I was waking up Cole when I heard her little footsteps coming down the hall. She had a huge smile on her face and promtly crawled into my lap while Coley and I sang Happy Birthday.
And then she followed me downstairs, in anticipation of her birthday muffin.
And just as she blew out her candle, Josh Downs called. (Perhaps that's what she wished for.)
She decided she didn't want to have a party until her daddy gets home, but I still promised her one present on her birthday. (The night before her birthday, she told me she wanted a Lego vet set...and lucky me, that's exactly what I had gotten for her.)
Cole snagged that one. (Thanks Coley.)
Annie opted to spend her birthday at home with me instead of going to school (an option the kids always have on their birthday) so after dropping Coley off at school, we started building the vet clinic.
Later as we were doing our hair, we heard a knock at the door and noticed the silhouette of flowers through the window as we went to answer the door.
Annie immediately said, "Mom, I think Daddy sent you flowers!" to which I replied, "No, I think Daddy sent flowers to his birthday girl."
The first flowers Annie has ever received.
And she talked about them all day.
And then we went to Target where Annie had a $10 birthday budget.
And when she spotted Jessie (from The Toy Story) on the bottom shelf (with a $40 price tag I might add) she immediately sprung, arms wide-open towards the box and said in a voice that one might hear on The Jersey Shore, "Heeeeeeeey girl...I've been needing you my whole life!"
And then she immediately broke into her pleading puppy-dog face.
I'm immune to the pleading puppy-dog face though so she settled for a $10 Barbie Mermaid Tale instead.
And then we headed to The Roadhouse, per Annie's request (because she loves their rolls and honey butter) where she sat and shelled a bazillion peanuts for me to eat (She hates peanuts, but loves to shell them.) while we waited for our lunch.
We always have the kids opt between water, milk or iced tea - but birthday girls get stawberry lemonaide.
And after lunch, the waitor came by with a surprise.
Next on Annie's birthday wish-list was a trip to the park.
On our way there, we ran into my dad.
He really loves having his picture taken.
And then we picked up Coley from school and made our way to the park.
That was her bazillionth birthday call. (That one was from her Grandma Jo.)
Happy Birthday Yans.
And all the regular seats in the next Photographers' Workshop are sold out, but you can still snag an auditing seat if you want one. (Just scroll down to the post below for all the details.)
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...It feels like time has come to a stand-still. Come home already.
happy birthday Annie!
Lovely photos Karen. :D
Posted by: Angel | February 15, 2012 at 07:49 PM
What a great Birthday Day!!! You're such a great Mama!
Posted by: Donna N. | February 15, 2012 at 07:57 PM
GREAT images!! I love them all! What a wonderful birthday she had!!! Can I ask where you got her striped tights? Those would be PERFECT for an outfit my daughter has!!!
Posted by: Shari Barnes | February 15, 2012 at 07:58 PM
I forgot to also say how awesome I think it is that you capture such awesome images out in public places. I find myself not getting a shot I really want in a public location for fear of what people around will think or say. I REALLY need to get past this. The low shot of her at the table in the Roadhouse and the ones of her at Target are just wonderful.
Posted by: Shari Barnes | February 15, 2012 at 07:59 PM
You are an awesome mom, wish I had thought to do those kinds of things with my boys when they were growing up. :) Your kids will have such great memories.
Posted by: Rene | February 15, 2012 at 08:21 PM
omg...Annie is growing up too fast! You cut her hair!!! She's soooo darn cute!!! I love all the pictures you took, as always, and you're so good. I would have bought her the Jesse doll!!!!! What a great idea about the option of them staying home on their birthdays!!!!! I wish I would have thought of that!!!! too late now! he's 15 this year. And as much as you'd think a teenager wants to miss school, not mine. that would mean he wouldn't get to see his girly friend for a day and she ranks above me right now. boo hoo! I wish he was young like Annie. I really MISS those days, but I know that you know what I'm talking about as I'm sure you went through it with Ross. And yeah, Josh, if you're reading this, Hurry home!!!!! I can see how much your family misses you and it breaks my heart!
Posted by: Nicole Campbell | February 15, 2012 at 08:26 PM
So dang cute! Looks like it was an awesome birthday for Yannie. Adorable hair!
Posted by: Kim P | February 15, 2012 at 09:08 PM
Love her haircut!!! And her first flowers, awe!!!
Posted by: Kathy C. | February 15, 2012 at 09:52 PM
LOVE these pics!!! They are all so precious! Side note....totally ECSTATIC that I am auditing your next class!!! :)
Posted by: Melanie | February 15, 2012 at 09:59 PM
So happy Annie had a fun day & will get to celebrate her bday again when her daddy gets home! So jealous you get awesome pics no matter where you are!
Posted by: tluu | February 15, 2012 at 10:33 PM
Happy Birthday wishes. And tell Josh Downs he picked the perfect sunny bouquet for a sunny little girl.
