Home from the Doll Hospital!.....

Julia is really into her American Girl Dolls right ow. the 1st one she got was when she turned 6. It was a look-alike doll. then, when she turned 7, she got Rebbecca. Our friends, the Fays, graciously and generously passed Felicity onto us, as they outgrew this phase. (They also passed on her horse and several of Felicity's outfits and accessories). When we received her, she had some minor repairs that were needed because of all the love she received from her former family. So, we decided to send her off to the Doll Hospital. Julia would ask about every other day when Felicity would get home. We......she came home!!! And, Julia was thrilled!!!! She was dressed in a hospital gown, with a hospital bracelet and had a certificate of good health! Had to capture this moment of sheer delight! Oh, how I love to see my kids get excited!

Our sweet baby girl turned 7!

As usual, there was at least a week of festivities to celebrate a birthday in our house. On her actual birthday, daddy had to work. So, he took the morning off to take Julia out to breakfast. She was so surprised and excited by this. When they got home, she opened her gifts from us. Her favorite was her new American girl doll, Rebecca. We loved her coat, boots and curls!When daddy went back to work, grandma took the boys for the afternoon. Julia, mommy and her 2 American Girl dolls went to Starbucks, then for a pedicure then for a light dinner at Corner Bakery. It was fun to have some girl time with her.

Julia insisted that we have matching nails!!!
In between that day and now, we went out to dinner as a family to celebrate, celebrated at each grandma's and went out to dinner with her Auntie and Uncle. For the Grand Finale, we had a small party with a few close friends yesterday. Lots of girlie colors, sweets and crafts....and tons of fun!
The boys helped make most of the dipped pretzels and marshmallows!

Making candy and Froot Loop necklaces

Our designated "helpers" and make-up artists!

Decorating cupcakes (with newly "made up" faces)

Very Rainy, very fun day!!!! The boys showed up at the end to participate in the fun! Well....the week or so of events is over. I can't believe our baby is 7. It's so weird to think that for 6-1/2 years, she was the baby. Now, there is a new baby (who we all adore, of course). Still hard to get use to the part where she isn't the baby anymore. She is growing up and it is so fun and so sad at the same time. She is such a joy to me. She catches every detail and is so "on top" of things. she is thoughtful, independent and thoughtful! She holds her own with the boys and even tries to fit in with them quite often. We do love this girl that God blessed us with. She is truly a treasure to us all!

Sweet little buddies- Then and now....

So, when I was digging through old pictures, looking for the pictures of Josh and "fishie B's", I was flooded with so many memories that seem so long ago, and seem like they were only yesterday at the same time. They bring joy to my heart, yet make my heart heavy because they are a reminder of how fast time flies. I don't want my babies to be older this quickly. I dread the day when they are all out of my house. I could cry thinking about it. I love having a full home with lots of activity going on. (There are those days, I admit, when I am starving for a quiet house...however, I am often more thankful for the noise)! Anyway, when I was looking at old pictures this one of Josh and Julia came up. It looked familiar because I had just taken one of them like this, this last summer. I had to post them side by side to see the difference. These 2 children are so precious to me. I love their relationship. I remember how shocked and overwhelmed I was when I first found out I was pregnant with Julia. It seemed, at the time, to be a bit too soon. However, the fact that Josh and her are so close in age, has allowed them to have such a precious friendship. They play all their little pretend "kitty games" together for hours. He can beat up on her from time to time, but overall, he takes really good care of her. I hope they grow up to be close friends always!!! God knows what He is doing and it is so nice to rest in that, even when I initially think my plan is better! :)

Awana Drive In...

I always dread this night.....the night where they all have to decorate a box to watch the movie in and get it judged for prizes. You should see some of the boxes that the parents go "all out" on. Last yearm I sent them with no box. 4 boxes to decorate is a bit much. This year, we made a flower for Julia and jeremy helped josh make a "tank". jake had a plna, a box and paint but ended up staying home with H1N1......thei first of our vicitims......

"When the dog bites..."

Julia was rolling around with grandma and grandpas very large golden retriever and ended up getting bit. So strange and out of character for the dog. Just had to document it so she can have a tough "war story" to tell when she's older!

Funny Girl

Julia makes my husband and I laugh on a daily basis. She loves to be goofy and corny to make people laugh. She seems to have the perfect balance...she loves to dress up, wear make-up, get her nails painted and have her hair curled; yet, she is the 1st to wrestle and roll around in the dirt with the boys! The other night, we sent the kids up to get their jammies on for bed. Soon after, she came running down the stairs, posing and acting up in this outfit she found in the costume box: a power ranger with built-in muscles. She proceeded to pose in as many poses as she could think of, while even kissing her biceps (where did she learn that?). She had us laughing very hard. Is it that obvious that she has all brothers?

Julia's Tea Party!

Julia has been begging to have her birthday party at Olivia's Doll House for a couple of years now. She has been to a couple of parties there and I thought she might out-grow it. We took her to "Sweet and Sassy" for her party last year, hoping this would be a substitute that would satisfy her...but, it didn't work. So, we wanted to make her happy and allowed her to be "Queen for a Day" at Olivia's Doll House this year!Here's Julia getting on her dress that she picked out!

Then, she got her make-up, hair and nails done!

I always love the cute "up-do's" that they do to the girls!

The thing that cracks me up about Olivia's Doll House is that every square inch of the house is COVERED with trinkets, etc. Maybe that's what seems so magical to girls her age! This was the table...yikes...major over stimulation for the senses!

This was what she was waiting for!!!.....As "Queen for the Day" you get to control the "bell" and ring for service any time you or any of your guests need anything and the "help" comes running!!!! :) Look at that evil laugh.

The girls all looked so pretty and had so much fun!!!!! I am happy for her that she got to have her party where she has wanted it for so long!!!

Our Baby Girl Turned 6!

On December 3rd, Julia turned 6, and was in for a fun-filled day of surprises! First thing in the morning, daddy took her on a date to the mall. They sat and talked while drinking Starbucks, then he took her to the pet store to play with the puppies.

Next, daddy took Julia to Build-A-Bear (which she has been wating to go back to for a while). They had tons of fun together. :

After Build-A-Bear, I met up with them for lunch. Julia had her bear, with it's inflatable couch (very necessary), join us for lunch! :

Next, was the biggest suprise of all:

We took her to Sweet and Sassy to get her ears pierced. She was so surprised. She has been begging for this for a while. I am not sure why I resisted so long...or actually I do. She is my baby. She was my last child (until now) and I wanted to hold onto that. I wanted her to stay a baby and to see her with earings made her seem so much older to me. I finally gave in and decided it would be a good milestone memory for her birthday. She was so excited but very nervous, since she knew it would hurt!


Ahhhhh.......It's over.....and worth it! She couldn't wait to show EVERYONE!

Next, she got a hair cut and style (and a little glitter on the cheek! ):

Next......mom and Julia went to get a spa pedicure and manicure! she got such a kick out of the massage chairs (and even got a snowman painted on her toes):

Last, but not least, she went to grandma's to get her gift from them....which was an American Girl Doll that looks like her. She named her Grace (after her own middle name) and she has been her best friend ever since.

Wow.....talk about being spoiled. What in the world! We felt she was so deserving. She never asks for anything and happily tags along with the 3 boys to all of their "events". We felt she deserved a day all to herself. She loved it. When asked her favorite part: her ear piercing, of course!!! Happy Birthday sweetheart.....I can't believe yo are 6!