Celebrating Six

Birthdays are always fun, but some ages just seem to lend themselves to super celebrations. Six has always been that number in our home. So here are a few photos of how we celebrated our family's baby turning...6!!!

Her party table was set up the night before, as she dreamed of birthday joy, I'm sure!

For her family party, she chose Sophia The First...a cute little princess. : )

She was thrilled with her table, and put her ribbon and crown on right away. As per tradition, she opened one present before breakfast...

and what is more fitting than a Happy Birthday Barbie?!

Then we sang the first of three Happy Birthdays to her as she had her favorite...Pumpkin Bread...for breakfast!

Later in the day, she helped Peyton bake and frost the cupcakes for her party. Because when you are homeschooled...you take your birthday off. ; )

All done!

Soon enough it was time to get ready for her party at the movie theatre.

It was a gorgeous day, so we took a few pictures outside...

and I was happy. : )

Rhett organized her entire party at the theatre! Here she is with her friend Josiah...

and her cousin and friend Cambree.

Her cake was beautiful and delicious. Flynn requested Cinderella be front and center!

My baby turns six!

After the movie...Cinderella 3...Flynn's very favorite...we took a silly picture with her guests.

And of course, one with Grandma. : )

Then it was home to change into jammies and have dinner. After presents, we sang to our baby one more time...

and this is how we know she had an amazing 6th birthday!

Happy Birthday one more time, Flynn Grace!

We love you!

Turkey Soup...Save Those Bones!

I'm reposting this from a few years ago, just in case you might have missed it! : )

While Thanksgiving is one of our favorite days, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is perhaps our favorite day of the Thanksgiving season. That is the day I make turkey soup. My kids actually look forward to that more than the turkey dinner itself! It is sooooo good, and soooo easy, and makes a perfect, simple meal for a cold November evening. So when you are shopping for Thanksgiving, pick up a few extras and give this one a try. Your family will thank you. I promise. : )

Turkey Soup

Ingredients:

1. Turkey bones and carcass
2. One stick celery, chopped
3. One onion, chopped
4. One large can and two small(15oz.) cans chicken broth
5. One teaspoon salt
6. One teaspoon poultry seasoning
7. One eighth teaspoon pepper
8. One large can water
9. One large bag Kluski noodles

Directions:

1. On Thanksgiving, wrap turkey bones and any fat in foil and place in refrigerator.
2. When ready to make soup, put bones and any fat in large pot.
3. Add celery, onion, chicken broth, salt, poultry seasoning, pepper, and water.
4. Cook at boiling, covered, for one hour. Remove any foam.
5. Meanwhile, in separate pot, boil noodles. Then drain and set aside.
6. Drain bones, fat, and veggies until only broth remains.
7. Add cooked noodles, heat, stir, and enjoy!!!!

Early Saturday Morning

My puppy woke up early this morning. And I am glad she did. When we came downstairs in the early morning hours of this November Saturday, this is what we saw...

What amazing beauty greeted us this morning!  It was a reminder to me that every single day holds the promise to be extraordinary...Even a random Saturday in late November in which my plans include nothing more than snuggling on the couch with my girls and Lifetime Movies while my hubby and son hunt bear in the deep woods. Later we will attend Mass and give thanks for these ordinary...but extraordinary...days. I hope your day is cozy and amazing too. Thanks for visiting!

Happy 6th Birthday Flynn Grace

It's true what they say, you know. Time flies. My baby. My baby is turning 6. It is all relative though, I think. When my oldest child Madison was 6, I had two younger children. And I thought Madison was old! She wore jeans and Tommy Hilfiger shirts to Kindergarten. She had play dates and...gasp! sleepovers. At our house, of course. Flynn is my baby. She wears dresses and bows. Everywhere. Fortunately, she loves them. She loves to be home with me. And to me she seems so young. That is not to say I am in denial about the fact she must grow. I am struggling with it, but encouraging and being amazed by it at the same time. What else can I do? From the moment they place that sweet smelling bundle of joy in your arms, he or she will grow. And that is exactly what is supposed to happen. As parents, as much as we want to hold on to that tiny baby and stop time...we will always fail. Babies grow. And become children. Children grow and become teenagers. Teenagers grow. And become young adults. And each stage is wonderful. We are but one tiny link in this unending chain of mothers and fathers and babies and children. And as much as it hurts my heart to watch my baby grow, that is her job. Mine? To be beside her every step of the way.

And so one day I can look back and remember...

At 6 years old Flynn still likes milk. And only white milk. That's it.

She loves school. She loves it.

Flynn loves SpongeBob. She knows every episode. And so do I. : )

She still loves Cinderella. She dances and sings and twirls and pretends to be her. All the time.

Flynn loves her new puppy, Mocha. She is the biggest helper with her.

She loves to help me! She dusts, and carries clothes baskets, and mops. Really.
(Could be a Cinderella thing.)

She still loves to snuggle with me every afternoon on the couch. With the blue blanket. And the dogs.

Flynn loves strawberries, yogurt, peanut butter sandwiches, and sliced apples.

She adores her blanket, Taggie. And must be holding the soft little tag when she drinks her milk.

She is always happy. Always fun. And she tells me she will always love me. Even if 1000 skunks spray me, she would still hug and love me. : )

Happy Birthday, Flynn Grace. We love you!!!