Last Summer Hurrah!

This past weekend, we were invited to one of Emma-Caroline's sweet little friend's 6th birthday party. Even though we start school back the 2nd week of August, we all know that according to Mother Nature, summer is still in full swing. Lucy's birthday happens to fall during the perfect time of the year to have a water slide party and that is exactly what she had in her own back yard! The girls and boys had a ball having one last summer hurrah in honor of Lucy's 6th birthday. I enjoyed taking photos and sampling a bit of delicious birthday cake. It certainly was a wonderful day to celebrate a birthday and the end of summer.

 Two little beauties!

 Look at this back yard! It is perfect for this kind of a party! Beautiful!

 Ballerina pals for the past 3 years. It's hard to believe that these girls have been friends for half their lives! We are blessed!

 The birthday girl!

 Four generations! Aren't they all stunning!

 This cake from Daisy Cakes was dee-lish! I wanted two helpings but resisted on account of my waist line.

I love this photo! She was having the best time!

My sweet girl!

I wonder what she wished for!

Must have been something good!

How cute is this cake!

And how cute is she! Another of our ballet friends!

We Had a Party!

Today we celebrated Emma-Caroline's upcoming 6th birthday with all of her friends. Since we are enjoying visiting with out-of-town family, I will just tease you with the invitation for today's party. More to come!

Ruby Slippers

I was going through Emma-Caroline and Sophie's shoes last night and came across these little gems.
 My girls are so different in size that I haven't really been able to pass shoes on to Sophie from Emma-Caroline because they are usually too big for the season at hand, and then too small by the time that season rolls around the following year. These little ruby slippers, however, were worn by both Emma-Caroline and Sophie. I actually treasure these little shoes because both of their little feet were bedazzled by their ruby sparkles, and because both of my girls each loved them with a fierceness. There were times when neither of them would leave the house without having their ruby slippers on. And although we have bought other ruby slippers as feet have grown bigger, these shared first pair are the keepers.

Perhaps silly to keep a pair of worn ruby slippers for the sole purpose of nostalgia, but I love them. I am actually going to use them now for decoration in Sophie's room where the light hits them just right and showers a magical ruby glow onto the wall. They will always hold a place of honor in The Avery House as well as in my heart.


{Linking to Patty at Photo a la {M}ode over at Finding Serendipity.}
Photo Stats: Frame 1: 1/160, f 6, ISO 200
                    Frame 2: 1/80, f 6.3, ISO 200
I had my White Balance set to Cloudy because I was indoors with natural light. I modified the color to the blue side to get the true red of the slippers. I wasn't going for a boca effect, but got that because of how the sunlight was shining on the slippers.

Sometimes

Sometimes, you don't need words to tell a story.

Sometimes, all you need is a good image.

 Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words.

 Sometimes, you  get a chance for a really good laugh.

Sometimes, you get a chance to really live in the moment.

Sometimes, you get a chance to be a kid again.

 Sometimes it's OK to throw caution to the wind.

Sometimes it's OK to let your hair down.

Sometimes it's OK to let it all hang loose.

 Sometimes the right now is all that matters.

Sometimes delight is found in simple things.

Sometimes you find out what sheer joy truly is.

Sometimes, you find a forgotten treasure.

Sometimes, you remember with a smile spread on your lips.

Sometimes, you enjoy a captured moment and really feel blessed.

The Lady Bearcats First Soccer Game!

Emma-Caroline had her first ever soccer game on Saturday morning. Her team is named the Lady Bearcats and she has a wonderful coach named Mr. Todd. We are also pleased with the organization Emma-Caroline is playing soccer through called Upward. It is a Christian based organization which encourages the children while teaching them skills in the designated sport they are playing. All children get to play, and while goals are made, score is not really kept. At this age and skill level, it's nice for Emma-Caroline to just be able to play without feeling that competitive "pressure." The first game was great! The teams all ran though a large UT orange archway before the games began. All team members played and got to play offense, defense, and goalie. Emma-Caroline really got into the game. I was very proud of my girl out there! Enjoy the picture diary of Emma-Caroline's first game!

Running through the Tennessee arch before the game.
Looking like a soccer player!

Getting a pep talk from Coach Todd. Our girl is number 3

More Coaching from Coach Todd.

Running after the ball.

Taking a water break with Daddy

Really going after the ball!

Running is all in the game!

Head to head!

Throwing the ball in!

Taking a turn as goalie.

Good game, good game!

Headline or Headband News!

I recently sent out a query on Facebook about hair accessory options for Emma-Caroline. I got lots of great ideas, one of which was the headband. We found the perfect first headband in Emma-Caroline's favorite color, pink complete with her favorite flower, the daisy and her name! Wow! I want one like that! She LOVES her new headband and announced that she already feels like a big Kindergartner. Amazing what the right hair accessory can do for you!

Becoming a "Kid"

It is hard to believe that our little Emma-Caroline is about to turn 5 years old on March 3rd of this year. Where has the past 5 years gone??? While I want to cling to the infant and toddler years of Emma-Caroline's life, I can't help but be delighted at the sweet and wonderful little "kid" she has become. It seems that in the past several months her little personality has really started to blossom and she keeps Howie and I rolling with laughter with her new phrases and expressions that make us realize, she really is stepping into her own. Here are a few of her most recent new phrases that have left us laughing and enjoying our little girl.

One of Emma-Caroline's newest phrase is, "Now that's what I'm talking about, that's . . . (insert anything) fast running!" At the dinner table, our dog Barkley was panting heavily wanting a scrap of food when Emma-Caroline blurts out rather seriously, "Now that's what I'm talking about, that's breathing!" Howie and I could not stop laughing.

Today when we were going into the store, Emma-Caroline looked at me and said, "Mommy, you are freaking me out!" To which I replied, "Freaking you out, what do you mean?" Emma-Caroline calmly said, "Um Mommy, you're freaking me out because you didn't look both ways before you crossed the road!" Yep! That would "freak me out" too if she didn't look both ways before she crossed the road.

Before Christmas, Emma-Caroline told me very frankly, "Mommy, I just don't know how you expect me to take these babies (dolls) anywhere with this little stroller! It's not like I have 8 arms and can do it all!" Hmmm, I think I know where she got that one. This was her way of telling me that she wanted a double stroller for her baby dolls as well as more "fashionable" clothes for them to wear. Thankfully Mimi and G-Daddy took care of that little problem with a new stroller and clothes.

I just love my sweet daughter and the little girl she is becoming! It's definitely an adventure!

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Emma-Caroline had her December ballet presentation last Monday at her dance studio, Studio Arts. She really has learned so much this year and is becoming quite the ballerina! Howie, Sophie and I sure enjoyed watching our little "Sugar Plum Fairy" dance!

Chasses

Dancing in the hoop

Demi Pointe

Emma-Caroline and Lydia