I can't believe that our two big kids are officially in elementary school! My boy had his last day of pre-school on Thursday and is on to the exciting world of kindergarten! While this already feels like a crazy big milestone, it's only magnified by the fact that this year in particular has been FULL of really high highs and really low lows. In case you missed the excitement you can look back at the posts from mid October through Christmas to get caught up :-). We have been beyond blessed by the people that have rallied around our family during this year of so much uncertainty, heartbreak, and immeasurable blessings, which include friends and complete strangers at our kiddos schools. Both the staff and families at Campbell Elementary (and many other Greatwood neighbors) and School for Little Children have made this crazy school year rich and unforgettable.
Splash Day (the last day of being a pre-schooler)...
Some of Andrew's buddies after a fun time of getting soaked...
Andrew and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Farmer!
Nana Lu Lu was back in town visiting! You know what that means... let the spoiling begin. She knows just how to bless all of us.
This weekend has been so special as we have been celebrating our precious Abby's 7th birthday!
I didn't anticipate having such emotion about her turning 7 years old... I know seven isn't "that grown up," but I feel like 5 years old was definitely a milestone since she was entering Kinder, but she was still little and 6 years old was just a year older than 5, so not that big of a deal, but for some reason I feel like... how do we all of a sudden have such a big girl, seven feels so grown! I've spent the past couple of days reflecting on what I love most about getting to be Abby's mom and the list seems endless. To sum it up, I can say that I'm truly a better person for knowing Abigail Lynn Ross. On a daily basis, she demonstrates traits that I so love and admire about her. I know the word integrity applied to a 7 year old is sort of weird, but it is one of many words that continue to come to mind when I think of Abby. She has a sensitive conscience and tender heart that propels her toward God as she seeks to understand this crazy life through His eyes. She loves to make people smile with encouraging words, by acting silly, or loving on them when they are sad. She gives 110% at everything she does... I guess that's why she loves deeply. She adores her little brother and sister and has always found great joy in surprising them with little gifts. This is why she started a tradition when she was 2 years old where she gets her brother a gift on her birthday. We were asking her what she wanted for her birthday (she's always been so hard to buy gifts for because she doesn't want anything) and all she would give us is "to get a gift to Andrew." Lucky Andrew, the tradition has stuck, but it goes both ways now (he gets her a gift on his birthday too :-).
She got Andrew this hat...
I think that our attempt to spend her birthday weekend making her feel special and loved was a success and we saved a whole lot of money by not doing a big party :-). We started her birthday celebration with a trip to Planet Wow where Abby and her best friends (Andrew, Grace, Ju Ju and Glo Glo) had the whole bounce house place to themselves despite the fact that it was "open jump."
Before the jumping began...
And after... this picture doesn't reflect the sweaty and exhausted kiddos that we had after much fun...
Even Grace got in on the fun... and possibly picked up a respiratory bug :-/
Then we celebrated with her cousins and again her BFF's by doing some of Abby's favorite things, swimming and eating at David's parents house. It should come as no surprise that my In-Loves always know how to bless us (and any of their guests really) with super yummy food and great company (they make it so easy to just enjoy ourselves while they take care of all of the details). THANK YOU SO MUCH MARY AND ED!!!
Here is a picture of all the party goers...
Love the matchie matchie swim suits for our girls :-).
One of my favorite parts of Abby's birthday celebration was this...
Everyone wrote what they loved about Abigail (some people couldn't contain themselves and wrote 7 note cards... she was turing seven, so I thought it was fitting :-). Once we got home, we read what everyone wrote and there is no question that it not only made Abigail smile, but it sure made her mommy and daddy smile too.
We closed out her birthday weekend by playing some board and wii games, soccer (with the new soccer goal that she got for her birthday), and a special manicure and pedicure that we only get when Lu Lu is in town.
And... this is what you get when you let your 7 year old birthday girl, who insists on matching her mommy (which I love because I know someday in the not so distant future that will not be the case:-), pick our nail color. Abby looks for any opportunity to support our favorite Downsy Doo and her special heart and I love it!
On a not so good update... Grace started the weekend with some serious teething (she likes to work on like 3 teeth at a time) and ended the week with terrible congestion, a cough, rapid breathing, and our first experience with the need for a nebulizer treatment. The nebulizer was pure torture for all involved, but did wonders for her breathing, so I guess it's worth the torture. Our pediatrician has been nothing shy of outstanding and amazing this weekend. We've paged her three times this weekend and she has not only been super helpful, but never makes us feel bad for bothering her. Dr. Dickerson is THE BEST, that is all :-)! The only upside to a sick kid is the extra snuggles!
I have to say that I'm not the least bit a fan of selfies (my own selfies that is, not y'all's, so please selfie away :-), but I can't help but document these type of moments...
Will you please pray that Grace gets better quickly without any complications? A sick heart kid is always scary. Thank you, Sweet Village! We love and need you :-)
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