brooke's party

Brooke is my party planner, so it was no surprise when she wanted to start planning her birthday party in early May.  We had seen something on social media about slip-and-slide kickball and she was SOLD!  We watched a few videos and started planning. I ordered a cute invitation on Etsy, but as the party neared, Kevin worried that the slip-and-slide concept was going to be too dangerous.  We'd seen some pretty epic videos of people slipping, so we opted for kiddie pools as the bases and one final slip-and-slide at the end.  Brooke was disappointed at first, but it turned out really fun.

The morning of the party, Kevin decided to mow "part" of the field across from our house. The landscapers didn't come as usual on Friday, so the grass was pretty long.  The field doesn't look that big so Kevin didn't think much of it, but when you're mowing with a small push mower, it's actually quite the undertaking.  I was just laughing as he walked to the park in white tube socks, his swim trunks, and a huge straw hat. That's dedication for you!!

Claire was one of the first friends to arrive...

Lily arrived shortly after...

The Peacocks were out of town, as well as the Hawkins, but we still had a fun group of friends to celebrate our Brookie girl.

Brooke wanted to do girls vs. boys, so a few of the adults had to join the team with Colby, Harvey, Frost, and Brooks. 

The cutest boy team...

The whole gang...

After our kickball game, we headed over to our driveway for pizza, fruit, and cupcakes. The boys eventually made their way to the garage for a little basketball. 

The kids somehow convinced me to do a water balloon fight in the street, which was funny to watch.  I love that we live across the street from the park and that we have such a great place for the kids to play. 

Brooke told us multiple times how much she loved her party, which made me happy.  It's hard to believe that we've had TEN years with this sweet girl. 

She requested Target cupcakes and she especially loved the Oreo topping.  After cupcakes, it was time for presents.  Brooke was spoiled, as usual. Her favorite present might've been from Brooks: a bag full of her favorite candy and a $20 bill. She made a joke about how it was "diabetes in a bag" and she wasn't wrong, haha. 

She also really loved the Lego set from the Richeys.  I think she even built it that night!

As we waited for a few parents to arrive, the kids pulled out all the squirt guns and buckets and had a little war.

I snapped a few more pictures before friends left so I could capture their 10 year old cuteness.  Brooks and Brooke have known each other since they were 6 weeks old, so it's been fun to watch them grow up together.  

Lily and Brooke

Aniyah, Brooke, and Kayla...

I'm pretty sure Brooke had three cupcakes, but since it was her birthday, I allowed it :)

Happy Birthday, Buggy!  We are so grateful to have another year with you and look forward to what the next year holds in store for you.  Keep shining your light for everyone around you and stay true to who you are as a daughter of God!

double digits

We started Brooke's birthday with breakfast in bed! Colby wrote her a sweet note about how he would be miserable without her, then he had the idea of bringing her a crown and royal scepter (a pink wand he made her two years ago for Christmas) on a pillow.  Birthdays are the best!!  

We also called Nay Nay and Papa first thing in the morning so they could wish Brookie a happy birthday.  They gave her permission to open the gift they sent, and she was thrilled with the American Girl doll bed. 

I can't believe that we have a TEN year old!  Each year, I look back at old pictures and swoon over their younger cuteness and am always in denial about how fast the years are passing.

Our plan for the day was to go bowling, browse Barnes and Noble, take Brooke to get her ears pierced (her main birthday request), then have dinner as a family. On the way to the bowling alley, we stopped at Target to order her party cupcakes and we left with a cookie sandwich for my girl. 

She wore her birthday crown and chose "Birthday Girl" as her screen name...

At Barnes and Noble, Brooke spent every last dollar she had and was VERY excited about her selections. 

But she was MOST excited about going to get her ears pierced once Kevin was off work. She's wanted to do this for a few years now, but the nerves had kept her from doing it.  Something about turning 10 made her feel extra brave, I guess :) I did lots of research and decided that Rowan was the best location, so we headed up to Southlake. 

I had to get a few pics before the big milestone...

I could tell that she was nervous as she picked out the earrings, but I was really hoping that it would be a good experience for her. 

The nurse marked her ears and allowed Kevin and I to inspect the pen markings to make sure we agreed with the placement. Talk about a lot of pressure!  That was one of the main things I was worried about because I didn't want them to be uneven or too close to her head.

We both went back and forth about the placement, and eventually had the nurse move the marks a little bit.

Then it was time for the piercings!

She was so brave and was GLOWING when it was all done. 

My darling girl is gorgeous!!  (She also started Invisalign earlier in the week, so she's looking extra grown up to me.)

I'm sure I'll say this every year, but I just can't believe that she's already 10 years old. We are so proud of the incredible young woman she is.

And since my girl loves Tropical Smoothie Cafe, we headed there for dinner and smoothies. 

As we drove home, her cousins called to wish her a happy birthday.  She had my phone in the back seat, so I found these selfies later than night.  She was clearly excited!!

She had a few more presents to open as soon as we made it home..

It was a great day to celebrate the birth of the girl that made me a mama!  She is literal sunshine and I am so grateful that she's mine (and Kevin's).