Life and Valentines

Excuse the lack of blogging, Philip went to an ER conference in TX last week and i wasn’t sure i was going to survive. 

BUT, we made plans with friends and family and it made the week go by fast (for the most part). We all missed him a lot, and the kids made welcome home signs for him and waited outside until he’d got home Friday night. 

So he got home and i walked out the door to attend a woman’s conference at our church. It was full of lots of wonderful women and some powerful speakers. 

This week was Valentines Day and both kids had parties at their school where they exchanged Valentines with their class friends. 

Doughnuts with Dad for Parker! 

   Ainsley and Parker had a good day and came home with lots of goodies. 

Wednesday was actual Valentines Day- Ainsley got a special colored rose from Daddy and mommy got some pretty flowers too. (the boys got gifts too don't worry). 

Valentine's Day PJs from Nanny and Pop

Also while Philip was gone, i had to enroll Ainsley in kindergarten for next year. It was depressing, so i left the school and went to McDonalds to drown my sorrows in a Big Mac and fries. 

Here are just some pics pf our last few weeks, because I really can't even remember what all we have been up to, but I do know that I kept the kids alive and to me thats a win!

a picture their teacher took when they saw each other in chapel

enjoying a valentines day treat

Ainsleys Birthday Weekend

Ainsley and Parker both slept in on her birthday (go figure). So we were a little cramped for time before school. But she popped out of bed and was ready to open her presents that were sitting out for her. 

Parker was so intrigued and kept telling her to open the “big one sissy!” After presents i made birthday cake sprinkle pancakes, which I think Parker enjoyed the most:) 

We headed off to school where she was excited to share her “birthday wands” with her friends. 

That night we went to Pucchinis, per her request, and we had a wonderful pizza dinner while it snowed HUGE snowflakes out the restaurant window. Ainsley and AB played frozen games around the table and Parker ran around with them. 

The “Her Knight” dance is always the same weekend as her birthday. We were lucky enough to get tickets and Ainsley has been so excited for her “special dance with daddy”. She had me curl her hair and got dressed (without letting daddy see) and then had me introduce her to Daddy once she was all ready :) 

Parker and I had a date too- to the Mexican restaurant. 

Saturday was her birthday party. She wanted to have a gymnastics party this year, so we chose to have it at Legacy All Sports. 

I didn’t really know what to expect (I’d never even been there) but had heard raving reviews. And we were not disappointed. The kids got to go in 3 different gyms, each with different activities. Ainsley said she had a blast but I’m not sure who had more fun: her or Parker. Parker was in line to go to the next gym and then we lost him in the bounce house. 

Ainsley wanted rainbow cupcakes and so Nanny ensured she got exactly that! They were beautiful and even more delicious. 

This was the year of American Girl, and Mary Ellen has more clothes and accessories than i do! We are blown away by the love poured on our sweet girl and she is so lucky to have so many people love her like they do. 

Ainsley is FIVE

I was driving home from our girls trip, A was passed out in her car seat with her arms wrapped around her doll, and all i could think was  “how has she been here five years already?”. It seriously has been the fastest years of my life. The day she was born was one of the best days of my life and i remember everything about that snowy day (and night). 

This next year is going to be a big one for her (well all of us). Starting kindergarten and not being home with me every day. It is going to be an adjustment but i haven’t figured a way out of it, so it looks like it’s happening. 

Height/ Weight: 41 inches (36%) / 35.6 lbs (20%) 

Hair: strawberry blonde 

Eyes: blue

Favorite things: (answered by Ainsley) 

Color- purple (she said when she turned 5 it changed from pink to purple) 

Food- Mac n cheese 

Movie: anything Disney princess 

Favorite drink: Sprite 

Best friend: KK 

Favorite thing to do : color 

Stuffed animal: hippo 

Makes you happy: when it’s my birthday 

What do you want to be when you grow up: a mommy

She is learning so much in preschool. She can write her first and last name. She learns new words every day and even uses them in proper context sometimes:) 

You love organizing and lining all your things up. 

You like to make lists and check them off. 

You have a hundred stuffed animals but you notice when one is missing.

 Your memory amazes us. 

You love dressing up and playing pretend.

Ainsley, you bring so much joy, love, laughter and happiness to so many lives. We are so proud of the girl you are and the sweet heart you have for others. You always keep us laughing with your jokes and giggles. And even when you’re challenging to parent, we wouldn’t trade a minute of it! Happy Fifth Birthday!