Posted by: Alison | February 15, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Love the pics of Annie with her flowers. That was so very sweet of Daddy. Oh, and I love Roadhouse too!! The.best.rolls.ever. along with their all you can eat peanuts and I'm a happy girl ;)
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | February 15, 2012 at 11:27 PM
How special...flowers from her Daddy!! What a fun day...Annie, can I come and celebrate my birthday at your house?? :) Happy Birthday sweet girl!!!!!!
Posted by: Tracy | February 16, 2012 at 04:52 AM
perfection personified...love to the nth degree! Ahhhh! Happy happy day, and days ahead.
Posted by: janel | February 16, 2012 at 05:44 AM
Will you adopt me? Your birthday traditions ROCK!
Posted by: ValerieMN | February 16, 2012 at 06:24 AM
I was doing just fine Karen...loving looking at your photos and reading your blurbs...until I got to Annie and Josh's flowers...and then you did it again...now my keyboard is a bit drippy!
Josh will be home soon wont he?
Happy Birthday Annie...from all the way down here in Australia!
Posted by: Julie in Aust. | February 16, 2012 at 06:41 AM
So sweet she looks so happy like it was the best birthday for her.
Posted by: Liliana | February 16, 2012 at 06:43 AM
I love the idea that the kids can opt out of school for their birthdays, I wish they did that in England. What a fantastic birthday Annie had and your pictures are just amazing :)
Posted by: Kim Johns | February 16, 2012 at 07:03 AM
Love these pics and the sweet stories behind them! You're so amazing Karen! to anyone on the fence - definitely take Karens class - you'll love it!
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | February 16, 2012 at 07:32 AM
Oh man.. you got me again.. the flowers!! Josh Downs is rackin' up the points!! One of the sweetest thing ever!! aawwhhh Happy Birthday Annie!!
Posted by: teresa b | February 16, 2012 at 08:11 AM
I know cloning humans is illegal....but really, someone has got to clone Josh Downs. He's truly a gem! Happy birthday Annie.
Posted by: Juli P | February 16, 2012 at 08:17 AM
Hi Karen,
I read your blog everyday and enjoy it very much. Sometimes I smile and laugh out loud, other times I cry, I'm sorry your family isn't all together right now, but pray for your husband's safe return to you all. Annie I'm sure you had a wonderful Birthday as the pictures say it all. My wish for you is to have a wonderful year with many adventures, happy Birthday Annie from my family here in Canada. Karen it sure looks like your doing a great job while Josh is away, may you be together again soon.
Huggs from Canada,
Linda
Posted by: Linda Schaaf | February 16, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Love Annie's haircut!!! The pics are gorgeous.
Posted by: Terri | February 16, 2012 at 09:33 AM
your parenting is so inspiring... from birthday muffins to mcd's pj drive thrus...
Posted by: kate | February 16, 2012 at 09:33 AM
What a lovely day! Annie is the cutest-that bob hairdo suits her perfectly. How sweet that she got flowers from her Daddy on her birthday!
Posted by: Jenn A. | February 16, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Sounds like an awesome day! Her little flipped out hair is so cute! Reminds me of my own round-faced little girl (almost 9) who also LOVES to eat at Logan's because we can throw peanut shells on the floor. Happy happy birthday and many many more!!
Posted by: Gayle | February 16, 2012 at 10:26 AM
You really do make a special day for the gang's birthdays. Good job mom!
Posted by: JillT | February 16, 2012 at 10:29 AM
so sweet! And I must say it again... Cole is the best big brother.... the way he plays with her is so sweet!
Posted by: Aimee B. in Oregon | February 16, 2012 at 10:34 AM
I got teary when she got Josh's call, but all out bawled when she got flowers! She's so adorable!
I hope like crazy that Josh is coming home very soon!
Posted by: Kelli | February 16, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Happy Birthday Annie! These pictures are adorable!
Posted by: Melanie | February 16, 2012 at 10:54 AM
What an amazing birthday you captured in pictures for her! I love them all! And her hair looks so cute with the little flip in the back!! Love it!!!
Posted by: Gayle S | February 16, 2012 at 11:07 AM
what awesome pictures, they are TOO PERFECT! I NEED to take your class girl, you are AMAZING!!!!!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | February 16, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Its very great that you could spend such a nice Birthday. Here in Germany its not allowed not to go to scool only because its your Birthday!!! Thats unthinkable.
Happy birthday Annaliesa!
Posted by: Karina | February 16, 2012 at 11:30 AM
happy birthday Annie!!! My she has grown such a beautiful girl!! looks like a lot of fun for her.
Posted by: Jona Panesa | February 16, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Happy Birthday Annie!!
I must say, it is so nice to see a park with good old fashioned metal toy sets to play on! Most of my childhood parks have gotten rid of all the cool stuff and replaced it mass produced wood and plastic stuff. Boring.
And what a big girl Annie is getting her own bouquet of flowers!!
Posted by: Robyn :) | February 16, 2012 at 05:58 PM
Okay, the pictures of her with the flowers had be bawling my eyes out! So sweet and I know you guys are so ready to have him back in your arms!
Posted by: Kerri Powell | February 18, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Love love love all the shots. What a wonderful way to spend her birthday! Happy Birthday Little Miss Annie!!
Posted by: Melinda~ | February 21, 2012 at 10:09 AM