emma kate turns one.

Wow! Is Emma Kate really one? I thought time flew with P. EK is already a toddler! This age is so much fun, though. It's nice to get to sleep eight plus hours at night and get rid of the bottles in this house. (Have I mentioned I DISLIKE washing bottles?) One year olds are so much fun and EK is no exception. She's our little princess.

We had her birthday party at our usual, the pavilion at the lake in our neighborhood. Not sure why I always think it's a good idea to have our parties outdoors because the weather NEVER cooperates. We had crazy gale force winds for EK's party but mom and I learned the hard way at P's 3rd birthday party, so we quickly secured all party decorations and food. With bricks wrapped in tissue paper. Ha! Yes, we did.

The party theme was "Apple of Our Eye". EK is most definitely the apple of our eye. (Well, actually, so is P, but I don't think he would appreciate being called that, especially in 20 years when he's reading his blog book.) I had a lot of fun with the decorations and the theme, especially since apples are in season.

Here are a gazillion pictures of our sweet apple and her apple partay.

Decorations

Dessert table. Yummy!






Guest "book".


I had each guest write a birthday wish for EK on a leaf and hang it on the tree. I am going to make a book with the leaves and pictures from the party for EK.


Favors for the adults.







Kids' tables. I put an apple coloring sheet at each setting and cans of crayons on the tables.


Games

Apple pick-up. Moms/Dads had to race their kid in the wheelbarrow to the apples, pick up 4 apples each, then race back. This was so fun!






My germ-free version of bobbing for apples.


Tommy bit right in. He's a rascal.


Apple toss. My dad made this apple for me. He's such a handyman. Thanks, Dad!


People

Our sweet birthday girl.




EK and aunt Jenny.


Precious Allie in her adorable apple outfit made by my aunt Mary.


Opening presents. All the kiddos joined in the fun!



CAKE! She really got into it. LOVE these pics of our sweet girl.






Happy first birthday to our sweet Emma Kate. We love you more than you will ever know. And thank you to our wonderful family and friends that joined in the celebration. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

allie turns four.

My aunt Mary went above and beyond planning Allie's Winnie the Pooh fourth birthday party. Everything turned out so cute and the kids had a blast.


EK making her way towards "the step". The Chastains have a step in their house that steps down into their living room. A toddler nightmare. I remember when Allie was little they had a difficult time keeping her from falling down "the step". EK was determined to master "the step".


Getting a helping hand with "the step" from uncle Zac and aunt Jenny.


EK making her way through the Hundred Acre Wood.



LOVE this.


Pin the tail on Eeyore.


Birthday girl, Allie.


Look at P's tail. Good job, buddy.


Happy birthday, sweet Allie. She looks so much like her mama here. (Miss you, Rachel.)


Tigger's Bounce House.



The kiddos playing with Allie's big birthday present from her daddy. Sweet!


My two kiddos pimpin' their ride.


Sweet girl in her daddy's arms.


We had such a great time at Allie's party. Cannot believe she is FOUR!

soccer.

P's first game was September 3rd. Salem really does a great job with their soccer program. The fields were packed with players and fans. The game kicked off with the National Anthem and a big deal introduction of each team. The players run out onto the field and a huge production is made by the mc and the fans in the stadium. It is really too cute. P's team didn't play so hot. They got creamed. I don't even know if we scored a goal. P and Jackson chatted on the field the entire game. I'm not even sure if either of them kicked the ball the entire game. They probably didn't even know where the ball was. It was still really cute. I just wish I weren't so competitive. I think I'm the loudest mama on the sidelines hollering at their child to "kick the ball"!

My number 10.


My number 10's biggest fan.




Jackson, Reese, and Phoenix. Love these kiddos and love their mamas.


Booty shot. Go Kickers!


Reese, Kiersten, and P getting ready for kick off.


Emma Kate and Granny.


She really wishes she could play. Too many times this season she has wandered onto the field and ended up right in the middle of the action. Where was her mama, I wonder?


Took these pics at their practice after pictures. They all looked too cute in their uniforms.

P, MJ, and Jackson. Don't they look so happy? I love this pic.



My sweet boy.


Scrimmaging with MJ.



Soccer has been a ton of fun. P's not really into it at the games or practice but he talks about soccer all week and looks forward to it every Thursday and Saturday. I don't think he's meant to be a lifelong soccer player. He's not competitive enough. Maybe he'll grow into it or maybe he'll pick another sport to play next year. Either way, I'm not going to push him and as long as he's having fun, I'm a happy mama.