Olivia's Birthday Party

This weekend we traveled to Atlanta for Olivia’s 6^th birthday! The theme was Olivia the pig and the party was a slumber party. That’s right – a house for a 6-7 year olds staying the night. Oh boy! Heidi, my parents and I drove up on Friday afternoon and we arrived around 9PM or so that night. Saturday during the day my mom and I went shopping and Heidi had such a great time playing with her cousin Olivia. When we got back I laid down with Heidi for the last part of her nap {my dad was lying with her snoring} and then she woke up a little later ready for the party! The girls came over and the party began with lots of trampoline jumping! Heidi LOVED the trampoline and probably would have jumped all night if she would have been allowed. The temperatures were in the 100s during the day so we had to make sure she was drinking plenty of water and came in often for breaks. Being the fun aunt that I am I led the girls in a few trampoline games and I would have continued corralling the girls, but my brother wanted to make sure they were drinking plenty of water, so I lost my control. When you get a large group of independent girls together it is hard to get them all to agree to do one thing – so trying to lead the fun made it a little easier. It was a little confusing for one of the girls – she and Olivia share a birthday. The little girl already had her birthday on Thursday, but still wanted to share the “birthday role” with Olivia.

Heidi enjoying her pizza!

Trampoline fun!

 Birthday girl opening presents

 My cousins Julie & Jennifer

After trampoline time the girls ran around the house playing various other games. At one point they wanted to change Heidi’s diaper – which seemed a little weird, but I was able to stop that before it happened. The girls were so attentive to her and it was adorable! Heidi had such a great time playing with the girls and she was right there in the mix of things. I do not remember the order of events, but I do know my brother volunteered to make the pizza pick-up run – what a sacrifice ha! Pizza came and we all ate till we could eat no more. Next it was cake time!! Heidi was super excited about the birthday cake. She kept going on and on about birthday cake! I have a feeling Heidi is going to have a love for birthdays like her mama. I absolutely love birthdays {except this past one I recently celebrated} and I plan on making birthdays so special for all of our children. We usually have a little week long celebration :)

Cake time!

Pinata!

The candy fell and Heidi was taking note...

Heidi joined in the fun....

...and came away with what she wanted!

Enjoying her loot :)

The cake was an Olivia the Pig cake and we have yummy ice cream too! Heidi liked the ice cream the best! Next the girls decorated little tote bags. Of course Heidi decorated one as well! She did a great job! Some of the girls did not understand the concept of how to use the paint and therefore only one girl was able to use a dark blue, but it all worked out in the end. The girls played with a piñata and pulled the strings. Olivia went first and she already had it planned for Heidi to go second. Olivia is such a thoughtful big cousin and look after Heidi. The piñata had strings hanging down and you had to pull the strings one by one to see which one would let the candy out. Once the candy fell out the girls dove down! Tina grabbed a handful for Heidi while Heidi went searching for her own candy treasure. Heidi chose a cherry tootsie roll pop. She loved it! Next we had presents! Olivia was given so many nice things! She was super pumped about the movie Tangled which the Henninger family gave to her :)

After presents a couple of the girls had to go home and we had a dance party. I taught the girls the Cupid Shuffle and then we did the Macarena. I rarely listen to lyrics of songs, so I pray there was not any suggestive language in the Cupid Shuffle. The girls were such fast learners! I was very impressed. They already knew the Macarena, so that lasted a short minute and then we played music for them to dance around. One little girl really knew how to shake those little hips. Mostly during the party I sat and chatted with my cousins Julie and Jennifer {they live down the street from Tres and Aislin and Olivia are close so she was spending the night as well}. It was short, but nice to catch up a bit.

Finally in an attempt to have a calm moment and start settling down for bed the girls got their sleeping bags together and watched the movie Tangled. Heidi LOVED walking around the beds and playing with the girls. She crawled in the sleeping bag with Aislin a couple of times. At one point Heidi started saying “shake your booty” a phrase her dad taught her while I was in San Francisco. Tangled was such a good movie! I love it :) Heidi and I went up to our bed once the movie was over and she quickly fell asleep.

