Meeting Cousin Charlotte

I was lucky enough to be at the hospital when my sister, Hattie, gave birth to my niece, Charlotte, but the kids had not had a chance to meet her yet.  We were so thrilled when they were able to make it down for Aaris's birthday party.  After the party we headed to my parents house to spend more time with them.  All the kids were intrigued with Charlotte.  I had bought the girls all the same petticoat skirts, so we dressed them up and took pictures.  I look forward to watching them grow up and bond over the years!

Farewell to Our Sweet Cousins

For one year we were lucky enough to have Aaron's cousin, Kyle, and his beautiful wife, Janae, and their precious son, Julien, live in Austin.  Julien is only 9 days older than Skylyn.  We didn't get to see them as much as we would have liked, but we always had a great time when we did get together.  Janae received a great job offer in PA and they moved this July.  A couple of weeks before they left we had a farewell party at their apartment swimming pool.  The kids still talk about it, and it was a fun memory for all.  Miss you guys!

 

Swimming Lessons

In the middle of June Aaris and Titus took swimming lessons available by the City of Round Rock.  They had a great time and gained more confidence in the water.

Visit to Dallas

The first week Aaris was out of school this summer I took the kids up to the Ft. Worth/Dallas area to fisit family.  First we got to see Aaron brother Alan, Aunt Kristina and cousin Cosette.  We had so much fun going to the pool and playground with them.  We were then suppost to go and spend two nights with my sister, Hattie, Uncle Mark and baby cousin Charlotte, but Charlotte got sick.  Instead we stayed several night longer with my brother Jeremy.  We also were able to make quick, but very fun visits to Aaron's cousin C.C.'s family and their new baby, my dear friend Corrie, and Aaron's cousin Lauren's family and their new baby.  While with Uncle Jeremy we went to a fun-park and Aaris and Titus were able to ride go-carts for the very first time.  They had a blast!!!

12 Year Anniversary

This year Aaron and I celebrated being married for 12 years!  We did our usual, and booked a different Bed and Breakfast in Fredericksburg.  This year's B&B was different because we booked one right outside of town on a ranch were as all the other years we have always stayed in town.  It was a historic home refurbished with so much character.  I find if funny that one of the first things we did when we arrived was take a  3 hour nap.  Then we went into town and ate at our favorite restaurant, Hondos.  Afte rwards we go to the grocery store and buy candy for the DVD movies we watch at our B&B.  (Most times they don't provide breakfast any more and we buy some breakfast muffins, too, but not this time.)  This place was awesome.  The older couple who lives on the ranch as well, homemade us German pancakes, homemade syrup and yummy fruit.  As we ate breakfast we watched our wedding DVD.  Afterwards we went into town to walk Main Street.  I found a really cute shop were I bought almost all the Christmas presents for the ladies in our families.  Then, we headed back to get the kids from my parent's house.  It was only one away night, but that is something we haven't had to ourselves in a couple of years, so it was GREAT!!!

Garden Themed Party

Aaris had a Garden Themed Party this year.  It is no secret that I love throwing parties for kids!  It just such a joyous time and I love creating fun filled memories for them and everyone else that attends!  So this year I made invitations that as you read the details of the invite the petals opened up to make a big flower.  Found the idea on a website and just had a blast.

At the party everyone started off getting to paint their very own flower pots.  Next came my favorite game: stick the Oreo (or in our case, look-a-likes from the dollar store) on the Ladybug.  I blindfolded the kids, they twisted the cookie apart, licked the delicious cream filling, and stuck it on the ladybug to give her spots.  :)  After that they had a snack of 'dirt' pudding with gummy worms.  Then it was time to play toss the bugs into the flower pots.  Of course, how can you have a party without a pinata?!?!  I usually make the pinatas and have them be pull-string opened so we don't have to worry about getting hit with a bat.  The kids then needed to fill their flower pots so they all chose their favorite flower, filled their pots with dirt and then gave it a good watering.  We finished off the fun with some yummy cakes shaped like flowers.  The kid got to take home their planted flower pots, a rake or shovel (their choosing), and a water bucket.  Except for the flower pots and plants, everything else was supplied by the Dollar Tree Store.  Our family loves that store.  We still have the kids pots filled with plants in our kitchen window.

Oh, and instead of presents Aaris asked all of her friends to bring items for a charity called "CARE CASE".  Since most foster kids are instantly pulled from their living environment, they usually are only able to take a trash bag full of any items they could grab.  This charity provides them with their own suitcase, pillow, blanket, toiletries, pair of pajamas, underclothing, two changes of clothes, teddy bear, and a bible.  I have more info. if any of you would ever like to contribute to their cause.

Aaris turned 6!!!

Okay, so it's so very hard to believe, as it is every year, that my baby is a year older!  She helped me make her a special shirt by picking out the color of shirt and the fabric for the #6 to put on it.  She was very excited to be so old that she has to use two hands to show her age.  On the day of her actual birthday I had the kitchen decorated and had her favorite donuts (actually the only donuts she even likes), Mrs. Bairds choc. covered and the powered white donuts, for breakfast.  Then I made some flower cupcakes (the theme of her party to come) and took those to her school to celebrate with her class. 

That evening Aaron's parents, Poppy and Mamaw, wanted to take her out and took her the Chedders.  All I remember is that she got an enormous cookie with ice-cream dessert.  She also got showered with sweet gifts.  She was grinning from ear to ear all day long.

2 month too late, these were her doctor well-check stats:
weight:  40 lbs
height:  45 inches
BMI: 13.9