Once Upon a Birthday

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Kaya. The time had arrived for Sweet Kaya to turn 5. The King and Queen wanted to honor their princess with a royal celebration inspired by her most favorite princess, Snow White!

 

The Royal Invitations went out to all the Princesses in the land.

 

The decorations were designed and banners were put up.

The royal banquet table was set.

 

The parting gifts were wrapped.

Each princess received her very own magical mirror and a homemade birdfeeder.

 

May all of our guests live happily ever after!

The Royal food was prepared.

Snow White inspired fruit kabobs.

 

Snow White inspired cupcakes.

 

Princess Kaya patiently waited for the princesses (and a few princes) to arrive.

The wind and rain did not hinder the arrival of any of the guests.

 

Soon, all of the princesses were present and the festivities began!

 

The drawfs minded gems especially for the party.

Each princess made a necklace that was uniquely her own.

Then, the princes and princesses worked in groups to put together puzzles.

Each guest made a crown for the special occasion.

Snow White and the Fairy Godmother made a special appearance!

Then, it was time for the royal banquet to begin!

 

After a delicious meal, the princes and princesses played a game of musical chairs.

The princes were especially good at this.

Princess Kaya needed an extra cupcake.

 

Snow White and her little princess.

 

Happy Birthday, Princess Kaya.

The Queen and the King love you so very much.

 

Quotes from Confinement

The past two days, we have been confined to our house with a nasty little stomach/fever bug. Kaya was absolutely pitiful and certainly not her usual charming self. However, the past 48 hours were not without some hilarious little quotes from her. Here is my little countdown:

#4- while I was looking over the log cabin she cut out in honor of Abe Lincoln's birthday:
Me: "Kaya, what was Abraham Lincoln born in?"
Kaya: "A cabbage patch, ummm, I mean a log cabin."

#3- while watching a commerical about a Disney cruise:
"Mom, check out the 'screws' ship!"

#2- after the vomitting stopped and the fever broke:
Me: "How are you feeling, baby?"
Kaya: "Brillantly." this was said in a completely pitiful voice.

and finally, drumroll, please...
#1- while playing a delightful game of naming opposites:
Me: "What's the opposite of dark?"
Kaya: "Light."
then,
Kaya: "What's the opposite of balloon?"
Me: "Uummm, what is the opposite of balloon?"
Kaya: "POP!!!"

Even when my Hurricane is acting like a little rain shower, she can still bust out the funnies!

A Peek at Our Week: Ballerinas and a Baby Boy

A Peek at Our Week

February 18-24

2013

 

On Thursday, Brooke invited us to see Baby Jaxson! I picked up the ballerinas from dance and we set off for the ultrasound office. That's Jaxson on the screen in the back.

Kaya took everything in! She was really paying attention and claimed to understand what she was looking at. 

 I would like to extend a special thanks to Aunt Brooke for allowing Kaya (and me) experiences like these. This may be Kaya's only chance to experience "big sisterhood" and I am honored and blessed that Brooke is allowing her to partake in the happiness.  

On Friday, we went on a date with our best friends. It was a last minute idea, but luckily, my parents were available to watch Kaya. We used to go out with the Ryan and Andrea all the time, but babies and jobs and responsibilities often make that hard now.

We very much enjoyed our grown-up time. 

 

On Sunday, the weather was AMAZING! Brooke and I walked the girls down to the play area in our neighborhood. Another family brought bread for the geese and they shared. Peyton creatively made a trail of bread to hopefully bring the geese in her direction.

 

Kaya just used her muscles.

Then we went and played in the sunshine. 

 

Sunshine Sweethearts!



Snow Princess

The last time we had a good snowstorm was in December of 2010. We had a beautiful white Christmas; we have been practically snow-less since then. On Saturday, we had a marvelous day of snow. I was in Charlotte for most of the day and missed the snow falling in Greenville. Our ride home was a bit scary at certain points. The bands of snow fell so quickly and heavily that we drove in whiteout conditions.

 We finally made it home and my little snow princess was ready to go outside and play!

She finally got to wear her snowboots. She is so close to outgrowing them.

 She has quite the arm!

My beautiful Snow Princess!

The snow was pretty much gone on Sunday; but it was wonderful while it lasted.

A Peek at Our Week: Swedish Steals and Snowstorms

Here's a Peek at Our Week

February 11-17

2013

 

Unfortunately, I spent the first several days of the week dealing with a terrible stomach bug. It put a damper on our Valentine's Week. I haven't been that sick since I was pregnant. Praise the Lord that I was the only one in this house that got it. My poor Mom had it, too. Misery loves company and I love my Momma, but I wouldn't wish that thing on anyone.

 

When I could finally sit up again, Kaya and I got down to some Valentine business. This year, she wrote her name and her friends' names on each Valentine. Happysad Moment! She really enjoyed picking out each one for her friends at school.

Will you be my Valentine?

 

A Shannon Forest Tradition: Candy Grams!

Kaya received lots of kisses.

 

Grandy and Gramps surprised Kaya with the final installment for her Yo Gabba Gabba Collection.

She has seen the show maybe five times (because it drives me crazy), but alas, she loves the characters. She took this picture herself.

 

She took this picture, too. Friends Forever!

 

She brought home all of her school Valentines in this adorable homemade heart.

 

 

On Saturday, several women from the church headed to IKEA. We attempt to make the trip once a season and we have been trying to go since November. Despite the forecast for snowy weather, we headed up the interstate for a day of Swedish Steals. It was soooo crowded. I could not believe how many people were there. It was crazy! Brooke found the first thing for Baby Jaxson's room: an orange lamp. 

 

 

On the way home, we hit the snowstorm. It was pretty crazy. David took Kaya out to Peyton's house, and the two snowbuddies watched the snow fall.

 When I got home, we had enough snow and sunlight left to throw a bunch of snowballs. We had a blast!

We are beautifully blessed!

A Peek at Our Week: Nickels and Dimes, Card Sharks, and Cabbage Patches

Here's a Peek at Our Week

February 4 - 10

2013

 

We are literally nickel-ing and dime-ing our way to Disney World. For well over a year now, we have been saving our spare change and dollars for our Disney Fund. We are a little over 1/3 of the way there. Kaya is so excited about going (our plan is to go this year after she turns 5) and her willingness and diligence to save is a blessing. This week, we made another deposit into our fund. When she receives money (Christmas, birthday, a little gift from someone), her immediate response is, "let's put this in our Disney Fund." In a world of immediate gratification, we are all learning a lesson in diligence and patient. 

Some wonderful family friends, the Callahans, taught Kaya how to play Go Fish on Friday. She has already learned Crazy 8s (thanks to Grandpa and Grammy) and she quickly learned this new game. She won her very first round. Maybe we should be nickel-ing and dime-ing our way to Las Vegas!

We rounded out the week at Babyland General. You can read all about our trip here. I highly recommend a trip to this awesome, free (if you get out without a purchase) little gem in Georgia.

And don't forget to stop by the quaint, little town of Helen. Just don't ride the carriage with the 74-year-old driver and the horse named "Praaaance."