Sunday morning I heard the little voices of the girls and I could not believe I was hearing them at 5AM, I mean we went to bed at midnight! I looked at my clock and it was 8AM – what??? Heidi was still sleeping and I went downstairs to find pink pancakes :) I knew Heidi would be up soon so I waited for her to wake up for us to eat our delicious meal. Next the girls started to leave and we got ourselves ready for church. Heidi said she wanted to go to the nursery – we tried and she changed her mind, so she went to big church with us. She did great. We had to leave one time, but then we found some little etch-a-sketch toy to play with and she loved it.

After church we went to lunch at Canyon’s in downtown Woodstock – so yummy! I had a turkey burger and it was delicious! On the way back to Tres’ house after lunch Heidi’s poor little eyes kept drooping and we packed the car up and left. We had intended upon stopping by Julie’s house to visit, but I knew Heidi would not last too much longer, plus I wanted to take advantage of her napping on the way home. I-16 is really not a great interstate to be driving on when you want to sleep, but Heidi did sleep most of the way, which was nice. We got home and unpacked and went to bed.

Donuts for Daddy!

Its the day before Heidi and I leave to go to Atlanta for Olivia's birthday - so we had a few errands to run. The first stop was Dunkin' Donuts to because we needed a snack. We grabbed some munchkins to eat a couple and then take the rest to daddy to share at work.

Heidi and I called Olivia to wish her happy birthday, but she was already at a sleepover for another friend's birthday. So, we made her a little video :)

Meeting

Tonight after work Heidi went with me to a meeting for the Sunshine Girls. This is a group of ladies who “minister” in the strip clubs. It is not what you would normally think of when you hear that a church is on a mission trip. For one it is a local mission. I think most people have this idea that you have to go to a mission trip outside of your local area. Think of all the areas in your city that needed the love of Jesus shown to them. Think of your work environment, the downtown areas – the places you can do “mission work” are endless and they do not require you to go 100s of miles away from your house. Anyway, this group is a group of ladies that go into our local strip clubs. We do not bring Bibles; we do not force them into listening to our Bible stories. The Sunshine Girls go to love on these women. They bring in home cooked meals and are there just to talk. To show love just as Jesus did to the people he ministered to.

Right now the ladies are in just a few clubs, but we are hoping that we will be expanding to others. It is so fulfilling just to love on people that so desperately need to see how good our God is and how great His love is for us. In the past I have cooked for the ladies to take food, but now that dance classes are over for me I am hoping to go into the clubs with the women. It’s something I am going to have to pray hard about because of how my heart grieves for those who do not know the Lord. Unfortunately I cannot separate myself from the grief of others sometimes and it can take a toll on me emotionally.

Before the meeting Heidi and I had dinner at McDonald’s – there was a little boy there that kept walking by our table and he and Heidi would chat each time he passed us. When go arrived at the meeting place we went to see the ducks that were at the pond and Heidi got to feed them some bread. She loved it! Heidi also liked to play with the dogs at the house we were at. This little girl has such a love and heart for animals! She was not even scared of them at all when they ran up to her!

Its Tuesday

It sure felt like a Monday. John went to have his licensed renewed so I was a little late getting to work. It was a fun daddy/daughter day for John and Heidi. I am amazed at how she is evolving into a little girl. No longer does Heidi scream and yell and stomp her feet when I have to leave. Okay, she still does that, but not today. Heidi has absolutely loved playing with her new dollhouse. Every morning she wakes up and says, "Play dollhouse Heidi's room". So sweet :) Its fun to watch how her imagination is working.
Heidi has loved playing with her new baby doll that can go in the bathtub. We have to make sure to wash her hair and her body. The little baby even has her own towel that we must use. Good job Keith :) John made a delicious dinner tonight. The topping had a cheese and Heidi kept running to John asking for more cheese and she looked like a little baby bird.

