Moonlight Marshmallow Birthday

The day had finally arrived for Ella's "Royl Invalope" dream to come true...well, part of it anyway. :-)

She was awoken on her typical school morning...but, this time with a tray full of waffles topped with whip cream and chocolate sauce, chocolate milk to drink, and a love letter from her Mommy. 

Bella was a VERY happy Birthday Girl. She hugged and thanked me over and over...and over. Nothing quite seems to touch her like yummy food, sweet words, and lots of cuddling.

Dressed and ready for her day at school! 

B'day treats in hand for all her classmates.

She wore her B'day Princess *Tiara proudly!

2nd B'day Wish fulfilled:

Lunch with Mom and Dad at School

along with two favorite friends

(she got to pick to sit at the table with us)

One last thing before she was off to recess...a marshmallow ice cream cone!

Back at home it was time to get the show on the road for her party that night!

All things *MARSHMALLOW*

 

Including a homemade Marshmallow Cream Cake!

that miss El helped decorate

 

and lick up!

We had heart marshmallows

Cupcake marshmallows

Hot Cocoa Bar (w/ mini marshmallows)

Marshmallow Craft Table

Marshmallows on a stick decorated with edible markers then dipped in icing and sprinkles...umm

Thanks to Big Sis (Abby Lou), the girls arriving had a ball creating their own marshmallow magic

Sweet classmate and dance friend

Candy Lace Edible Marshmallow Necklace

(thanks to Pinterest!)

 a triple marshmallow necklace

Forever Friends

Abby asking about one of Ella's surprise gifts...shhh

Time for SMORES!!!!

roasting away

Heart Shaped Marshies

Oma and Ella Bella cuddle fireside

The Gaggle of Girls

(crazy shadow on every group shot...grr)

smores are yummy!

Itty bitty mini marshamallows make everyone :-}

Time for Moonlight Movie

Then a lil' *Happy B'day* singin'

Ella planning out her wish...

and away she blew!

Our Baby Girl is now 8...I cannot believe it

Last, but not least, on the marshmallow agenda...

*Chubby Bunny Game*

Ella enjoying her b'day cards...

Oh my goodness...how did her friend know what Ella loves?! 

New blankie hasn't left her side since that moment!

B'day wish list come true ~ lots of Barbies and "Tasty Science"

and yet another requested item ~ a Vera Bradley Lunch Bag

and last but not least, a *Password Journal

(I so remember loving my journal starting about Ella's age)

The Loot 

(I know, I know...it's a little insane; but what's a Momma to do??)

Forever Sister BFF's

Ella's Birthday Love Letter (given earlier that day)

My Dearest Ella,

Happy 8th Birthday beautiful girl. I remember eight years ago today meeting you for the first time. You were so precious....and so tiny. When I looked into your eyes I knew you were mine, and you knew I was your Momma.

Watching you grow over time has been such a Joy. You were by far my best behaved baby. You were so dainty and so sweet. You rarely cried and you hardly ever misbehaved. You loved to sit and read books and play with your babies. 

There are so many things I love about you, but most of all I love how tender you are. You have such a sweet voice and sweet personality. You love to cuddle, give hugs and sit in my lap. 

I want you to know that I love you beyond words. There is nothing you can do to cause me to love you any less. You will forever be my Baby Girl.

Ella Marie Ruley ~ thank you for being in my life and fulfilling it so. I am so grateful that God blessed me with you to have, to hold and to watch grow into a woman of God.

All My Love,

Mom

A Whole Lotta Love

We began this year's *Valentine's Day Celebration* with a candlelight dinner at one of the kid's favorite joints ~ ChickFila. :-) 

Mr. Clown (name??) made the 3 younger cupids a balloon of their choice

For little man, a manly sword of course!

For the lil' ladies, hearts

but, not just any hearts..."Love Birds" in a heart!

This is the honest truth...I've never known a kid who LOVES to eat quite as much as my Owen. Well, okay so maybe he would tie with Uncle Kendall (my lil' brother). In fact, I have flashback memories of growing up nearly every day because of watching my O joyfully delight in meal time. And, yes...he can put down more food than his Dad...and does on a regular basis!

The Sundae Bar was the perfect Finale

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VALENTINE'S DAY

The morning of Heart Day was a little hectic due to our 6:15 alarm clocks! However, I mustered up enough pre-coffee energy to bless my peeps with some heart pancakes.

And Daddy got each of his girls a chocolate Rose

And an hour or so later, round 2 of breakfast time

Ella Bella was in hog heaven...food is her love language...well, that and lots & lots of affection

Ella with her rose from her Daddy

This girl is so full of Love...she truly has a gift for tenderness...that's why I love this picture ~ it shows how precious her heart is

And for Momma? Look what I found in my car when I went to take Bella to school...oh yeah ~ my favorite Barbee cookie ~ The Cinnamon Roll! ummmmmm

Last of the round up for the school morning as the O-Man. 

Ready to go with a teddy bear for his favorite friend of the feminine kind & some chocolate for his precious teachers who we adore

O's Cards this year

(look how good he can write his name!)

Mrs. Campbell's Jenks SE 2nd Grade Val's Party

A little Valentine's Bingo playin'

Ella with her good pal Mallory

Giddy Girl as she opens all are her love letters - or perhaps, gets sight of all the candy!

Three Amigo's 

Ella, Lauren & Caroline

Later into the evening, after a wild night of 5 activities...Daddy found one of the chocolate roses on our front room's couch

Looks like a lil' cupid couldn't contain himself...

But, because of the Day of Love, we showed a little mercy! ;-)

  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Nacho's Mini Me

It had been a while...

since Nacho had made an appearance.

Nothing like a 5 yr old Superhero to entice Nacho Sr to break into action!

Father-Son bonding at its best

If you haven't read "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge - and you have a son in your life - you simply must. It will explain how much LOVE was in the room during this match.

This is the equivalent of the girls and I making a craft together. :-)

G's 38th B'day

Today was my hubby's 38th B'day!

Due to Wednesday Nite Church, it was a quick Hideaway Pizza night with a finale of homemade Bostom Cream Pie (his fave)

Our attempt to get a couple's pic in...ha!

Here's to the greatest gift God's ever given me...(and no, I'm not talking about the cake!)

Wonder what the B'day Boy wished for??

The Look-alikes posing by one of Abby's famous 3-D cards 

(she's off the hook in the art dept!)

Greg's Surprise Gift: Tickets for he and Will to go to Steven Curtis Chapman's *Songs & Stories Tour* the next night!

The Next Night :-)

(Note: The boys had a rockin' time together listening to 3 of Christian Music's Greats - it's especially meaningful for Will who also plays guitar ;-})

http://stevencurtischapman.com/tour