Mikayla is a Five-Year-Old

Five years ago today, our lives were forever changed for the better when the smartest, funniest, most beautiful little girl entered our lives. Happy Birthday Mikayla! This morning, I woke up Mikayla singing "Happy Birthday" to her. She was still tired when she woke up, so she really just wanted to go back to sleep. When we all got dressed for school, we stopped by the grocery store to buy cupcakes for Mikayla to take with her to school. Then, we went to the Donut Store to get donuts for breakfast.

After school, I picked up the girls, and Mikayla had chosen to go to Babe's Chicken for her birthday. Daddy Pat, SuSu, GiGi, Graunt Becky, Gruncle Mark, Uncle Buck, Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Ross were all there. Grandma had bought a couple of monkey cupcakes for Mikayla, so we put a "5" candle in it, and the waitresses sang "Happy Birthday" to Mikayla while she wore the chicken-head. She loved it.
These past five years have flown by, and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with you. You are my world, my everything, and I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and ever!

We then had a "cow" themed party for her, playing off of her beloved Cow. I painted a cow for her, so it will sort of match Macey's lamb.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to share some Mikayla-isms from the past few weeks.

Mikayla absolutely loves telling jokes, and she always wants me to tell her new jokes. A couple days ago, Mikayla tells me a knock-knock joke. "Mommy, knock knock!" "Who's there?" I reply. "No," she answers. "No, who?" I ask. "No, I don't want to go to school today!" I love that kid; she cracks me up!

Last week, Mikayla had to have her check-up, complete with four shots. She told me that night that she wanted a doctor set with play needles to give her babies shots and those ear things to listen to their hearts. Then she says, "But if it costs too much, I don't want it. I know how you don't like to by expensive stuff." I couldn't stop laughing at her.

Macey is Two!

My little baby MayMay, I love you so much! I cannot believe it has already been two years since you entered my life. I fell in love with you so quickly, and have grown to love you more and more every day. It feels just like yesterday that I was dressing you like a little strawberry in the hospital. You are the sweetest and most lovable little girl in the world.

I heard the song, "I Hope you Dance" by LeeAnn Womack, and I thought it was perfect for how I feel about you.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance.
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For Macey's 2nd birthday, Grandfather and Grandma Mary came in to town on the Thursday before her birthday, and the girls stayed home with them on Friday. Friday night, we went to Roanoke to a German restaurant for dinner. Saturday, Macey's birthday, we got donuts and decorated for her party. We had a pink and white lamb-themed party. I made a collage-painting of a lamb for her party.

I painted the background with pink paint and glitter paint. Then I used black scrapbook paper for the legs, tail, ears and face. I glued on cotton balls for the body, then I Mod-Podged it all to seal it in. I used white paint for the mouth, eyes and nose.
We hung pink and white paper lanterns and pink flowers from the ceiling.

It rained all day, and we had planned to grill out hamburgers and hot dogs. Adam moved the grill to the garage, and he took the fan out there to make sure the smoke went out the garage door, instead of back inside. GiGi, Daddy Pat, SuSu, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Ross, Uncle Buck, Sadie, Titus, Grandfather and Grandma Mary were all there to celebrate.

I made Macey a wooden baby bed for her birthday from some plans I found on pinterest. I cut and sanded each piece, then screwed them all together. I painted it white. I Mod Podged little squares of scrapbook paper together on a piece of wood that I sanded down to make the bottom look like a quilt. It turned out awesome, and Macey really liked it.

At first, Macey didn't know what to make of her birthday celebration. I don't think she really understood what what going on, but once we started opening packages, she quickly got the hang of it. She was quick to pull tissue paper out of each bag, and see what was coming next! She got clothes, toys and shoes. We also got Macey a Fisher Price 'Lil Quad 4-wheeler. It runs on a 6-volt battery, and Macey rode it around the whole house.

The girls loved hanging out with Grandfather and Grandma Mary, and we are all looking forward to seeing them again this summer when we meet them in Hawaii!