The Brown Chicks Meet The Chicks!

I ran into a woman whom I've met since moving up here at soccer the other night. She happened to mention that she had 8 baby chickens at her house. I immediately invited ourselves over...the next morning we were there & the girls were just thrilled. Maeve was a little challenging because she just chased them around & wasn't the most gentle with them!!! {poor things!}

I can't even tell you how many times we had to say "Maeve, be nice to the chickens," and she'd look at me and say "nice!" She had no idea, but really loved them. She'd get so excited every time she'd actually catch one & touch it!

Margaux liked the chickens but was a little hesitant to touch or hold them. She definitely didn't enjoy the experience as much as the other two & that was fine. She enjoyed seeing them but didn't really get as close. It didn't help that while we were standing next to their little cage, one of the chicks flew up & landed on the back of her head {just above her ponytail}! She cried so hard, I felt terrible. It totally freaked her out!!!

And then there's Marin. She was OBSESSED with them & I wasn't surprised. She immediately found one little chick that she fell in love with. If it even tried to get up, she'd grab it & push it back down into a laying position in her lap. It was really cute. Eventually she had a few of them sleeping/resting around her.

Marin & her buddy chick...

And one close-up of Marin's friend little chick. I had to explain to her that they wouldn't stay this small forever and that eventually....

They would all grow into this...

Then she changed her mind & I think she was okay leaving that baby chick at our friend's house!! The one hour visit was quite enough & I'm quite certain there isn't a chicken coup in our future!! xoxo

Marin & her friend Keira {front left} had a joint birthday party together a week or so ago. We decided to do the party between their two birthdays. American Girl themed of course! Here are the five neighborhood girls with their dolls ready to start the party! I just love all their happy faces!

I made little matching hats for the girls dolls that turned out sooo cute. They had to pose for a photo!

From left- {Margaux's} Darby, Claire, Kaycee, {Marin's} Lanie & Alie

Here is Marin with Lanie...

and Marg with Darby...

We had a great time with the girls. Each doll had their own place setting at a small table complete with placemats, small plates & cups! My neighbor also frosted small Cheerios to look like tiny donuts for the dolls {the girls enjoyed them!}. AND... the party was a sleepover! This was the first sleepover with friends for our girls. {It included me sleeping on the floor with all of them in a sleeping bag as well.} We got all set up in our neighbors theatre room & watched Mirror Mirror together before it was time for bed. By the end of the night they were all exhausted & slept well once Margaux settled down & stopped throwing socks & giggling! Such a fun time with a bunch of cute little ladies. Can't wait to do it again! xoxo

We had a wonderful time {despite the 100+ temperatures} up north the past few days. It was hotter than I ever remember & for that reason, we spent the majority of our time in the lake tyring to stay cool. I think Maeve was in her diaper only 90% of the time. I felt so bad for her, but she really didn't seem to mind the heat. Here is myself, Maeve, my mom & my Aunt Amy on a boat ride on the evening of the 4th...

Maeve, Daddy & Grandpa...

I love this picture, her smile is just so flippin cute! {I cropped the rest of the family out!}

She spent so much time playing with the ice in the coolers & on this boat ride she played with my glass of ice water the entire time. Who needs toys when we've got ice?!

All 5 of us.

This picture is so our family, everyone doing their own thing with Gary & I smiling for the camera!

They are all so goofy!

Little M driving the boat...

Playing on the beach... Margaux is all about splashing everyone else but doesn't like to be splashed herself! Poor Maevey!

Marin didn't get into many photos. She rarely got out of the water, definitely our little fish. She was jumping off the dock, swimming from cottage to cottage & just loved the water. It was fun to see her swimming skills put to work. The little ones stayed on the beach with us.

Such a fun time, but we were happy to be home & into the air conditioning. Yesterday {July 5th} was 105 degrees! I really don't ever remember it being this hot, EVER! It's amazing how well we all slept last night. I think it will take a few days for us to catch up but it was worth it! xoxo

Hopefully everyone is used to me falling behind by now... I keep doing it! Nothing new, just busy with photography jobs & enjoying summer with the girls. Our friends are here for the next few weeks visiting from Australia as well, so we'll be spending lots of time with them. {Pictures promised!}

Here are a few from Maeve's birthday party. The owl cupcakes & pink candies...

"One" cookies...

A picture of us with the birthday girl...we love her so much! It was almost as if she knew it was her special day. She loved all the attention & fun.

Enjoying an  owl cupcake with her "1" hat...

We tried taking a picture of us {Gary & I} with her while she ate her cupcake & this is what happened to his face...

She smeared the frosting all over him & was so happy while doing it!

And here she is with her favorite gift, her Bitty Baby who we named Lily. {Her sister's actually named her. They thought the name went well with Lainey & Lana, two of their American Girl Dolls} She was SOOO happy when she unwrapped her. I couldn't believe how much she truly loved her. She was all smiles..hugging & kissing her while saying "baby" over & over. I will never forget that adorable moment. Here she is kissing Lily....

Such a fun day! xoxo