Every Girl Loves a Tea Party

Thuu baby turning 8. Man, where does time go??? Well Hanna was going to have a Crazy Hair party like Ash, then she changed her mind to a Cupcake Wars party, and then after her birthday surprise to a tearoom, she decided she wanted to have a tea party. There was only one condition - we had to find all the "tea accessories" . . . i.e. tea pot and hats at a thrift store. We found a tea pot for 1.50 and found several hats and then bought flowers. Gigi helped me and really did the hats up nice. She's so talented and did a far better job than I ever could have.

I did "tea party" voice, and I don't think any of the girls liked it. They all kept looking at me like I was really weird.
Thankfully Gigi had given me this for Christmas about 8 years ago. I seriously just pulled it out of the box with all its wrappings still on it. See those things at the top. I couldn't pronounce the name of them, so I just called them "scrumpdiliicious". My little niece, Natalie, kept saying, "Aunt Michele, I want some more of that scrump."
Birthday girl!

Sweet Lane.
Natalie -isn't she adorable?
Sweet Skyler
Lovely Noelle
Love Kara Jane.
Even Daddy participated in the fun.
Time for the cake. See Hanna's picture on the cake? That was from our tea room surprise.


Gigi and Granddaddy
Here's Papa getting some more coffee -coffee it runs through our veins.


Time for presents.
Now on her actual birthday we had her birthday dinner, which I can't remember what she chose. Anyhoo, every year the kids get to chose what we eat that night for dinner. Here's some of her presents from our family . . . nail polish, of course.

A hermit crap. Kara Jane has one, and Hanna has been coveting that thing.

We all just sat around the table looking at it waiting for it to come out. Hanna's our animal lover. . . doesn't matter what kind of animal, she loves them all.

Hanna's Special BIRTHday Surprise

For Hanna's birthday surprise I told her to get all fancy because we were going somewhere mighty special - to a tea room. Hanna was oh.so.dignified . . . and prissy. Dignified she must get from her Gigi. Prissy comes straight from her mama.

This place was delightful, and I can't wait to take my Grandmother there and my mom and sisters and niece.
On top of good food and great atmosphere they had a ton of hats to try on.
Unfortunately, though, they were out of hot tea. I told the sweet lady, "Can we just have some sweet tea in a tea pot. . . just for the experience?" She obliged.
After lunch, Hanna and I had a BALL trying on different hats. At first Hanna was reluctant, but I got her out of her comfort zone.


I love this picture of my girl. . . Looks like she should be in "Steel Magnolias".
But, this face, right here, is her real personality.

So amazingly cute.


Hanna - you add so much laughter to our family. .. our little cuddle bug. You definitely complete our family, and Daddy and I love you so.very.much.

Keeping us in stitches

Hanna is a riot around here. Just wanted to jot down some funny things she's said lately.

"Mom, I wish the Tower of Babel never happened so that I could understand what those ladies at Judy's Nails were saying."

Ash was saying the blessing. In the middle of the blessing Ash paused and coughed. She then resumed her prayer and concluded with, "Amen." Hanna looked at her and in the bossiest voice said, "Ashley, p-r-a-y without ceasing."

That Hanna

That girl is a hoot and a half. Here's some of the funny things that's coming out of that witty girl's mouth. . . so much like her Daddy!

Jon gives his mom a hard time about financially supporting Benny Hinn. So, of course, the kids hear this and asks us questions. At the dinner table one night Hanna said, "Somebody needs to talk to Gigi about giving money to Benny Hinn. I bet he reads "The Message" Bible." (we've stressed to our kids what a loosey-goosey translation "The Message" is).

One day Hanna and Ash were fussing and fighting. I told them both to stop that one day they would be the best of friends. . . just like Aunt Melissa and I. . . Hanna said, "Oh no I won't be her friend. I'll move to Guyana before that happens." Of course, I busted out laughing and told her to be nice. She then said, "I'm so mad at her I'm not even going to be her friend on Facebook."

I was kissing Hanna goodbye the other day as she was going to her friend's house to play. She was already buckled up in the back of their van. I told her to come and kiss me b/c she only has one mama (which sooooo sounded like something my own Mama says). Hanna replied, "No I don't. I have 2 Mamas." ME: "Oh yeah, well who's your other Mama." Hanna: "Aunt Melissa."

Day with Hanna

So Hanna Boo and I got a day to ourselves. I wanted her to tell about it in her own words. Actuallly, I was secretly hoping she would say what a great mom she has, how much she loves me, and how special this day with her was. . . nope. . . my girl is a girl of few words (UNLIKE her mom). This is her story (unedited as you will be able to tell by her long, run-on sentence and lack of punctuation) of our day together. Pictures to follow. . . .

first we went to get our nails done. then we went walmart and got popcorn,candy and got open season 3 and secretariat and then we went dr.kails

Remember the Story

This past Sunday the girls did their Christmas musical at church. I can't say enough times how thankful for I am for our church and for the precious friends the Lord has given us to share life with.

When we got home from our "Cookie Cooking" I took the girls over to Gigi and Grandaddys. Gigi made the girls their Christmas dresses this year. She wanted to have a "beauty shop" night.

Meanwhile, Ash's friend, Claire, was hanging out with me. The girls get home and Hanna is fit to be tied. The child is tired, and that girl is a girl who needs her sleep!

However, she is always happy when she is in her Daddy's arms!

It was so funny when I went into her room to kiss her goodnight. She was laying on her stomach and had her chin propped up on her pillow. She didn't want to mess up her curlers. I told her, "Baby, you know you can lay on your curlers. It won't mess your hair up." She said, "I know. I actually like sleeping like this!" Yeah right!

But, the next day my sweet little "Mary" was all smiles!

Sort of . . . . :)

Here is Ash and her sweet friends. I wanted a picture of her in front of the Christmas tree (next week hopefully). But, there was a musical to be performed and Mama was too late to get a picture!

Ash looked beautiful though.

She had several speaking parts and she did such a fabulous job. She spoke clearly and slowly and articulated her lines so well! I'm so proud of her! She's growing up way to fast on me!

Here is Mary getting visited from the angel Gabriel.

I just love this picture with Hanna's silhouette behind it.

Now Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are all together.

Next, the shepherds join them!

Then come the angels who are usually a hoot and a half!

Hanna also had a singing part! It just amazes me with her extreme shyness how she will sing into that microphone!

Then, the angels, shepherds, and Mary and Joseph joined the rest of the choir.

Absolutely precious! I'm telling you if a children's musical can't move your heart, I just don't know what can. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I see my children, or any children for that matter, singing about the Lord tears just well up in my eyes! It just moves me so! I'm so very thankful for Faith and Teresa who put so much time and dedication into making these things happen!