Pre-wedding fun!

Our nephew got married! He was in our wedding when we got married, and now, our daughter was in his! The weekend started off with Addison's fair performance and Dave gone for a buying show, which is just defined as busy. When you add in that Jackson, Addison and myself all weren't feeling great....argh! But we called our doc, had the antibiotics started so we could head out to the wedding venue Saturday morning. Such a gorgeous spot!

The plan was for Addison to be ready to go to the rehearsal about noon, and everyone would get to hang out at the pool. Addison and I were ready when we got the call. Little did we know the rehearsal was completely at the top of the hill (a very steep hill at that). We should have listened to the bellhop and waited for the tram. Oh well. We walked. She practiced and Jackson got to play in the pool/talk with everyone.

Mind you, he was fighting a pretty gnarly ear infection/sinus infection that turned croupy the entire weekend. Not to mention the schedule was off. He had a blast playing in the pool, he just always wanted someone to play with. Addie was content to just be in the water and could have done that all day if she had been allowed.  

The first night we went to a nice restaurant that was low key. Sunday found us back in the pool. Dave got us a cabana which was awesome and allowed us to have down time out of the sun and pool, yet still with everyone. The whole family enjoyed it. We even got Grandma and Grandpa B in the pool!!! I wish we all lived closer and could just hang out more often. So many times we get together and it's a planned affair, but this was just pure hang out down time. Loved it! 

I left the pool to shower about 1 and then Addie came up a little while later to get ready for her flower girl debut!

Letter to Addison on her 7th birthday

My dear Addison,

I can hardly believe you are seven. It seems like only yesterday I was laying you out in the sun coming through the windows. You have always done things your way, from the moment you were born...and you continue to. You are my little Miss Independent in so many ways, but I love that you always find ways to show me you need me...you are not totally independent!!!

Addison, you amaze me every day. There is so much that you see and do, and yet you are not always offered all of the explanation that you need. And honestly, I don't completely know how to explain it all yet. I'm working on it, but you take life in stride. You are my sensitive one and you wear your emotions on your sleeve. Both your teacher and I agree you can't lie to save your life (remember this as you get older!).

This has been a huge year for you. You're in first grade, which initially you didn't want to go to. Now, you don't want to go to second grade (or college for that matter). But you LOVE school. You love to go and learn. You always have amazing days, and are learning and growing so much. You've learned to read, and we are working on your confidence right now. (Insert brag...you shot up today in your reading level!!!) We've thrown an incentive out there for your reading (more on that as we hit summer), and honestly, it has helped a lot. You love math and are very creative. Sometimes I wonder if you're more like your brother than people think. But so far, we're going with it! You are very sensitive, and your tells are huge when something is going on. We're getting better at "reading" you, though it is a day by day process.

Addison, you are one of a kind! You are so spunky that sometimes I forget how shy you can be. New situations still bring out the shyness in you. But I am proud to say that you are warming up in those situations much faster than you used to. In fact, you are loving new things. You have been on play dates and are "practicing" getting ready for a sleep over. Truth be told, I am practicing too. I don't know when I will be ready for that!

Addison, I really want to say I'm sorry. I know we have had some bumps at home. We are learning to be parents. We are learning to be the parents you and your bother need us to be, and you both need different things. I need you to know that at no time do your dad and I ever forget you or think you don't need us. There are times when you probably need us more. And we are trying. We love you and are so proud of you and all that you do. One of my most favorite times of the day is when you first wake up. You always come hop onto my lap and snuggle in. You will never be too big for my lap! 

You are an amazing girl who is continuing to grow into her own. You love animals with a sensitivity that I didn't know existed. You are such a good friend. Yes, you need to be reminded sometimes, but you are able to put yourself in others shoes and really see how things affect others. This is a huge thing! You love to play and move. I have decided that you are our "Family Circus." It's a comic I used to read growing up, and you are my kiddo who does 10 different dances, moves and things on your way to your destination. You have a fire in your eyes sweetheart, and I will do all that I can to make sure that no one ever extinguishes that fire.

And Addison, you have a quiet side, which I hope you continue to nurture as well. You love to think, and right now you "write stories" all the time in your notebooks. Addison, that is what I used to do. I used to dream of writing a book one day. I don't know what it would be about, but I love to write. And you do too. Keep on writing love. It's a way to cleanse your soul and get the words out that maybe are too hard to say. But love, I have always admired your strength for words. You say what you feel, and you mean what you say in most all situations and I pray that you continue to grow this. Being honest and true to yourself is a gift that you can give yourself. But it can be a tough thing for a woman to do. Love yourself sweetheart, for you are as beautiful as the sunset. You are perfect exactly how God made you and I am the most blessed mom to have been chosen to be your daughter.

