Happy Birthday Alana & Tahlia!

Today we went to the park to celebrate with Alana & Tahlia!

Happy 5th Birthday Alana!

&

Happy 2nd Birthday Tahlia!

This was kind of a bitter sweet celebration because Alana & Tahlia will be moving to Hawaii very soon and of course I have no idea when or if we will ever see them again once they go. Alana was one of Kate's first girl friends once we moved down here and we will be very sad to see them go!

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Time to blow out the candles!

As you can see, Gabe slept through most of the party. :)

But, he did wake for a little bit of playtime with friends before the afternoon rains came in and we had to go home.

My BMX Boy

If there is one thing Gabe loves to do other than play with his "go-gos" it would be this....riding his bike! He literally takes it everywhere! Well, seeing on the Strider website that some little kids are able to ride their pre-bikes on BMX tracks, I decided to contact our local BMX to see if Gabe could come ride. They said YES!!!!

We went the first time to just check it out. While there we learned that to ride, Gabe would have to wear pants, long sleeved shirts, and a full face helmet! They were so nice and even let us take a helmet home to practice. Gabe hates it, but he wants to ride on "the bumpies" so much that he is willing to endure the helmet if he has to. :)

We watched the experienced riders for a few minutes and then Gabe was ready to ride!

I am not ready to let Gabe start from the top because it's kind of a steep first drop. So instead we started about halfway down the course. But, Gabe really wants to start with the other bikes so I know it's only a matter of time until I will have to at least let him try it....

Gabe and I had soooo much fun!
He did great for his first ride on the course and we can't wait to go back again!!!!

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Thanks again JAX BMX for such a fun afternoon!
We will be back!!!

Here is a short video clip of Gabe on the track!

Kate's 1st trip to The Alhambra

One of my favorite date spots is The Alhambra theater and dining. In fact, I have always loved it...date or not! :) Not once have I been that the show wasn't excellent, and to top it off, you get to have dinner too! I have been wanting to take Kate for a while but wanted to

wait for the right moment. The shows are about 90 minutes and you can't exactly start talking or get up once the show starts. But, Kate enjoys plays and long movies now, so when I saw Cinderella was coming this season, I knew the time was right! I an't remember how old I was when I saw my first play, but if I had to guess I would say I was a bit older than Kate, maybe 8...give or take a couple years.

To celebrate this special occassion, I bought Kate a new Cinderella dress and then took her to pick out new "glass slippers." She was soooo excited to be here!

My beautiful little princess!

We entered the giant front doors and were greeted by a very nice gentleman.

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Kate's first look at The Alhambra!

We had great seats on the front row.

We were also joined today by Grandma & PawPaw!

Time to eat!






During intermission they let all the little princesses walk across the stage and also take pictures. Kate was a little shy, but still enjoyed it!







Cinderella did not disappoint. The show was wonderful and we all had a perfect afternoon! Kate LOVED everything about The Alhambra! Now I really can't wait to take her back again to see Snow White in a couple weeks!


After the show they invited all the kids to come have their picture taken with Cinderella & Prince Charming. We had to buy their photo and were only allowed to take a non-flash picture, but it was worth it of course! :) Below is my sort of grainy picture...






The rest of the cast were waiting in the lobby.
Kate wanted pictures with everyone!






The Fairy Godmother----------------------------The King & Queen

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The stepsisters and stepmother

Dancers at the ball

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Just before leaving, Kate talked PawPaw into getting her this golden wand.
Thanks PawPaw!

We had a fabulous time at The Alhambra.

I would definitely recommend anyone nearby check this place out! And if it's been awhile, it's completely remodeled and looks great!!!

Kate recounts The Creation Story

Kate & Sophie

Kate LOVES to draw! In fact, I'd say it might be her favorite thing to do right now. Today however, she wanted to make something really special, a letter/picture for her friend from Atlanta, Sophie. Kate has been talking about Sophie almost everyday lately because she knows they are coming for a visit very soon...and Kate LOVES Sophie! Sophie was our neighbor when we lived in Powder Springs and the two girls shared such a special baby bond! I can't speak for Sophie, but I know that for Kate not a day goes by that she doesn't at least think about Sophie. It's sweet yet at the same time sad since the girls only get to see each other 2 or 3 times a year.



Back to Kate's drawing... She began by drawing a picture of her & Sophie. Then she decided to flip over the paper and draw Sophie another picture to show her some of what she has been learning at VBS. I wasn't really paying attention to what Kate was drawing, but when she finished she asked me to come see what she made. I was honestly so suprised! Kate drew the story of Creation from the book of Genesis in the Bible...with all 7 days! She drew the earth in the center and then dash marks to repesent the chapter numbers...which were really the different days. Next to each chapter she drew a small picture to show what happened on that day. Just above the earth in the picture below you will see that in chapter 7, God rested. So what did Kate draw??? A stick figure man laying on a bed of course! :) Sorry Sophie, but I love this picture so much that I am keeping it! But, I did ask Kate first and she is going to make you another picture! :)

Kate let me video her explaining this picture.

VBS - High Seas Expedition

We've traveled on horses through the Wild West, we've flown our space ships into the far reaches of the galexy, and now it's time to get on our boats and sail the High Seas! That's right, our 5th and final (I think) VBS of the summer will take Kate on a High Seas Expedition!

I didn't help with this VBS, but I do know that Kate loved going each morning and was all smiles when I picked her up! At the end of the week she wanted a picture with their assembly guide. Gabe insisted on being in the picture too (even though he wouldn't look at my camera!) but then Kate wanted one without her little brother. :)

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Kate's classroom captain for the week!

God's Word is for EVERYONE!!!

On the last day of VBS, all the kids went up on stage with their classes to put fleece blankets into the boat. The kids all helped to prepare these blankets that will be sent overseas and distributed by a mission team.




Time to sing for the parents!
Kate will get a chance to sing on stage again on Sunday, but she sure did great today!






Fun times with Shaun!
This is Amelia's older brother....a.k.a. Mr. Popular!
He is loved by all the little ladies! :)

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To end a great week of VBS, the Methodist Church rented out the Aquatic Center for all the families. Unfortunately, there were heavy storm clouds in the distance so the park had to close early. But, the kids did get to swim for almost an hour with a 15 minute "lightning spotted" break in the middle before finally shutting down early.


Kate & Amelia---------------------------------Kate & Aidan

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Jon & gave showed up to the waterpark a little late....just in time for it to shut down the first time. Gabe waited so patiently and then jumped up excitedly when the water started flowing again! He only ended up getting to swim about 20 minutes before the shut down completely for the storm, but he had fun!

VBS - Saddle Ridge Ranch - St Marys

Another week of Vacation Bible School! And this time, we are going back again to the wild wild west! So let's saddle up our horses and have some fun!!!!

This week I got to work with the 4 year olds...and Kate was in my class!

We had a VERY wild bunch, but I did enjoy getting to spend the week in class with Kate!

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Gabe was in his own class of 2 & 3 year olds, but I did get to peek in a few times. ;)

The first picture is of him dancing in music class. The 2nd picture is during Rec time.

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And on the first day, our class was combined with Gabe's class for Rec so I got to be with both of my kids! Here they are being led in a game of Simon Says!

Fun at Rec!

Class time fun!

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Rehearsal for the last night program.

Unfortunately, only Kate went to the program and even then only long enough to sing on stage with her class. We were involved in two VBS programs this week and the other was having a family night at the local waterpark. It was a fun week, but it was also exhausting with 4 back to back VBS adventures! I think next week we will be doing alot of nothing!

This picture of Sarah & Madeline was just so cute that I had to add it!