Look Who's 7!

This is Grace and she turned 7 this year.  I know...it's weird to think that my kids are getting so big!  But, I'm not going to focus on that; I'll just focus on enjoying that they are still small for all they are so big.

So, Grace wanted a friend party this year and I have NEVER done a friend party.  I suppose that is shocking but hey, there we are.  I figured I could pull it off IF it was held entirely out of doors.  Accordingly we planned a slip 'n' slide party, and Grace's only request was that it include a pinata.  Done and done!  I fiddled with some different ideas for birthday cake and eventually settled on cupcakes as being easy, festive and tasty.  Heather came over and helped me to decorate the out of doors as best we could and to frost said cupcakes (thank you!!).  Then I threw open the back gate wide and we had ourselves a friend party!  WHOO!

The decorations were simple but fun.

Cupcakes with two types of frosting and the pinata!

We were a slippin' and a slidin'!

Taking a break!

We did the friend party during the week and then celebrated later with family.

She blew out all her candles...

and got a round of applause!

Presents, presents...

and more presents!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE!!!!!!!!

To The Zoo With You!

We love the zoo, we really do.  We like the bears and otters too.  We like to see them splash and dive, we're so glad the new exhibit's arrived!  The seals do tricks, the polar bear too, it's worth it to drive down to the zoo, so come along...just do it you!

A seal and its trainers.

Our own little zoo animals.

This polar bear would swim out, dive under water...

and pop up right in front of us!

The otters are adorable.  They are so quick in the water.

Four birds in a nest.

A Portrait

6:45 am...our house...early morning scripture study.

Best way to start the morning!

Ummm...Really?

I found this in Grace's backpack among the many things sent home from school.  It's a little composition notebook and there was a really interesting entry.

Bwah ha ha ha ha!!!!!!  I sure hope at least one of these is NOT a word she'll use when she writes.  I love how she just trails off and then does some addition at the end.  Way to stay focused!