It was so fun celebrating Libby's birthday and making it all about her. She doesn't need much to please her, which makes it that much more fun to fill her day with little surprises. She doesn't demand much attention from day to day, so it's nice to have it be all about her for a change. Of course, every chance she got, she shared it with her sisters and friends :) Love her sweet, caring soul!
Her Godmother Meggers gives her a gift for her half birthday in the summer, but she let her open her Christmas present early. It's now her favorite outfit. Thank you Meggers!!
I've been soooo excited for this surprise. Grandma gave Sally an American Girl doll once she turned 7. A tradition she was going to keep for her Granddaughters when they turned 7. After thinking it over, I asked her if she would consider giving it to Libby for her 5th birthday. She was all about American Girls because her big sister was, and giving it to Libby when she turned 5 would allow more time for Sally and Libby to be able to play with their dolls together, especially since they'll be sharing a room in a few short days!! Grandma said no problem, as long as I thought Libby was responsible enough...I reminded her we run a pretty "tight ship" around here :)
Libby had no idea this was even an option. She soon had picked out a doll she would hope for when she was 7, Josefina, because Libby's middle name is Josephine and because she also loved horses and Libby loved her long black braid. Then Libby thought, hmmm, maybe I can put it on my list and ask Santa. Little did she know, she got it from Grandma and George for her birthday and Grandma was able to be here to watch her open it. She hasn't stopped smiling since!
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She also got to open it a day before her birthday, lucky girl!
Birthday morning, present scavenger hunt! Sally, explaining to Libby the gift she picked out to give her
alllllll ready for her special day! 5 is a tough one for mom :(
Sally has always wanted to walk Libby down to her classroom, I told her on her birthday she could. Remember, tight ship, if Sally did it more often then she's late for the start of her day ;)
DADDY got to come in and read a special book to Libby's class. Their bond is something very special. It reminds me a lot of my dad and I. Reid was surprised Emma and I weren't going to tag along. When he finished, he text and said he understood and how grateful he was for that memory of it being just he and Libby. Mama (former teacher) knows when she needs to bow out ;)
and then we surprised her with lunch at her favorite place, NOODLES!
Sister cheers
See? magical bond
Love her to pieces!
So grateful!
it's the little things, and traditions. Birthday balloon!
This is what happens when Daddy's along at Party City...
Exactly 5, she was born at 12:44pm!
and then Daddy worked from home and mommy got to check out her Friday afternoon sport camp she gets to go to. Usually Sarah is so kind and bring Libby to and from since it's right during Emma's nap time. So fun to be able to meet her teacher and see what she does!
She didn't want cake, cupcake, cookie or ice cream, she wanted gum, because now she can. Tight ship--no gum until they're 5 :) But we still had to do the candle!
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Enjoying one of her gifts!
TaDa
Saturday morning skating! Uncle Joey got to come see her too!
Skating on her own!
awwwwwwww
Godfather coming over to deliver his birthday gift
Just like her mama, looooooooves new shoes, especially tennis shoes
complete with a super awesome Nerf Gun!
They love Uncle Joey!
Thanks for stopping by Uncle Joe Joe!
Caught being sweet, playing her new game so peacefully
and then it was time for her very first real birthday party!
Waiting for the girls to arrive
Reindeer ears!
Hot Potato, Sally's in charge of starting and stopping the music. Whoever gets the hot potato got to give her their gift
Sweet Sweet girls, missing 2
again, no cake or cupcake, but she did accept a cookie to decorate. She planned her whole birthday meal--Big noodles, grapes, carrots, tostito chips and sugar cookies they could decorate
always have to have one of Emma...
and then we capped off the weekend with another open Skate after Sunday Mass
Today Elizabeth Josephine Craigmile turns 5 years old at 12:44pm. She came in to this world a whopping 9lb 15 oz!! What a sweet, kind, gentle and caring soul this girl has. I can't believe I have to share her with the world and send her off to Kindergarten in a few short months :(
Even though her birthday is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas prep and the anticipation of 4.0, we still have a lot of special things planned for her.
We hope you know how very special you are to all of us, Libby. You are loved sweet one. We're so proud of who you are and are so grateful to God for blessing us with you. Happy 5th Birthday, LJ!!!
