Happy Birthday Halle

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It happened again. Another of my children has reached the ripe old age of 5. I don't know which is harder, having the first child go through those big milestones or having your second child. The older they get the older I definitely feel (with many more gray hairs and achy bones to prove it with).

Saturday, May 26th was Halle's official birthday. We had a busy and exciting day.

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After getting up and having breakfast my parents took the kids on a walk. (Wahoo for me - didn't get to sleep in but I got a whole hour of peace and quiet at my house. Just enough time to do dishes, clean up, make jello salad for dinner, etc.) I thought they would just walk the kids to the school, around and back, so they left the house in shorts and flip-flops. They ended up going for a walk in the woods right by our neighborhood. They came home with plenty of scratches on their feet and legs.

The next big activity was to go to Fairmount Cemetery. We (Jeraldine, the kids and I) usually always go on Friday, but this year Sherri and her family came to spend the weekend, Jeff now lives here and Herm would be around on Saturday - so Saturday is when we all went. We did our usual tradition of cleaning off the headstones, putting flowers out, and then Jeraldine brings pictures to show the kids and tells them stories of their G.G. (Olga Walker) and Great Bompa (William Walker). The kids really love it and I am glad they are remembering and learning about their great-grandparents. I am also glad that going to a cemetery is something they look forward to and are not scared or creeped out about.

Cleaning up the gravestones.

Bompa and Grandma telling the grand kids what Memorial Day is all about.


Group photo by the Veteran's Memorial.

After driving all the way north and west it was time to head further north by going to lunch at Chuck E Cheese. This is a treat my parents like to give the kids for their birthdays. It is fun to be able to go to a place where my kids can be kids and no one is giving me that "can't you control your kids?!?" look. My favorite part is that Sean still doesn't care if he has a coin or not he just fiddles with every knob or button he can get his busy little fingers on.

Having a fun time at Chuck E Cheese


Grandpa and Sean drive the firetruck.

Now that our tummies are full and we have dispersed a little energy out of the kids we get back in the van and head out East to Toys R'us. I hardly ever go there with my kids!!!!! So they were so excited to peek their little eyes at all the fabulous stuff they have there. (Except for Sean, who had too much fun and took a nap in the van with Grandpa.)

Chad and Halle (and Sean) each got to pick out a toy and on top of that my parents bought them all a small trampoline. Talk about spoiling your grandkids!!!!! (But I can't wait to do that myself!) As soon as we got home we put the trampoline together and kids had a blast. (P.S. It is always good to get a toy that your husband doesn't want while he is away and when the in-laws purchase it!)

Chad and Halle enjoy jumping with the sprinkler.

Sean and Halle jumping - Sean didn't want the water on.

After spending the afternoon jumping it was time to for Halle to open more presents and then get ready to have BBQ dinner at Grandma and Bompa's house. After dinner - as Caviness tradition - it was time to have games and track events. The kids practiced jumping the hurdles and pole vaulting. Then it was on to shooting rockets and hula-hooping.

Halle opens her presents from Nanny and Grandpa - lots of new clothes and a new Barbie too.

Chad is quick to get the hoop over his body in the relay race.

Halle's turn.


Sean tries to figure out the next game of pass the hula-hoop without letting go.

In the midst of all the activities Chris finally came home from Pasco where the state track meet was held. There was a big celebration for him as his high jumper girl, Kelly McNamee, took first place with a jump of 5'10".

As the sky started to darken and the air turned cooler, we headed home with three very worn out children, two happy grandparents, a tired coach, and a sick mom (had laryngitis all day today - Sunday).

It was a great day to remember. Happy Birthday Halle, hope you remember this day well too.

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What I love about Halle.

1. She always loves me no matter what.
2. She has an "evil" laugh that always makes me laugh.
3. She still loves to give me kisses and cuddles and asks me to play with her.
4. She loves to scratch my back and brush my hair.
5. She loves being a "mommy" to younger children.
6. She draws me loves notes.
7. She is proud to look like me when I was a little girl.
8. She is very determined.
9. She loves music, dancing, gymnastics, and being a princess.
10. She can make me melt with just a certain look from her big eyes.

All the constant crying for the first 18 months was worth it!!!!!
(Who knew I would actually say that one day?!)

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