anything but standing here not touching anything... promise!

Caitlin's Berry-Sweet Birthday!

Caitlin's birthday fell on a Saturday, so we were able to have her party on her actual birthday. Because we have friends with kids of all ages, mostly older and not so many younger, we decided to hold it at Swift-Cantrell Park. I was so stressed out thinking about it raining that day, that I didn't even think to worry about the heat! We were so lucky to have an overcast day and it ended up being ok.

Caitlin's favorite fruit at the moment is strawberries, so of course it was an easy choice for a theme and then I saw these amazing invitations and favors from Nico and Lala and that sealed the deal!

Caitlin was a champ at eating her cake. She had no problem digging in and chowing down. I am pretty sure she would have eaten the entire thing had we not stopped her. It's a good thing I over-ordered the cake so that Caitlin and I could share leftovers for the next few days :)

Caitlin's first birthday was so low maintenance and so low key that I actually got a chance to take pictures and talk to everyone that came- I may host the next few birthdays at the park again! A huge and special thanks to Nonna and Grandpa Steve for helping with the decorating and set-up and hussling the girls out the door. We actually beat all of our guests to the party, which never would have happened without their help. Thank you to everyone for celebrating with us and driving from far away to join in the fun.

The birthday girl showing off her new kicks

Amazing favors from Nico and Lala

check them out http://www.nicoandlala.com/

I loved how the cake turned out...

so pretty and yummy too!

Patiently waiting for cake!

First bites...

Still going strong...

Thank goodness Nonna was sharing her water- Caitlin is obsessed!

Ava and Christian... nothin' but trouble!

Uncle Nunu

Aunt Nikki

Aunt Lauren

Caitlin says hi!

The Malcom's... soon to be a family of four!

Isa gets a gold star for being dressed in theme

Megan and Sydney

Sydney was Caitlin's one friend there that was her age, they are friends from Open Arms

Katie and Megan

better known as The Neighbors

Uncle Ben and Collin

Collin did not want his picture taken

Aunt Lauri

We tried to get a decent picture, but this was the best of all of them...

go figure, Caitlin is not even looking

Mrs. Rainbow

Caitlin does not know it yet, but she will be spoiled rotten

I love this picture... we really did tell them to smile

Carmen and Nikki

Looking Good

Kyle

Christian

Isa

Dylan and Maddy

The Birthday Girl was coming off of her sugar high at this point

Uncle Tony

Professional Bubble Blower and Child Whisperer

Just pulling out of the parking lot...

I'd say the party was a success!

Happy 1st Birthday Caitlin!

June 27, 2009

June 26, 2010



What an incredible, life-changing year it's been! When I think back to the day Caitlin was born, I can remember it like it was yesterday and this past year feels like it has passed in a flash. That first week home, when we were first getting to know her and learn her personality, we found out she had some lungs on her!! She still has the same high-pitched scream when she throws her pacifier over the side of her crib when she is trying to fight sleep. She is still a snuggler and loves to be held, but she can be fiesty and has a stubborn streak and a fiery little temper if she doesn't get her way. I love how she is learning to communicate and say "Hi, Dada!" when she sees Jason... or Heidi :) and will shake her head and her hands if she doesn't want something or she will kick her feet and clap her hands when she is excited. I love watching her flip her tongue upside down and rub it across her gums incessantly (we are hoping across a tooth!) while she is playing and how she will pretend to sneeze or blow her nose in a tissue and then crack up laughing at herself. I love how she pats Ava's back when Ava is crying and how excited Caitlin gets to go wake up Ava in the morning. I love how she dances when she hears music and how she claps when other people clap, even if it is a show on tv. I love her daring heart as she climbs up and over chairs, the fireplace, in and out of the ball pit- this girl has no fear! I love her curiosity, even if it means putting her hands in the dog bowl for the 4th time that day or pulling all the toilet paper off of the roll.
But most of all, I love how complete she makes our little family. How much she has enhanced our lives beyond measure and how lucky and blessed we are to be able to watch over and guide her little life.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Caitlin!!
We have loved watching you grow and learn this past year... we can't wait to see what your future holds!
Love, Mommy and Daddy

Sisterly "Love"

Just the other day, I was telling a friend how happy I was to have two girls and that I didn't have to put up with the fighting and kicking and punching and shoving that comes with having boys in the house- or just an older brother from my own experience :) And sure enough, karma laughed at me...

It starts out innocently enough...

look Caitlin is smiling here

And here is Ava hugging on her sister... awww, we say... how cute!

Nothing but smiles here, but notice how Ava's grip is getting tighter and Caitlin is starting to fall off the chair...

and then...

Ava goes in for the pro-wrestler move!

and we had to stop taking pictures to break up the wrestling match.

Suffice to say, Caitlin is scrappy, but she was none too pleased to be in a headlock.

Just wait until there are boyfriends and clothes involved...

Fairy Princess Karaoke, Anyone?

When left to her own devices, Ava loves to combine all of her dress up clothes in unique and stylish ways... this one came with an added song. I am loving being able to watch Ava's creativity develop- it gets better everyday!

Silver shoes are so in right now


Here comes trouble

Uh oh... pop stars better watch out- give her just a few more years

Happy Father's Day!!

My Daddy and I have the greatest of fun,
We go to the pool and play in the sun.

And nothing can top the milkshakes he makes,
Except maybe his pancakes or yummy flank steaks!

We like to cheer on the Braves and go run the bases,
We like to laugh and play games and make silly faces.

And always we're happy just being together
No matter the season, no matter the weather.

Daddy's the best at buying our shoes and our dresses,
And he's such a good sport to play prince to our princesses.

And we love to ride on his shoulders so high
When we pick out our pumpkin or watch fireworks in the sky.

Our Daddy is the best and we just wanted to say
We love you so much- have a great Father's Day!!

Love,
Ava and Caitlin

We Love you THIIIIIS much!!