Aubrey Turns 8!

 

Another year, another birthday, but this one... My biggest baby girl turning 8! Wow! It is flying by so quickly. Aubrey is such a blessing of a daughter. She has an incredibly giving heart and (most of the time) enjoys helping me out. She is a gem for sure!

We really enjoyed celebrating her on her birthday. We started her day with cinnamon rolls, a couple of presents and then met some friends at the indoor park to play for a bit. However the camera didn't really come out until later in the day!

She got to open her present from her siblings first thing. Everyone is always anxious to give their present they picked out to the birthday girl (or boy)! Adalyn woke up sick that day , and ended up being strep throat, so she wasn't in much of a birthday mood.

She spent her afternoon building her new lego set, and then we headed to play at Chuck E Cheese! Our rule at our house is that if your birthday falls on a weekday, then yes we can go to Chuck E Cheese, but only to play games! If your birthday fall on a weekend, sorry, no Chuck E Cheese. Ha!

They spent their tickets!

And since we refuse to eat at Chuck E Cheese, we headed to the birthday girls favorite... Pei Wei for dinner!

Everyone wanted to take some pictures with the birthday girl, even poor little Adalyn who was feeling pretty horrible.

We came home for presents and dessert, which she really wanted one of her mommy's home made apple pies for her birthday dessert.

 This present was a little joke between her and Daddy. Every time I would ask her what she wanted for her birthday he would interrupt her and say "I'm going to get you a bag of rocks!". Well that's what he did. This is her opening her bag of rocks. She was cracking up about this. But under the rocks was $50. Ha! She had been wanting a closet for her American Girl doll but we wanted her to get to pick out what she wanted. And that's what she ended up doing!

Aubrey Claire, I can not believe you are now 8 years old. You put a smile on me face daily by always hugging me, your willing heart to help me and all the littles out, by your desire to spend time with Daddy and I and just by your sweet tender heart. God gave you such a sensitive spirit and the gift of compassion and giving. I can't wait to see how God uses you and your gifts as you grow to know Him more and more. I pray daily for you sweet girl, that as you grow in your relationship with Him that you learn to seek Him wholeheartedly day after day. I love you so much and I am so proud of you. Happy Birthday to my big 8 year old!

Our two 7 year olds!

It's tradition you know. We have to get the big girls picture together during those few days each year that they are the same age. They love when they are the same age now and look forward to it every year!

The weekend in between their birthdays we spent that Saturday at a small neighborhood water park in The Woodlands, while Jeff's parents were here visiting.  What a fun day it was for all of them!

Happy 7th Birthday Adalyn

This growing up stuff is hardest on mommy! Although I love watching each stage, it's so sad to watch the seasons fly by with the blink of an eye.

And just like that... my little Adalyn Ella turned 7 years old. It doesn't seem possible, because just a bit ago I was she was my little cutie 2 year old, with big cheeks, bright blue eyes and sitting perfectly on my hip. Sigh...

This girl is a joy! She is hysterical, and the older she gets the more and more her funny personality emerges. She always keeps our family laughing at her silliness and the incredibly funny things she says. She still keeps this mostly for her family, but she emerges and little bit each year from her shell. 

We had a fun day celebrating her turning 7. She was very adamant about how she wanted her day to go and she most definitely did not want to spend her day in the car. We could go somewhere, but her limit to the car was 10 minutes only! Ha! We had all sorts of ideas for her, but just like always, she had her mind made up! This girl has never had a hard time making decisions. She is possibly the most decisive person I have ever met. The morning of her birthday began with her favorite breakfast caserole, and then a couple of presents. Her big gift this year was a new bike so we all had fun outside watching her enjoy her new bike. The afternoon was spent at the pool with pizza for lunch (which I managed to get zero pictures of). The rest of the day was just spent at home. Jeff grilled chicken legs for the birthday girl, we opened a few more presents and enjoyed some lemon cupcakes. I think she enjoyed her day!!

Adalyn Ella, you are such a precious girl and one of my greatest earthly treasures. I am beyond grateful that God allowed me to be your mommy and that I get to spend my days with you, watching you learn, hearing your heart and all the funny things you say. I am so proud of you sweet girl, and I pray daily for you, that you grow into a woman who loves your Lord wholeheartedly, the God will create a pure heart in you and that you will be bold and courageous in your faith. You are my dream come true, and beauty just pours out of you. God has big plans for you beautiful girl! Happy 7th Birthday!!