She Turned 6

We knew it would happen no matter how hard we resisted. Well on Saturday it finally happened. Our baby girl turned six. I know, crazy but true.

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We had such a lovely day showering this little girl of ours with lots of love and special birthday attention.

We started our morning by taking an early morning boat ride down the South Fork River which is near our current house.

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It was so peaceful and beautiful out there early in the morning.

And Daddy surprised the kids with a special birthday breakfast treat to get them wired for the day!

We putted around spotting birds and turtles and admiring some old boats while enjoying our doughnuts and coffee.

Our boat is a little too big to safely make it down the ramp which is right around the corner from us, so we've enjoyed having use of this smaller flats boat which makes for easy morning or evening boat rides. The realtor who's selling our house (who also happens to be a friend) is having Josh store and maintain his boat for him and in return we are free to use it as we please. Works for us! Josh has even taken all three kids out by himself. That's no small accomplishment but in a boat this size, he can handle it.

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After returning back home from our little cruise, I had plenty to do to get ready for the rest of the day. Like wrapping her gifts that I waited until the last minute to compile.

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On a whim, I did this little applique project at around 10 pm birthday eve night. It's just like me to procrastinate then cram it all in at the end.

Kind of like how I waited to make her birthday banner two nights prior...

and then the day before the party I tried making something new that I have never done before...

Scrabble tile necklaces to give as party favors! I had so much fun making these and can't wait to make more someday! I found the directions to make them here and they were surprisingly easy and very, very fun!

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And Colton was feeling left out so I made him one to match his pooch.

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I even made myself several while I was at it. I love coordinating them with my outfit for the day. Something so little can really brighten up my day : )

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Gracie could hardly wait to get her hands on these gifts. She was pleased by the many outfits she received which is just what this six year old was hoping for.

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After whipping up some cupcakes and making some ballerina cupcake picks we headed out the door...

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and went here...

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Gracie's bowling party! It was everything she wanted!

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The bowling crew...

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Uncle B. shows Kaya how it's done as Fletcher watches his ball cruise down the lane. Fletch is quite the bowling pro these days. You just tell him it's his turn, he goes and gets his ball and chucks it down the lane. On his third turn he even bowled a strike (with the help of bumpers of course)!

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Forever a Daddy's girl...

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We had family from Jacksonville come to visit. My dad's sister Kathy and her two boys came for the weekend.

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Gracie's day was made when the Crowder girls arrived! Long time friends and former neighbors.

Three chickadees... Ava, Gracie and Kaya. Kaya looked so sweet in her owl outfit I made for her birthday last year.

Gracie and Aunt Katie boogying to the party tunes...

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I could even feel Maggie doing a little dance of her own...

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Gracie and her Uncle Austin

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A bowling party fit for a ballerina...

The one and only time Fletch stopped to sit down...

Finally... present time!!!

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Kaya and Fletch won't be the youngest two in the family for long!

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We were so happy that Pop Pop made it to the party. Since Grammy died last September (this was Maggie) he doesn't make it out too often. But he was there and ready to have fun and party!

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Gracie and her very own "Papa John"

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Gracie posing with her two Grandpas. Poppy on the left and Papa on the right. She's one spoiled girl by these two men!

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When the party was over the boys left with Aunt Joyce for the night and these five girls came home with us for a girls only slumber party! Gracie was in heaven! Barbies, dress up, girly movies and popcorn galore all wrapped up by going to a bakery in the morning where each girl got to pick out her own muffin to eat.

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Happy Birthday our sweet 6 year old! Mama and Daddy love you to pieces!!!