I am desperate for a pedicure. I think I will have to schedule one soon before our big trip. John and I are going to Las Vegas this summer followed by a fun time at Myrtle Beach! So excited for this much needed vacation. I just lined up a photographer to take our Henninger side of the family pictures while we are all together at the beach. I am super pumped. The only thing I ever request on vacations are for family pictures. I don't care if you don't want to hang out with me the entire week, but by golly we will take a family picture. I think out of all my "material possessions" that pictures are my one favorite. Usually when I go on vacation I will take 100s, but I will also take pictures to remind me of my day or to journal my trip. The easiest way for me to blog is to go through my camera. I take pictures of signs or restaurants and other things that will trigger a memory. I have some random shots from my girls trip to San Francisco - that I still need to blog about - but they make for funny outtakes.

Heidi has been reading a ton. She loves books and to read. I am always so amazed at her memory and the phrases she had memorized from books, book titles, characters, all sorts of things.

I really do not like when my fall/spring shows end, but I do love when my summer shows start {and then hate then they end, its a vicious cycle} and Pretty Little Liars has not disappointed! Such a good show! I wonder if I should attempt to read any of the books. I have heard the television series is not the same, but then again when do I have time to read. I really need to set aside time to read, even if just for 20 minutes a day. I also need to set more time for my devotions...its not something I have been very diligent in....one day it will all fall in line, right? If I wake up at 5AM I should be able to fit it all in, but I do not for see that happening soon. Speaking of things to do - its bedtime, night night y'all!

Recap

The weekend is over? What? It literally flew past in a hurry! I am on the downward slope of the strep antibiotics and so ready for them to be over. My stomach can not handle much more.
Heidi and I hung out around the house because I really did not feel good so I thought it best to have a low key weekend. Saturday we went grocery shopping and to church and that was the extent of leaving the house. Saturday night Keith came to visit and Heidi {after warming up to him} enjoyed playing with him and the new baby doll he brought her.

Sunday Heidi and I did a few arts and crafts for her birthday thank you cards and she really enjoyed the glitter {thanks Dane and Dillon!}. Heidi really does not like to get the glitter or paint in her. Each time she got a little on her fingers I would have to wipe it off :) John put Heidi to bed Sunday night so that I could get some sleep in our bed. A few times the past couple of weeks when she has been sleeping in her bed she would wake up and ask for me, but I would already be asleep so John would put her back to sleep. On occasion she has gotten a little feisty and stomped her little feet saying, "I want Mama!" when John tries to come and pick her up. SO sweet - my little Mama's girl.

I am watching The Bachelorette as I update my blog and is it just me or is Chris {the contestant} acting a little crazy? I seriously saw the crazy eye at one point. I really like Sean and Jef....I also want to know why they filmed Chris Harrison's little segment {when he was explaining what was about to happen in regards to the whole Emily/Arie/Cassie relationship} in the middle of the day making Chris have to squint so much in the camera. Aren't these professionals? I guess they do the same thing at the proposals because the people are always squinting then too. Supposedly this year it was filmed in the middle of the night. No squinting there!

Now John has turned the channel to the baseball NCAA game. The players just poured the ice cold drink the coach. It never amazes me how they always act so surprise that it happened. It always happens...

