A Whole Hand

I can't believe Marlee is now 5 years old! As she says, she's a whole hand now! To mark this special occasion, she scored a trip to Atlanta to the American Girl store. I think I was more excited than she was. LOL She did enjoy walking around the store but quickly grew tired and wanted to go back to the hotel.

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Sweet Cooper, Happy Birthday to You! These past three years have flown by. It is amazing to look back and see how much you have grown over the years. If it is possible, I love you more today than I did the day I gave birth to you. Cooper, you add so much life to our family. You still love to cuddle in my arms just like you did as a baby. You are a Momma's boy, but ask when your Daddy will be home first thing every morning. You idealize Marlee and love to play with her, but you will cry wolf is things don't go your way. Eli is your best-friend. You talk about him all the time. Molly and Emmy are your favorite girl friends at school. Your imagination is amazing. You can pretend anything and still love to play alone with your trucks and cars. You are discovering the world of Super Heroes. You are not afraid of anything and are a serious dare devil. A kiss is not a kiss unless it is on the lips. You have to give me multiple hugs and kisses before I can even run down to the grocery store. You love to read books. You have several favorites from the library. The more rhymes the better. Your favorite thing for me to do is rub your back before you go to bed. You are usually asleep within minutes. My favorite thing you do is randomly tell me you love me throughout the day. It affirms that I am a good mom. Happy 3rd Birthday, Bubba! Daddy, Marlee and I love you so much!!!

March 21, 2008

March 21, 2009

March 21, 2010

March 20, 2011

Party with Friends

Cooper had several of his friends over this afternoon to celebrate his birthday. The weather was perfect (a bit windy though). We were able to walk up to the gazebo and utilize the space for all the kids to run around.  The kids made cute paper bag puppets and had fun playing with chalk all over the sidewalks. Then came cupcake time. I was proud to have made his cupcakes and thought they tasted pretty good. After singing happy birthday, Cooper needed help blowing out his candles. Why? Because I didn't realize I bought the trick candles that don't blow out. OOPS! LOL Then came presents! He was so sweet and appreciative of his friends' gifts. The kids enjoyed running around and working off the icing. I am so glad he had such a special day with his friends.

A Best Friend's Birthday

Marlee's little best friend, Kyndal had her 4th birthday this past weekend. She invited her 3 closest friends over to her house for pizza, cupcakes, and fun.

4 Days of Celebration for the 4 Year Old

Wow! What a birthday celebration Miss Marlee had last weekend! I'm still trying to recover from it all!

Day One: On Thursday we started the day off with breakfast at Chickfila with the whole family. Then we headed home to rest and prepare for our trip to Nashville. Chad bought tickets way back to Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3. We arrived in downtown Nashville  just in time to beat the dinner rush to The Old Spaghetti Factory. It seemed liked everyone else had the same idea for dinner. We sat in the train car while we ate dinner.The kids were totally taken on the sights and sounds of Nashville. Then we headed over to Bridgestone Arena for our night fun. Marlee and Cooper were a little taken aback in the beginning. We were on the 7th row, so everything was up close and personal. (I didn't post any of the Disney on Ice pictures because of copyright)

Super excited about the Birthday Weekend!

Woody and Jesse taking it all in.

Day Two: On Friday we headed up to the Cornersville Homecoming Parade! Marlee was happy to see horses and Cooper was excited about the tractors. Corntown knows how to throw a parade! LOL That evening we headed to Chuck E Cheese for games and fun and finished up with dinner at Chickfila. (Chickfila is our favorite fast food chain).

Day Three: On Saturday We had Marlee's 4th Birthday Party at the Recreation Center. It could not have been a better day for a party. The weather was just perfect. Not too hot or too cold. No wind and lots of sunshine. Marlee wanted a My Little Pony Party, so that's what she got. A girl I graduated from HS with made her cake. It was so cute, but tasted even better! Plus it was inexpensive. Marlee received wonderful presents from all of her favorite people.

The yummy, yummy cake!!

She kept her back to everyone while she opened gifts.

I eat that face up everyday.

Admiring one of her many presents.

Cooper got a new bike, too. I'll definitely be getting exercise now!

Day Four: Sunday rounded out our visit to the burg with a big breakfast buffet at Shoney's with Chad's side of the family. Marlee enjoyed spending some extra time with her cousins she doesn't see very often. That afternoon we headed home and all crashed that night.

Happy Birthday to You!

Change of Scenery

The kids and I went to the burg this past week to celebrate my mom's birthday. We headed up to the Nashville Zoo for the day. It is such a beautiful zoo. If you are ever in the Nashville area for a visit, be sure to stop by there. You would never know you were in the middle of town. If you have a Knoxville Zoo pass, you get in free and still receive discounts on food and the gift shop.

The zoo is located on an old Nashville farm. They still have the original farm house on site. They also have farm animals and flower garden and vegetable garden you can walk through.

The newest addition to the zoo. So pretty and so close I think I could reach out and touch them.

This guy was so pretty. I think if he stretched his neck any further I could pet him on the head.

The neatest place by far. And we didn't even make it to the top floor.