the little wonder

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Alice's 6th Birthday

So, let's address the elephant in the room. I haven't updated this blog in a long while. Alice's birthday was back in July, and it is now... September. Oh, well. Better luck next year!

Over the summer, our sweet Alice turned 6 (which I still can't believe)! This year, Alice's birthday celebration lasted for several weeks, starting with her birthday party...

Alice with her balloons!

For her birthday this year, Alice wanted a mermaid pool party with her friends...

Yes, those adorable sunglasses were the party favors!

The pool party was a blast, and Alice got to show off her new swimming skills!

Alice's real birthday started off with sprinkle pancakes...

Sweet sisters!

Alice's birthday request was to have a girls' spa day...

Pedicures!

That evening, our family came over for more celebrating. Alice requested ice cream sundaes instead of cake, and that's just what she got!

Alice, you are so easy to celebrate! You are sweet, fun, cuddly, and creative. You love your family and friends, and you are beloved by everyone. You are a peacemaker with the most tender heart. It is such a gift to be your mama and to watch you grow. Happy birthday, sweet Alice Pearl. You are my treasure.

An interview with Alice at age 6:

What job do you want to have when you grow up? I want to be an artist.

What is your favorite book? I haven't found out because I haven't read all the books yet.

What is your favorite movie? Hercules. The Rescuers.

What is your favorite food? So far, it's grilled cheese.

What are your favorite things to do? I like to play checkers, and I like to do art. I also like to ride bikes.

Who is someone famous you would like to meet? Lin-Manuel Miranda

Who are your best friends? Faeren, Charlotte, and Ollie

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip

What are you scared of? Monsters with giant jaws and furry hands

What is something that you wish? That I had long hair

What would your perfect day be like? My birthday, going to Disney World and the beach all in the same day.

What are you interested in right now? Geography and Art

What do you like most about yourself? That I'm funny and kind.

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Watercolor Trip 2021

In May, we went to Watercolor with my family. Because of the pandemic, we didn't get to go last year, so we were all very excited and ready for a vacation.

No place like 30A!

Lucy loved catching waves with her cousins.

Esme was content to play near the shore with her bucket and pail.

Watercolor really lives up to its name.

We loved jumping in the pool every day when we got back from the beach. To rinse off the sand and also cool off. Esme learned how to swim with a puddle jumper on this trip.

We played a lot of games in the evenings. The girls were all obsessed with Hedbanz. One night, we watched The Man Who Knew Too Little with Bill Murray, which is a classic as far as my family is concerned.

Another night, my parents babysat, and Morgan, my brother, and I all rode bikes to Seaside for Cuban food and mojito slushies. By the time we headed back to Watercolor, the sun had already set, and my brother and I had on our prescription sunglasses (we'd both left our glasses at the house). Riding a bike in the dark with sunglasses after a couple of drinks was an adventure. But we made it.

Making sandcastles!

Cocktails on the beach! (Is there anything better? No. No, there is not.)

I just wanted to document Lucy's smile with her two front teeth missing... so cute! In this photo, we are riding the golf cart to a candy shop, so these girls were living their best lives.

Esme knows how to enjoy the beach!

So does Morgan.

On the last night of our vacation, we went out to dinner to celebrate my niece's birthday. We go to the same pizza place in Seaside every year.

My pizza of choice this year had an egg on it... so good!

Love my girls.

Afterward dinner, we walked around Seaside. There is a giant, yellow duck outside the toy shop, and Esme was in love with it. I didn't think we would be able to get her away from it.

Watercolor, you were good to us this year! Can't wait to go back!

Lucy's 8th Birthday

Back in April, Lucy celebrated her 8th birthday. She wanted one thing for this birthday, and that was to get her ears pierced. I told her it would hurt. I told her that she would have to clean her ears three times a day for a month. But she was determined. So, I did something I haven't done in about 15 years. We went to the mall...

To Claire's specifically, where I used to buy toe rings and scrunchies. It was like traveling back in time.

Lucy wanted her cousin and best buddy, Larken, there to cheer her on.

As she waited in the chair, the nerves were getting real...

She boldly (and wisely) requested to have both ears pierced at the same time, to get it over with. She closed her eyes and held my hand...

...and DONE! No tears, just smiles!

For this birthday, Lucy requested a marine-life-themed birthday party. She loves science and wants to be a marine biologist one day, so I thought this idea was very fitting.

The birthday girl!

I usually don't go all out on my kids' birthday parties, but this is Lucy's love language. She is an extravert to the extreme and loves celebrations.

I made cupcakes from a box mix and icing from a can, but that's OK because it's all about the presentation!

Lucy's grandparents rented the most awesome water slide for her birthday party. We had it the whole weekend, so the kids played on it nonstop.

The kids also had a water balloon fight. Morgan may or may not have joined in.

Lucy, I can't believe you are 8 years old. You are so brilliant and have so much passion and empathy in your heart. If you decide not to become a marine biologist, I think you could be an activist or a party planner. You love roller coasters and scary movies. You are a deep thinker and ask amazing questions. You love your friends and family so fiercely. It has been a joy to watch you grow and learn! I love you so much. I hope this is a wonderful year for you!

An interview with Lucy at age 8...

What job do you want to have when you grow up? Marine biologist, duh.

What is your favorite book? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

What is your favorite movie? The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 or Little Rascals

What is your favorite food? Steak and mashed potatoes

What are your favorite things to do? Read, learn, play, science experiments, play outside, climb trees

Who is someone famous you would like to meet? Emma Watson (who plays Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies)

Who are your best friends? Larken and Kailyn

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Either cheesecake or birthday cake.

What are you scared of? Dead people walking out of their graves and pieces of crabs that are floating in the ocean (???)

How are you going to be a marine biologist if you're afraid of crab pieces? By the time I'm old enough to be a marine biologist, I'll probably have gotten over it.

What is something that you wish? I would wish for there to be no more racism.

What would your perfect day be like? Spending time with Larken, going to church, and going to a water park.

What are you interested in right now? Science experiments, Harry Potter, and soccer.

What do you like most about yourself? I love that I'm smart and that I love science.

Easter 2021

For Easter this year, our church was able to meet and worship together outside. The weather was sunny and beautiful, and after last year's rainy Easter in quarantine, my heart was singing for joy to be among family and friends!

The weather was perfect, and the setting was beautiful!

Esme loved hunting for Easter eggs...

He is risen indeed!

Disney World Trip Video

Our friend Joe, who joined us for a few days in Disney World, filmed a lot of footage of our trip. Then he and one of our other friends compiled it into a short video for us. I get tears in my eyes when I watch it!