Anna Lauren's 6th Birthday...

I'm just going to be honest...I LOVE birthdays and always try to go above and beyond to make them "fun and special" for Matt, Anna Lauren, and Cooper.  I did all the "usual" birthday things for Anna Lauren but this momma is tired...marathon weekend has for sure caught up with me.

However, we celebrated "6" today and hopefully made it a fun-filled, special day for our Anna Lauren!

Anna Lauren woke up to a room full of balloons...I had done this once before so she actually requested that there be balloons for her on her birthday.  So of course, I was blowing them up at 10:30 PM last night!

Donuts, Anna Lauren's pig in a blanket (her favorite), and presents before school...

Listening to us sing Happy Birthday to her...

Of course, he had to have a turn blowing out the candles...

Just a little excited...Matt and I got her a Google Nexus Tablet...she had asked for an "adult" tablet.  In case you don't know, Kindles are for babies...she is something I tell you!

Cooper gave her the case for her new Nexus...

During Spring Break we were in Party City and she had to have this tutu to wear on her birthday...then we got a shirt and an iron on six...she was so proud of her outfit!

Our big "6" year old ready for school...

If you notice, she is in a cheer pose in almost every picture I take of her...

Matt and I had birthday lunch with her at school...she got to pick one friend to join us for lunch.  I was not surprised...she picked McCarley. 

Just a little excited Daddy and Mommy were at lunch...

This afternoon, she enjoyed cookie cake with her class...if you cannot tell, zebra and pink were the theme of the day.

Nanna surprised all of us and showed up just in time for birthday dinner!  Anna Lauren enjoyed Hibachi in Atlanta so much last weekend that she wanted to have Hibachi again tonight.

She is "fake" sleeping, but I will say she was asleep within minutes...turning 6 was exhausting!

Her actual party is Friday night...she has invited five friends to spend the night with her in a hotel.  Should be fun times for sure!  And come Saturday morning I'm sure I really will be tired...I just think I'm tired now.

Spring Break Vacation ~ Day 1...

This past Thursday morning, we packed the car and headed to Atlanta.  We arrived just in time to head out to the ball park and watch James, our nephew/cousin, play t-ball.  This was great because the kids could run around after being in the car most of the day.  For now, both of Matt's sisters live in Atlanta but it just worked out for us to stay with Kate for two nights this trip...

James waiting his turn to bat...

James at bat...

Base hit off the tee...

Running to first...

Hanging out at first base...

Mary Martin, our niece/cousin, was most excited we were there because that meant she could go to the playground while James played.  Usually she has to stay with her parents and "watch" the game...

These two don't see each other very often, but I love how they act like they are around each other all the time when they are together.  Mary Martin has such a "fun" little personality, and we loved being with her for a few days!

Spring Break Vacation ~ Day 2...

On Friday, the cousins had to go to school so Matt and I decided to do something "fun" with our kids since it was their Spring Break.  So...we headed to Legoland.  It was a good choice of fun for the day, and I think Matt and I had just as much fun as the kids!

He doesn't look like it but Cooper really was having a fun time...he just didn't want to have his picutre made...he is for sure at that age!

Daddy rode with Cooper, and I rode with Anna Lauren...there were two different rides...the kids liked both of them (of course).

My riding partner...and yes, she smiled this big the whole time...she was having a great time!

Cooper jumped in with us so Daddy could take our picture...

Matt and Anna Lauren riding the ride for a second time...Cooper liked it but only wanted to ride once...

If I'm holding my camera, this child wants to pose...she is something else!

Ready for the 3D movie...

From time to time, I would catch Cooper like this...he loved watching the bigger kids build with the legos...

And then he would build...

Friday night we had Hibachi with all of Matt's family...sweet Aunt Kate got Anna Lauren a birthday cake (she will be 6 Wednesday).  Let's just say she was beside herself...she LOVES Hibachi...and...she got a cake and lots of attention!

Think Cooper was just as excited about the cake as Anna Lauren...

Love the excitement in this little face!  And obviously she enjoyed her dinner by looking at her shirt.

The waiters sang to her and gave her a "special" hat...or as MeMe said, a lamp shade...

And of course, this little guy had to wear the hat too...he is so funny!

Spring Break Vacation ~ Day 3...

The original plan was to spend Saturday morning with Matt's parents and let all the cousins play.  However, that plan quickly changed when our brother-in-law was admitted to the hospital Friday night for what they believe was a mini stroke.  Still seeing doctors and trying to get "answers" on exactly what happened that night.  Scary for sure and praying he is going to be ok. 

So...Saturday morning we actually just hung out at Kate's house, had lunch, and then headed downtown Atlanta for our night in the hotel before "marathon" day.

We got all checked in at the hotel and were headed out to venture around the city and get my race packet.  Poor Cooper...he NEEDS some boy sunglasses because he ALWAYS wants his sisters!  And yes, he strolled around Atlanta in these sunglasses.

Anna Lauren wanted to do a "silly" face...

As we were walking around, Matt pointed at Anna Lauren and said, "really...who is that diva?".  She had her new zebra purse she bought with her own money and her shades and water bottle she got at justice instead of something from Legoland.  I really do not know where she comes from...so not my personality!

Family pictures in front of the CNN center...

Once my friend, Kelley, got to Atlanta, we met her at the race expo.  I must say, it was pretty cool to check in at the "marathon" table rather than the "half marathon" table...something I NEVER thought I would do.

Kelley called my kids photo bombers...every time we tried to take a picture, one of them jumped in...too funny!

Let me just say, I would NEVER have done a marathon without this girl...such an incredible training partner.  So thankful for her!

When we left the expo, Matt couldn't find his sunglasses so he wore some of the free ones they were giving away...I thought he looked funny...he didn't care!

The hotel suggested 3 or 4 places within walking distance for dinner...they all had at least an hour wait.  We said forget it and got takout...the "picnic" in the hotel room ended up being great fun!  I mean not what I thought my pre-race meal would be...but hey, it worked and everyone was happy!