SIX

I have a SIX year old - how is that? Aren't I only 16 still? I feel that way sometimes!!!! Life is slipping by..I am trying my hardest to soak up every moment and not wish it away.

Emma Claire's birthday was last Friday and she had a few cousins and friends over for a sleepover, planned at the last minute since Will was going to be out of town!!!! They enjoyed pizza out on the patio!

Then they played and played and played, with only 1 instance of "drama" where someone felt left out - which is pretty good since there were 10 of them!!!! They watched Stuart Little 2 and High School Musical 2 - each and every one of them in the playroom - it was MAGICAL to hear and see the silence and stillness!!! Around 11:00 they were ALL ASLEEP! Can you believe it? - I couldn't! They all slept through the night and began waking up at 6:30 (Henderson and I were up at 5:30). I took those that were awake outside to play and I know the neighbors (our NEW neighbors) had to think we were crazy people with 10 children moving into the neighborhood. As they walked by I wanted to shout, "No! I don't have 10 children! And NO! We won't be outside at 6:30 every Saturday morning!!!" It was a great time and I hope Emma Claire enjoyed it!!!

As soon as everyone left, we all jumped in the shower and with the help of my mom, who was in town for the birthday festivities, but had spent the night at my sister's house (bless her), we got ready in about 45 minutes to head to the bowling alley for Emma Claire's Sunday School Class bowling social!!! It was a great time, especially with the help of gutter blockers and this handy dandy roller thingy (can you tell I'm not up on bowling terminology!!)

I entertained Henderson with candy out of the candy machine, lest he say, "my turn, my turn" and drop a bowling ball on someone's toes again - sorry Chris, that was a close one!!!

THEN came Sunday. Emma Claire and Mary Alice had a joint birthday party planned at the Yacht Club POOL! A swimming party and there was a 60% chance of thunderstorms ALL.DAY.LONG!!!! We had to make a decision and fast. There were dark clouds all around us and everytime we looked at the hourly forecast it was a big cloud with lightning coming out of it from 3-5 pm - not exactly optimal for a swim party. So Ashley and I decided to cancel the pool party and move it TO MY HOUSE - didn't I tell you I've been praying that God would use this house to bring him glory??? Well, there's no point in waiting til we've got it all ready - why not have 30 children and their parents over 2 weeks after we've moved in??!!!



SO, Ashley made some trips to Wal-mart to buy fingernail polish, lotion, hairclips and makeup and I got my house as ready as it was going to be, with the help of wonderful in-laws and parents!!! My house was transformed into Mary Claire's salon! Emma Claire and Mary Alice were beside themselves with excitement!!!!

Notice the watch on Emma Claire's wrist - that's my mom's. I think she got so tired of Emma Claire asking her how much longer that she just handed her the watch and told her what time too look for!!!

The den (which I finished painting the night before- you haven't seen this one yet, I'll get some more before and afters soon) was set up with tables and primping stations!!!

The other den, or keeping room (as we are getting ready to take down the wall behind the sofa and open it up to the kitchen), was laid out as a craft room, where the girls decorated big peace signs!

The birthday girls digging in the party favors!!!

Emma Claire checking her watch!!!!

And the guests arrived!

Nail polish station!!!

Henderson got in on some of the hair action!!!

Foot Massage station!

makeup station - Wilson got in on that glitter action too!!!! I take these as the perfect pictures to show at his graduation party one day!!!

This foot massage station CRACKED.ME.UP - the girls were all into it - rubbing lotion into each others feet, I wish I could have laid down there with them!!!

The cake - in case you hadn't noticed, we went with a hippy, PEACE, theme!!!!

AND, since IT.NEVER.RAINED (isn't that how it always happens) we had cake and ice cream outside, my house is still thanking me!!!!

Uncle Matt (candle lighter) has never been surrounded by so many little girls in his entire life!!!

It ended up being one of my most favorite birthday parties EVER!!!!

Happy Birthday Emma Claire!!!!!