Kiara's 8th Birthday

Kiara's birthday was on a Sunday and it was going to be a very busy Sunday so Tom and I decided to have a surprise family party for her on Friday night.   Tom took her to soccer practice and Mckenna and I (and Ava) decorated the house.

 

 

Tom ran in from the car to join us and when she walked in the house we yelled "SURPRISE!!" 

 

She was surprised and very happy!

 

Ice Cream Cake

This party happened after 8, so Ava was in bed.

 

Present time!

This was an exciting one for Kiara and Daddy.

 

Her reactions were awesome.  She was so excited about everything, it took me back to her opening her stocking presents when she was 2 years old and screaming every time she saw what she got!

 

My big 8 year old.  It is difficult for me to lift her and she doesn't want me to hold her hand in public but she is still my baby and I tell her that as often as I can sneak it into the conversation.

 



For Kiara's birthday party we decided to invite 2 of her closest friends to go to Swings-N-Things and play.  We left Ava with the babysitters and headed out to play putt putt, ride in go-carts, do the bumper boats, and play in the arcade.

Kayla, Kyie, and Kiara

 

Go-Carts (they actually went pretty fast)

 

The putt-putt crew

 

Kayla and Mckenna in the bumper boats.

Mckenna had to ride with someone and these two had a lot of fun together

 

Happy 8th Birthday Kiara Clare!

 

 

Silly girls

"Mom, come take a picture of us!"

Good thing for this reminder or our blog would not be as exciting :)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging out during Ava's nap.

Gymboree

The week that Mckenna started school, Ava started something new as well.  Every Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:15, Ava and I will be going to Gymboree.  Ava watched her sisters get their first day of school pictures, so when I asked her if she wanted her first day of Gymboree pictures, she walked right over to the door and posed.

Picture #1

A little shy

 

Picture #2

Getting a little more comfortable.

 

Picture #6

I couldn't get her to stop :)

 

Gymboree

 

Ava had so much fun. 

This is going to be something we both look forward to each week!

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Kindergarten Here We Come!

Kiara got on the bus for her first day of school and once again Mckenna had to stand there and watch her go.  This time was more exciting because Mckenna would soon be riding the bus with her but more difficult as well because Mckenna had to wait a few days before she started! 

On Mckenna's first day, I drove her to school and got to meet her teacher and fill out paperwork while she got a tour of the school and spent some time in the library with her class.

Mckenna's 1st day of school outfit!

 

Mckenna at her desk.

The bag of goldfish on her desk had a piece of paper attached to it that said

You are O "fish" ally a Kindergartner!

 

Mckenna getting ready to get on the bus for the 1st time!

 

The girls waiting for the bus.

 

Here she goes!!!

 

Mckenna has been walking out to the bus stop and watching the girls get on the bus for 2 years now.  She was a PRO!!!  Her first day went great.  Some of her comments about school have been; the bus is my favorite part, it is longer than preschool (it is actually 30 minutes shorter), it is easy, her teacher is nice with brown hair with brown stripes, she always raises her hand no matter what because she doesn't get called on anyway - ha, she loves the library, and likes to put up things for calendar.

2nd Grade

 

The first day of school for Kiara was a big deal because she was going to a new school.  Kiara tested into a talented and gifted program in the Strongsville school district.  She and 9 other kids are bused from their home school to Drake Elementary school where her classroom is.  Kiara's teacher, Mrs. Whitecar, is awesome and it seems to be a perfect fit for Kiara.  But as you know, Kiara is great and finding the best in a situation and this is no exception.  I was nervous the first day but she was excited.  When she got off the bus the first day - she got off with a huge smile on her face - what could be better!

 

Our big 2nd grader!

 

She has been in school a couple of weeks now and things are going great.  The hardest thing for her was recess.  At Whitney (her old school) she played tag and kickball everyday with the boys and a couple of other girls.  It took her a little bit to figure out where she belonged in recess at her new school especially since her class is so small.  For the past week, Kiara has been playing soccer at recess with a group of boys and another girl.  She is a VERY happy!  As far as learning goes, the work Kiara brings home is pretty great.  She has even brought home 2 papers where she had a mistake on them that needed to be fixed.  There was 2 total times last year where Kiara made a mistake on papers because the work was so easy for her and she had so much time to do it.  Class has been challenging and a lot of fun for her as well! 

Grams Week

Tom's traveling schedule during the pre-season is intense so for the 3rd year in a row, Gram has made a trip out during that time to help, play, and keep me sane while he is gone!!  She planned the trip this year so that she could be here for the girls first day of school as well.  The week was very busy with soccer and getting ready for school. 

