Birthday Fun Begins!

Olivia officially turned the big "5" on Monday, but our birthday celebrations are a little spaced out--mostly because her actual party isn't until next weekend. This past weekend Cookie and Pop Pop (Michael's parents) came into town to celebrate Olivia's birthday and deliver/install my Christmas present (which will soon be its very own post!). We just grilled out and opened presents...but the birthday girl deemed it necessary to celebrate in complete princess attire!

This girl loves presents! And yes, her presents are color-coordinated. And no, I did not do that! I have actually been lucky enough to marry into a family where the Mama Bear is as crazy as I am when it comes to certain things!

Ana Blair decided to help

Happy Birthday, Round 1!

Last Day of Preschool

Tuesday was Olivia's last day of preschool. Ever. Sniff, sniff...

I can't believe she's such a big girl...I was a complete lunatic. Seriously.

With some of her best buds

Olivia with Ms. Jenn (she was our teacher for part of the year last year too...we love her!)

Olivia with Ms. Nancy...what a great teacher! We have been so blessed by great teachers...let's just keep praying that this good luck follows into kindergarten.

...And this is why I am a crazy person right now. This is Olivia on her very first day of preschool.

My baby

Goodbye preschool...

The Graduate

Please forgive me if my blogs get a little sappy over the next few months. My baby is getting too big. This mama is getting a little emotional! Last Monday night was her preschool graduation...and I cried as much as I probably will when she graduates from high school one day!

Olivia and her preschool friend Vanessa

Onstage singing...she has changed so much the last two years! The first preschool program she was in, she was quiet and shy. She was loud and animated this time, we were so proud!

Getting her diploma...my sweet girl's future has her as a mommy and a nurse in the hospital!

They threw their graduation caps at the end...so stinking cute!

Olivia and Molly

Olivia and Kaitlyn

What a great experience we have had at Farragut Church of Christ Preschool. I literally could not ask for more! My child has learned SO much and more importantly, has become a confident, kind, self-assured girl that I know will do great in Kindergarten!

Knoxville's Next Top Models

A couple of Saturdays ago, Olivia and Ana Blair were asked to model at Gettysvue Country Club for Strasburg. Olivia thought it was great. And Ana Blair actually did pretty well too! Three outfit changes, a modeling mommy in heels (Olivia insisted when they asked me) and hungry babies parading in front of people having a tea--there were cookies--resulted in an exhausting afternoon! Did I mention it was from 12-2 (know anyone who might nap during those hours??). But we made it, and I was proud of both of them!

Ana Blair was not going to participate in a group shot! And Bossy Britches was about to take off and drag her back!

Olivia Gets Her Ears Pierced!

I couldn't come up with a creative title for this...Olivia has been throwing around the idea of getting her ears pierced for about a year now. But, she was never 100% ready for it to hurt. So, we waited. And her daddy scared her with tales of pain and blood. And one day, she woke up and decided she was tough enough.

She climbed herself up in the chair and talked to the girl a mile a minute asking questions...

She was a little freaked out when she realized they wouldn't be able to do both ears at the same time.

She did not even flinch!! Michael and I could not believe it. She just sat there and said it didn't hurt at all!

We were so proud of our big girl!

Me and my big girl. Every time she takes a picture now with someone who has piereced ears (i.e. me, her dance teachers, Nana) she yells "earring girls!"

Donuts with Dad

Thursday morning was Donuts with Dads at Olivia's school...so cute!

Of course I couldn't convince Dad to take the camera to school, and of course you know who had to get in on the picture action!

Olivia's First Sleepover

Last Friday night Olivia went to her first sleepover at a friend's house. She has spent many nights away from us with family, but this was her first time with a friend. I was a little nervous...I felt pretty confident that she would do fine. BUT...if she didn't...she was about an hour and a half away from home in Chattanooga!

Here she is ready to go...

I am so glad that Olivia's first sleepover was with Lexy. Her mom, Wendy and I have been friends forever and had many sleepovers of our own back in the day!

There they go...kind of a bittersweet moment for me!

But she made it back to me! And they had a blast!