Bean, Banana Bear and Boots!: October 2014

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Happy birthday, Jack!
When I was pregnant with you, I told everyone if you were born on Halloween I was going to name you Jack O'Maurer. Wouldn't that have been hilarious? Fortunately for you, you came 5 days before Halloween (which was great, so your sisters still got to go Trick or Treating and we were home for it!)
I'm so grateful for you, Jack. Every family should have a boy like you - snakes, snails and puppy dog tails. Superheroes and cars. Boy, boy, boy. With the odds 2 to 3 against you, I'd have expected you to prefer Princesses to Iron Man but you are your own little man. You are awesome. Selfishly (and unfairly to your sisters) I'm so glad I get more of you to myself. I treasure every little moment with you, every milestone - because it's the last "first" I will get to watch, and it's all totally different because you are a BOY! (The one "first" I missed was this past weekend, when your Daddy surprised me by potty training you while I was out of town - naturally your Daddy should do that - it didn't quite give the same effect when I tried to show you how to pee standing up!)
I love watching you grow, learn and discover. You are already such a good kid. You are funny (but "it's NOT FUNNY!" - you do not like attention, you get embarrassed rather easily), you are sweet (your little friend Sully kissed you goodbye today at preschool - the girls love you already), you adore your sisters and they adore you right back. I hope you three always stay close. I hope you always know you are so, so loved. Especially by Mommy and Daddy. I know I'm not supposed to have a favorite, but you're totally my favorite boy! You'll always be my favorite boy. Always my best little man.
I love you more than the stars in the sky, JackMan.
I've loved you for a thousand years and I will love you for a thousand more.
(pssst...that's our song...I sang it to you when you were a baby, I still sing it to you)
I love you, JackMan.
Love,
Mommy

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Happy Birthday, Sweet Lilly Bean!

Good morning, sweet girl! Happy 7th birthday!
You are so special sweet Lilly bean, I love you so much.
Every year I look forward to writing my little love letter to you each of you on your birthday, but this year yours feels so different - because you feel so grown up now. I love to tell you about the sweet things you do, the funny things you say - I love to tell you so I won't forget, and to remind you when you are all grown up that when you were little you were so very loved, so very treasured by so very many people. It used to be when I looked in your dark blue eyes I saw this baby, or this little girl and now I see that and I see little flickers of the woman I think you will become. You are so kind, you are so loving, so generous, meticulous, and thoughtful. And, you are very funny. That is important. It's hard to tell which parent you get your funny from - because Daddy is funny, but Mama is HILARIOUS. Ha!

Do you know you are the center of their world, Lilly? Do you know you are the center of ours? I hope you always know, I hope you always feel that way.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can say, more than all the stars in the sky, more than all the water in the sea - more than you love horses! I pray we raise you right, girl - and so far, so good. You are love, Lilly. You are kindness, and you are grace. We love you so, so much. I love you so, so much. Seven down! Many, many more to go! Happy birthday, Lilly Bean!
Love,
Mommy

My Most Epic 7th Birthday Part 3

I can't even! You see that behind us? Yes, yes it is! It's an AIRPLANE and Grampa and Grammy got us a ride in it over Greenville! AWESOME SAUCE!!!

Anna Jane says - "Hey Tower, y'all there? You've got this plane on the radar, right? RIGHT?!" It's a great day for flying. Roger that!

Guess who got to ride shotgun? YES! YES! YES! ME! ME! MEEEEE!!!!

Off we go!
We got to fly all over our beautiful city! The pilot (who was a lady, too!) showed us our HOUSE! Our school! All of our favorite places to go and play. Daddy said we did not stop smiling the entire time. What an amazing experience! What an awesome memory! Thank you so much, Grampa and Grammy! The whole weekend was great but the plane ride was the cherry on top!
Lots of love,
Lilly, Anna J, and Jack

My Most Epic 7th Birthday Part 2

Well a birthday just isn't a birthday without a party - with horses. Because I'm a 7 year old girl.

Friends!

Jack did not love riding the horse! Go figure. I guess because it's not dressed like Spiderman?

Our sweet Anna Jane loved it. Crazy pants and all.

Mama had to throw this picture in - because it's like the sweetest ever.

I got some great gifts - but the best gift of all -

Was having my friends there (boys not pictured - where were they?!)

Thank you, friends for making my party awesome!
Love,
Lilly, Anna Jane and Jack

My Most Epic 7th Birthday - Part 1

With a birthday as epic as my 7th (sorry, Jack - you're totally shafted this year) - well anyway, we are going to have to do this wondrous occasion in separate "Parts"! First up - American Girl store in Charlotte! Babi wasted NO time getting us there - it hasn't even been open a week! This past weekend was our Fall break so we got to go on Thursday. Perfect. There were no crowds, no lines - just us and the American Girl mmmmmexperience.

As you can see, Jack is thrilled. ("Mawmy! Where are the superheroes!?")

Atta girl, Anna Jane - roll up them sleeves. Put your negotiating face on. You're 'bout to get you some American Girl booty!

The first thing we did (after looking around in awe and wonder) was eat at the American Girl Bistro. Mommy and Jack had to find ways to stay busy because it was a long, long, long, super long, very long, long, and then long some more wait. Mercy. Napkin hat, anyone?

Selfie time, anyone?

Cheeeese! We got to celebrate with a little cake, our dollies got their own highchairs (can you see them?) and a little tea set. Very sweet!

After the bistro - it was GO TIME. For weeks I've been asking for the Kitty. And a bed. And her matching leash and collar. And an outfit for Caroline (oh, and did you happen to see she got her hair did, too?)

And do you see the look of triumph on Anna Jane's sweet face? That's a new doll right there (and a cat, and an outfit...) Thank you, thank you, thank you soooooo much, Babi! That's a memory we will treasure forever! A very special day with us girls (and our little Jacky, too) eating, shopping, laughing! The BEST!

I named my doll, Teti. And my kitty, Garp.

No, Babi didn't forget about me! I got me a new rocket (which I left in the powder room at Neiman Marcus. What can I say, I was distracted by the free candy?)
Thank you so much, Babi! You kicked off like the best, most epic birthday weekend ever. How will I ever turn 8?! What could possibly compare? Maybe Anna Jane's 6th birthday? (Certainly not Jack's 3rd - so sorry, little dude - we'll make it up to you next year - pinky promise!)
Lotsa love,
Lilly, Anna Jane, and Jack

Monday, October 20, 2014

Pumpkin Patch!

Before we kick off our 7th birthday series (starts tomorrow!) we ought to post some pumpkin patch pictures! We started the day off at the Soda Shop with Grampa and Grammy! We think the Soda Shop might be Grampa's local favorite. Good choice, Grampa! It IS fine dining!!

After breakfast Mama made us all put on our coordinating outfits. Enjoy it while it lasts, Mama which is probably not too much longer. Like my jumper? It was my Teti's! Like Anna Jane's dress? It was mine! Did Mama make it? Haaa haaa haaaa!!! Ha ha ha!!! You're funny!