But I don't feel like I am 5!!

Our resident Princess turned 5 yesterday! Although I was feeling bad about really not having anything planned for Claire's birthday, no formal party, no cake ordered, no friends over to play, it turned out to be " The best birthday ever!" according to our new 5 year old! We let her plan her special day, filled with all the things she loves. Not sure about her, but I am exhausted today from all the fun! Once she waded through her room filled with balloons from the birthday fairy the first item on her agenda was to open presents! Thanks to everyone who sent a card, present, or called to wish her a happy birthday! 

Next, in true Claire fashion, she wanted sprinkle pancakes from Perkins for breakfast! Once we got there, she opted for the french toast stack instead! 

After our bellies were full, she chose to go to Monkey Joes to bounce around! 

Next, she wanted to "go to the nail place" to get her nails done. I had never taken her before much to her begging, as quite honestly, the nail salon is sometimes the only "me time" I ever get. She happily told everyone it was her first time there and her birthday so she got the royal treatment! Salt scrub, foot rub, leg rub, hand rub, shoulder rub..you name it! She did a great job sitting still and they even painted little flowers on her nails for her! 

After the salon, we headed home as dad was preparing her requested birthday dinner. Grilled hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, potatoes and strawberries. 

At the last minute we stopped at DQ and let her pick out an ice cream cake, complete with princess candles! 

After supper and cake, Claire, Carter and I headed up to Centennial Park for another movie in the park. As we were getting ready to watch the movie on the big screen, we were also able to watch the fireworks display from Lutheran Church of Hope's Taste of Hope festival. Claire thought they were going off just for her birthday. I love this girl! 

For her last present, she was able to help Darcie and Jill do the horse chores at the Animal Rescue League. She is gaga over horses right now and spent the morning petting and feeding the horses apples. She even did a little sweeping and haying, but refused to pick up any poop (can't say I blame her)! How cute is she in her cowboy boots? 

She told me on the way home from the horse barn that she had the best birthday ever. It was the best "non planned" party we've ever had! I think this is how we will spend all the birthdays! Just let the kids plan a day of their favorite things! Her are her 5 year old interview answers: 

What is your favorite color? Pink and Purple

What is your favorite book? Fairy Princess

What is your favorite movie? Despicable Me 2

What is your favorite food? Spaghetti

What is your favorite princess? Ariel

What is your favorite animal? Horse

What do you want to be when you grow up? A princess

What is the best thing about being 5? Opening presents, but I don't feel 5

Who are some of your friends? Kaylee, Taylor, Lydia, Rory

If you could do anything you wanted what would you do? Go swimming or go to grandmas! 

When I think about how to describe Claire, I am so thankful for the words that come to mind. She is kind hearted, a great listener, helpful to others, willing to try new things, and a mother hen to Case. She is somewhat shy in new situations, and would prefer to play with 1-2 friends rather than in a big group. She loves to color, help out in the kitchen, look at books, ride her bike, play with her stuffed animals, babies and princess. She loves sweets, chocolate, and all things girlie. She HATES bugs, worms, flies, spiders, and will completely FREAK OUT if she comes across any of these crawly things! She has an excellent memory and will call you out if you have forgotten something or go back on a promise you made! 

Happy birthday to our princess! We love you to the moon and back! 

Summer fun!

We have been busy checking off our bucket list items! 

HENRY DOORLY ZOO!

In Mid June we took a mini vaca to Omaha. Yes, vacation in Omaha! We spent the night at the Ramada water park resort (I highly recommend it!) and then hit the Henry Doorly Zoo the next day!. 

 The men in deep discussion on the sky glider! 

 Here goaty goat goaty! 

 Desert Dome

ADVENTURELAND!!

 Raging River 1 Claire 0! 

4TH OF JULY!

This year the weather finally cooperated for the 4th of July! We hit up the local parade and activities at the park afterwards. Jeremy and the kids made their traditional homemade ice cream and we were able to watch 3 sets of fireworks from our corner.

 Carter vs his friend Duke

 Waiting for the parade!

 My sweet boys!

WATER FUN! 

Doesn't seem to matter what the attire, suit, no suit, clothes, pool, beach, sprinkler, wading pool, whatever, these kids love the water! Case is content to run the hose on himself, or find an older sibling to turn on the sprinkler for him.

MINI GOLF

So, the kids were bored one afternoon so we got out the list and all agreed to go mini golfing. Do you ever have days when you don't like your kids very much? I know that sounds awful, but they were awful the afternoon we played golf. It was full of complaining, arguing, fighting, crying, you name it! Ultra competitive Carter vs not a bone of competitive spirit in my body Claire made for a not so fun 18 holes. Claire was content just hitting the ball around and Carter was having a fit because she wasn't counting her strokes. Take in the fact it was about 100 degrees out, well let's just say I have had better days with these two! 

ICE CREAM, I-CUBS, AND MOVIES IN THE PARK

Now that Claire can keep up on her bike, we have hit up our local Ice Cream shoppe way too often! 

Do you notice Claire's new "excited" smile in all the photos?

Unity Point night at the I-Cubs

A few weeks ago at dusk, we enjoyed the movie Madagascar 3 at Centennial Park. The played the movie on a giant screen and offered popcorn and pop. I took the older two up (I didn't feel like chasing a toddler around in the dark) and we had a great time! We'll definitely hit the next one up in a couple of weeks! 

House progress!

Our new home is coming along nicely! Although we don't have a closing date yet (arggg) it appears??? it will be done the last week of July. We close on our house August 6th, but need to be out sooner than that for new carpet to be laid in our current house. I have new furniture arriving July 31st so I am praying it is done by then! Although it seems to be a little behind schedule due to the wet spring we had, the builder assures me that now it is all "closed" in, it will come together quickly. It is amazing how quick they can work when the weather cooperates. I drove by one afternoon after work and the roofers were there getting started, the next day we had a complete roof! The mechanicals are all in now, tubs and showers arrived last week. When I stopped by today, they were getting ready to drywall! 

Kids sitting in the garage! 

Back side of house

Front of house before and after siding and windows! 

 Great room with corner fireplace

Framework of kitchen

 Framework of walkout basement, when finished will have 2 bedrooms, family room, storage room, bathroom and game closet 

People keep asking me if it has been hard to pick things out for the house. Honestly, no! It really has been fairly easy. We have stayed within our budget for each area (flooring, cabinets, granite, etc) so that limits our choices and from those choices, we have been able to narrow things down to 2 pretty easily. The one thing I am totally STRUGGLING with picking is the paint colors! Here is my current sample stash! I almost wish we could have the painters come back after we close once we get a feel for the house, the lighting and the furniture before picking a color! No such luck! 

Meanwhile, I am starting to pack up what I can, collect boxes, continue to get rid of things we don't need or never use! I am still overwhelmed at the amount of stuff we have!