My dear friend Shanell came into town for a few days so we decided this was our chance for a girls day out.

We went to a spa for pedicures.

Ahhh… pretty toes!

We also spent some quality time in Powell's Bookstore, did a little shopping and had a nice quiet lunch at P.F. Chang's.  You know, the kind of lunch where you aren't feeding anyone but yourself.  We had lots of time to talk uninterrupted.  (Typically when we talk on the phone we have to talk as fast as we can before one of our kids need something and we have to go.)

We both got back to find that our husbands had taken excellent care of the kids and they were having a great time.  Maybe we should do this more often?  Hee hee!

Rogene's sister Lhevinne and her kids (Gabriella, Jordan, Trey, Anson and Andrew) stayed with us for a weekend recently.  They were very good sports about the many things we subjected them to.  For instance…

They decorated sunglasses with Tessa at her 5 year birthday party (and wore the required tiaras, bead necklaces, and sheriff badges) without complaint.

We took them to church where Gabriella played the bass and Jordan played the drums for our praise band.  For free.  And they didn't complain.  (Gabriella and Jordan are on the right.)

The came with us to Rogene's company picnic where we rode a "trolley" bus, ate lunch, had ice cream and elephant ears, got press on tattoos, played some games (they won a sugar free pie and some strudel), watched some cloggers dance, and listened to possibly the worst marching band ever.

And then went over to my sister's house for more music…

and volleyball, trampoline, swimming (wading?) and dinner.

They didn't mind sharing chairs…

or benches…

or sleeping on pink Strawberry Shortcake sheets.

Plus, they played with Tessa and Emma all weekend and kept them happy.

Thanks for being such good sports Lhevinne and family!  Come back soon and you can paint our house and mow the lawn.  (Kidding!)

(This letter was supposed to be posted on July 1.  I'm running VERY late.) 

Dear Tessa,

Happy 5th Birthday!

It is hard to believe you were this small five short years ago.

You had so many events and milestones this month. 

Your last day of preschool.

Your ballet recital.  Daddy and I were so proud to watch you dance on stage.  You were so brave and really seemed to enjoy yourself.  You did such a great job!

Vacation Bible School was this month.  It is one of the highlights of your year.  You love the crafts, songs, playmates and Bible stories.  This year you REALLY loved the red and white shirt.

You got your ears pierced.

Your cousin Kiara graduated from the 8th grade this month.  The day after her graduation you put on your Dora hat and your bathrobe and told me you were graduating too.

We had your 5th birthday party this month.  You rode the carousel and played with your friends and had a blast.

Grandma and Grandpa bought you a new twin sized big girl bed for your birthday.

You and Emma are partners in crime.  If you get put in time out, Emma will come running to bring Cuppy to you and to keep you company.  When she is older she will learn that this is a no-no and defeats the purpose of a time out.

When I was making cupcakes for your birthday you told me, "Mom, if you give me a cupcake I'll play nice with Emma and I won't push her over."  So!  My suspicions that you push Emma over for fun were confirmed.  (You also like to "kidnap" her by lying on top of her so she can't get away.)

Here is a picture of a lunchtime picnic on the back porch.

Your nicknames this month are Lovely, Sweet Girl and TessieBear.

Daddy says you have a knack for renaming the icons on his desktop (computer).  His current Internet Explorer is named "nbbbgvfdgbfghbggg".  You are learning to read a bit, sounding words out and writing every day.

You told me you'd like to grow your bangs out, so we are working on that.  You want to do your own hair and choose your own clothes every day.  I have to veto you some times, and insist on doing your hair sometimes, but mostly I'm trying to let you be independent and do it yourself. 

Some interesting things you say this month…

breffixt = breakfast

apple dumplet = apple dumpling

everyfing = everything

You would wear fancy pink dresses every day of the week if you could.

What do I wish for you in the next year of your life?  Health, happiness and Jesus in your heart. 

Never doubt how much I treasure you.  You have brought five years of sunshine to your daddy and me, and I love you so much.

Love,

Mama

We had Tessa's 5th Birthday Party at our local Carousel.  Our theme was Barbie Twelve Dancing Princesses.  For a craft all the kids decorated foamy sunglasses and then posed for a picture.  We had dinner, and then the kids ran off to ride the carousel.  After that, we had cake and gifts and passed out goody bags.  Tessa had a blast playing with her friends from preschool and church!

Emma says, "Yum!  Stamp Pad!" 

(She was pretty mad at me for taking the stamp pad away.)