Fun Filled Fourth

Our sweet friends, the Hawleys, invited us to join them for a long weekend at their lake house over the 4th of July holiday.  We had a wonderful time hanging out with great friends and enjoying the lake, pool, water table, boat and jet ski rides, watermelon, bubble baths and more! 

Adair had a blast swimming and playing with Webb and Kate.  She also enjoyed acting as a big sister to Webb's little sister, Marlen.  We all enjoyed wonderful home cooked meals, relaxing and quality time with family and friends.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate our country's independence. 

May we always realize how fortunate we are to live in America the beautiful and never take for granted our freedom to make our own choices and to worship as we want and who we want.  God bless America!

Watermelon! 

Hank with all three kiddos: Webb, Adair and Kate.

Bubble bath!

Adair and Webb filling up the water table.

Adair's adorable "swimming" face.

Loving the boat ride!

Webb, Adair and baby Marlen

Adair loved jumping off of the dock.

Adair and Webb completely tuckered out.

Adair's first ride on a jet ski.  She loved it!

I am going to add a funny story here, because it's one I don't want to forget.  As we were packing to go to the lake, Adair asked if she could take a couple of movies.  I told her that was fine and to go pick them out and put them in her bag.  She chose "Tangled" and "Mary Poppins".  On the way to the lake, it occurred to me that "Tangled" had been in the DVD player, so I commented to Hank that we had forgotten it at home.  Adair quickly interjected that she had gotten it out the DVD player by "not touching the bottom like Daddy taught me" and put it in the case before putting it in her bag.  I looked at Hank, shocked, first because she remembered it was in the DVD player and got it out, and, second, because she managed to get it into the right case.  As Hank said, I think we are in trouble!

A Blueberry Kind of Day

This morning, Adair, Hank, Mom, Dad and I went to pick blueberries.  There's nothing better than fresh from the bush blueberries and we had a great, yummy time.  Adair, of course, ate more blueberries than she put into her bucket, but she had fun and learned a little about how blueberries grow.

Happy Father's Day

We had a fun day celebrating Father's Day.  I am so thankful to have such a wonderful man and role model as my child's father and my own father.  Adair and I love you both more than we could ever express!

An Artist in the Making

As I was blog-surfing a few weeks ago, I came across a fun art project that looked perfect for young kids...tissue paper art.  Adair loves anything "crafty" (except coloring with crayons...I guess crayons are too amateur for her), so we tried it today and it was a huge hit. 

If you'd like to try this project with your own children, it's really simple. 

Here's what you'll need:
Card board
Tin foil
Tissue paper
Elmer's glue
Foam paint brush
Glitter (optional)
Sequins (optional)

Instructions:
~ Cover your card board with tin foil.
~ Cut your tissue paper into small pieces.  Squares, circles, hearts...your choice!
~ Pour some glue into a bowl and add a little water to make it thin enough to paint.
~ Cover your foil covered card board with a layer of glue, then place tissue paper on top.
~ Continue to add layers of glue and tissue paper until you are satisfied with your art.
~ Add glitter and sequins if desired.
~ Let dry completely before placing up right.

This kept Adair busy for at least an hour.  For more fun ideas visit http://www.eighteen25.blogspot.com/.  Have fun!

Best Friends!

My very best friend, Hollie, has two girls, Anabelle and Addyline, who Adair absolutely adores.  Anabelle broke her arm on their trampoline just a week before Adair got her trampoline for her birthday and, while it's been a tramatic experience for Anabelle, Adair thinks it's cool and has been pretending to have a broken arm ever since.  Let's hope she can keep pretending and we won't have to go through what Hollie and Anabelle have been through these last few weeks!  We wish you a speedy recovery and we love you, Anabelle!

Red, White, Blue and Birthdays

To continue the birthday celebration, we spent Memorial Day with our families to commemorate Adair's special day.  We had a great time together and Adair got to blow out more candles, eat more cake and open more gifts, which she loved, of course. 

 Trampoline!

 Adair with Nona and Joe-pa (my parents), Mama Alice (my grandmother),

Mimi and Grandpa (Hank's parents) and Granny (Hank's grandmother)

 Three!!!

Swaying to her Happy Birthday song!

With Adair's birthday falling right at Memorial Day each year, it's easy to let it go by without thinking much about our our service men and women and the price they pay for the freedom that we enjoy every day.  So, thank you to those who lost their lives for our country, to those who lay down their lives for our country, to those who leave their families and friends to fight for our freedom and security, and to the families who live on while they are away.  We appreciate you more than we could ever express and thank God for you.

Adair's Birthday Spectacular

The Guest of Honor:

The Decorations:

 

The Games: 

  

The "Prizes":

The Party Go-ers:

We had a great time at Adair's birthday carnival tonight!  There was something for everyone (under 6, that is)...a bounce house, face painting, carnival games, a photo opp, pizza, cupcakes, lollipops, cotton candy, noise makers, bubbles...  Adair had a great time ringing in her third birthday with so many close friends!  We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends.  We are so grateful to everyone who came to celebrate with us...especially the parents who went home with sugar overloaded kiddos armed with noise makers, cotton candy and lollipops just before bedtime. 

Happy birthday, sweet Adair!  We love you more than words can express!