Charlotte's Party at Capital Gymnastics

Here are pictures from Charlotte's birthday party with her friends at Capital Gymnastics in reverse chronological order (I'm sick of battling with blogger on this one). She opened all her wonderful presents as soon as she got home. The birthday party was a blast for all!

Ginny and Revie. Their mom and little brother, Kellen, were also there.

Maggie and her sister, plus Audrey (5) and Quinlan (1). Maggie is holding baby Ellis, Jack and Garrett's new baby brother. Asher (3) is not in this picture.

Ryleigh and her mom.

Gabriella and her mom, Janine.

Jack and Garrett (plus their new baby brother, Ellis, was there too!)

Courteney, baby Rhys, and Kelly.

Blowing out her 5 candles.

Jack in the air!

Daddy helping AJ jump from the platform into the pit.

AJ did it!

Birthday girl in the foam pit.

The foam pit was probably the highlight of the afternoon.

AJ hugging Gabriella (in front). Just before this picture was taken he told her, "Gabriella, I lub you. I'm going to marry you!"

Emma and AJ

Jumping across the long trampoline. The kids loved this!

Charlotte looking out for her baby brother.

Lining up for the trampoline.

Getting ready for the obstacle course.

AJ was the youngest to participate and he did a good job following instructions.

Warming up by running circles around the mat.

Starting with stretching. The instructor, Tatiana, was fantastic with the kids. She's at the gym almost every day to train and is a rising senior this year at Annandale HS.

Only child for a few days

Lounging on the kitchen floor with new library books. Both kids love to come home from the library and immediately look at every single book they chose.

While Charlotte was away at Camp Memme, AJ had a great time with just me. He could play uninterrupted with any toys he wanted including this snap-on doll set which is usually off limits. We had lots of nice talks over meals and in the car. There was no breaking up fights and deciding who goes first, etc. It was nice with just one child, but we both missed Charlotte. AJ kept saying, "I miss my friend, Charlotte." She got home late at night after AJ had gone to bed. In the morning, they had the sweetest reunion with lots of hugs and "I love you." I think the absense from each other really helped their relationship as siblings. I enjoyed having AJ all to myself for a few days and I know that won't likely happen again for a long time.

My big FIVE year old!

It's hard to believe my sweet baby girl is half a decade old. I've enjoyed every minute with her watching her grow. She's a kind, smart, compassionate, enthusiastic little girl who loves to explore and play. She has her moments (don't we all?), but in general she's an absolute joy! She's a wonderful big sister to AJ and can't wait to meet her newest baby brother. She can't wait to hold him and love on him. I'm excited to see her as a big sister again because she absolutely adores babies.

At five years old, it seems the big question is "are you going to Kindergarten?" Charlotte proudly answers that she's doing homeschool. We're all pretty excited about the upcoming school year as it brings new routines, new things to learn, and a NEW baby! I'm thankful that I won't have to give Charlotte up for 6+ hours a day. I missed her when she was in preschool and that was only three hours a few days a week. Today we were talking about what activities we'll be doing outside of the house this fall and she said, "Mom, don't sign me up for too much because we need to be at home so I can be with my new baby brother!" Melts my heart. There's an amazing network of other homeschoolers in this area plus all the benefits of living in the suburbs of Washington DC. I have several close friends who are also homeschooling this year so I'm confident it will be a fun year for us.

At Charlotte's check-up a couple weeks ago her stats were:

Height 41.75" (35%)

Weight 38.6lbs (42%)

Vision 20/20

Apparently, the 5 year visit is quite tramatic because they have to draw blood, give urine and get shots. Charlotte took it all in stride. She was able to skip the blood draw because she had done it twice the week before. Score! So just pee in a cup and get a couple shots. No biggie. They give the 5 year olds a Beanie Baby instead of just the usual stickers so that was nice.

Happy 5th Birthday, Charlotte!

Charlotte turns FIVE!

Poor Charlotte had a tough week leading up to her birthday. On Monday (Aug 1st) she came down with a fever in the afternoon. She was fine at VBS that morning, but didn't go for the rest of the week. She basically spent the entire week on the couch while downing Motrin and Tylenol (which she hates!). I took her to the doctor on Thursday and Saturday. Both times they did bloodwork, urinalysis and streptests but it was all negative. She just had a strange virus (fever only) for 6 days straight. We had to cancel her family party on the day of her birthday, Aug 5th, and reschedule her friend birthday party for the following weekend.

On Friday morning, Aug 5th, Charlotte turned 5! She was feeling better so I wanted to do something special on her day since she wouldn't have a party for another week. We headed to Toys R Us so she could spend her birthday money from Aunt Diane. She carefully browsed all the aisles. This Playmobil set was a top contender but she ultimately chose a Calico Critter kitchen set. She LOVES Calico Critters and she got a bunch for her birthday including the carrying case.

After Toys R Us, I took both kids to see the Winnie-the-Pooh movie. We got popcorn and enjoyed the nice empty theatre. There were maybe 5 other kids there. The movie was the perfect length - 1 hour plus previews. However, halfway through the movie Charlotte started getting chills again. She snuggled in my lap and we went straight home afterwards foregoing lunch out at her favorite Noodles & Co.

It was AJ's first movie theatre experience and he was a fan! He would loudly shout "Whoooaa" when something big and exciting came on the screen and giggled during all the appropriate times. He continuously ate popcorn too, of course.

Memme arrived on Sunday hopeful that Charlotte was finally on the mend. We had a small family dinner with strawberry cake. Charlotte's appetite was finally back and her fever was gone. She opened some presents - Calico Crittters! And we sang Happy Birthday several times.

Charlotte wanted me to take a picture of her new little Caramel Cat family. It was a happy birthday for my sweet 5 year old, after all. On Monday, she went home with Memme and Poppy to Va Beach for four whole days by herself. She was in heaven and had a blast at "Camp Memme"!

Sleep

I never think to take a picture of my kids at their most peaceful time - sleeping! It's probably because I don't dare do anything that would wake them up. Charlotte (age 5) and AJ (age 2.5) are great sleepers but it hasn't always been that way. Just when we're starting to get good sleep ourselves, it's time for another baby!

Ballerina

I was going to surprise Dave by posting this on the blog but he saw it on my computer randomly one day. He said he had to do a double take because he didn't know if it was his child or some kid who came over to play. Doesn't AJ look cute in a ballerina outfit?! He's been inspired by watching Charlotte take ballet classes this summer.

Loudon County Fair

We went to the Loudon County Fair (Leesburg, VA) last Wednesday for Children's Day. It was a blast! It was pretty hot but not as hot as most days we've had in July. I was completely exhausted by the time we got home (6 months preggo doesn't help) but it was worth it. The kids had so much fun! Charlotte on the right in this picture and AJ's hat on the left :)

A big draw for the kids was the corn table. They spent at least 45 minutes playing there. Our friends Marcy, Jacob and Ellie joined us for the adventure.

AJ loved petting a baby calf.

They had brand new John Deere tractors out for the kids to explore.

AJ was in heaven in the driver's seat.

AJ, Charlotte, Jacob, and Ellie in front of the bears from the bear show!

Charlotte in front of the fire fighter show. They had some awesome shows for the kids. We'll hopefully be back again next year!