It's Libby's Birthday, Eve! Time for a little interview with her...
Sally got a chance to ask some questions, but Miss Emma was in a mood, so there are only a few...and then Emma and Sally went to bed and I was able to finish it up.
On Tuesday, Sally had her Advent Program at school. Doors open at 5:15 and the students needed to be to their rooms between 5:30 and 5:50. Reid had to meet me at the church, which meant I had to get the girls fed and ready on my own...let's just say, if we have a 4th girl and I have to put on 4 pairs of tights next year, we will be late :)
Proud of our sweet Sally and her passion to sing! Also love that it is so churchy and not such a big, over the top, production. Keeps the true meaning of Christmas!
She's the front row, second one in from the right. Once Emma discovered I had my phone in church, it was game over...
Sally's Biggest Fans!
It's a toss up who loves Layla and Anna more, Emma or Sally :)
Sweet Sweet 2nd Graders!
Happy 2nd week of Advent!
**Baby's 31 weeks! Holy buckets is it rolling around and kicking and moving! Fun to feel AND watch. Soaking it alllllllllll in! **
Last week Reid had another last minute California trip...wah wah. Such is life when you work in retail...at least it'll slow down when it's time for Baby to arrive.
We found the perfect quote for our quote board. Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception, tomorrow, Dec 8th!
Peaceful moments, the way Advent is meant to be!
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picking my battles, letting her pull all the floss out, so I could get the big sisters ready for bed
Proud of LJ, she read the directions/colors and completed the page all on her own. Just as proud the second time around!
We had a cleaning, tea party, baking day on Thursday. A cup of Christmas Tea and special chocolates from Nana! Jammies allllllll the live long day
2nd graders were in charge of creating a manger scene. I set my OCD self aside and let Sally do it all on her own. She did a great job!
Rolo helper...to my surprise Emma was a rockstar at it. They also didn't try to eat one until I offered it at the very end. Can't say the same for leggo my preggo Mama ;)
Checking on her rolo pretzels
TaDa
Fun after dinner games: [VIDEO]
After searching and searching I scored the girls some Matching Winter Jammies. Not an easy feat with Sally being in Girls size and Emma being a 2T. I know there are a million options online, but I don't want to spend a fortune on jammies. Costco for the win! They had these in size 2T-10 and I hit them on a day when it was full stock! Sally had been requesting and she cares the most to make sure she matches with Emma. I think I'm going to have to watch for some clearance ones after Christmas and get a boy and a girl one, so I'll be set for the next year!
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Emma had extra spunk during our photo-shoot and she was cracking us all up
Cheeeeeeeeese Mom
These are my sisters
Kiss for Sally
Kiss for Libby
and then Daddy got home from California! Look for the tight, around the neck, hugs
I missed capturing Emma's morning reunion, but I heard the squeals of excitement!
and then we headed out to pick out our Christmas tree
The guy told the girls to hang on tight, otherwise the tree wouldn't stay on the car...they took it very seriously ;)
Annual picture!
Little Full, Lotta Sap (Christmas Vacation)
little bits of progress. It's so full I don't have enough red ribbon and it was bought last year so I don't have any to match...picking my own battles ;)
Love our little town and our trip to visit Santa. He said he remembered us from last year. Yay for no tears!
Checking out the Big Guy
Sally made a scroll of her list for Santa to read
Libby asking for Josefina, an American Girl Doll she would like. Then we headed to dinner with the Christensen Family, but didn't manage any pictures!
Sunday morning after Mass, we stayed extra long and the kiddos ended up volunteering to be greeters, complete with their very own name tags. Even Emma stood calmly and peacefully next to her besties, Anna and Layla. They asked if they could stay until the end so they could pass out the bulletins too. Future Saints in the making ;)
never a dull moment...face swap with Emma and BP
putting on the finishing touches
Daddy situating the cardinal just right, Libby a little nervous something will happen
TaDa!
Daddy capturing Bedtime stories
3 Little Pairs of Shoes awaiting Saint Nicholas to arrive
Sally also remembered that our Elf typically comes on St. Nicholas day. She wanted to make an ornament for him and to write him a note
Grandma and George like St. Nicholas day, too. Thanks for the fun package for the girls!
Emma put her ornament from St. Nicholas on, all on her own
