i heart my kashy

Kashton

This is my newest little nephew. I love this little man so much and I am so thankful for the time I have gotten to cuddle with him. He is so sweet and smiley, and his laughter is to die for. He melts my whole heart.

sleep over

Lorelei went for her first sleep over tonight. She's just across the street at the Hinton's house with Addy, Shay and Emmy. She was so excited, and even though I was a little sad she is big enough for this, I am excited for her. She helped me pack her Thomas backpack with pajamas, some clothes for tomorrow and things like that. She also threw in some very random toys that she never plays with. She's so funny and I love her so much! I can hardly wait until tomorrow when I get to hear all about her night.

Putting Addison into bed tonight, I must admit I missed Lorelei's nightly, "Good night! Sweet Dreams! I love you!" just as I begin to shut their bedroom door.

She kept posing over and over. Then she told me, "K, when I come back I'll look at all of the pictures and tell you which one is the bestest one."

AddyBaby

We went to the bark park the other day to get Bella out of the house and let her run around. We brought a soccer ball for Bella to play with, but she didn't get much of a turn because sweet little long legged Addison commandeered the ball. I was so impressed with her ability to dribble the soccer ball all over the place. She did so with flawless precision. I really need to get it on video because she does it so quickly and it seems so natural.

In this picture, Bella ran past Addison so fast that it knocked her down. She landed right on top of the ball (as you can see) and laid there laughing by herself. She thought it was so funny that she fell. Too bad all kids aren't like this, right?

Since day one, Addison has had this interest in music that I've never seen in a child. Music has this effect on Addison that you have to see to believe. Which is why this picture isn't surprising at all. I had turned some music on while I was cleaning the house. I came into the living room to find this. She was so content to just lay there, uninterested in anything else going on around her. She just wanted to lay here and listen. And that's what she did for over an hour.

There's nothing incredibly special about this picture. I snapped it on my phone one night when we were out to dinner. I think she just looks so stinking cute in her little beanie and layered shirts. I wish I could remember what she was saying right in this moment. I love this little girl with my whole heart.

girlie girl

These three little pictures sum Lorelei up very well. She always puts a lot of work into how she looks. -a quality that will be a battle in just a few short years. She is all girl, and everything has to be pretty. If it's not pretty, it needs to be sparkly. If it's not sparkly, it needs to be twirly. If it's not twirly, it needs to be spinny. And if all else fails, well, it just can't fail.

She came to the grocery store with me to grab a few goodies for her birthday. Before we walked out the door she grabbed her striped gloves because some of the stripes matched her pink shirt and that would look "very beautiful'. Then she grabbed her pink sparkly sunglasses because they would keep the sun out of her eyes in case it's bright outside, and that would be "sooo wonderful!" I'm a big fan of letting the girls dress themselves as much as possible. I started thatreally early with lorelei, and some days she walked around looking like a mini version of Punky Brewster mixed with some Little Orphan Annie. While other days she impeccably matched things together in ways I had never thought of. Over time she has fined tuned her attire choosing abilities, and she loves what she wears. I don't blame her.. most days. :)

I know I wasn't there the day she was born, but I'm fairly certain she was born wearing a tutu. She has been in love with all things ballet since she was teeny tiny. She practices ballet all throughout the house. She watches herself in the mirror as she quietly talks herself through the motions, "Coupé, retiré, plié...". She is so beautiful and has such control for a little person who's never taken any serious dance lessons. I do believe those are right around the corner. (yes, she has her ballet slippers crammed into plastic princess heels)

She came to me dressed like this and announced very proudly, "Okay, Mom. This is as fancy as it gets." Not too shabby little one. Not to shabby at all.

Lorelei's birthday

Lorelei turned 4. She is officially a kid. Gone are the days of toddlerhood. I love the little person she is becoming. She is so grown up and eager to do big girl things. She helps with laundry, dishes, cooking. She can shower and brush her teeth all by herself. She astounds me every single day with the new things she does and says. Her facial expressions are so mature, as is her attitude.

For her fourth birthday she wanted a Fancy Nancy party. Then she changed her mind and wanted a Princess party. I'm not much for the whole Disney thing, so we did a fancy dress up Princess party. We invited our favorite little friends and had a great time.

They girls worked together to get all dressed up. Then we made our own candy bracelets, and that was so much fun. After the bracelets we made our own ice cream sundaes (parfaits, as Fancy Nancy calls them). A little messy, but the girls loved having to much say as they created their own little treat.

When it came time to open gifts, Lorelei let everyone help her. I was surprised as the actual act of unwrapping presents excites her more than what's inside. It was so fun to watch all the girls get excited with Lorelei.

We are so blessed to have Addy, Shay and Emmy right across the street. I think we'd have lost our sanity a long time ago if it weren't for them. They make being away from our families a lot easier.

Happy Birthday Lorelei Jade!!

Christopher helping Lorelei get her birthday crown on.

Addison was so excited to get dressed up for the party. I think she did a great job putting together a 'fancy' outfit

Lorelei helping Shay get dolled up

So thankful to have lots of little girl friends

Making candy bracelets.

Addison showing off hers

Addy with her pretty creation

Shay showing me how hers matches her dress

She was really proud of her little bracelet.

Build your own ice cream sundaes.

All the girls took a few bites and were off to other activities. No surprise, Addison was there for the long haul. "I not finished mines ice cream yet!" she kept saying.

Blowing out her candle on her special individual cake.

Lorelei let everyone help her open presents, which was so adorable.

A special-made birthday card from Grandma and Grandpa.

Playing with all the loot.

Her Birthday Barbie from Uncle Even Army and Tete Becca- Complete with matching tiaras. Such a special present.

luff luv love

This picture of Lorelei astounds me. She has beauty that I just can't get over. Her eyes are incredible, and to be honest, I envy her a little bit.

Vivacious.

That's the word to describe this little person. Absolutely full of life and laughter at every moment and every turn. I cannot imagine a day without her silliness in my life.