Catie is 5!!

Catie turned 5, and we had a little at home family dinner for her. 

I can't believe how this girl is growing up. 

She is so much fun...loves art, hello kitty, princess stuff, playing outside, decorating her part of the room, keeping every treasure in the table next to her bed, playing with friends, painting her fingernails and toenails.  She is ALL GIRL...but she also has 2 brothers, so she can hold her own.  She is a joy and a delight, and I'm so blessed to be her mommy!!!

Everyday Fun

Sometimes being a mom is HARD!  The last couple weeks have been one of those times.  The kids have been pushing the limits, I've been tired, and that's just not a great mix.  In those times, it just helps so much to look for the everyday smiles.  And even at the hardest, I wouldn't trade this season of life for anything!  And I don't want to forget these moments that make me smile.  Here are some of them!

The outfits Catie puts together...

Jacob loving the John Deere tractor...the third kiddo to love it!

Warm enough weather for the kids to play outside!

(Here's one of Zach's best friends and his little sister is one of Catie's best friends!)

This fun paint-your-own castle.  Catie and I have had fun painting together.

Zach--our scientist--doing experiments in the kitchen.

Just plain ol' silliness!

Valentine's Fun

I LOVE Valentine's Day!

It just makes me smile!

I think it's because I love to celebrate

and do fun things with my kiddos,

and this day gives me the perfect excuse.

Last year I told you about one of my favorite family traditions...

our Valentine's pouches!

Here they are for this year!

We make each other little notes or buy little surprises and tuck them in the pouches.

We also include any cards we get in the mail, and we open our pouches at dinner on Valentine's Day.

Here's Catie making hers...

I saw a really cute necklace idea on pinterest and made a similar one for Catie...

I LOVE ball jars.  This year my favorite little Valentine's decoration idea came from pinterest, too.

Check these out!!

This batch was for the kids' teachers!

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! 

Thanks for reading and sharing in the big and little things in our lives!