"Mom, I really feel really special"

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post! I sure hope the grandparents will forgive me!

Birthday's are a pretty big deal in our family. I am not sure how, but it just has happened. In a larger family it seems like a great opportunity to "pour" into one child. We do not do "friend" birthdays for all the birthdays unless it happens spontaneously. More for the practical financial and planning. We plan friend parties for years like 5, 10, 13, & 16. So, this year we had a family Birthday celebration however we were able to include a little party at school with her friends in her class.



 

 Olivia opened her gift from us before she went to school. A new dress, shoes and birthday ribbon. She was so excited and was full of smiles. She received lots of big hugs from her siblings all morning long.

Olivia requested Hello Kitty Cake Pops. I had no idea how I was going to pull it off but I was looking forward to the challenge. 

I had the opportunity to hang out with the kids and teachers during recess. After most, if not all of the class came over to greet and give little hugs (I had just been in the classroom 2 days ago)  they waited and asked to get their picture taken together. I chuckled as they know me well since I always have my camera with me snapping pictures. This sweet little picture is just precious to me. I am looking forward to watching this group of kids grow up together.

The cake pops were a hit.

I took Olivia out of school early knowing our evening was going to be very busy with Madelyn's band performance. On our way to her surprise she said

"Mom, I really feel really special"

 She has never been to Build-A-Bear Workshop and really didn't know what it was all about but it sure didn't take long for her to figure it out! She was so full of smiles it was if her little face was lit up. Can you guess what stuffed animal she selected?....

She giggled, played, dressed and danced in the store.

So much fun, her little love tank runneth over....

The fun didn't stop! The kids waited eagerly to hear about her day and to see her Hello Kitty. I love to watch their excitement for one another. We had cake early with a busy night ahead but they didn't seem to care at all to have cake first and by far that is probably the best present ever for Olivia. She does like chocolate! 



Silly kids....oh let me take in all these moments. They pass so quickly. sniff-sniff

Our "sweet pea" with 6 little candles. A knot in my throat as I type.You are truly a gift, you add so much fun to our family. Your animated personality, your sense of humor, your inquisitiveness, your silly faces, your imagination, your articulation of your feelings, your creativity, your love for your siblings... We wait in expectation of how the Lord will use you to share the Love of Jesus with others. 

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14