Love, most of all, you have the faith of a child, and I pray that you always will. Please question, because that is how your faith grows and becomes your own. But Addie, I love that you choose to go to church with Grandma, even when we aren't going. You are choosing God (another thing to always remember). We had a talk the other night about friends who don't believe in God. You said, right there, that you believed and that He lived in your heart. That is it! With God, you are NEVER alone!!! And sweetheart, He knows what we need and what we are strong enough for, even when we don't. We rely on Him and He will see us through.

Addison, you are a gift to this world. I know that whatever you decide to do, you will do well. You will do it with passion and with poise. I love you sweetheart, and though I wish I could bottle you up and keep you little forever, I can't wait for your future to unfold. 

Love, Mom

Addison's 7 year old interview

Our interview this year was pretty funny. It took a few takes because one word answers seemed to be all I could get from her. Turning seven has done nothing more than bring out a more independent and self assured Addison. She now has very clear likes and dislikes and we have to have a pretty good reason to change one of her dislikes. I have told Dave that in the years to come, Addison and I will have to be sent to our corners each month...it's just one of the things I can tell. She is passionate about what she does, no matter what it is!

How old are you?

     Seven. (I soooo cannot believe it.)

What’s the best thing about being seven?

     Feeling older. (Addison, remember this...feeling older isn't always the best thing!)

What’s the worst thing about being seven?
     That's a tough one.

What makes you happy?
     Getting a puppy. I mean having a puppy. (Addison loves all animals. She would be content to play all day with any and all animals! And yes, she is getting a puppy).         

What is your favorite color?

     Blue.

What is your favorite thing to do at home?

     Playing teacher and school with my friends. (She also loves to play house, play with her American Girl dolls, play anything outside and go in the pool whenever she can).

What is your favorite thing to do at school?
     Learn. Learning math. (She loves math. In a lot of ways, math comes easy to her. She loves her numbers! She loved memorizing Pi on Pi day this year.)
     

What is your least favorite thing to do at school?
     Having a substitute. (She had a substitute the day we did this. She just LOVES her teacher! But she also does not like to read...which is where the puppy came in. Honest to God we got to a point where we had to give her an incentive to start reading because she just didn't want to, and it wasn't because she couldn't. So we threw it out there, and wouldn't you know? She has started to read, and is continuing to get better each and every day. I hate to be one of those "bribing" parents, but when it comes to reading, I'm all for it!)

What’s your favorite activity/sport?
     Art, soccer and dance (My creative and sporty kiddo).

What’s your favorite animal?
     A panda because it's cute. And a dog. (The panda threw me).

               

What’s your favorite holiday?
     Halloween and Christmas.

What do you like about Halloween? Christmas?
     Dressing up. Having presents. I mean, yeah. (I'm thinking she was thinking, "Do I really have to explain myself?")

What's your favorite season?
     Summer and Fall because I get to hop in the pool and wear sweaters. (At least she doesn't hop in the pool in her sweaters!)

What’s your favorite food?
     Spaghetti! (This has not changed at all!!!)

What’s your favorite tv show?
     Sophia the First (She also really enjoys Doc McStuffins and Arthur)

    

What’s your favorite movie?
     The Little Mermaid (I can't remember her watching this one, but that's what she said. She really loves the "classical" movies right now too...the musicals like Annie, Into the Woods, Cinderella and The Sound of Music).

What’s your favorite song?

     Frozen. Actually, no, not Frozen. Kidz Bop 26. (I don't know what songs are on Kidz Bop, but she does know ALL the words to the songs from Frozen...and from Annie).

What’s your favorite book?
     My favorite book is the Princess book. (She loves anything princess or dance related).

Who is your best friend?
     Magdalyne and Ava and Aurora (I love to watch them play!)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
     A nurse. No, a doctor. (Yesterday she said she wanted to be a NAVY Seal so she could protect her family, from the movie the Pacifier. She will take the world by a storm no matter what she decides to do. I have no doubt in my mind!)

   

Any last thoughts to remember when you are older?
     Nope. Wait, (I'm going to ask this once more and then hopefully edit...)

My princess, who crossed off "Flower girl" from her Bucket List. 

Fun at the fair...

The fair is a big thing around here. We even get local holidays for it (translation...no school!). The dance school Addison goes to always has a performance on Thursday. For the little guys, it's their first chance to be on stage. They always have a few other classes perform and this year Addison's Zumba class danced. It was a good thing we didn't have school, as Jackson, Addison and I all woke up not feeling great. Dave made it back from his buying show in time to see her perform. She definitely loves the stage!

After Addison's performance, we were going to head home. I had gotten out of the rides because no one was feeling well and we still had to make it through my nephew's wedding. But while I was getting Addison, Jackson and Dave decided that climbing the rock wall would be a good idea. Addison decided to climb the "easy" route and honk the horn at the top. Jackson wanted to climb the "challenging" route that had money at the top. Addie made it, and though Jackson tried, he made it half way up. 

