Fabulous Birthday

I had one of the best birthdays ever today!

 

My kids behaved . . .

My friends made me feel special.

It was a great day =)

I started off the day walking the track with a friend.  Just chatting with another adult is so refreshing.

 

Then off to watch my daughter play at soccer camp.

That's right honey, you hit that bully!  - Ok, I've decided that I'm not gonna be the greatest soccer mom.  I'll either be out there reprimanding the boys for having no manners or telling my daughter to sock them if they're rude to her.

Two of my sweetie peas hanging out at the soccer field.

The boys picked these from under the bleachers.  They insisted that they were palm trees and that I will love them.  <<SNEEZE>>

I came home from soccer (and picking up lunch at Chick-fil-A) to find this nice surprise at my door.

A neighborhood friend had left me chocolates, gorgeous yellow flowers & a balloon.  She's so sweet!!

My soon to be 10 yr old washed my van for me. Oh, did I mention he washed it with Lysol?  Luckily, I don't like that vehicle, so I didn't feel the need to tell him that we don't wash cars with Lysol.  =)

I practiced soccer with my baby girl for a while.

Then it was time to chill in the pool.

Hanging out with my baby while watching the kiddos swim.

Girlie time!!  Which color to choose????

Got our colors picked!  And candy bars too!!

Having fun with my girl, getting all prettied up.

Drying our toes while sipping our pop. (soda, Coke, whatever it's called!)

Court made me a card a while back.  She sure does plan ahead.

Pop & chips and relaxing in the sun.

Surprise party at the Olive Garden.  These girls are great!!  I couldn't ask for better friends.

 A great ending to a great day!

Soccer Camp

Court has been talking about soccer for about a year.

I never know when my kids are actually interested in something,

or when it's just a phase that will quickly pass.

Well, a year of constantly talking about it made me think that she just may actually be interested.

(duh Karen, ya think?!?!)

A friend of mine told me about a free soccer camp,

So I signed her up right away.

She has been talking about it ever since I signed her up.

(right after Easter)

Everyday she tells me that we will need to get up early,

She will need to exercise to build up her stamina,

She will need soccer shoes,

She will need cleats, etc.

Another friend was kind enough to watch the boys for us

So we could take her out shopping for the shoes and some shorts.

And thanks to a friend who already plays soccer,

She has a pair of socks and shin guards she can use too.

Well, today was the big day!  The first day of Soccer Camp.

Getting ready to go to camp

Getting introduced to some of the leaders

Passing the ball

Showing her skills

Getting instructions from a leader

After three hours of playing in the hot sun, this little girl is exhausted, but extremely happy!

My little girl is growing up!
She had so much fun.
Some of the leaders told me that she had a natural talent for soccer.
That was encouraging!

I think we're just gonna have to get her on a team.

Gavin's 7th Birthday Party

May 26, 2012

Enjoying Friends,

Food,

Cake & Ice cream,

and a Great Time!

Watching the Super Mario Brothers Show while waiting for some guests

Pool time!

Fun for the biggest to the smallest

Our youngest is now brave enough to jump off the deck.

Party guests

Gav with some friends

The older siblings

Surfing the See-Saw

Toadstool cupcakes

Blowing out candles

A cool claw toy from his girlfriend. . . I've been told they're getting married someday.

Hot Wheels from the, quote, "cool kids".

One of the most imaginative gifts I've ever seen from the Murphys. . .

He had to pop the balloons with his backside in order to get the gifts out.

He got cash & lollipops.

Posing by his gifts.  Thank you friends!!

Opening a gift from his Grandpa & Grandma Cook

He got a book & some more money.

 With all of his birthday money, he was finally able to afford his most favorite game ever,

The New Super Mario Brothers.

He's  been wanting this game for a long time.

And now he finally had enough money!

So we told him that we knew a magic trick,

if he'd just put his money in the blue bag.

Reluctantly putting his money in the bag and seeing what Daddy's magic trick was.

Daddy walked around the house and when he came back, Gav had found that ten of his dollars were missing.

Every time Daddy came back more money was missing.  Gav was very disheartened, until his older bro accidentally gave away that Daddy was stashing the money in his pocket.  So he's not as upset here.

The last time Daddy walked around and came back, this is what he found in the bag.  And we have a very happy birthday boy. =)

Gavin's 7th Birthday

Today, we celebrated one of the funniest, compassionate, sweetest kids I know.

Some fun stats:
Gavin was born on May 23rd weighing 8 pounds, 20 inches long and a head circumference of 14".
Seven years later, he weighs 48.5 pounds, 48 inches long and a head circumference of 21".

He has been talking about this day and planning for it the last whole week.

He had his meals picked out.

On the menu:

Donuts - Breakfast

Orange & Herb Pork Tenderloin, Balsamic Red Potatoes & Asparagus - Lunch

Homemade Cheese Pizza - Dinner

Sonic - Birthday Cake

He had his activities picked out.

Swimming

Joe Tucker Park

(He wanted to go to the McWane Science Center, but he gladly gave it up when I explained to him that because of time issues, I wouldn't be able to fix his Birthday Lunch if we went.  He loves the meal he picked that much!)

And thanks to a neighbor boy, he had an unexpected visit to the YMCA.

He woke up at 6:15 this morning and we began to celebrate.

Here is his day:

He came down the stairs to find a new bike.

He sat down with Daddy to look at his book "The Gavin Gazette".

Party horns are always fun!

I packed this in a Sonlight Science box.  When he unwrapped it, he was very gracious and thanked me for the science experiments.  I told him to open it up and look at it.  When he did, he was so excited (and thankful it wasn't science experiments).

It's Sonic the Hedgehog!

Ice Age 3 = Happy boy!

His sister is always so thoughtful.  She got him a wallet for his allowance money.  Despite her look here, she really was happy to give it to him. =)

Donut Joes & spending time with his dad before he had to go to work.

Those were some good donuts!!

Out for his first ride on his new bike.

Cruising down the road

After a ride, it was time to play Mario.  He was thrilled to be able to play over his allotted media time.

He couldn't wait for his meal.

He said, "Look Mom, I ate my asparagus first!"  Shocker.

Half the fun of baking is licking the utensils afterward.

He wanted to pose with his cake.  He just about did a backflip to get into position.

Singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out candles

Jumping in the pool is so much fun.  Apparently fighting to get up the ladder is not.

Getting ready to slide

So excited to be having his special day

He told me that he was having a great birthday day.

Joe Tucker Park is always fun to visit.

 

He LOVES the monkey bars.  He's good at it too.

Winding down the night by eating pizza and watching...