9 years ago

I became a mom...
This post is long overdue.
Sydnee wanted a red, white and blue ice cream cone for her bday this year...I went back and forth between a flat cutout cake or a 3D one...I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to do it, but the 3D idea won.

The morning of the 4th, we all ran in a 5k (minus Justee, she got to hang out with Renae) with our friends, Josh, Sherri and their kids Jadyn and Ashlyn (Ash rode in a stroller pushed by her mom...crazy in the huge crowd.)

Despite the very slow start due to fighting through a huge crowd that had to bottle neck out onto the course, Sydnee achieved a new PR. (which I can't remember right now and I hope I find it somewhere) and took 2nd in her age group - 10 and under.

Sydnee decided she wanted her ears pierced for her birthday. When Chuck wanted hers done too...Sydnee happily agreed...as long as Chuck went first. ;) There were no cries or whimpers...just momentary face pulling...and a little hand squeezing.

Both girls said it was much easier and less painful than expected (I don't know how they feel...my ears are yet to be pieced.)

Sydnee was very happy with her birthday presents and party that held on the following day.

I decided that we are going to choreograph some words and pictures with our sparklers next year. I'm excited about it!

Sydnee had a water bday party with her friends...she was even nice enough to invite some of her friends little sisters who are friends with Charlee.
This is the cake without the two scoops of ice cream...I ended up using the giant cupcake pans to make the cake.

No strings attached

This little girl will be awaiting her first visit from the tooth fairy tonight!

(Let's hope it only takes one night for that forgetful fairy to find our house.)

Hooray! It's picture day!

I remember thinking about what I was going to wear for picture day a few days in advance, the teachers telling everyone to brush their hair and teeth for that day, and sitting in front of the lights and camera and smiling after the photographer called you some funny name....Things haven't changed much.........
Picture day is quite the event for my girls. Sydnee has been saving her "picture day outfit" just for this day...she hadn't worn it once yet. Charlee wasn't as sure about what to wear, so she modeled a few things for Sydnee the night before and they decided together. They both wanted to pick out new earrings to wear (and you can't even see Sydnee's.)
Of course when they get all dolled up for pictures, I have to take a few before they leave.
The sad thing is, I bet they sit and smile in front of the school photographer a lot nicer than they do for me...They aren't too cooperative when I want to take pictures...the camera clicks twice and they want to run away.

Summer Visitors

We were lucky enough to have the Burtons come visit us this summer! The kids had some fun at a splash park one day, but it wasn't too long before the older ones were looking for more adventure than some fountains...

After seeing lots of other kids jumping off into the river, I told the girls (Syd, Char, Allie, & Karlee) that we would stay a while longer if one of them jumped. To my complete surprise, the older girls said no and Charlee immediately said, "I'll do it!"
Now, this was a complete shock to me and I doubted very much that she would jump once she got up there. I've always thought Charlee to be our little chicken...especially after Disney World.
I was totally wrong. She got up there and jumped without a moments hesitation. (We won't get into how she swam the wrong way (against the current) trying to get out and began to panic enough that another lady jumped in and pulled her out...mind you, she was already in a bathing suit and wet and reacted before I (fully dressed and dry) could react...that clears me of any "slow-to-save-your-own-child" accusations, right?)

Of course the other girls couldn't let Chuck be the only one to jump, and they quickly all followed.:) They all jumped a few times, even Charlee (who made sure to swim the other way) before it was time to go home.

Journee was great at keeping the younger ones happy, while I was taking pics.

(6/28/11)

Father's Day Weekend

The Saturday before Father's Day, we got to go up and visit the flight facility. The girls always have a blast playing in the helicopters.
The girls made a special breakfast for their Daddy and then gave him some presents...they were wrapped in paper appropriate for a father of 3 girls.

I guess we all can still love him in spite of the horrible shirt he is wearing...besides his awful taste in basketball teams, he is a pretty amazing father.

(6/19/11)

Showcase and Talent Show

This all happened on the last day of school last year...Sydnee had her talent show in the morning and Charlee had her showcase in the afternoon. Unfortunately Justin had to miss it for drill or meetings or something like that. It was an action packed last day, but the girls loved every minute of it.

They also handed out lots of awards for students...Here is Sydnee getting her Presidential Fitness award (or something like that)...It was for running the mile in under a certain time and doing a certain number of sit-ups etc.

Clip of Charlee being shy...luckily she warmed up toward the end and actually held her head up. :)




Sydnee on her pogo stick...

(5/19/11)