The good thing about multiple parties is that you can have multiple themes :)
First we had the Strawberry Shortcake party
Mimi & Grandad havin' a good 'ole time with (a few of the growing number of) grandkids :)
Aunt Julie is the best :)
Hanging with cousin Koby in her new playhouse!
We are SO proud of our big girl!
Next came a celebration with her BFF! Annalee and Kate share the very same birthday, so we got the girls together for a fun outing- Pottery Painting. Of course they had to paint the same piece (a mermaid figurine) using the same exact colors! Love them! :)
Two days later was Kate's actual "birth-day"...she turned five at 10:17am!
She got to choose all her meals for the day- funfetti pancakes for breakfast, of course!
We played outside and ate homemade strawberry yogurt popsicles
And ended the day with a fun movie night (I forgot to take a picture, so you'll just have to use your imagination!)
...And if all that wasn't enough- the Friday after her birthday we headed to Charleston, to join the Putnam family.
Saturday after the race we partied it up- with her second theme of choice, Rapunzel...of whom she is determined to grow out her hair like...
Kate showing off her new earrings from Aunt Janny (just clip-ons, but exciting nonetheless)
Mawmaw & Pawpaw rocking the twins on the big screened in porch after the festivities were over!
Saying goodbye to the birthday girl before we left the beachhouse
Before we headed home, we visited with some good friends, and took Kate to the Charleston Aquarium for the "finale" of her birthday celebration!
(holding a starfish)
Life can officially begin as a five year old! Yahoo!
The majority of my time as a mom has been to this one bright, talkative, dramatic, energetic, funny, inquisitive and beautiful little girl. Kate has blessed me in so many ways and though it's cliche to say, being her mom has made me a better person. She has reminded me of how fun it is to laugh at silly things and the joy of imagination; She has certainly helped me grow in patience!; She has taught me humility, how to ask for & offer forgiveness and that love covers a multitude of sins; She's made me think a little harder about what comes out of my mouth...hmmm; She has showed me what childlike faith truly means; And she has taught me that life is short and precious and is made up of all the little moments.
Recently I came across an old notecard on which I had jotted down some specific prayer requests for Kate...things that Jason & I want for her life. In the craziness of having two babies, I have unfortunately slacked in this important area of fervently praying for my daughter. So I am comitting myself once again to praying these specific requests- because if I as her parent don't- who will??? Here's the list for any family or friends that love and care for Kate and would like to join me in lifting her up in prayer:
*Salvation-that she will accept Jesus Christ as her savior, hopefully at an early age.
*Strong faith- that she will grow in a relationship with Jesus and want to share Him with others.
*Discernment between right and wrong, and the boldness to make the right choice even in difficult situations.
*Purity for her and her future spouse.
*Compassion for others and a servant's heart.
*A positive attitude in daily circumstances.
*A sense of humor.
*Safety/good health/ & the Lord's guidance for her future path.
Well- this blog post all of a sudden turned contemplative and serious, so to lighten the mood a little, I shall leave you with a cute picture of Kate in her early years- I believe she was right around 2 yrs old! Oh how I miss this cute little pig-tailed toddler! (And my goodness, look how young Duke looks too!)
I can't believe Kate is five!!!
