Katers turns FIVE!

I'm completely fascinated by personality types, and love watching how different all three of my girls are. It's becoming more and more obvious as they grow, really...and let's just say little Miss Katers gives us a run for our money. :)

I love (most of the time) the way she is so determined. So competitive. So witty. And, so stubborn!

She is definitely not the "girly" one of the group, and prefers playing with the boys on the playground, especially if they are engaging in some kind of pretend war as knights, or some kind of power ranger game. She is the fastest little thing I've ever seen, and reminds me quite a bit of Mighty Mouse.

She also loves to create. I mean, really loves it.

For our hundredth day of school (which I'll get around to blogging about someday), she made a life-sized Candyland game all by herself, complete with a spinner and a whole long list of rules. There were spots we landed on that had "100" on them, which caused us to lose two turns. Except when she landed on them, then that rule was temporarily suspended.

But, anyway, she loves a good game, and loves some good messy craft time. Especially if it involves tape and glue.

And, the girl really loves a party. Especially if it's in her honor. (We're trying to get rid of the whole "I'm the baby and I'm really special" mindset, but it's hard. Especially when we completely buy into the whole idea.)

So...I really can't begin to tell you what this year's birthday party meant to Abby Kate. Well, actually, if you've had any conversation with her in the last---oh, let's say---three months, then you've probably heard about her 5 year old birthday party.

This was the event of the century, and she has planned it and replanned it and obssessed over it for MONTHS.

The games have changed a thousand times. The decorations that she has come up with were CRAZY good...and impossible to pull off. (It included turning a room into a soccer ball.) And, the guest list changed weekly, although her "boys" were the main focus. She has a group of friends at school that are ALL boys. And, she loves it that way.

So, since she wanted a "boyish" party, she chose a soccer theme!

It really was alot of fun to plan with her, and I loved watching her get so excited that she literally couldn't stop running in circles as we planned.

The day before the party, I thought she was going to hyperventilate.

Her big request all along was that her party be ON her actual birthday, and start as soon as she woke up. This cracked me up! So, we started her party at 9:30 in the morning. She woke up just a little excited. And just a little earlier than 9:30. :)

I assumed with a party starting THAT early, that we would skip the whole "breakfast in bed" tradition. But, NO.

Not only did she wonder why I didn't have her tray ready, she made sure I was still planning to make eggs and pancakes! Seriously. We've created a MONSTER.

But, how do you deny this girl anything?!

Especially when she says "Thank you SO much, Mommy" and "I love you, Mommy" a hundred times, because she is so thankful. :) I'll take it!

She was so excited and felt SO special and big in her birthday soccer jersey

and got ready for her friends and her cousin Ty to arrive.

Of course, the soccer party, was on a rainy day. So, we moved our furniture and made an indoor soccer field in the living room.

All the kids brought soccer balls to give to kids in Africa, and Abby Kate (although she didn't LOVE the idea of getting no gifts at first) was actually very proud of her bag full of soccer balls after all!

Kendyll and Carlie were excellent coaches and ran the entire party.

It was SO nice to not be the one running the soccer games. :)

After some warm-ups and stretching,

It was time for some soccer drills!

These kids can KICK!! WOW!

And, then some fun blindfolded soccer fun!

Eventually, they were able to go outside for a little bit, and play the real deal.

Then, it was time for the CAKE!! Grandma outdid herself again and surprised Abby Kate with a soccer cake that was out of this world!

She closed her eyes for the big reveal.

I would say it was a success in AK's eyes for sure!!

We love our Grandma and her cakes!

She made her wishes and blew out her FIVE candles!

Oh my, how can my littlest one be this old? Five is really BIG. She is growing up so fast!

After her party, she wanted to send balloons to Chase all by herself.

She talked to him about her soccer party and gave the soccer ball a kiss before she sent it his way. :)

I love this girl so much.

Abby Kate, you are a precious treasure to this mommy's heart. You have always been my "baby-abby-kate" and always will be. But, I sure am proud to watch you grow up, and follow the Lord and love others like you do. God has created such a capable, confident, passionate heart in you, and I can't WAIT to see how He uses you for His glory!

We love our littlest Missy Moo, our little squirt, our Katers, Kater Laters, AK, and our Abby Kate SOOOOO much!