Happy Birthday, Jake & Mallory!

 Each year, I note that time flies when raising kids, & I think I won't be surprised when the next year goes by quickly as well.  But the next year doesn't fly just as the past one has - it seems to pick up the pace even more.  It's hard to believe that my babies are five years old!

We began the morning of their actual birthday with a little surprise for each of them & some birthday donuts.  I think Jake liked his Mike toy!

This is classic Mallory, basking in the spotlight as we sing to her.

Her new Tinkerbell had to be laid aside for the hard work of blowing out candles.

After going to the movie theater to see Planes, the fun continued once Mimi, Pops & Gigi arrived.

They're now equipped to travel in style!

Sweet hugs for Gigi

I love this pic of us with our big 5-year-olds!

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When birthdays happen in August, it's hard to have an outdoor party unless it involves water.  Both kids like my suggestion of a splash park, & each of them picked a theme for party decor.  My Little Pony for Mal!

Star Wars for Jake!

It was a fun morning & actually turned out to be much cooler than I had expected so the adults didn't suffer in the heat while the kids played!

Happy birthday, Jake & Mallory!

Digging Deep

Just give this boy a shovel & some dirt.  He'll be happy as can be!

His two supervisors:

 

Sweet Randomness

Just a few glimpses of what's been going on lately in the Chamblee house, in no particular order...

Artists hard at work

Mal & Daddy playing iPad games

A rather interesting get-up concocted by Miss Mallory

Sweet Beau

Decorating sugar cookies

Silly boy...I love the gap between those two front teeth, even though it may be problematic from an orthodontic standpoint in the future.

Tickle time!

Sweet brothers

A beautiful rainbow this evening from our back yard

Story time with Daddy

I told you it was random!

Family Fourth of July

In honor of Independence Day this year, we headed to my hometown of Paris, Texas for their fireworks display on the 3rd.  After a great meal with everyone at my parents' house, we headed to the football stadium to watch the show.  Beau didn't seem to mind at all that it was past his bedtime, & had a great time running all over the place.  Here he is with Uncle Kent during one of the few times he sat down.

The fireworks were beautiful, & the weather was perfect!  Mal was totally in awe.  It wasn't until the show was almost over that she turned to Justin & asked, "What's that sound?"  I guess she hadn't noticed the booming of each firework until then because she'd been caught up in watching them!

This was the first year that any of the kids have gotten to stay up for fireworks, & they all did so well!  No one was scared & since we had plenty of family around to entertain them, no one got cranky.  Success!

Mom & me in our matching flag shirts

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One of my parents' cats had new kittens, so we brought one inside for a little snuggling.  This picture may be funny to those who know me well & know that, as an adult, I am NOT a cat person!  We always had outdoor cats when I was a kid since we lived in the country, & I've decided that's the only way I like them.  No cat hair in the house, no litter boxes, no animals on my furniture - much nicer!  But who can resist one this tiny & sweet?

We're going to have to work on Beau's ability to be gentle when petting!

Jake & Nana lined up & waiting for the parade to start downtown

 

The kids loved the parade, & there was plenty of candy to be collected from the street.  They came home with quite the haul!

Jake took his candy gathering very seriously.

Enjoying the spoils

We headed back home after lunch & spent the rest of the holiday just hanging out together.  J put together the kiddie car wash, & fun was had by all!

Happy 4th!