YES DAY!

Shiloh wanted to have a birthday party at our house this year.  However, with all the construction going on with our renovations, that was not possible.  In discussing alternatives to celebrate our special girl, we landed on having a YES day.  This started out with her breakfast of choice, bagel sandwich.

She was ready to dig in!

A YES day was inspired by the movie with the same name, and was something I said I would never do.  However, we decided that if we laid some ground rules out and made an agreed upon plan for the day, it could be doable and fun experience to celebrate.

We started out shopping with my girls, where Shiloh bought so many things for other people.

We keept to unexpensive stores, as she is learning the value of money, and was thrilled on how many things she could get.  We, also, had fun exploring a pet store (one of the rules was you could not make a choice that would keep affecting life after the day, like asking for a pet, so no pressure with this one).

Then it was on to her lunch of choice.

Publix subs...

where we happened to see her bestie walk by, who we were on the way to meet.

Shiloh's best friend's birthday celebration was the same day, and she had a party at the movie theater.  Going to a movie was on Shiloh's list, so it was perfect that she got to go with her friends and spend time with them as well.

They saw Avatar, which eneded up being over three hours.  Then it was on to ice cream cake...

and Shiloh was excited to give her presents she picked out.

I hadn't factored in that she would be eating ice cream cake at the party, but getting ice cream was next on the agenda.  Shiloh still wanted to do so, and yes day won that decision.

Thankful that some friends could continue the fun with us.

Ezra was able to join us, as well, and learned about the messiness of cones (which he actually ended up eating little of).  

Shiloh was so happy to have them there!

Then it was time to burn off all that sugar at the trampoline park.

I don't think I had ever taken the three of them there at the same time.  They all loved it.

The silk fabric was, by far, the girls favorite to do tricks on!

They were pretty worn out and sweaty by the end of the hour!

I had a gift card, so they played a couple of games.

Then we were off for home, finally, for dinner and a little movie.  Shiloh, also, was excited to show the boys all her candy treasures.  The reason she likes it so, is that she now has a commodity that she can freely give away to others that will be excited to receive it.  It was difficult for me to buy such things that went against my ethics, but I know she had a good heart in wanting to do so. 

Beach was out for the night before any of the kids even.....it had been a long "Yes" day.

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The celebration was not over, however.  On Shiloh's actually birthday, I took her to her lunch of choice, back to Publix for a sub.  She had a bag full of gum with her that she was excited to hand out to any employee or friendly face along the way.

We, then, headed next door and she had her first Crumble cookie, mint chocolate chip.

I say she is a fan!

That night we had dinner (note the construction was still very much going on with our windows and other areas of the house)...

She opened her presents....

All things cute!

She got her long awaited for skates....

and soda water maker.

It didn't take long before Shiloh was trying them out!

She enjoyed her gelato Sunday while donning her new roller skates.

Our sweet now 11-year-old, Shiloh Ann, you have the biggest heart I have ever met.  Your strong, brave, loving personality is always one that I have admired.  May you light ever shine!

February Love and Celebrations

A warmer February was welcomed, as the kick off to birthday season began in my family.  Both Lauren and Adalyn are just a day a part so we celebrate together.

There is always a cousin circle during the gift time.

Handmade cards of love.

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The kids have never gone to a school dance and Shiloh was all about it this year, so we went as a family.

At least the youngest of the two (Zoe would have loved to have joined us if allowed).

The blacklight decorations, with all the glow in the dark items were a lot of fun!

Ezra's favorite thing, and main reason to be there, the snacks.

Shiloh was often busy running around with her friends, but I was able to get a few photo opportunities.

My bud.

Shiloh got into the dancing, too!

While it was more snacks for Ezra!

Move photos with friends and cousin!

We stayed until the very end, till the lights came on, Ezra could do the worn without fear of being stepped on, and the dance floor was tore up!

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Valentine's day seems to be a big deal for the littles, and Shiloh started making individual pun cards for each of her classmates and friends weeks prior.  She was very thoughtful in coming up with things that would be individualized for each person and included candy.  I wished I had photoed some of them, as they were well done and very clever.  She, also, made an adorable box for her cards at school. 

Shiloh, also, enjoys decorating and getting presents for her siblings.

And some for her parents as well.

The morning brings such joy for them to see everything laid out.

They loved the best yogurt breakfast to date, thanks to Beach's help.

Shiloh was all ready for school.  As an aside, I brought home a balloon banner we had used at work, and she enjoyed all the extra fun energy around.

That night we enjoyed dinner out with Beach's parents.

My turn...

And a dessert platter at home.

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The celebration continued the next day at the library, where they had Valentine's bingo and decorated cookies.

I do let them know that they have a choice in what photo I use, but when this is all she gives me...

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Homeschool skate day and Zoe was happy to have one of her friends there.

The other littles had the day off from school, so they joined us, too. 

It was a first for Ezra and he worked on it until he became proficient.

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I started a new thing, a new very intense thing.  Working out in an infrared sauna!  It is amazing for detox, which is something I have been working on for some time,  especially with battling all the mold.

Thankful to get in some joy with all these moments, including Shiloh's Yes Day, as construction with the house has taken up much of our time!