Showing posts with label Eva's birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eva's birthdays. Show all posts

Friday, May 31, 2013

Wedding Week Wirlwind!

So this kid turned 5...

 
... and just days later this kid grew up! (So pwoud of yoooou, Alan!) Congrats to A&A, it was fun to celebrate with you! Sadly, these are nearly the only pictures I took. I was a little distracted with the cubs.


After all the prep and celebrations, we were pretty dog-tired.

So we did some nice, pleasent hanging out, eating of left-overs, playing games, sleeping-in, and reading books as a fam.

Preeeeeeeecious.

Later in the week, after sleeping in 'til noon most days, the ones of us that were left, headed out for some exploring.

Spotted some posers doing their thang.


Aw, look at my cutie parents!
 
 
Aaaaand some more of these two, because I try to give the people what they want.



The next day, The Huz and Dre stayed home (so they could nap and work), and the rest of us headed to the mountains....


...where it rained, so we hid under (and in) the trees until it blew over.
 

 
Special week, happy memories.
 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Celebrating Evangeline's 5th Birthday


I'm finally getting around to posting these after weeks of craziness! Better late than never though, so here they are... We celebrated our girl's 5th birthday a little early this year because of a very important wedding that was scheduled right around her real day.

This year Eva requested a "Royal Adventure" theme for her party because she "wanted to be a princess that went exploring with her friends for her birthday." So we baked a batch of cookies and cream cupcakes, donned tiny crowns, and headed to the park for a scavenger hunt - it was quite a fun day.


















This year Evangeline Emma has grown in several ways. She's gone from a sweetly-quiet, stubby-legged early four year old to a tall, opinionated, fast-learning five year old. She's taught herself to read and write, and can now stand on one foot without falling over (about time). This year she tried ballet and loved it, learned to ride a big-kid bike with training wheels, hiked many miles of trails with Momma, baked bread, started a nature collection, built a snofa, went stargazing, was a flower girl twice, learned 5 bird calls, taught her brother to talk, took care of 10 pets (one turtle and 9 fish), and climbed 2 mountains!

Probably most exciting of all, is God's work in her little life. As she's grown, E has had ever more questions about the world, God, and her own heart. Understanding scriptures has had a big impact on her heart, as well as learning how to love a busy little brother. Fear would be the biggest challenge she faces as her mind is absorbing everything around her. Trees, bugs, animals, splinters, wind and any unidentifiable noise regularly inspire moments of terror. We know God is going to use this growing knowledge of her smallness and His bigness to capture her attention. Her Daddy and I have been trying to be faithful to help her look to the only Anchor for her soul when she's petrified by her inability to control her world. We're eager to see what He has planned for our kiddo as she continues to be affected by the Lord.

While fear might be her greatest weakness, it reveals her greatest strength of smart sensitivity. Evangeline loves her friends and family very much and regularly reminds me to pray for them and send them notes and encouragement. She's quick to make new friends, and loves to help little ones, and they love her! Well, an exception might be little brother at times...he doesn't seem to appreciate all the "help" smothered on him; he'd rather delight in his new physical independence and favorite word, "NO!" Other than with Dre (humorously), Eva is quick to pick-up on emotions and tones of voice and ask thoughtful questions of the adults around her. I think God's going to use her to continue bless those she loves, and it's been a weekly joy to fan into flame this spark of grace in her.

Precious, crazy cubbies.
 
Happy birthday to our Evangeline!
 
 
Eva’s 5 year Interview
What is your favorite color? Purple, Pink,
What is your favorite toy?  Bunnies (Calico Critters)
What is your favorite lunch, drink? Mac n Cheese, apple juice. What is your favorite outfit? Dresses and skirts for Sundays
What is your favorite game?  Checkers What is your favorite animal?  Dolphin
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Maggie, Baby Hope, Tiger and Green Blankie What is your favorite song?  Peace like a River What is your favorite book?  Dinosaur Train and Dino Pop-Up Book 
What is your favorite TV show or movie? Fresh Beat Band, YoGabbaGabba
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play sprinkler What is your favorite holiday? Easter, because I like finding eggs
What is your favorite day of the week? Monday, because Daddy is home with us
What is your favorite part of school? Coloring hearts, but I’m not really good at it because I tried and they’re squiggly.
What’s something you’re good at? Being gentle with my fragile toys
What’s something you want to do when you grow bigger? Read big words, so that I can read to my kids that I’m gonna have when I’m big. What do you want to do for a job when you grow up? Singer on a stage, because I want to play the piano.
Do you want to get married? Who? Yes, somebody like Daddy because he’s sweet.
Do you want to have kids? How many? Yes, 2, a boy and a girl. I want a girl because they’re easier to take care of, and I want a boy because they’re playful.
Do you think you’ll be a good mommy? Yes, because I already know how to hold babies.
What are you most grateful for? My bunnies and kitties (Calico Critters)
What are you afraid of? SPIDERS! And trees, because they could fall on me.
What makes you happy? Sparkles.
What is God like? Like Jesus
Who is Jesus? I don’t know… not like me, I have sin sometimes.
Who is your best friend? Ruthie and Ellie, I like to sit with them.
What do you like most about your Daddy? That he lets be play on his phone.
What do you like most about your Mom? That you let me take pictures with your phone.
What do you like most about Dre? That he says 'Da-doo'
What’s something mommy/daddy always says to you? Daddy says, “Yo, my kiddo!” Mommy says, “Not right now.”

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Little Bit of Party

It was a rainy day, but there were cupcakes, and so we partied just a little bit for a little girl.



Oops, we forgot to light the four...


