Nothing makes the job of starting the story each month easier and harder than the amount of love that is in our family. It happened to be finals week at school, but that might not be more important than Cienna turning 18. An age is an age that doesn't change how amazing she is and has always been.
Girls were ready for finals, but after a morning birthday celebration and a couple of tests we took them out early on for Cienna's birthday adventure to Camarillo near the Oxnard airport. We started the road trip with some breakfast, and road trip antics on our way to skydiving. Cienna and mom had a planned 3 o'clock dive, but the cooler experienced divers and pilot recommended coming early for better weather. We did a 2 o'clock dive and couldn't have had a better experience with staff, weather, company including dad and Kaylee supporting us the entire time! Pretty sure it is neither Cienna or mom's last time, but we'll see. The best part of the day was all being together. We checked out the beach towns nearby and had dinner in Santa Monica and walked along the Promenade before heading home.
Girls finished rocking finals and we had another party weekend. Cienna and Evan went/took Kaylee and Nicki to Laguna for a hike. When the girls got home Auntie Kimmie brought over a delicious strawberry lemon cake to celebrate. Through the day mom and dad continued to make progress on the garage before inviting friends over to make our way to a local bar and watch "Retrobution." Happens to be long time friends and a fantastic band. Was great to see and support them, as well as celebrate Selena and Jana's birthday. We started the end of the weekend putting up drywall with plenty of help from Kaylee in anticipation of our garage door installation which little did we know was the beginning of many parties to come!
Afterward mom and Cienna headed to Laguna Nigel to meet up with Mckenna for her senior photos. The entire session, experience, and photos turned out perfect. Cienna brings the sunsets with her. Cliffs, beach, sunsets, such an amazing vibe and personality to go with that smile of hers.
Keeping up the pace we continue with Cienna participating in multiple honor choir practices and performances as well as both girls preparing for their first gymnastics competition of the season at Soka U. May have been some prep for the upcoming week as well.
In coming,,,,, February. Backstage Bistro is kinda one of the coolest choir performances. This year included a first performance of both Cienna and Kaylee ever singing a duet singing "Fly". Cienna also finished out with two more duets singing "Little Talks" with Lexie (heart full) and then another with Shawna "Never Grow Up" even changing some words to accentuate the upcoming future college adventure.
If that wasn't enough after Friday practice we had Cienna's signing Day! Our Gymnastics Center helped out with the party with decorations, cake and pizza. Cienna had so many people come support and make such a memorable night. She knows how much everyone in her life contributes to how amazing she has become and appreciate those who made it and those who couldn't as well.
Wait, what? Cienna will be going to Manhattan University next Fall! Go Jaspers. She'll be a part of an amazing community, school, learning environment, and an Acro & Tumbling team! She also got an invitation to join the James Patterson Honors Program. We're all excited for what this commitment brings not only to her athletic but also her academic and social opportunities as a gosh darn college student.
Next day was Winter Formal. The first of the two garage parties! It was a corsage/boutonniere brunch/snack party, but it was quite successful! Made great use of the flowers from the previous week! Meanwhile Kaylee had a nail salon for a couple friends before everyone headed out for pictures. Mom went with Kaylee to Naples Fountain. They had dinner here and there. Dad went with Cienna to Ranchos Palos Verdes for beautiful sunset pictures before they had dinner at an Italian restaurant closer to the dance at Alta Sea in San Pedro.
Superbowl next. Yes we had plenty to do on the garage and maybe an emotional weekend, but come on it was the Superbowl and we had friends to hang out with : ) We did run a bunch of wire under the house first, and a visit from the Sklenicka's! Still smoked some delicious ribs and prepared for a great Sunday with friends.
Kaylee was up for her final ortho appointments. This one wasn't her favorite since they made her wear rubber bands all across her mouth to keep it closed. Not her favorite, but she made it through the week even including another competition in Pasadena for "The Heart of A Champion" An amazing fundraiser that they have been competing in since they started gymnastics. They had their first ever Friday meet and were not happy about missing one period of school, but they had fun competing together and did fantastic.
We all helped Kaylee prepare for the next garage party. She hosted a Galentines with a bunch of friends. They all brought tasty treats and took pictures in front of a homemade photo collage. Cienna and Evan caught a cool launch while in San Pedro celebrating their 15/15.
Kaylee got her mouth closed rubber bands off as well as her braces. Pretty sure they're gone for good. Meanwhile, dad finished patching up the sheetrock in the bathroom and we look forward to all working together to complete the garage!
The TV went out, the washing machine to say the least is... finicky, but who needs clean clothes and TV when we're too busy having fun! If only we had a hot tub, said no one ever...except Mark!
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