Party time!

Brook's birthday theme this year was Lego Friends, which is the girl version of Lego's.  It is a new brand of Legos that has come out in the last few years.  We kept the party somewhat simple this year.  It was so sweet, fun, & full or surprises!

Our day was spent preparing for the party. We rolled out pink bubble wrap on our table to make it look like a Lego.  We had some jars of Legos & colorful M&M's on the table too, & the M&M's were the hit of the night!

We all ate pizza together at the beginning of the party.

Lego covered juice boxes

Next, she opened presents & got some more Legos! 

We played a game of guessing How Many Legos does it take to measure certain items.  The girls really liked this game!

Cake time was next.  I made a Lego cake this year.  It is hard to tell, but the candles are Lego candles. 

Singing Happy Birthday, in English & in Spanish 

Blowing out candles 

Surprise guests all the way from Bogota, Colombia!  Our friends from Bogota are in town & surprised us at the party.  It was great!

Silly, sweet friends.   Missed you Lillian! 

Lego goody bags 

After cake, the girls spent time playing in Brook's room for about an hour before parents arrived.

It was a fun party with Brook, watching her with her friends. 

Eight

Eight years ago today,  Brook was born & our world became a happier place.  I am truly overjoyed with thankfulness at celebrating this little young lady's life today.  She has been such a joy to watch grow into a beautiful, fun-spirited, intelligent, girl.  She has a zest for life & a love for others.  Brook keeps me laughing & my heart smiling.  She had a busy day.  We went to bible study, lunch with friends, she went to her drama lesson, a little time at home, dinner, & then a movie.  It was a good day. Tomorrow, back to school & then decorating for her party.  So thankful for every part of it.                                                                  

We started the day with the tradition of streamers hanging from her door 

Followed by breakfast in bed 

Isabella got her a gift with her own money this year :) 

      Pink legos are the theme this year 

Mommy & Brook

We had lunch at McAlisters with friends from bible study.  She gave her friend, Lucy, her one dollar she received this morning & her birthday cookie.  Brook is a generous, giving girl. 

Brook's dinner request

She wanted steak for her birthday dinner! 

We went to see this movie & all had fun together. Brook had requested this movie, Here Comes The Boom.  It was funny & it always good to find a family-appropriate movie. 

Enjoying her twizzlers & popcorn (she had been rationing her snack intake all day so she could enjoy her movie snacks!) 

I am so thankful for both our girls! 

I love you Brook!  Happy birthday!

Fall Camping

We joined friends for a night of fall camping in Arkansas last weekend.  This was our first time to camp without having a camper.  Avery went above & beyond to make sure I was comfortable :)

We literally slept in the bed of the truck.  The air mattress was on a platform.  It was covered by a canvas tarp & mosquito net.  The only thing I was missing was a bathroom!

Avery set up a cooking station & kept us well fed.

These girls have so much fun together!

We had a sweet new member to our camping group.  She is the newest member of some dear friends family.  We look forward to getting to know her better.  The girls loved her.

So precious.

Field Trip

Last week, I took the girls on a field trip to Parker Homestead in Harrisburg, Arkansas.  It is an old homestead representing life in the late 1800's.  It was a beautiful day to be outside & fun to go on an official field trip!

The girls listening to the blacksmith tell about his trade.

Sharing an old fashioned root beer with friends, Mia & Mallie Ottinger

Mia & Isabella sawing a log 

Brook & Mallie sawing the same log 

The old church building

Brook running to school

One room school house...very interesting 

Abacus (what I use today to teach math for Brook) 

Brook & Mallie on an old-fashioned wooden see-saw, actually, this is like what I had at my elementary school!

Legacy

I'm living the legacy of Godly generations that have lived before me.  I am so thankful for my precious grandparents.  I hope if you know me at all, you will know how fond I was and still am of my grandparents, although they all have gone on to be with Jesus.

Last week, I went with my mom & the girls to visit her parents grave.  I hadn't been out there in  a while, & I was glad to have the girls with us.  They hear me talk often of my grandparents.  Isabella & I are named after my mother's mother.   My niece, Nicole, is wearing her ring as her engagement ring.  I am thankful for grandparents who loved each other, loved me, & most important, they loved Jesus with all their hearts.  May those who come after me find me faithful of loving well in all these areas.

Homecoming

My niece was on the homecoming court at her high school last Friday night. It was a fun night with all the family to celebrate her & she looked beautiful.  Here are some photos from the night....

Me & Anna

On the field

Anna & her dad, Barry, my brother-in-law

Me, John (my brother), Anna, & Lynn (my sister, Anna's mom)

Vacation time!

Yes, we had another vacation to finish out summer for the Bridges.  We were blessed again to have a night with our dear friends, the Greens.  It was wonderful, relaxing, & of course, the girls had so much fun.  Each time we see them, we realize how much we miss them & love them!

Brook stayed in the Carolinas for a visit with relatives.  She did great without us & had fun there too.  We sure missed having here though & was excited to meet her at the airport.  

Now, we gladly welcome fall & October.  This is for sure my favorite time of year.  I love the cooler weather, the clothes, anticipation of the holidays, birthdays to celebrate, scents of candles, colors of fall, & of course, the comfort foods!  Enjoy this short, but wonderful season & all we have to be thankful for another year!