Spooky Night

Spooky Night, exhibit A:

Sophie's FIRST composition: title of song and notes created all by herself!!!

Spooky Night, exhibit B:

October has seriously become one of my favorite (and most busy) months. I love the sudden change of seasons.  I seriously adore the decorations and the celebrations for both adults and kids.  But most of all, I relish the excitement for, the anticipation of, and the acceleration into the coming holidays.

preschool class photo

This Halloween was The. Best. It was the perfect mix of time at home with the kids, doing crafts, eating orange food, and running wildly through the house out of excitement for candy and costumes! It was the perfect mix of time spent feasting with neighborhood friends.  And it was the perfect mix of time trick or treating with the Johnsons, watching Sophie, Cameron, and Grady relish the magic of this crazy holiday. The boys were adorably joyful, in awe of the candy, of all the costumed kids, and of running outside at night.  And the boys couldn't believe that we let them eat some candy, too! Sophie was an expert trick or treater, working her Sheriff costume like a pro.

baby Graham living it up at the after-party

Soph is obsessed with her newest cousin.

I remember trick or treating with my brother like it was yesterday, so the significance of our children spending the evening together didn't escape my sentimental-self.

Sophie Marie's 5th Birthday Celebration

Sophie's entire birthday was joyful and special.  I teared up at one moment during her Tea Party birthday celebration, because her grin was huge, her laughter contagious, and her whole body resonated pure happiness.  I love celebrating her, and Doug and I are beyond thankful for this bright, sweet, thoughtful, and fun daughter who made us parents 5 years ago.  How can she already be 5??

These photos show her party with close friends (and an eager, little brother).  

Every girl brought her own doll to play in a dress-up, tea party, complete with jewels, tiaras, and lots of candy!

Sophie has wanted an "all-girls, tea party" birthday party for nearly 6 months.  She drew 4 pictures depicting all of the details.  She chose the guest list, the schedule, and the activities.  She and I make a good party-planning team, and I love how enthusiastic and sweet her 5 friends were during the party.

All of the sugar wore off after a while, so we made an impromptu decision to let the girls (and Cam) watch a 15-minute show.  Sure enough, they got their energy back and ran around screaming and shrieking!

Doug's special gift to this 5-year old Leftie 

 Happy, happy birthday to our incredible, gracious, and thoughtful Sophie who hugged and kissed us many times today saying "This is the BEST birthday ever!" and "Thank you so so so so so much for my birthday." Her excitement burst out of her smile this morning as she opened presents and waited for friends to arrive.  She ran around the house giggling because she simply could not contain her joy.  She deserves all the love and celebration in the world.  These 5 years with Sophie have been filled with awe, with pride, and with thanksgiving.  We love you, Sophie, our beautiful 5-year old.

October 2014

Cam's "one giant eye" pumpkin in background and Sophie's in front

October is a special month.  Among other notable celebrations (like my own mom's birthday), October is the month I became a mom nearly 5 years ago.... and this October became more special with the birth of our second nephew, Graham, who was born this October 20th.  (I'll let Ali fill in the details with photos and narrative on her own blog, but let's just say that the Whitfield 4 are already in love with this new addition to our family.)

October also includes an incredible amount of decorations, festivities, and parties.  Here are some favorite photos from the past couple weeks of October fun.

Police Officer Whitfield and Sheriff Callie reporting for duty. 

field trip fun

I mean, seriously?

{Now I'm going to go cry out of joy and dismay that my sweet girl is turning 5 in a couple days.  This is a BIG birthday, and I'm in denial.}

Daddy and Cam shenanigans