Esther's Birthday Party

Once the flag football (Evan and Esther) and volleyball (Meghan) seasons completed, we celebrated Esther's 7th birthday with a party.

I'll likely share over at This Simple Home, but I thought I should include some pictures here.

It was a kitty-cat themed party. Here the girls were eating like cats--under the kitchen table!

 We also played Pin the Tail on the Cat.

 They had some giggles!

 We played some other games, too. Esther's dessert was another giant cookie cake shaped like a cat.

Esther loved having six friends over for her birthday celebration.

Esther's 7

Last month Esther turned 7.

 She requested a giant cookie cake with M&Ms for her birthday dessert.

 She might love stuffed animals!

Cousins (NE PA)

Last week we went from Pinebrook to northeastern PA to visit grandparents. We especially wanted to visit Grandpa Jones. He was in rehab after a fall. (He is now home.)

We also saw some other grandparents and cousins.

But we didn't stay long. Well, some of us didn't. Last week while Meghan attended the jewelry camp (during the day), Evan and Esther hopped from grandparent to grandparent.

My mom sent this picture of Esther with her cousin, Evelyn.

My sister, Amy, didn't get to see much of Evan and Esther, but she did enjoy them when she wasn't working. These are fun photos from a walk in the creek.

Esther's Kindergarten Graduation

Esther "graduated" from kindergarten today! 

 Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures with all of her friends. But this is Nate. His mom and I became friends when we were expecting at the same time. Esther and Nate attended the same preschool and were in the same kindergarten class.

 Mrs. Barry was an instructional aide AND student teacher.

 This is Mrs. McGlone, an incredible kindergarten teacher. Despite the large grades (about 125 students), she had each of the Whipple children. ♥

 Doesn't Mookie look scholarly?

The Children's Sewing Projects

Meghan has been hard at work making a quilt for her 4-H club. So one day Evan asked if he could learn to sew. I decided to borrow a book from the library that had really cute stuffed animal projects in it. All three children were interested in sewing. (I taught Meghan hand-sewing first when she was six. This time, I just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity when asked.)

Before the children could begin sewing, I had to applique and stitch the faces. They are not perfect, but the children like them.

Evan sewed first. He did well controlling the speed and guiding the fabric through.

 Esther was next. I helped her guide the fabric. She enjoyed it, too.

 

 Esther also had to do a little hand-sewing for the bunny tail.

 I didn't photograph Meghan sewing, but she loved the finished product!

 I believe Mookie is "photobombing" the children here!

 Meghan uses her kitty log as a pillow.

 Esther loves her bunny.

 Evan's cat turned out perfectly! He loves him!

 But sometimes...

Toothless

Esther lost her two top front teeth in a span of three days. 

Christmas Eve

The children were all dressed up for our candlelight Christmas Eve service at church.

Somehow, they all have the same smile.

Artist Exhibition

Esther was one of 155 students at her school who was chosen by their peers to have their artwork displayed at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. This is a real museum with a nice Andrew Wyeth collection.

Here it is!

Esther along with her art teacher, Mrs. Bannon, some other artists, and the school principal, Mrs. Johnson.

 One of my favorites. AND it's called "Pennsylvania Landscape."

Happy 6th Birthday, Esther!

Esther needs two hands to show us her age now!

She's full of hugs and kisses.

She had two friends over tonight to celebrate her birthday. 

Happy birthday, Esther! We love you!

Flag Football 2017

Yesterday the Upward flag football season began. Esther and Evan are both playing and enjoying it.

The weather was rather warm for the first game day. Even I wore sandals and shorts!

First Day of School 2017-2018

We officially have a fifth grader, third grader, and kindergartener.

Meghan awoke to Derek's alarm at 4:30 today so she was up extra early. We took these pictures just after 6 a.m. Evan and Meghan's bus arrived 15 minutes early. We had just pulled up to the bus stop when we saw it. Thankfully I planned for some extra time. (The bus is supposed to arrive at 6:28.)

 Today is Esther's first day of kindergarten. She is so ready!

 Her bus arrived at 7:15, as expected.