Charli Suttyn Turns 2!

This pretty girl is 2! Geez.  What a blessing she is! 

We had her birthday bash at one of her favorite places in town....Discovery Playhouse.  She seriously loves that place and on most visits will spend HOURS completely engaged in all the fun activities, so it was an easy choice after realizing a party at our house this year was not feasible. Usually we would just have a birthday party there, however right now it's under construction (we pretty much have a total mess on our hands there) and the kids would just be playing in mud holes outside. :/

Charli's birthday sort of snuck up on me this year.  I think it's because I say to myself....I have until JUNE and then wham! the end of May is here and I've got NOTHING done, not even the invites. Story of my life as a procrastinator!   

The theme for her party was the Very Hungry Caterpillar for a couple of reasons....she eats through EVERYTHING in our house (it's a full-time job keeping her fed) and she LOVES books (she is flipping through one all the time or asking for someone to read to her constantly).  This little story just stuck out to me for some reason when thinking about Charli, so I went with it.

This was the food table going along with the VHC theme.  We had sour worms, marshmallow ice cream cones and cupcakes, runts, and LOTS of fresh fruit (grapes as the plums, oranges, watermelon, strawberries, pears, and fruit dip)!  

Here was her little birthday hat (made from scrapbook paper, a cutout of the caterpillar and the #2)

Here were most of the kids at the party.  We are missing just a few. Sweet friends!

I caught Ansley giving Charli sweet kisses after she blew out the candles

This was the cake I made for Charli (usually it sounds so easy and then I start on it and think EVERY TIME....what is wrong with me?!  I am NOT a cake decorator!!!). This time was no different, however I started on the cake before I even did the invitations (the caterpillar took 2 weeks to harden and stay put-even then it was a little sketchy), so I knew I could order a Walmart cake if I needed to.  I hand painted the fondant food pieces after cutting them out with a pizza cutter.  It all looked pretty cute until I was delivering it to the party and it rammed into the back of my seat on the way.  One entire side was smashed, but thankfully you can't tell too bad after I rearranged some food pieces.

The strawberry I cut out of foam sheets, stuck a #2 I had made for Ansley's second birthday party, and of course, the Caterpillar. Thankfully, I had help setting all of this up because I technically only had 30 minutes to do it.  Yikes.

Aunt "Wente" made the fabulous cookies.  She has some major skills CLEARLY!  I didn't really want anyone to eat them they were so cute!  :/

The VHC book and a toy we brought from home

Some of the yummy fruit

I found these printables for free on a couple different sites, one of which was Polkadots and Puppies! I was so thankful to stumble upon them when planning for all this.  I didn't buy one printable this time.  Score! 

My sister in law, Laura and niece, Juliet.

 
 A caterpillar hanging in the window made out of some paper fans

I scored BIG at Target for the party!  I found VHC bags, crayons, and sketch pads.  I almost fell over in the Target dollar spot....seriously, it couldn't have been more perfect for the treat bags!
 
Opening presents

 
Charli was more interested in strapping in her new Anna doll than opening any more presents.  No fear....big sis will step up! :)

 

Having a picnic with Mimi

Fun times with the special birthday girl!

Ansley's Pre-K Graduation!

My goodness, I can't even believe how big our girl is getting!  Pre-K graduation from Footprints came too soon for us and we're swallowing the tears back as we remember those first moments we had with our sweet angel in that hospital room the day she was given to us.  My how fast the time goes.  She is so smart, so fun, and always keeps us laughing!  It just wouldn't be the same without her.     

She waltzed in with her buddy, Kendall as she squeezed her little lips (something her Daddy always does) and didn't let go of them the entire walk down the aisle. 

  

She was so excited for her graduation and thrilled to sit by Aunt Whitty!

They did a few songs, "Oh, We're Off to Kindergarten, a few others and then my favorite...."A Tootie Tot".  I've never seen anything funnier than that cute little song. 

Hooray!

The start of Tootie Tot.  Thumbs up!

And towards the end....elbows in, toes together, eyes closed, tongue out, and turn!  How cute is that?!

 

She got her diploma from Ms. Jan and Ms. Debbie.  She loves them so much!  However, I think she's had more trouble realizing that Aunt "Whitty" was not going to be her kindergarten teacher. :/ I can't even count how many pictures we've made for the "best teacher in the whole world" (Aunt Whitney) since graduation.

Lil' sis, Charli was one proud sister.

Brynny was there and so excited for Ansley!

And Emory too! 

When we went to the fellowship hall for cake and goodies we were greeted with all kinds of fun artwork that the kids had worked on.  It made it so special!

Ansley with the proud grandparents! 

 

 And then one with me and my girls. 
We were so sad that Daddy was out of town for a conference and that he had to miss. :(

 

Oh, I'm Off to Kindergarten!

Ansley had Saturday school at Gordonville where she will be attending in the fall.  She was a little apprehensive at first, but as soon as we walked into the building and saw her classroom she was so excited. Whew!

We started off in the cafeteria.  They had them pick up a cookie and a carton of milk.  Her first response..."Mom, do you think they have a microwave to heat my milk up?"  She would still drink hot milk if I would let her!

Next, we went outside with the bus driver to learn about bus safety.  Of course, daddy was the pretend bus driver for the scenarios we did. 

Learning about the bus

Beatrice was her trusty sidekick the whole way.

Then it was time to explore her new classroom.  She loved her new teacher, Mrs. Mendi (they even wore a similar outfit and she had cowgirl boots on!).  She was so sweet!

When we got in the car she said, "Guys, that sure is a good place there!" We were so relieved that she loved it.

We went to visit Pamaw and Pappaw afterwards and she was thrilled to show them all about it.  Praise the Lord!