After climbing, we walked through the display hall and saw the school's display. Jackson's class was working with colors and made color wheels out of the first letter of their name. Addison's class was working on Kandinsky circles. Love!!

Jackson's color wheel.

Addison's Kandinsky

Cinderella

This past Saturday, Addison and I went with Grandma B and "the ladies" to see Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. This was her first musical play and she loved it. I wasn't completely sure how she would do as our seats were pretty high up. Once she got settled, she did well. Before the play, we met the rest of the ladies for lunch. It was super cute, and thankfully they had a kids menu...the pasta hit the spot! We got a snack at the play, and they had made up "royal snack packs" which were perfect. All in all, Addie loved it. The music, show and message was just awesome. I'm glad this was her first show. She won't remember, but the message of the entire thing was that anything is possible.

Getting ready to leave.

Addie's class is the "Roadrunners."

Having fun at lunch.

Addie and Grandma B.

Addie and mom.

Looking at the set through the binoculars.

We will definitely be going to see more shows. The best part for me was how much she loved the music. She was conducting from her chair and was disappointed we couldn't walk down to the pit.

Camp Addison, part 2

 After the craft, it was back outside. I guess you could call it organized chaos. All that matters is that everyone, especially the birthday girl had fun playing! They worked up quite an appetite. I'll be honest, the timing of this party went against my usual thinking...plan it for the afternoon, then all you need is snacks and cake! This time, we had to have dinner. Thankfully, when one is camping, hot dogs, sweet beans and chips are all you need! And boy did they eat!

Our "Camp Addison" cook! such a good dad!

Mommy and Addison selfie!\

Nerf time.

Mom and Jackson selfie!

jumper fun!

Best time ever...fun with dolls!

So Grandma and I went to pick up the balloons before the party. Remember that it was super windy. We could have won a million dollars from a video of us trying to get the balloons in the trunk of my car. Eventually, another lady walked over and offered to help. That was all we needed! One more set of hands was enough for us to squeeze out of the trunk and keep the balloons in while we closed the door. I know we were quite a sight!

The balloons...a story in itself!

This was my favorite pintrest find!

Another picture captured with the birthday girl! This mom got lucky!

The birthday Nerf team.

Trying to light the candles...I think we only ended up lighting one that she blew out. The wind got to make a wish this year!

Addie and her good friend Magdalyn!!!

We were so lucky to have my parents down for the weekend! They were such a huge help. And Addison loved to have the extra attention. We are so glad everyone had a blast at "Camp Addison!!"

Camp Addison, part 1

Welcome to "Camp Addison." That was the theme Addie picked out for this year's 7th birthday. She had a few other ideas, but this one stuck. I am so thankful for the people who have Etsy shops because we found the perfect invitations that also had some fun things we could print and cut out as "pre-made" decorations. I'm all about those!! But I have to say that I had a lot of fun with this party. I convinced Dave to make some tent frames, and my parents picked up fabric. I had intended to put them in our lower yard, but the wind came out to play in full force so we kept them backed against the wall on the upper yard. As we were planning, I went back and forth on letting the kids make s'mores. Ultimately, I couldn't shake the image in my head of kids swinging their flaming marshmallow on a stick around. So we found another way to enjoy s'mores...because you're not "camping" without them. My sister came up with the idea for the campfire on the cake...it completely made the cake! 

Since it was a camping party, we didn't start until 3pm. That is way later than we normally have a party and my timing was off!! I actually got the cakes baked the night before (I can't remember the last time that happened), but still ended up rushing around the last 30 minutes. 

Grandma and Grandpa helping finish the tents.

The snack table.

The cake! 

Outside decorations...initially I was going to put balloons outside, but it was WAY too windy!

Addie and Carly jumping while we set up. They were exhausted!!!

The tents!

Addie's thank you's...she told them to "have s'more fun when they got home!"

More cute signs we stuck around the house.

It was party time! And seriously, I think next time we will have a balloon party and just fill up a room. Those kids would have had a blast just playing with the balloons all afternoon. 

The birthday girl with a balloon mustache.

After balloons, while we kids were arriving, they ended up outside and were playing a combination of Nerf, jumper and just run around. I love hearing the sounds of kids getting along with each other and having a blast. It took us three tries to get everyone into the house for the craft later because they were all having such a good time!

The big brother!

She was feisty!

The party goers in front of the tents.

You can never have too much jumper fun.

We had a craft set up because you always do crafts at camp. I found some wooden pieces and they painted them. We also had other things they could add to them, but the paint was the favorite! Some decided to make theirs into a magnet even. I'm glad we could work a craft into the party because Addison loves anything artsy, so this was right up her alley!

Ta-da!!

Painting!

Addie and mom!

Grandma made my nephews magnets with their initials on them!

Grandpa H sitting back and watching the action!