The Calverts

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Birthday Party at School...

Today Anna Lauren celebrated her 5th birthday with her friends at school. We are going to be gone on her "real" birthday and next week is Spring Break, which means very few friends will be at school, so we went ahead and celebrated early. She was super excited about her party, and she acted as if she had a fun time and enjoyed her "special" day with her school friends!

I typically do all the planning for her birthdays and then convince her it is a good idea...I know...not the best way, but I have somewhat of a "control" issue. Anyway, I decided to let her do it all "her" way. We went to Party City, and she decided she wanted an Ariel party. And it was perfect because the boys could have Flounder cupcakes...she is really concerned with boys having "boy" things and girls having "girl" things.

We actually made our own cupcakes because she wanted the Ariel wrappers as well when we were at Party City. And...my sweet co-worker came over and did the "fancy" icing for us. Anna Lauren wanted "fancy" chocolate icing.

All ready for her party day...she has ballet on Thursday mornings so this was her attire before her Ariel costume. And no, this is not what she is supposed to wear but since we were out of town this past weekend, her ballet clothes are still dirty.

The "birthday princess" pin she picked out for her school party and cruise...

The "birthday girl" crown...this is a HUGE deal...she has been dying for it to be her birthday so she could wear the crown and have all her friends sing to her...Ms. Theresa has some fun songs they sing for birthdays...not just "happy birthday"...

You cannot really tell...but...she changed into Ariel after ballet and wore it all day. I sent extra clothes thinking she would change, but nope, she was Ariel and enjoyed every minute of it!

Please notice the candle...yes, it is as big as her cupcake but like I said, she planned this party!

Brayden and Kenley...

Holli Grace and Anna Claire...

Shelbee and Samantha...

Anna Lauren, Will, and Hardy...

After dinner, we had the left over cupcakes for dessert...Cooper LOVED them!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Celebrating 5 All Month (I guess)...

I think since Anna Lauren has had a couple friends turn 5 recently, she is getting anxious to celebrate her birthday. On Monday night, she went "on and on and on" about blowing out candles...so...I finally said FINE...put 5 candles in your hot dog and let's move on with our night.

It was the funniest thing...she was so proud...she really acted like it was her "for real" birthday...we had to sing and everything!

All smiles as we sing "happy birthday" to her...

Blowing out her candles...once we sang and she blew out the candles, she was over it...and...we went on about our "normal" night.

New Orleans 1/2 Marathon Weekend...

This past Saturday, Cooper went to Pop Pop and MeMe's for the night while Matt, Anna Lauren, and I headed to New Orleans for the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon. Anna Lauren happens to LOVE New Orleans so she had a "to do" list of what she wanted to do, and she was a lucky girl because we managed to run the 1/2 marathon AND do everything on her list.

Although I did not take many pictures, I took enough to document our 2 days in New Orleans...

After getting our race numbers, we headed to Cafe Du Monde for beignets...the PERFECT afternoon snack! Probably not the best "pre-race" food...but o'well...they were good nonetheless!

After beignets, we went for a ride on the horse and buggy...I didn't take any pictures...I think we were all too cold...we got in the buggy and snuggled up under the warm blanket. Anna Lauren kept saying...why is he telling us all this stuff...she just wanted to ride. Guess she is like her mother when it comes to history.

Tim and Beth...they were FABULOUS hostesses! And...they were so sweet to keep Anna Lauren while we raced Sunday morning.

My brother and nephews saw us between mile 8 and 9...looks like I'm in the middle of telling them something. It is always a special treat to see a "familiar" face along the course...

At the finish line...my sister-in-law, Paula, finished her first 1/2 marathon and says she will never do another one...we'll see!

At the finish line with our favorite cheerleader...

And her last request...a ride on the trolley! She wanted to ride it 3 times but Mr. Tim told her it was a rule that you can only ride it twice in one day...thankfully, she believed him!

Holli Grace's 5th Birthday...

Last Thursday night, we celebrated Holli Grace's 5th birthday...she had a princess party with make-up, nail, and hair stations. Talk about fun for little 4 and 5 year olds! It was a fun "girls" night and everyone enjoyed celebrating Holli Grace's special day with her!

Here is Anna Lauren's "before" picture...

Anna Lauren now has her "princess" dress on and is getting her hair done...she held that mirror and watched Ms. Cindy's every move...and of course, smiled the whole time!

Princess Kenley...

Make-up (check), hair (check), manicure in progress...

This was the cutest thing...we looked up and they were in a "huddle"...hands in the middle and all...

We love crowns and heels..amazing what these little girls come up with all on their own!
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Now we are on to the pageant walk...

Walking the runway all together...got to love the waving!

Girls just want to have fun...dancing the night away!

Who knows...but...these little girls are such sweet friends and so fun to watch play together!

Last but not least...the birthday princess, Holli Grace!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Charity Ball...

Last night, we attended the Charity Ball in Brookhaven...it was a "very" special night for our family because my cousin, Anna, was a maid and my Uncle Terry was the KING! My whole family thought it was quite comical that Uncle Terry was the king because this is SO out of character for him...but...he is so deserving of the honor, and we were thrilled to share the special night with him. And for him, I can assure you, he is just glad it is over!

Cooper stayed at home with a babysitter and Anna Lauren got to go to the presentation before hanging out with Reid and Jake until we were done. She LOVES getting dressed up, an opportunity to see Anna, and any type of show that means girls in pretty dresses. Therefore, she was just beside herself to say the least! And Aunt Pam told her she would save Anna's dress for her...Anna Lauren will NEVER forget that because Anna's dress was the prettiest! And I must admit...I think it was too!

And of course, this night comes with many pictures...

All dressed for the ball...I had a hard time getting a good picture because the girls from across the street were outside playing so she just wanted to show them her "fancy" dress...