All he wanted was a lizard catching party.

Carter turned five a couple weeks ago.

And honestly, all the child wanted in the whole wide world was to catch a lizard. How can you deny such a persistent and (deceptively) simple request?! Thanks to friends and a good sport of a husband, we made it happen.

The hunting crew, all ready to catch a lizard!

Favors. Water bottles and lizard trapping food :)

Afterward everyone came back to the house for pizza and cake. Easy Peasy, and so much fun.

We did the party on Monday because we had his very first soccer practice (more on that adventure another time!)on his actual birthday. Afterward we met up with the rest of the MacDiarmid family for a celebration dinner at John's Incredible Pizza. Such a great night.

Carter loooves Imaginext toys...almost as much as bugs and animals. ALMOST. :)

FIVE already?! Be still my heart.

I wonder if one day, when he's all grown and he finds himself learning the technical names for ballet moves and wearing princess crowns for a tea party with his daughter, if all of the sudden it will hit him, just how much his mama truly loves him. This bug obsession is stretching me people.

You really have no idea.

Becoming Tradition..

Remember Olivia?

Last year before school started for these girls we got together for a little girl's morning, and we decided to do it again this year. I am secretly hoping I get a picture of these two like this the day before they start their senior year of high school... but I'm forcing myself to enjoy it a year at a time :)

I just love their sweet friendship and the carefree safety I see in my daughter's eyes when they giggle.

We got breakfast at the Fountains (which is a waaay more enjoyable place for me to go now that I don't work there!!)

The girls had such a great time. We love you Olivia!

After that Macy and I continued our special day, thanks to Auntie Rellie for watching the boys!! (Thanks Serena!!)

We did a little pampering.

Aaand later, a little ice cream indulgence.

It was awesome to get this special time with my baby girl before she started first grade and what now feels to me like 'real' school. With the long days and big playground and lunch at the cafeteria, EVERYDAY...oh man it really is happening all too fast!

Sweet girl. She is getting so big. My heart can barely handle it.

Goodbye Summer

Goodbye Summer Nights.

Goodbye Drive-In movies.

...and goodbye staying up way past bedtime.

Goodbye all day adventures,

and goodbye trips to the park,

and goodbye teeny tiny crocs, for teeny tiny feet.

Goodbye vacations.

Goodbye family bike rides.

Goodbye date nights at the Giant's game with good friends (and AH-mazing seats.)

Goodbye sweet morning coffee dates.

Goodbye summer hats. (Seriously, dYing at the cuteness.)

And Goodbye Bellybou'.

Goodbye road trips... and goodbye flat tires.

Goodbye camping...and goodbye ipad entertainment while camping (oh the irony, gotta love it) :)

Goodbye boating.

Goodbye Sunglasses...

and a thousand bug catches.

Goodbye fruit smoothies...

and costume clad cuties.

Goodbye to the shaggy summer hair...

..and good riddance to the even shaggier beard.

(wahooo!!)

Goodbye Sweet Summer.

You've been good to us; we will miss you dearly :)