i heart faces...let's here it for the boys!!!

This week's photo challenge theme at "i heart faces" is all about boys. No girls are allowed in the photos this week. Normally most of my entries are all about my daughter Faith as the boys are at ages where they really do not want anything to do with the camera anymore. Originally I planned to submit an older photo of one of my boys when they were much younger. It seems like most of the child entries are of much younger children. However the more I thought about it I really do not enter these challenges to win, but to try and learn and grow in taking photos. That is why I decided to go ahead and enter a more recent photo of my middle son that will be turning 12 next week. (ohhh my heart..12!) I LOVE this photo of him. Reed is my middle child, my child that can give me the biggest headache and drive me the most crazy at times! Yet when it comes to what really matters in life.....being happy and having a big heart I know I do not have to worry about him. Capturing a decent photo of Reed can be a real challenge! He is always acting goofy and well, let's just say it is almost impossible! When I captured this photo I felt like I was really able to capture a gentle and calm side of him, one he doesn't show too often!:)

i heart faces.......sepia toned

I love this weeks photo challenge at "i heart faces"....sepia toned photos! I have always loved photos with a sepia tone as it gives it that "old-fashion" look. I have been playing around with several of my photos giving them that sepia tone and this one is my favorite. I took this of Faith several years ago on a Fall day as she was sitting on our front steps in her overalls.
I look forward to checking out everyone's sepia photos!!

Faith's 6th Birthday Celebration in pictures...............

(Warning!!!!! I just had to warn you...... there are TONS of photos in this post!!!!!)

We had a great family day together celebrating Faith's Birthday!!

The only thing I wished I'd done differently was let Faith invite just one of her special friends to spend the day with us. The boys got bored at times with the day being all about Faith and they did their share of complaining. ( I found myself threatening them several times through out the day!) I was wishing Faith had a friend with her to share in the fun with.

We started the day going to Build-a Bear at the mall. I have been wanting to take her here forever so it was a fun way to spend her Birthday. She loved it!!

She picked out a turtle!

getting ready to stuff him...........

He feels just perfect!

Making her wish with the little heart to put in her turtle

Reed is turtle sitting for a moment

She loves her turtle!

Daddy helps her pick out turtles clothes

Dean is having way too much fun! (Teenagers! Gotta love 'em!)

Making sure turtle is nice and clean

Waiting patiently to check out

And here he is..... Toby the Turtle!!!!! (I love the glasses she picked out!)
Her turtle is a boy of course.

Getting Toby's certificate with Daddy

What a great time at Build-a Bear!!!

Off to lunch at Red Robin's

They came to sing Happy Birthday to Faith and she was so excited!!

When they were finished she threw her arms up!!!

Sharing with her big brother

A ride on the carousel before we go

Faith loves the dragon

The boys on the "puke ride", as Daddy calls it!

Next we went for a game of bowling!!!!

Faith has only recently started bowling without using the ramp to help her with the ball. It is so wonderful to see her motor skills and physical strength progressing.

She insisted on wearing her crown from school!

Look at that face! She wasn't too happy with that one!

Home for Birthday cake and lots of wishes!!!!! (Mommy isn't the best cake decorator, but it was yummy!)

Happy Birthday

and many wonderful birthday wishes my sweet baby girl!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, the best for last.....presents!!!!!!

She got a new big girl two wheel razor scooter,
leap frog tag reading system (which she loves)
lego sets (of course!)
her first 2 stuffed webkinz which she really wanted,
and because Mommy had to get something girly:) she got a new purse and a paper doll board game.

It's great being 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAITH!!!!!!!!

You are 6 Years old!!!!!!!!!!!
(thank you Beverly for the card!)

We love you so much and wish you a day full of fun and laughter!!!!!


Faith has been up since 6:00 this morning so excited about her Birthday!!!!! We let her open one of her Lego sets early so we could stay in bed longer to make her happy!!

I just got through frosting her yummy all chocolate cake at her request! (I was way too tired to frost it last night) Pearl jumped up this morning and grabbed the bag of powdered sugar off of the counter so my kitchen floor is all sticky. Thankfully powdered sugar is one of those things I always buy way too much of so I had plenty more. We had an all white Beagle for awhile. (never a dull moment with Pearl)

Off to give my six year old another big birthday hug and start her Birthday fun!!!!!

Faith's school celebration

Faith you had such a fun day today celebrating your birthday at school. You were so cute how you kept reminding everyone that you are not actually "6" until tomorrow! You got to wear your special class birthday crown and the class sang Happy Birthday to you. You were so excited to pass out your blueberry muffins to your class at snack time. I'm so happy you had such a great day and I'm so glad I was there to share it with you. I am so proud of you my sweet beautiful girl....my almost 6 year old!!!!!

Our Beautiful

Thoughtful

Sweet

and Funny 5 year old!!!!!!

Your blueberry muffins we made for you to bring to school. (Mommy cheated just a little with the healthy snack and put just a drop of icing on them! I hid it with a piece of banana!)

I found these adorable paper lanterns to decorate for Faith's Birthday at Micheal's in the Martha Stewart section. (only paid $8 for them with my 50% off coupon) I left them lying on the table when we left for school and when I came home Pearl had chewed up 3 of the 6 of them. I was furious! Mainly at myself because I just knew she would grab them if I left them out. I want to go back and get some more.

Hurry up Mom with the picture! (I just had to get one of her with her muffins)

Sharing her snack at school with her friends...............

I just tucked Faith into bed and read her "Every Year on your Birthday." I am so emotional about my baby turning 6!! I didn't want to leave her room knowing that in the morning she would be another year older!!
We have a busy fun day planned for tomorrow! We let Faith plan what she wants to do so we will be going to Build a Bear, having lunch at Red Robins, and then we are going bowling. I still need to frost her cake, decorate, and wrap gifts tonight so better get busy!!