We are finally falling into a routine with school - getting everyone up and out of the house in time for the bus, packing lunches, keeping 3 kindergartner's homework and folders straight and keeping some semblance of a nighttime routine. We had one week of peace and quiet and now we begin the transportation part of our year. Dance classes, soccer, violin, tutoring, girl scouts, ccd, and, Oh - did I mention dance classes - there are 9 of them between the 4 girls! Bob and I wouldn't have it any other way but there are times when our family dinners last all of five minutes because we are rushing out to one activity or another and the last 2 weeks of relative quiet with nothing going on have been really sweet!
Today was a very special day in our house because Annie turned 6! I can't believe that I just wrote that - I swear I can still feel her kicking in my stomach! She is bright, beautiful, warm and loving but she has ALOT of her Daddy in her so being the center of attention is not her thing. She tends to get shy and not enjoy herself completely when all eyes are on her - that being said we had to throw her a party so everyone could celebrate her birth! She was even more excited for her birthday this year because she got to share her party with Tyler!
This is how we found Abby when we got to the beach - a woman of mystery!
And this is the lovely dress that my girl picked out for her party! Black sequins and a pink purse! She has been hanging out with her big sister for way too long - she is all about the sparkle!
Papa's grl.
This cracked me up - these two are getting way too old!
Daddy and his boy - Peter towers over Bob but always has time for a "bro" hug for his Dad.
Bob and his girls - he tried to claim Abby as his goddaughter but I didn't let that happen.
Auntie Ann truly outdid herself again - the cakes were the perfect representation of what each of the kids wanted and they got their own cake because she made cupcakes or everyone else.
Annie and Tyler - Annie could not have been more thrilled to share her party with her big cousin - she loves Tyler.
Ready to sing Happy Birthday.
Our twins!
Peter loving on his sisters!
Annie loved her Irish Step Dancing cake. She got to keep the little figure and it was clutched in her little hand when we got home from the beach after the party.
That smile melts my heart!
Tyler takes after his father - he karate chopped his cake.
Fun is - pigging out on your own birthday cake.
Papa's girl.
Annie and Katie loving their ice cream cups and cake.
My sweet girl loves her chocolate ice cream.
Our handsome 12 year old!
Uncle Brian, KK and Taylor enjoying the celebration of Annie.
Annie and her namesake - she couldn't be more blessed to have such an amazing role model.
The treasure hunt is on! Grammy and Papa always fid a way to make things special for the kids. Today Annie got to go look for her present through a series of poems!
No one knew where they were going to end up!
Another clue!
Still looking......
And this is what Annie found at the end of her treasure hunt - her very first pet!
She was thrilled bout her little fish!
Grammy and Papa even saved feeding time until Annie found her so that she could do the honors.
Annie was so excited!
Present time!
Annie loved her present from her BFF and she loves to SMILE!
Watching the present opening!
A little help from her big sister in reading the cards.
Auntie Ann got Tyler the perfect t-shirt!
Annie even had a special hair do for her birthday party with braids and curls and flowers!
Hugs for her big sister!
A little snuggle - Annie always wants to be with Molly - she idolizes her!
Paper fight!
The three Harding kids goofing around!
Auntie Kake and Ellie!
The name the fish contest! We ended up with.....drumroll please............
Gingerbread (Ginger for short) Bubbles Harding - Wheeler
Abby was the winner of the name contest!
Uncle Bob loving his niece!
Annie and Ginger pose for a picture together. When we got home that night she sang Ginger lullabies and woke up all night to check if she was sleeping. She is in love with her beautiful fish.
Grammy and Papa with their birthday babies!
Getting silly!
I love this one - it shows how much fun my parents make everything for the kids.
Pat and Karla with the birthday boy!
Uncle Scott and Annie
Annie could not wait to get home and get in her princess nightgown from Auntie Ann - she even let Lizzie wear the other one - she is such a sweet kiddo!
On Annie's actual birthday we woke her up at 6am to open presents before she got ready for the day - she was happy but very groggy!
Our baby girl opening her gifts. She loved everything she got - especially the nail polish from her big sister. She started putting it on before she was done opening her gifts.
We found Annie a little fairy Garden that you can make for your room so she was so excited!
Daddy's girl - notice the bunny ears!
Ellie Bean giving herself bunny ears! She was almost as excited for Annie's birthday as Annie was!
My big 6 year old ready to head out for school!
Auntie Meg made Annie the most beautiful cupcakes that looked like Minnie Mouse. She was so proud to show her class her cupcakes and even the boys thought they were really cool.
My sweet birthday girl!
Annie's class singing happy birthday to her.
I adore that toothless grin!
The little's had their first night of soccer and since Daddy and Auntie Karla and Grammy and Papa were there Molly and I stayed home to get ready for her special birthday dinner for Annie. Molly set the table, helped cook and even went and got a flower for the table without being asked! She was so excited to be able to do something special for Annie.
The flower on the table for Annie's birthday celebration!
The five wonders of my world!
Happy Birthday, Annie! We love you!
Annie got rag rollers for her birthday and just before we had cake Molly put them in so her hair would be curly tomorrow.
Happy Birthday, Sunshine.
Annie's wish was to be able to cut her own cake. I'm not sure we had to give her the biggest knife in the butchers block but she did great! She's had lots of training from Auntie Ann.
Lizzie Bug tried out the rag rollers too - she looked adorable but was not thrilled about taking a picture!
She can pout all she wants but she is still adorable!
We had a great few days of birthday celebrations in our house but the fun is just getting started. In less than three weeks Molly's birthday will be here!
I love celebrating the day that the kids were born - whether I was there for their birth or found about their birth weeks later - each of their birthdays brought a special little light into our lives and I would not change one thing! Happy Birthday, Ann Eileen - we are so happy that you were born!
GNM - ILY!