Sick, sick, sick

I really do not like being sick, but I guess does anyone? It all started Sunday night after I woke up from laying with Heidi during her nap. I ate a cupcake and then I started feeling horrible. No, it had nothing to do with my cupcake - don't even consider that option. The sickness turned into more of my throat hurting and aches on Monday and I really was not pleasant to be around at work. I was not unbearable either - just not really in the mood for human interaction. Monday night we had scheduled Heidi's 2 year/Family pictures to take at Jekyll Island {the same place we had taken Heidi's 1 year pictures}. I was feeling "okay" but not really myself. I knew I could muscle through a few smiles for family pictures. We were running late, as usual, and then we got a call from our photographer letting us know she had gotten a flat tire. We refused to leave her stranded and kept heading towards her car to change {ahem, for John to change} her tire. Once we got there we noticed a little pack of people surrounding her - not helping her with the tire, just chatting it up. When we parked next to her they dispersed. It was odd. Anyways, John got the tire changed and we all got back into our cars to follow her to get a new one. Only 100 feet later and another tire on her car went flat! How crazy is that? Crazier that she had gotten brand new tires put on her car only about a month ago from Savannah Tire. Never go there, seriously.
She jumped in our car as she called her insurance company to see about a tow truck while we headed to grab a bite to eat. After grabbing food we headed back to her car to meet the tow truck driver. We dropped her off {which I was not comfortable with} after taking several pictures of the tow guy and his truck. Come to find out our little photographer was armed. The process went well for her and she even booked a wedding!

While we were driving home I started feeling worse and I told John he would have to take on putting Heidi to bed for the night. Once we arrived home I climbed in bed and fell asleep. Heidi did lay with me for a little at first to nurse and then John came and got her, which she was not happy about, and put her in her bed. Then for some unknown reason the delivery guy {not sure which company} knocked on the door at 9:30PM. I was delirious, heard Hunter bark, and Heidi wake up. Luckily John took care of everything, but was confused as to why I had ordered a sleeping bag.

Tuesday morning I woke up barely able to swallow and made an appointment to go to an Urgent Care place. I have found that it is much easier and faster to get an appointment in a place like that rather than a regular doctor. The last time I was sick I called my regular doctor and they were like oh yeah, you can come in next Wednesday - ugh. So, made the appointment and Heidi and I went to the Urgent Care place to hopefully "help mama feel better" to quote Heidi. By the way, she is the cutest and likes to hold my cheeks in her hands while making a concerned sad face and says the whole feel better thing. Adorable, unfortunately adorable was not going to help.

We waited at the doctor and then guess what - I have strep throat. What? Not happening. After a shot {which after the nurse put a band aid on it and left Heidi insisted upon having a band aid on the same place I had one} and an antibiotic I was good to go home and rest. I took Heidi to my mom's house to stay the night and then headed home to sit and hang out in my sickness.

Its not any fun being sick. I was cold and sweaty and my throat was on fire. The only good that came out of it was being able to write about 10 blogs to catch up from a few events. I love when the blog is in order and documented. There are still a few more to write, but at least I am out of February! Maybe each time I write a current blog I will write a catch up blog....yeah right. I am also happy to find that I have found a suitable replacement for Picnik. Picmonkey.com seems to be working well. I just have to learn it like I did for Picnik. I really do not like change.

I am feeling much better, but now my body is being crazy. Probably from the antibiotics. So ready to be done with them. I do not like being sick. It ruins my plans and time schedule....enough complaining for one post, eh?

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great Father's Day this year! John was off so he was able to spend his day with his family {including out of town family}. We started the morning with cooking a huge breakfast {Rebekah and I} and trying to wrangle 3 little ones all while letting the guys sleep in. Honestly, we all know that any sleep you get after 8AM is sleeping in, right? After breakfast we went to the beach, the Crab Shack for lunch, and then back home. Our family left so Heidi and I laid down for a nap. John got to spend the rest of his day watching the US Open - the only thing he wanted to do after 4PM. At some point he fell asleep because when I came out of the room from laying down with Heidi he was asleep so I took control of the TV.

We already gave John his Father's Day present a couple of weeks ago - a new golf club - because he was playing in a tournament the weekend of the 9th. When John was packing up for his trip he mentioned {as he has a few times before} that he needed a toiletry bag. For some reason when we ordered the bags for his groomsmen years ago we did not order one for him. SOOO....I got on Amazon and found an inexpensive one that would do the trick! It came in Monday night {yeah, at 9PM and the delivery guy knocked on the door causing Hunter to bark, Heidi to wake up, and me to wake up delirious}. I wanted to have it monogrammed, but John said, "Why would you do that?". So I assume that means no. Oh well. I hope he enjoys it!!