Isabella's birthday

 Izzy's actual birthday was on a Wednesday, so we had already had her party the weekend before. But she still had a great day.

I ordered letter donuts for her special day.  And Mimi came over and joined us for breakfast.

She loved them! She chose the 5 and I to eat. 

We made #5 shape cookies for her to take to school that day. After school her good friend from school came over for a play date.  And Nana and Cappy came by with icee's.

I asked her if she could eat anywhere for her birthday dinner or I could make any thing she liked- what would she want? And she chose "taco bells". Seriously?! But yes, and she thought it was great. She had told me a few weeks prior she'd always wanted to try a rootbeer float. So after dinner we went to Roxy's ice cream. They make their own rootbeer and ice cream, so what better place to go?!

It was delicious!

A few days later she had her 5 year well child check. She was 96th percentile in height. My grandma Hartman would be proud of those tall genes! Afterward we went to the cookie shop around the corner and she chose the same pumpkin cookie she has chosen the last three years.

Comparison of years 4 and 5. 

Happy birthday Isabella! You have such a sweet spirit and are full of life and energy! We love you!

OK State Fair

Mom got Isabella frozen on ice tickets as part of her birthday gifts. She was sick the whole week of the show and I was starting to wonder if she was going to be well enough to go, but luckily by Friday she was better. Dad stayed home with Benjamin during his nap while we went.

Singing her little heart out. :) She loved the show and told me "this is the best night ever!"

Dad brought Benjamin to the fair after he woke up and he loved playing farmer in the agriculture building.

Benjamin learning about the glory of food on a stick. Isabella ate a large portion of a cinnamon roll, but not as much as the year when she was two and single-handedly ate most of a whole one alone.

Pig races!

Another year of the fair in the books!

Celebrating 5

We did birthday pancakes on Isabella's party day because I had something else planned for her birthday morning.

A relighting sparkler candle. She thought that was fun.    Mom's #5 cookies for the party.

Isabella debated for months about what type of party she wanted to have and in the end chose a "Belle/Ariel tea party". 

Fruit wands

 It was her first time to have a "friends" party and she was thrilled.

Love those little bow ties!

She had seen a pinata on Curious George once and ever since had been talking about having one at her party.

Collecting their spoils

There was a lot of friendly beating each other with these punch ball balloons. :)

 When we discussed cakes she said she wanted a half Belle/half Ariel cake. Which left me quite stumped. But my sister came up with a vision and we went with it. I baked and did some of the roses, but Mom did most of the icing.

I was really happy with how it turned out!

They worked together after the party to put together her new lego set.
She loved her party and is already talking about her ideas for the next one. :) 

Quincy Diane

My friend Michelle asked me to take some newborn pictures of her sweet baby Quincy. Newborn sessions can have some challenges and I'm still getting experience with them, but I had fun hanging out and chatting between pictures.

Before Quincy was born Stephen found an old card where Michelle's Mom had written "I love you" and gave it to a company that turns handwriting in to jewelry. And he gave Michelle this bracelet in the hospital when Quincy was born. So, so special.

 Quincy's middle name is Diane, after Michelle's mom. She bought these books for her unborn grandchildren years ago and it has become a tradition for the grandbabies to have their newborn picture taken on the books that their grandmother who loved them without ever getting to know them had bought and saved for them. (cue all the tears)

Welcome to the world Quincy! You are so loved.