Race Cars and Panda Bears!

This year we celebrated with race cars and panda bears! 

I love that they still get excited to see what their birthday decorations will be. We have simplified over the years, and yet they are still so excited about what they find! Another tradition we have is that they get a birthday outfit to fit their theme.

Mr. James and Mrs. Siu dropped off the balloons the night before, which was such a sweet and thoughtful gift that they LOVED!

After breakfast, we let them open their presents. They had gifts from us, but also from Granny and Grumpz, Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Ben {and cousins}, and this was the first year that they got gifts for each other. It was their idea, and it was so cute to watch them pick out gifts for each other. Eli and Maddie got to shop for each other at Five Below {it was pretty funny watching them try to hide from each other}, and then Aiden was wanting to make sure he had a gift to give them, so he got to shop for his brother and sister at Target. The kid has expensive taste, so I had to help him out a bit haha.

The rest of the day was filled with playing with all their fun new toys! Eli had lots to build, and Maddie had more panda things than she knew what to do with haha. And they {mostly} tolerated my photos ;)

This year, I let them go to the store and pick out what they wanted for their birthday dessert. Maddie picked out pink funfetti cupcakes, and Eli picked out s'mores brownies. So if you need any sugar...please, come take it from our house haha.

It was a fun day celebrating our favorite 7 year olds!

Eli + Maddie :: 7 Years

Happy Birthday, My Loves!

Seven years. 7! You have both just grown so much this year. Starting school was a big milestone for you both, but for some reason, this year, 1st grade, has brought a big change in the transition from little kid to big kid. Your level of conversation and thought has elevated, your personalities have matured, and I am just in awe of who you are as people. I have always been amazed at you both; but I guess as your Mama, I am starting to value our conversations more, as I get to hear more of your thoughts and your heart and ideas. I get a front row seat to all that is going on inside your brains and hearts, and I am constantly taken aback and how thoughtful and smart and kind you both are.

Eli, buddy, you are so sharp and thoughtful. You ask such good questions, and you remember so many details. I am starting to see how you are piecing together your faith, but you are not going to take things at face value. You are going to make sure you understand what you believe, and buddy, I want to help you in your faith journey any way I can. I am praying that the Lord opens your heart to His truth, and that you are able to connect with your Heavenly Father in real and tangible ways.

Maddie girl, you are still my beautiful soul. You feel with your whole heart, and I have so much to learn from you. You are all in for life, and you hold nothing back. You let joy rule your day, and I am doing my best to learn how to let you live it out loud. Sweet girl, I pray that you turn that joy to the One who created it in you, and that you use it for His glory and the outpouring of love and joy for others.

We love you both so much, and we are so excited for all that seven has to hold! :)

Love, 

Mama

ELIJAH WINN

MADELINE GRACE

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Happy 7th Birthday, My Loves!

Fun with Grandma and Papa

While my mom and I were at the women's retreat, Mike and my dad held down the fort with the kiddos, and I honestly think the kids hardly noticed we were gone. And I think Papa was having the time of his life! 

They got to explore Manassas Battlefield, which was a good way to learn some history and get some exercise in the beautiful weather. I wasn't there, but I can just imagine all of the "Papa! Look at this!" :)

They also got to play at Owen Park, play LEGOs, play basketball and football, and just have ALL the fun with Papa :)

When we got back from the retreat, we had a couple of extra days with my parents. Most of it was spent playing at home. But we did get to venture out for a little pre-birthday celebration for Eli and Maddie. My parents took them shopping to pick their birthday present! That was an adventure in itself haha. Eli knew exactly what he wanted and picked out his gift right away. Maddie was overwhelmed by all the choices and needed a little help narrowing down her options. But she eventually got there and is more than happy with her choice.

And of course, they got to be part of the fun of dressing up for Halloween. It was a whirlwind and packed-full trip, but it was so fun. We miss them already and can't wait until their next trip! :)

Trick or Treat :: To Each Their Own

We had 5 wonderful years of matching family costumes {we skipped 2020 because of COVID and because we were driving across the country to move to Virginia!}...but alas. This was the year that my children decided that they were done with family costumes. I tried and tried, bribed, begged, pleaded...but we just couldn't land on a theme that everyone could agree on and be happy with. And so... I did the mature thing and let it go. I said goodbye to the matching costumes and let my children choose their own random costumes. Haha. 

But I will look back on our matching family costumes with loving memory:

Pooh's Corner

Lion's and Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

Our Circus

Cars!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

So what did they choose? This year, we ended up with a Roman soldier, Belle, and a T-Rex!

We missed out on walking the neighborhood because of sickness, but my kiddos had great attitudes about it! We did a little mini trick-or-treating at home with Grandma and Papa {as well as with our sweet next door neighbors who dropped treats in their buckets so they could still participate}. And we rounded out the night with It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We still got to hand out candy, and I honestly think the kids had WAY more fun watching for the trick or treaters and waving hi to everyone at the door haha!