Harper's 6th Birthday

My baby girl turned 6 on July 5th.  6 years old---I still can't wrap my mind around it.  Our plans for her birthday went down the drain when Hayes, Holton, and Harper came down with a pretty mean virus.  It didn't last more than about 2 days, but they ran some pretty high fevers and felt puny.  We were supposed to go to Tyler for the 4th of July and to celebrate the kids' birthdays, but I am SO over the top about illness and being around other people.  I am so sensitive to any germ we have going on in our house and the last thing I ever want to do is cause others to get sick.  AND not to mention, in my opinion, nothing is more miserable than being out of town and dealing with illness.  You just want to be home and get everyone well there.  SO here I was days from Harper's birthday and I needed to figure something out fast.  We don't do big birthday parties (as in inviting friends) every year around here.  We definitely celebrate BIG every year. 

One evening right before her birthday we surprised Harper with a trip to Build a Bear (I know---another animal in our house is ALL we need)...but that is what she wanted.  The BIG surprise came when we stopped on our way to pick up her bestie Bethany.  The girls hadn't seen each other all summer because our summer plans have been complete opposites.  They were thrilled to see each other.  We took the girlies out for a fun night of build a bear and Maggianos for my little Italian lover.

And just for a little 'throw back' sweetness of these 2.  They've been friends since they were in diapers.  I love these 2 and treasure the sweet friendship they have.

They shopped till they dropped.

It was so fun seeing them so excited and just chatting each other's ears right on off.

Maggianos

It's hard to see, but the girls insisted on a highchair for their new puppies.

Cookie time for the birthday girl.

A true friend shares her birthday candles.  

It was such a great night celebrating our girl and it being all about Harper.  We had our babysitter come watch the boys so we could give Harper the spotlight of the evening.  It was so memorable and so sweet.

Harper's birthday morning she woke up to balloons and doughnuts (just like she asked).  It was kind of hard for me sticking 6 candles a long .  It was kind of hard sticking 6 candles in that big doughnut of hers.  My favorite part of the morning was Holton singing to Harper.  It was "Harper birthday to you!  Harper birthday to you!....)  Why should we ever sing Happy Birthday another way???  A few days later it was "Hudson birthday to you!..."  Dar-LING that boy. 

We all got ready and left for The Wildlife Ranch.  My kids love the Wildlife Ranch and it's only about 30 minutes from our house.  It's always a good time and we always get some really good laughs out of it.  :)

We put Hayes in Holton's car seat so he could watch and see what was going on.  He enjoyed himself.

The picture above gave me a little flashback to this sweet boy last year at the Wildlife Ranch.

My kids are pretty fearless with the animals---until we reach the zebras and ostriches--BEWARE!

We learned from last year to keep that window cracked.  Those guys are scary!

Harper is so gentle and loving in the petting zoo.  I promise someday she will live on a farm.

Checking out the new baby giraffe.

Mr. Happy

My goodness I love this little stinker.

So all things considered, Harper's birthday turned out to be pretty great after all.  We had a ball celebrating our girl and the rest of her birthday was spent doing things she loved. 

I can't thank God enough for this girl of mine.  She is a pure light and joy and the heart in the middle of all these boys.  She brings so much laughter and FUN in our lives.  She is one of a kind, that girl.  I am so proud of the sweet girl she is.  I cannot wait to see what this year will hold for her as she begins school.  My mama heart is broken in two with the thought of sending her off to Kindergarten because she is my sidekick, my other set of hands, my little bff.... but in that same breath, I know she is so ready and will do so great.  We pray every night for Hudson and Harper's teachers.  It always is a blessing to see the face of the precious teacher you have prayed so hard for.  For now tho, we are soaking up every bit of these last few weeks of summer.

 The following day after Harp's bday, my big 3 went to Norman for several days to spend it with their grandparents and 2nd cousins.  They had a blast!  It was during that time away that Matt and I really finished things up around the house and finally felt settled.  One on one time is such a gift.