Lily and Jack: Now Get Busy

Sorry for the late post, but Stuart was under the weather and six years later I still need instruction on how to load the pictures!

We have lots to report, most importantly that Lily turned 6 on Friday September 10! She started out the morning with a donut with candles and Mom, Dad and Jack sang happy birthday to her. She brought cookies shaped as cupcakes in to her school to celebrate her birthday - and no I did not make them, only store bought treats allowed (I'm off the hook for baking!).

At school, her name was announced on the loudspeaker for having a birthday and she got to go to the front office for a "weeble" - which is actually just a weird small fuzzy creature. She also got a birthday bookmark and pencil from her teacher. Lily arrived home and opened gifts from Emilie (American Girl doll clothes), Stephanie (cookbook/apron), Donna & Stephen (game/science kit), Mom & Dad (explorer kit) and Jack (pillow pet - bumblebee) - I had shown Jack the bumblebee beforehand but told him he had to keep it a secret and he took that very seriously but when we went to get Lily from the bus he got really excited and could not hold it in - "I got you a bumblebee!" - fortunately Lily was not expecting a pillow pet so she didn't really know what to expect. After present opening, we went to Chick-fil-A for a Lily requested dinner.

Saturday was Lily's party with her friends, she had specifically requested a pretend sleepover party so the 7 girls showed up in their pajamas with pillows and dolls/stuffed animals. The girls created artwork on pillowcases (which was actually kind of a mess but they had fun); they played muscial pillows; ate pizza and cupcakes; and played in the basement and had a dance party. Lily had a fabulous time and was thoroughly exhausted by tht end of the night. Special thanks to Hayley's mom, Michelle, who stayed and helped through the chaos.

On Sunday, both sets of grandparents and Aunt Kelly came over for some cupcakes and homemade apple pie (my first attempt) - Lily opened some fabulous presents including shrinky dinks and funny tatoos from Kelly, game & sweater from Grandpa Maurice & Grandma Phyllis, and American Girl doll clothes from Grandpa Tom & Grandma Gail. She also opened a Wizards of Waverly Place doll & CD from Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan, & Casey. Mom and Dad then headed to the Redskins game, and Aunt Kelly held down the fort.

Aunt Kelly ended up staying with us thru Tuesday afternoon so the kids enjoyed having her around. Overall Lily had a fabulous birthday weekend and wants to thank everyone for their generous gifts, including gift certificates from Great Uncle Simon and Great Aunt Ruby, and Great Uncle Jerry and Great Aunt Eve and cousins Derek and Graeme.

Earlier in the week, Lily started a new session of gymastics and we enjoyed a few visits from Aunt Tracy and Casey, including a trip to the orchard for apple picking.

Lily had her annual check-up yesterday and weighs 50 lbs and is 46 inches tall (approx 70% for both) - a clean bill of health - we assume at some point she will no longer want us reporting on her weight but for now we will share the deets.

Tonight was back to school night so Grandma Gail picked up Jack from school, took Lily to gymanstics, brought over dinner, and then stayed to babysit while we visited Lily's school - THANKS Grandma Gail! We got lots of materials from Lily's school and homework will begin in October - we love Lily's teacher and Lily still loves kindergarten!

We have to send out belated birthday wishes to cousin Stephanie who celebrated her birthday on Saturday!

Enjoy the pics!