The Growing Caldwell Family

Sissy was really excited for a sleepover birthday! I was worried she might be too young. But after polling the mothers of some of her friends, we decided to go for it! This party was a little more big girl, but still had lots of cute details. We served pasta for dinner, setup a photo booth, decorated sugar cookies, had a dance party, and watched a movie. The biggest hit of all was a surprise to me - they loved jumping on the trampoline in the basement and had a ball doing that for hours! I found party printable  here .  My mom and Jeanne' worked hard to make this darling cake. It is way cuter than I imagined it would be! I so appreciate their help doing it! We made some cute goodie bags that Sarah Graves was very proud to put together herself! We made candy bars thanking her friends for coming. Iced sugar cookies have always been my thing for their birthdays, but this year Sissy wanted her friends to decorate cookies. So, I made my usual...

We celebrated SG's birthday with Lovie and Olivia. Lovie made breakfast for dinner, Sissy's favorite food, and I baked the cake. She was excited to open her presents! A scooter for Grace! Notice Charlie is now wearing the birthday crown from school! She and Grave now have matching aprons! Charlie was so excited to give her this Lego Friends set that he told her about it ahead of time! She made a wish and it has already come true! I wish you could see the look on her face when Charlie swooped in and blew her candles out the first time! On top of that, Olivia thought the birthday candles were hilarious and cackled at them!

The week f a child's birthday he/she receives a birthday blessing during chapel. Parents are encouraged to come so mom and I went. It was my first time going to chapel and it was lovely! I really felt God's presence there with those sweet children. Another kindergartener had the same birthday as SG! That surprised her. Another girl in 3rd grade also had a birthday that week so they all went up for their blessing together. I could tell she was nervous! I hope I get the chance to go to chapel with her again soon!

KIt is hard to imagine but Sissy turned 6! She loves her birthday so much and looks forward to it with such anticipation!  A little photo collage to remember how much my baby has grown. I have loved every age but really appreciate her maturity now. She was very excited for Rsinbow Bobby to return for her special day! She was so excited to celebrate at school! They gave her a birthday crown, w e brought cake balls for treat, and she donated a book to the library in honor of her big day. It was fun to celebrate her with her teachers and classmates. I think she was quite pleased with her day!

Before I leave the topic of the holidays (it's only late January!), I wanted to mention Rainbow Bobby and the fun the kids had with him anticipating Christmas.  Charlie was so into Rainbow Bobby this year and it was precious! I wish I could have more photos of the look on his face when he found Rainbow Bobby each morning and how excitedly he would describe our elf's latest perch and the antics he was up to!  They got a big kick of Rainbow Bobby toilet papering the bathroom the night they made a huge mess in their own bathroom squirting toothpaste EVERYWHERE. Sarah Graves saw these mini trees in a restaurant and fell in love. Rainbow Bobby was kind enough to bring her one of her own. For his last night with ys, Rainbow Bobby got together with his friends and had a marshmallow roast around Barbie's campfire. He really is a fun addition to our house! Charlie was very careful not to touch Rainbow Bobby and it paid off because Rainbow Bobby never lo...

We went to Holiday in the Park the day after Christmas and it was crazy crowded! So, the day after New Year's we decided to go back one more time before Six Flags closed until spring. The weather had turned cold, but it was not crowded at all! I don't mind bundling up if it means I don't have to stand in line! Poor Char went from sitting up wearing his sunglasses to out cold on the walk in from the parking lot! I love how he proudly wore his sunglasses upside down! Sissy loves to ride the tilt-a-whirl ride called Harley Quinn and it is right next to Mindbender which is a moderate roller coaster that does have loops. We knew she was tall enough for Mindbender, but she has always been too nervous to try it. Finally, she decided to give it a try and this is the happy and proud face afterward! Yay! She is going to be a roller coaster girl! The kids love to ride the baby roller coaster, Canyon Blaster, but the line for it is always kind of long. Here siste...

The kids brought home some great pieces of holiday artwork. Sissy and I both love this poinsettia painting. His snowy picture. My buddy's sweet handprints.