The girls at the airport waiting for Gram to come down the escalator!

 

 

 

We miss celebrating birthdays with our family so when we figured out that Grams birthday was pretty close to when she would be here we were excited to celebrate with her.  She walked into a decorated house with streamers and balloons - a Kiara and Mckenna specialty!  We had cracked crab (that we had to clean ourselves, you can ask her about that - ha) and it was so much fun for all of us!

 

Lunch with Gram!

 

Mckenna in her new sweatshirt.

 

 

Kiara in her new fleece and headband.

 

Ahhhhh!

 

We left Ava at home with the babysitters so we could do lunch, shopping, and pedicures! 

 

It was such an FUN day!

 

 

Our trip wouldn't be complete with out Five Guys.

 

Before our summer Seattle trip, Mckenna made a project for herself.  She cut out pieces of paper and put stickers on each one.  She spend hours on this project.  Some of you might have received some in the mail a while back.  Anyway, she spent about a half hour setting them all out for Gram to see and to pick some to take home for her and for Gramps!

 

MC and Gram!

 

The girls favorite thing that they did with Gram while she was here was go swimming.  I think it was for Gram too.  They spent 2 hours in the pool - playing, laughing, and having the BEST time!

 

 

It was a really great week with Gram.  She and I even got the babysitters for an afternoon so we could go shopping.  I am so glad she was here for Kiara and Mckenna's first day of school.  Pictures of that will be posted next!

 

 

 

 

 

Busy weekend

The Eagles were Tom's team so he was here this weekend.  I didn't realize how much I missed him being around and our family time.  He got off early on Friday and was able to take Kiara and Mckenna to Kiara's soccer practice.  This is the first time I have not had to take all kids to one of the 3 soccer practices a week - so trust me - it is a big deal :)!  Mckenna loved having special time with daddy, playing soccer and hanging out. 

Mckenna being very entertaining (I imagine) in Daddy's car :)!

Saturday morning Mckenna's soccer game was cancelled so we played here and relaxed before Tom got home at 1.  In the afternoon, I took Kiara and Mckenna to get hair cuts and get stuff for Kiara's birthday party.  I came home and dropped the girls off so that I could go get my hair cut.  Saturday night we played, did face time with BT's fam and Gram and Gramps (thanks for calling us :)) and enjoyed being together. 

Sunday morning we got to have breakfast together - another first in a long time!  Tom left for the game at the same time Kiara, Mckenna and I left for Kiara's soccer game.  Kiara played defense the whole game and has really improved a lot in the past couple of weeks.  She loves her team and talks about soccer all the time.  She writes about it in school and I have even caught her drawing plays (which Tom loves)!

This is her home jersey.  For away games they wear a green shirt. 

From her soccer game we went straight to Browns stadium for the football game.  We sat in our seats for the first half.  Kiara is finally following the game and understanding the basics so that is really fun. Mckenna loves to cheer and dance to the music.  They are very fun to watch the game with :).

 

 

It was a great crowd!

 

 

We watched the second half in the family suite.  The girls LOVE this and I got to watch the game so looks like that is where we will be the rest of the season.  Free food and good people around us will be a fun spot for the games that we will be able to make it to. 

Not to worry, Ava had a fantastic day as well.  She got to spend time with "Miss Becca and Miss Ria" her buddies, the fabulous babysitters.  They split the time because it was an all day deal.  They read, played, did flashcards, ate, colored, and I am sure much more that Ava couldn't tell me!

Training Camp

Wouldn't be the end of summer without a couple of trips to Training Camp.  The girls LOVE going to training camp.  For the football - NO!  The love it for the ride in the golf cart to and from camp, the cookies, water/gatorade/sierra mist, playing with other kids, the free stuff they get from the kids club, and of course seeing Daddy.

2012 - GO BROWNS!!!

 

The golf cart! 

I didn't know Ava's eyes were closed.

 

Kiara brought a friend to "watch" practice - it was fun to have Kylie there!

 

Kylie and Kiara

 

The girls trying to get in the shade.  It was a very hot day so they spent a lot of the time pouring water on themselves.

 

The Fam

 

Daddy and his girls!

 

Browns opening game is on Sunday vs. Philadelphia.  Kiara, Mckenna, and I are going to be there to root on the Browns!  Kiara has a soccer game and 11 and we will head to the stadium from there.  I hope we can make it before the game to see Daddy on the field.  This is a big season - come on Browns!!!!