Horse Riding Lessons

Part of Kaelin's birthday gifts included horse riding lessons. We went on our first lesson a few weeks ago. Todd and I are also getting to ride horses at Kaelin's lessons.

This is my sassiest little cowgirl.

Kaelin was learning how to groom and care for a horse

This was Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell is a miniature horse that thinks she is a dog. You can raise her hoof and she will roll over and let you scratch her belly. Kaelin got to ride Tinkerbell. I think Kaelin was trying to figure out how we could take Tinkerbell home with us.

My 1st Tea Party

Kaelin desperately wants Macie to be able to play with her. I think Kaelin's biggest epiphany was that Macie was not born being the playmate Kaelin had envisioned. The playmate days are getting closer. This was Macie having a tea party with Kaelin. Kaelin was loving it. Macie kept trying to eat the spoon and put the entire cup in her mouth, but other than that, she played along great.

School Dance

We went with Todd to the 8th grade dance. Of course Kaelin was in her element. She immediately met a little friend when we got there (one of the assistant principals daughter that happens to be Kaelin's age).

These two girls had such a great time. They played so hard.

This party animal crashed in her stroller and slept (despite the LOUD music).

Shake your tail feathers...

They look like they might be able to stir up a little bit of trouble (at the drop of a hat)

Happy 7 month birthday Macie

(celebrated on 5-22, posted on 6-13... better late than never)

Happy 7 months old Macie...

You are such a true joy. You make our family complete.

What are you doing these days???

You absolutely love to be outside. Being inside makes you a little (a lot) cranky. We can put you in the jogging stroller and go for a run, put you in your jeep and let you roll around the back porch, or just carry you outside and you become the happiest baby.

You love to eat. Your favorite is probably mangos, although, you tolerate carrots, squash, green beans, and zucchini. We are adding new foods every day. I make all of your baby food, so it is funny to watch your reaction to the different foods. Sometimes you scrunch up your face and start making gagging sounds. It is EXTREMELY funny. I am taking it that you don't like my cooking.

You are a "Mommy's Girl". You will be fine with whatever you are doing, until you see me. When you see me, you begin acting like you have been mistreated or have some type of excruciating injury that needs my immediate attention. So, I go over, pick you up, and INSTANTLY you stop crying.

You are still a cat napper (which means 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there). Unfortunately, this trend is followed at night as well. You do fine until about 1:30, then we spend about 2 hours cat napping, then when it is time for me to finally get up, you get into a deep, peaceful sleep. GRRR...

You LOVE your sister. I don't mean like, I mean LOVE. You can hear your sister's voice and you instantly light up. You begin laughing and looking around to see if you can find her. This makes my heart so happy.

Happy Birthday Macie. Notice... she is staying a little further back from the fire than she did at her 6 month birthday.

She looks like she is concentrating on those cupcakes

Graduation

With a tear and a smile, I am proud to introduce the graduating class of 2011 from the Weekday Learning School.

It is official, Kaelin graduated from pre-school and we are now ready to move on to "Big School".

Where did the days, weeks, and years go???? Wasn't I just changing diapers?

Beautiful Graduate

She was so excited about her graduation.

When I brought her to her room so she could get her cap and gown on, her teachers said "You will need to take her bow with you"... What.... No Bow??? They said "Her cap won't fit with that big bow????" My thoughts... we need a new design on the graduation caps so they will be more forgiving for big bow heads. (just a thought)

Mrs Kristy and Miss Christina with their graduate, Kaelin

Kaelin was all smiles all evening

Macie even got in on the graduation action (Notice the bow was immediately placed back in the hair as soon as the cap came off)

Happy Birthday Hadley

Once again, we are on our quest to attend at least 100 birthday parties this year (I don't know how we have gotten on this quest, but none the less, this is the reality of having small kids).

This party was a little different. This was for my sweet little neice, Hadley. Hadley was celebrating her 1st birthday. She had the cutest tea party at one of my favorite tea rooms.

That is my girl, just tear that present open so you can get to the goods.

Macie even ended up with a piece of the present opening action (I bet you can't guess the first thing Macie did with this paper- to the mouth).

Surprisingly, Kaelin did not go to the party with us.

No... she was not in trouble. She had the busiest week and just wanted to hang out at the house with one of her friends (yes... this phase of our life has started... it is all about the friends).

Macie and I had a great day just hanging out at the birthday party and getting to see Kristen and the Crew.

Birthday party #1

To celebrate "Kaelin style", we had to have multiple celebrations that have now lasted close to 1 month. Her birthday is very special, therefore, we should celebrate it for an extended period of time (right????)

Party #1 consisted of a little family party with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Truman, Mamaw, Papa, Macie, Todd, and I.

Priceless picture (Mamaw- great grandmother, Macie, Aunt Debbie, and Kaelin)

Thank you Aunt Debbie for making Kaelin a pink cake, with pink icing, and pink sprinkles, as per Kaelin's request. It was absolutely delicious.

Present time... Barbies

A gift certificate for horse riding lessons, since we have now added horses to our laundry list of animals.

A super cute pair of Yellow Box flip flops

A new flat screen TV for her room (hey... wait a minute, I don't even have a flat screen in my room- no fair).

Macie is really eyeing that fire. I think she is remembering the day she stuck her fingers on a candle. Happy Birthday Kaelin, we love you.

Birthday Morning

My baby is growing up. I don't think I am ready for this. We start kindergarten in a few months and before you know it, I will be packing my bags and moving off to college with her (I don't think she knows that yet). Yes her birthday was about 2 weeks ago, but I am just getting time to sit and post a few things.

Kaelin woke up to her specially ordered birthday pancakes with sprinkles on them. This has been the way she has spent her birthday mornings for the past 5 years.

Her first picture as a 5 year old. The first thing she asked "Do I go to kindergarten today?" We have been telling her she had to be 5 before she could go to kindergarten, so I guess she thought this would be her first day of school.

Happy birthday to my beautiful 5 year old.

The Hawaiian Roller Coaster

A few weeks ago, Kaelin had her dance recital. As you can tell by the pictures, she was SUPER excited. She was in jazz this year. Jazz is definitely up her alley. She was movin' and groovin' to the funky songs.

This was her pose that she came up with all by herself. She is such a HAM. Kaelin slept in sponge rollers so she would have "super curly" hair. I think we succeeded. Her hair stayed curly all day.

She danced to "The Hawaiian Roller Coaster"- which I have never heard before in my entire life, but it is not a bad song.

Kaelin doing a little hula dance for us. Makes me want to go to Hawaii.

Sword fighting with her roses (I think getting roses are her favorite parts of the recital).

Bye Bye recital... we will see you next year

Kaelin did such a fabulous job. I am so proud of her. She was paying attention and really doing the dance this year.