flower girls

April and May have been nothing but go, go, go. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I don't think I had one free weekend. All of our plans were fun, but busy. My June calendar is pretty open so I plan on catching up on a few things. Including this blog.

Michael's really good friend Eric got married on May 18th to the sweetest girl. Carolyn asked that the littlest girls of Eric's friends be flower girls in the wedding. There were 6 of them in white dresses walking down the aisle with 2 gallons of petals. The girls were excited.

We set off on our trip.

When we got into town we spent Thursday afternoon and Friday morning with family. The weather was great so we sat in Michael's mom's backyard playing and chatting. There were a ton of clover's in the yard so I decided to make clover crowns for the girls. My grandmother taught me how to make these when I was a little girl. I can't wait to pass down this tradition to them.

Friday morning we went to cousin Hannah's 8th grade graduation. I met Hannah 10 years ago and she was just Morgan's age. It's crazy to think that she starts high school next year. Man, I feel old.

After graduation we had a little girl time. I took the girls for their first pedicures. Addison has been before, but chickened out and would only let them paint her toes. This time she was all in.

Morgan had no issues hopping right in the seat.

With our toes painted we headed to Knoxville to check into the hotel and get ready for the rehearsal. Before the rehearsal I did what any good mother would do. I bribed the girls with a chocolate chip cookie.

The next day was a little hectic. I worried about doing their hair so I took them to get their hair done. It was the best $40 I ever spent. They both sat in the chair like angels while getting their hair done. With their dresses on, they were ready to fulfill their flower girl duties.

Carolyn is one of the sweetest girls I have ever known. She went with the flow the entire day and was so good to the girls. All the girls. Morgan was enamored with the "princess" as she called her and wouldn't leave her side. You can see Carolyn camped out next to the air conditioner in the above picture. That chair right next to her was Morgan's chair. If I couldn't find Morgan I knew where she was. Right next to Carolyn. Or on her lap.

Michael was one of 9 groomsmen in the wedding. Eric and Carolyn have a lot of friends. 

Carolyn had a kids table right next to us setup with coloring books and toy cars. They even got a special dinner of chicken tenders and french fries. They topped it all off with the nice serving of dessert from the ice cream bar. She literally thought of everything.

We had steak and chicken to eat, but he couldn't resist the chicken tenders.

A look at Morgan's hair. It turned out really cute and lasted longer than she did.

Morgan was very clingy and whiny the entire afternoon. The trip and change of schedule finally caught up with her. She disappeared with Aunt Angela and when I found her she was out cold. Being a flower girl is exhausting.

On the other hand, Addison is a party animal. She danced with me until I finally cut her off around 10 and sent her back to the hotel. She was a little upset with me.

We always have such a great time when we get together with Michael's old friends. All of us get along so well it's like no time has passed since the last time we saw each other. We get to catch up on kids and families and life in general. And I get to see Lauren. I love this girl to death.

A little Vegas vacation with the whole bunch may happen this year. Oh, I can't wait!

may 8th continued

Morgan didn't get a proper birthday party, but I sure did everything in my power to make her feel special. That evening we took her to Build-a-Bear so she could make her own special birthday bear. I didn't care if that thing cost me $50. She really wanted the hideous rainbow colored peace sign bear, but she settled for this pink cuddly bear. She took it over to the girl so it could be stuffed.

She pressed the pedal for the stuffing as hard as she could. Then I caught her rubbing the bear's heart under her chin. So stinkin' cute.

Then they headed to the cleaning station to give their animals a bath.

Morgan scrubbed and scrubbed her bear. Then when we were about to leave she had to go scrub her some more.

Meet Blossom Bear. There was a big book of names there and that was the best I could come up with. We've never been into naming our stuffed animals. That goes all the way back to Addison's favorite bunny, which was named Bunny. I hoped that Blossom would comfort Morgan and help her stay in her bed at night. That didn't work.

After we got home we had one last round of Happy Birthday and the cake from Sunday's lunch. It still tasted just as good.

For every serious picture I take of them I get about 10 that look like these. Silly girls.

Addison took this one of me and the birthday girl. I really feel like I no longer have babies, even toddlers. My girls are growing up.

I love this stage in their lives. They're learning new things and becoming their own person. Now if I could just get her to stay in her bed at night.

may 8th

Just like with all birthdays, Morgan woke up to streamers and balloons hanging from the fan in the living room. I wanted to do streamers in her doorway like Addison, but this child will not stay in her bed at night. I didn't want the memory of her birthday associated with being trapped in her room. Instead she got the living room. On the table underneath were several presents for her to open. This Barbie that Addison insisted I get for her.

Addison went to the book fair the day before her birthday and picked out this book. She was so happy and proud to give it to her. And that $20 is from my Aunt Karen. I wouldn't let her open the card until her actual birthday since I was lacking in presents. 

That afternoon Michael and I provided lunch to all the kids in her class. It was fun to sit down and eat with all of them. Michael was a hit and got a hug from all the boys. I realized that one way to get her to smile for pictures is to promise a silly face picture. Here you go.

Then it was time for cake, but instead we did donuts. Everyone does cake so I decided to mix it up a little. And who doesn't like a chocolate donut with sprinkles? The kids know that when the candles come out they have to put their hands in their lap. This is Morgan's shy face mixed with a little awe from the fire face.

Getting a little help with the candles from Daddy.

See? I told you the donuts were a hit. This sweet, silly girl. I love her more than I love donuts. And that's a lot.

One self portrait before heading back to work.  This girls sure does make me smile.

morgan's last minute party

Morgan's birthday is exactly three weeks after Addison's. It's also the same week as the TPC tournament and our big work party here at work. Oh, and don't forget Mother's Day. Needless to say, she really hasn't had a real party since her 1st birthday. Michael and I both had friends in town and plans to meet everyone for lunch the Sunday before her birthday. At the last minute I bought princess plates and a cake and we made it her birthday party. For the most part Morgan goes with the flow. She didn't mind one bit that there were only adults at her party. I still went out of my way to make this the best birthday lunch she ever had.

Addison made her a card. We also gave her a new Barbie to open.

When you're 4, all you really care about is the cake. We made sure to embarrass her by singing Happy Birthday.

The cake was really good too. Can't you tell?

I love this sweet girl. She's a such a happy kid. Now if I could just get her to stay in her bed at night.