Kennedy's 5th Birthday Letter

In just a few short days my little princess will be turning 5. Another birthday means another birthday letter so here it goes:

Dear Kennedy,

It seems so trite to say that the last 5 years have blinked away, but it most definitely feels as though they have. I blinked and you were born. I blinked and you could walk. I turned around to cook dinner and you were talking. I stopped for 15 minutes to have another baby, our sweet little Claire and you could turn a cartwheel, sing any song that came on the radio and perform at a dance recital in front of a full auditorium without imperfection. I ran to the grocery store and you up and finished three year old preschool and moved right on into the 4 year old room (damn grocery store)!

It is just so hard to believe that yet another year has passed and you are five. In some ways it feels like yesterday I saw your beautiful face for the first time and in other ways it seems like you’ve always been a part of this family, a part of me. I wish that life had a pause button, or at least a slow-motion option. I’m looking forward to the memories we will be making and the experiences yet to be had, but for right now…I wish that I could just slow things down for a few minutes. I know it won’t be long before Mom will be uncool and you’d rather go hang out at the mall then cuddle with me on the couch eating ice cream and watching Cinderella, so for now I cherish these moments.

After I put you in bed the other night I got out some of your old scrapbooks and sifted through the pages, carefully looking at each photo of you and admiring them. I smiled, I laughed, I cried…but they were happy tears. You might think that I’m crazy, but one day you will understand. My heart just seemed to be overflowing. I was relishing the memories… those first days and weeks, where I was overwhelmed with this new feeling of love; your adorable toddler days, with those cute little pigtails and chubby cheeks, driving you to your fist day of preschool wearing your little school uniform and lugging a backpack that was half your size.

During this last year I have seen the most significant changes in you, more than walking, more than talking…as these are tremendous milestones, they seem rooted in the physical. What I am witnessing now is the growth of you mind, of your heart. You are learning compassion and empathy. You are learning to give, to hurt, to be you and for that I love you even more.

You love… baby dolls, silly bands, anything pink, coloring, make-up, and jewelry. May you hold onto your glorious imagination and incredible tu-tu dances for the rest of your life. I will always be there watching you my sweet sweet incredibly sweet baby girl… When I look at you I see possibilities. You truly believe ANYTHING can happen and that is magic. The kind of magic I will bottle and do my best to sprinkle over you as you sleep each and every night. You can’t put a price on that kind of faith in the world.

I hope a day never passes by without me whispering in your ear, “You are my sweet girl” although it sounds elitist, it’s blissfully true, I fall more in love with you each day sweet girl! I smile because I am in love with you, my daughter. You make my heart laugh out loud. I love you sweetie. You see your fifth birthday is a celebration for me, too. On this day five years ago, my world was changed forever. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I truly feel like I am the luckiest woman alive! I am so proud to be your Mommy! Happy 5th Birthday Kennedy. You have so much to look forward to!

Love,
Mommy

Kennedy's 5th Birthday...The Invitations

It is so hard for me to believe that in a few short weeks my little girl will be turning 5! She has always wanted to have a pool party but unfortunately with a March birthday in Kentucky we have never been able to make that happen but this year her wish is going to come true! We are having it at a local hotel that has an indoor pool and party room. Keeping with the pool theme we decided to have flip flop party! Kennedy and I went to Hobby Lobby (My FAVORITE store by the way) and I let her pick out the paper for her invites. After only about 2 seconds my little Diva picked out Zebra print and hot pink paper!
With the invites complete and the envelopes addressed she is now counting down the days to her pool party bash!

Here is how or flip flop invite turned out!



More party details to come...

LOVE JUICE

Valentine's Day is almost here and I ran across this super cute idea that I thought would be perfect for Conner's Valentine's Day party at school. We took Hawaiian Punch drink mix packets and made labels to attach to them out of file folder labels that read:

LOVE JUICE
Mix contents with water

I covered the water bottle labels with black and white zebra and houndstooth paper with double sided tape. We made some cute little heart tags for Conner to sign his name on that I attached to the side of the bottle for some added cuteness(not sure if that is really a word but sounded good)! We attached the drink mix packets and some cute Valentine straws we found at the dollar store with red polka dot ribbon and there you have it LOVE JUICE! I hope the kids at the party enjoy them as much as Conner and I did making them.

BEAR HUGS for Valentines

We finished up our Valentine Treats for some very important people today. The kids wanted to give their teachers and our baby sitter something special for Valentines. We took Hershey's Hugs and Teddy Grahams and layered them in a mason jar, added a little tag for them to sign their name and topped them off with the words "BEAR HUGS"! The kids are so proud and can't wait to hand them out on Valentine's day!

Homemade Valentines

I wanted to share the Valentines the kids and I put together tonight. I found this idea right after Valentines Day last year and could not wait to make them. Taking the photos was a little challenging with Claire but we pulled it off. I got the photos in the mail today and the kids had so much fun putting the suckers on. I cut a little slit above and below their hand with a utility knife and the kids weaved a valentine sucker through to look like they were holding it! These pictures do not do them justice...They are SOOOOO cute! The kids can't wait to hand them out!

Claire's First Haircut

Right before Christmas I decided it was time for Claire to have her first haircut. She didn't really need a haircut but trimming it and shaping it up just a little made such a difference. She did so good, she sat up in the chair all by herself. She was she proud of her new haircut! Thanks Danielle!

A Taylor Christmas

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year at the Taylor house, so wonderful it is the middle of January before I am getting around to this post. Be prepared for lot's of pictures...there are just so many cute ones what can I say! We had Christmas at Papaw Tony's the weekend before Christmas. I think the highlight of that day was the airgun Conner got from Uncle Phillip! I have never seen one boy so excited!
We then had our traditional Christmas eve breakfast at my Mom's house. All the grands wear there very special jammies made by Grancy (my mom). They all looked so cute! Pillow pets were the gift of the year for my kiddos, thanks Aunt Leslie! We spent the whole day at my Mom's letting the kids play together and enjoying each others company.
The kids could not wait for Santa this year they were super excited! They must have been pretty good because Santa brought lots to the Taylor kids this year! Conner got a duck hunting jacket and a personalized duck call, the girls got American girl twins and everyone got an easel with lots of art supplies to share! It was so much fun to have a white Christmas this year.Santa must have known because everyone got new snow suits which were perfect for playing in the snow! Everyone loved playing in the snow! How blessed we are!