Painting rocks!

Eva using one color at a time...

Solomon using every color at one time.

Elias eating paint and snacks.

Surprise!

Yay for ballet!

And yay for balloons!

The cubs and their mamas (in the mirror).

Everybody say, "Happy birthday!"

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Happy Fourth Birthday, Evangeline!


    This past Sunday our little girl became a "big girl" and turned four. On big days like this I notice folks say things like "My, the time has flown" or "She's just growing up so fast," but I'm happy to say I don't feel that way. These last four years with Evangeline have been filled with many happy seasons and moments that were marked and enjoyed as they came and went. Watching my giddy baby turn into an wobbly waddler and then a thoughtful toddler (not a normal combo!) and now a graceful little girl has been a sweet slow ride, at least for this mama, and I'm grateful.

The family tradition of one present at your seat when you wake up: Candy necklace "from Dre"


I guess Dre wants it back? It's actually a sweet moment, because he's not trying to take the necklace, he just always want her to be closer to him - though not touching. Very typical "them," this picture.

Sweet giftage from Mummzie and Dad! (Totally scored this thing for $16 at a consignment sale!)


A cake from Yum-Yum and Bumpa who stopped by. This year the grandparents kinda "teamed up" and got her ballet lessons and gear! She starts in July and we all can't wait! 

Four!

       So lately the girl has been moving a lot faster and talking non-stop. It's another one of those fun seasons, explaining how everything works and why. Heaven help Mummzie and Dad if they don't know the answer to a question though!
Example: 
M: "I don't know why the man only bought waffles and gum, dear." e: "Well, why do you think he did? Do you have an idea?" 
M: "Maybe that's all he wanted." 
e: "But that's not enough food!" 
M: "Maybe he doesn't need more." 
e: "Does he have more food at home?" 
M: "Probably, I'm not sure." 
e: "But what do you think?" 
You get the picture... and why the treasured seasons pass slooowly...wink.


      For the girl, dressing up is an, at least, bi-weekly necessity - once for church, and once because she needs to turn into a magic flower/ snow princess/fairy godmother/ ballerina /mermaid baby etc. The funny thing about her imaginative games is... she almost never comes up with one of these ideas on her own. Usually she gets all dressed up, comes to find me, and asks "So what am I?" I give her a name, identity, and mission and she's off to create the rest. The day after her birthday she was dubbed "The Flower Queen" who made all the flowers open. M:"Eva, who actually makes the flowers open?" E: "God, but I help."




       Yes, Mommy and Eva (aka "the girls") are very close buddies. We usually have a good idea about what the other would like, and how to make each other laugh, and we certainly hang out quite a lot - mostly making things! 

       Of course E adores "her boys" too (yes, that's what she calls Daddy and Dre)! Lately the favorite game is "Tag" with Dre running around in his walker. Hilarious. Eva is a very good sissy for her brother daily feeding him, playing with him, and calling out all his needs (or maybe misdeeds) to any available parent.
Occasionally, she's a naughty big sissy though, but is typically quickly remorseful.  
d:(small wail)
e:"Moooooooommy, Dre fell."
M:"What happened?"
e:"He was up and now he's down."
M:"How did he get down?"
e:"He was pushed."
M:"By whom?"
e:"I think me."

"Daddy is a very good man, but I can't marry him because that's not what God likes." (As far as she's concerned, there's none better though. And as far as I'm concerned, she's got that right.) "He is good at taking us on trips, like to Sweet Frog." (The way to a young girl's heart = frozen yogurt.)

Love my big four-year-old!

Kiddo's Birthday Interview:  Eva 2012 – Four Years Old

What is your favorite color? Purple, Pink, Green
What is your favorite toy?  Squinkies
What is your favorite lunch, dessert, snack, cereal, drink? PB and Chocolate (Nutella), Goldfish, Apple juice.
What is your favorite outfit? A little girl dress for Sundays
What is your favorite game?  Hide and Seek
What is your favorite animal?  Dolphin
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Maggie, Baby Hope, Tiger and Green Blankie
What is your favorite song?  Twinkle Twinkle
What is your favorite book?  Madeline
What is your favorite TV show or movie? Madeline, Backyardigans, Cinderella, Milo and Otis
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Playing with my trucks
What is your favorite holiday? Valentines Day because I like to make cards.
What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday and Sunday because worshipping God on Sunday, and eating yogurt for breakfast on Saturday.
What is your favorite part of school? Looking at the weather. (Copying the forecast onto her school board. Grandpa would be proud)
What’s something you’re good at? Drawing a square.
What’s something you want to do when you grow bigger? Take good care of my things. (we are learning that taking responsibly "is what big kids do.")
What do you want to do for a job when you grow up? Be a singer on a stage. (like at church)
Do you want to get married? Yes, and I want to wear a white dress!
Do you want to have kids? How many? Three, one boy and two girls.
What are you most grateful for? For if some day I get married and I have some children.
What are you afraid of? Bears.
What makes you happy? Sharing
What is God like? He’s very powerful
Who is Jesus? I don’t know, He lives in Heaven (we'll work on that one.)
What’s something mommy/daddy always says to you? Mommy says: Say, ‘Yes, Mom.’ Daddy says 'Hey, Kiddo!'
What do you think is mommy's favorite thing to do? To play with me.
What does mommy do when you are not home? I don’t know because I’m not home.
What is daddy good at? Daddy is good at taking us on trips, like to Sweet Frog.
What does daddy do for his work? He preach and works his computer.
How are you and mommy/daddy the same? Different? Mommy and me both have freckles. Daddy and me like to shop. (for groceries)