Halloween 2018

This Halloween fell in the middle of the week, which is always kind of a bummer, but we still packed in a whole lot of fun.

My day started with room-mom duties at Rylan's school party.

Then I headed home to get ready for the Halloween party we co-hosted with our next-door neighbors. The original plan was to set up the party on our adjoining front lawns, but the weather had other plans. With steady rain all day, we made the call to move the party into our house. 

With the house ready to go, it was time to get into costume.

After watching all the Star Wars movies this summer, the kids chose Rey and Anakin as their costumes. No hot glue necessary this year!

I was very proud of the Rey hairdo. 

At the very last minute (Amazon Prime for the win!), Josh and I decided to join in on the Star Wars theme. We haven't dressed up in legit costumes since before the kids were born, and I'm so glad we did. This picture will forever make me happy. 

Our house was complete chaos during the party, but it was a blast. 

After hanging for a while, the whole crew headed out to trick-or-treat. As always, the block party on Vanderbilt didn't disappoint. 

Rey, her BB-8 bag, and her candy haul.

Another fun Halloween in the books!

Ava's Sixth Birthday

"But now I am six. I'm as clever as clever. So I think I'll be six now forever and ever." - A.A. Milne

Our clever girl turned six in February, even though I swear she was just born last year, and it made my heart so happy to give her the painting my Great-Grandmother gave me on my sixth birthday.

Ava has grown so much this year, and our little Kindergartener is becoming more and more independent every day. Yet, she still very much needs quality time with us and loves snuggling up to read or watch movies. 

Ava is incredibly smart, a little artist who loves to draw and design shoes out of paper, a total night-owl, an amazing reader, both sweet and sassy, a loyal friend, both shy and outgoing, a girly girl, a master of the elementary school monkey bars, a fun and bossy big sister, and an absolutely wonderful daughter.

And even though she is her Daddy's twin, I know Ava inherited at least some of my DNA, because she chose Chuy's for her (early) birthday dinner.

Ava also got to open a few early birthday presents and cards from her grandparents.

Then she woke up on her birthday to some presents from us, including the painting, and our traditional birthday donuts.

Then it was time for the big event...Ava's party at Pump It Up. She had so much fun celebrating with her family and friends, including classmates, soccer team, and preschool friends (more than 30 total...so glad it wasn't at our house!).

[Shout-out to Amazon Prime for saving this working mom during a crazy week when her daughter requested a birthday crown the day before the party.]

Baby Ben even made it to the party :)

Our sweet six-year-old had an absolutely magical day.