Reese is 6.

I officially cried when the entire car started singing "Call Me Maybe". This is all I wish for my children - laughter and love and silliness and wonder. 

I blew up balloons until my chest hurt. I found the tape and unwrapped the streamers and decorated the ceiling of the van. I could picture what her face would look like when she saw it - and I was 100% spot on. 

This donut dress was the best surprise of the celebration - so perfect, so her. She looked fancy and free and her friends swooned which made Reese beam with pride. 

We rode around town picking up friends, singing, dancing, tossing balloons. We went to the donut shop and had a total "yes day" for Reese and her friends. Chocolate milk, kolaches, extra donuts... anything you ask for is a YES. 

I watched her friends help Reese with her dress, I smiled as they gave us to her as they walked by, I melted at their gentle touch when just playing with her hair. 

I blasted music and rolled down the windows as we sang Katy Perry's birthday song and rolled up to the school. They stepped out and walked into the school on a giggly sugar high. I collected my tears and memories and went home so full of happiness. 

...and so did Reese. 

Happy Birthday, Reesey. My quiet newborn. My sleeper and cuddler from day one. Your sneaky faces from the beginning of life and big eyes of wonder. You teach us how to love and live and make every day the best. You remind us to slow down and stop for a hug because, sometimes, that's all we need. You bring a smile to anyone's bad day, but you also have a temper that relates to that red hair. You're silly. You're demanding. You're smart and you work hard. You are thoughtful. You are the other half of "the troublemakers!!!!" with Miller and also Corbin's best friend. You are Aidan's sweet angel and Sawyer's fun cohort. My middle baby... I love you.

rounding out june.

I have a few things I want to play catch up on. One of them is my birthday.

The girls were so excited for my birthday - they adore birthdays. They woke me up with cards and had told me, the night before, that they had a surprise make up and pedicure party planned! At first I thought "That's going to be such a mess." BUT then I realized how awesome my children are and how fun it would be and I wanted to document my own birthday part of the way that I do theirs! A friend had sent us funfetti cupcake mix and all the fixins to have a party, so I decided that my surprise to them would be cooking cupcakes as well.
 

First we made cupcakes.
 

While we waited for the cupcakes to bake, it was makeup time!!! I braced myself for a scary clown face, but she did awesome - even my mascara!
 

Sawyer brought out the dance-red lipstick while Aidan gave me nice purple toenails.
 

We went to check on the cupcakes - Reese came in to make sure she didn't miss a minute of cake time.

We also got A and S bikes :D :D :D


and lastly, for this post... my oldest baby is growing up so fast. this year has proven that days fly by without even knowing it.

when i look at these pics from her graduation and the last day of school - i cannot believe how much she's grown up. how is it possible that i'll have TWO KIDS in elementary school!?

reese came with me on aidan's last day. swoon. the kids in aidan's class know all about her and just... sigh. love her.



look how happy she is!!!



oh mrs. G. i cant express my gratitude that God gave us such an amazing teacher for my sensitive little sweetheart during such a rough year. you know how to make aidan smile. you know when she's a little sad... you are THE best tooth puller (aidan's first AND second!!) and i hope we are blessed with you as sawyer's teacher next year.


i know i used to post IG pics, but it takes me so long to copy them overrrrr from flickr!! anyway, come follow - punkfictionv4 :)