Lucky number seven...

Even with a day trip to Houston and sweet sleepover, we kept the celebrations going to our golden girl. Lucky number seven indeed! She woke up to a house bedazzled in streamers, stars, birthday signs and balloons! 

(My kids have clearly caught on to the "mom is crazy and goes overboard" thing I've got going on. The night before her birthday she instructed me to wake up Radley and Landry at 6:50 and then wait until 7 to get her up so that we could "set everything up".)

She did a real good job of acting surprised by all the hoopla! 

;)

No better way to start the day than with presents and hugs! Landry got her a new dress for Clarabell and some gently used Pokemon cards! HAHA

Radley got her a fidget spinner and these little beads that connect with water. 

She requested a donut cake with a cinnamon twist all to herself - her day really couldn't have started any sweeter than this!

She was most excited about getting to celebrate her birthday AT school! We got donuts for the class and they sang her happy birthday and she was so thrilled that the day could have ended right then! 

Of course it didn't because what would a summer birthday without a trip to the pool?!

Last year Gigi and Pops had to miss her birthday so this year they both made sure to be there to make up for it - Pops got in the pool and threw her, flipped her and just giggled the afternoon away.

Best friends, best food, best day ever!

We live for summer days around here and her birthday is always one of my favorites of the season!

She opted for snow cones at the pool instead of any other sweet treats and they were a hit!

These six will never be short of any group picture for any forthcoming slideshows in their lives.

After we cleaned up and rested (and did an outfit change) the girls headed to get our toes done...

and for the first time ever, she got to put her toes in the water!

Landry was still happy with just a paint job and I fell sleep in the chair.

We ended the day at Blue Baker because #cookies.

If her year could be measured by the amount of love she received this day, well I'd say she's got a fantastic 365 days ahead!

Seven years of loving her - we are the lucky ones!

Tiny Tales Thursday....

If the days leading up to Emersyn turning seven are any indication of how sassy and funny this age is going to be.... we are in for some T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Our HEB just went through a MAJOR redesign. During the process the store seemed to be in mass chaos. Pickles were next to cereal. Marshmallows were next to salsa. I mean, it was a mess. We ran into to grab a few things one day and as we were walking around aimlessly Emmy said loud and clear, "Hey Mommy, at least they didn't move the beer!"

#priorities #silverlining

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We were at my parents last weekend and the girls walk into the kitchen with one of Jeremy's old toys...

Ryan: HOLY COW! That's a GI Joe Tomahawk Helicopter (or something like that).... let me see that!
Emmy: Dad... they (Barbies) are going shopping.

#rideinstyle

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We were driving home from summer school one afternoon and out of the blue...

Emmy: Momma, I really don't like Donald Trump.

Me: Well, a lot of people don't... 

Emmy: Yeah, I wish he would just... ::points up::

Me: You wish he would....????

Emmy: (whispering) You know, go be with Jesus. 

Y'all. I know that's not nice. I want to be clear that I have never said ANYTHING that would make her think these thoughts. However my response was simply, "Well, that's nicer than what a lot of people think."

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Seven is going to be sassier than we can maybe handle. Emmy was doing something that was leading Ryan to the verge of exploding...

Ryan: Em-er-syn. Just stop. You are about to make me lose my S-H-I-T.
Emmy: (without missing a beat) You just spelled shit.


#shewins #sofunny #Ilostit

Dear Emmy...

My sweet Emersyn, 

I have a confession - I was worried about having two kids. I was just so scared that I wasn't going to be able to give any more of myself or my heart away. We had gotten used to being a little tribe of three and the closer your due date approached the more anxious I became. I ultimately felt like I wasn't going to be good enough or deserving enough of the blessing of you. But you arrived and brought all the beauty and grace in the world with you. 

I took one look at you and you took my breath away. I finally knew what my own momma must feel like having a daughter. There's just something about that connection that can't be replicated. 

There is no denying that you are a darling girl. Strangers have been stopping me since our first visit to Target to tell me just how beautiful you are. 

I want you to hear me when I say this... you are so much more than that. 

You are strong and confident and smart. You have the best laugh and can make one of the best silly faces I have ever seen. You frequently put others before yourself. You are amazingly imaginative. You create the most fascinating worlds to play in. You've written your first book and I loved it! I just know that the adventures of Paddy Franny are going to take the world by storm. 

You are also undeniably sassy. I mean. Your favorite thing to tell me is, "I don't know how to roll my eyes..." as you are ROLLING YOUR EYES!

I won't deny that one of your favorite things is to pose for a camera. I mean, you are in your element when eyes are on you. I love that you are comfortable in your skin and I pray that remains the stick to which you measure your success - by your own happiness and standards and not that of others.

I hope that you always find contentment in a twirly dress and awesome pair of shoes.

And that you never underestimate the power of a good hair day.

My favorite stories to listen to are the ones that teachers tell me. The ones where you've helped a friend and put others first. The ones where you volunteered for a hard job. The ones where you tried something new and knocked it out of the park!

I love picking you up from school and hearing about your day. I love that what brings you joy is always when you get to create something new. I love that the first thing you always want to do is pick up Landry from school.

Watching you grow up has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I am honored to be your momma and don't take for granted one second the gift that you are to our family. You have a hard job being "in the middle" but I can't imagine any other place for you. 

I'll let you in on a secret - God wanted you in the middle. He knew that you'd be strong and confident. He knew that you'd be able to play alone when someone else needed attention. He hand picked you for this role, for our family, for your brother and sister. You get to follow and lead and really, that's pretty awesome. Learning while teaching....teaching while learning... this cycle that only you get to live. Radley doesn't know what it's like to be "little" and Landry won't get to know what it's like to be "big". You get to be both. 

Seven years of smiles and laughter as you help us create our imperfect happily ever after. 

I love you, Emersyn.

A bushel and a peck. 

- Mommy