Celebrating SJ's 5th Birthday

Hard to believe sweet SJ is 5 now! Or maybe I should say "where has the time gone?" because in many ways she definitely seems like a "big girl" now that she is doing math and starting reading and taking the role of the biggest-sister-at-home on weekdays while AG and LL are at school. She is eager to learn, helpful with her brothers, always in on the fun with her sisters, tenderhearted, silly, and sweet, and we are so thankful she is a part of our family! We began officially celebrating the weekend before her birthday with a party at our house. Her grandparents and friends came for pizza, games, and cake of course, all with a beach theme per SJ's request. She said this was her "pretend birthday" since it was a few days before the real thing! Having pizza with friends while Gran, PopPop, and special friends (who remember her original birthday!) look on.

Getting ready for some games

Relay racing...

and playing musical towels.

Ready to cut the cake!

Sweet friends

Taking a break from bouncing to pose for a pic!

Opening a few gifts...

Nana and RL showing SA the "light"

The kids with their wonderful grandparents!

Her actual birthday (Aug. 29) ended up being an interesting day since Hurricane Isaac was passing through our area. AG and LL's school had been cancelled and T didn't have to go to work, so we had lots of time just to hang out and be home together. We totally expected to lose electricity that day, so we let them watch lots of Little House and ate tons of popsicles. Somehow, thankfully, we made it through the storm without ever losing power (though most of our neighborhood did and went without it for days!)and with nothing worse than lots of sticks to pick up afterward. Anyway, here's the birthday girl on her REAL big day: LL helped SJ get dressed that morning!

Later, back in playclothes, enjoying the last piece of her birthday cake!

Never to old to snuggle with her Daddy!

Showing off a fresh haircut the following weekend!

Just a few nights ago I discovered she'd fallen asleep sitting up and cradling a stuffed dolphin. "It's gotta be the pillow," Nana!