Cienna - 6 Years, 7 Months... Kaylee - 4 Years, 2 Months!

In preparation for the arrival of another baby Chavez, which should be any day now, we celebrated with a great afternoon with friends to start out last month.  The next day we spent family time together at Adventure City, which had plenty of rides that brought even more smiles!  Isla turning 4 was the reason for our next party.  It was a beautiful day at the Bay.

Then we enjoyed a long awaited visit with the Whalens with Sue and Nathan as they made their way down the coast.  Southern California brought the Dunbar's as well who put some time aside to BBQ for us as we all caught up and watched the kids run around the condo.  During preparation for a big road trip we made sure to fit in trips to the park.

It was an smooth road trip all the way to Mammoth.  After a quick nap we took the Netters for their second hike of the day to Devil's Post Pile.  It was fun to see the girls interested in science behind the structures.  The next day we were also joined by the Bakx's at their cabin for Craft Brewery tasting with music background.  The big headliner was the following day.  Buddy Guy put on an amazing show showcasing a couple of his prodigies.  A nearby park was another attraction during the trip.

For a change in pace, back at home, the girls rocked their dentist appointments.  Then got covered in sand with some of the Delaney's at the bay.  When Monday the 11th came, so did a new member to our family.  Jacob Ray McFarland said hello to his happy and healthy parents!

Our first try at Fall soccer started with Kaylee's soccer practice, then we heard from Cienna's coach and happens that their practices are at the same place at the same time, WooHoo.

To enjoy the nice weather and get some exercise, the girls took their bikes/skate board to the Long Beach bike path.  Kaylee felt much better about holding a snake this time around at the Reptile Zoo with the Marshall's.

A double day of Birthday parties ended the month.  Mikayla had us over for her 6th Birthday to enjoy a Monster blow-up water slide.  Then Taylor came to stay at the house with the girls (first time using a sitter for that long) while Daddy and Mommy headed to Culver City for Uncle B's 40th Birthday bash!

Cienna's water skills are expanding now being able to do front and back flips under water.  She showed her love for the blues during the festival.  We found out that she will have Mrs. Dowlen for First Grade which she is quite excited to get started.  Any of her Swim, Gymnastics, and Soccer coaches would agree that she continues to be a model student and continues to excel in all of them.

Kaylee has taken to building massive Lego houses, and can now swing as high as any of us by herself.  Her body still continues to move at any beat of music.  Likewise, she keeps improving her swim and gymnastics skills and is getting into the swing of things at soccer practice.  We've been working on her vowel sounds to increase her reading lists, and she still digs cars.

Each day is truly one to remember

Please Enjoy.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bi35zqCQYRjTHvuW9 

Cienna - 6 Years, 6 Months... Kaylee - 4 Years, 1 Month!

We played hard to start this Summer off right!  After Kaylee's last day of Pre-School we had fun hatching Grunions and playing on the beach at the end of the year field trip to the Cabrillo Aquarium.  The next day we celebrated Corey and Autumn's upcoming nuptials with an engagement party next door.  The day after that the party kept going to kick of the World Cup at the Bakx's house.  We didn't stop there, that was just the beginning of all of our week off of work/school!  Monday we headed to San Diego for a big day at the Zoo with Uncle Joe followed with some swim time in his pool.  Took a little down time and headed home to make Cienna gymnastics lesson. 

However, the following day we took a 20 minute trip to stay at the Anaheim Hilton for a relaxing pool and water park family day.  Felt like we were hundreds of miles away!  We walked to a wonderful dinner and had a slumber party that night.  We all watched the next US game in the morning complete with room service for breakfast.  We quickly returned home for Kaylee's gymnastics class this time,with Porter in tow, but left straight from their to Carpenteria.  We took it down a notch staying in a Motel 6 for the evening before meeting up with the camping crew for the weekend.  Camping included our usual fun festivities as well as beach play, a large tree crushing a car at a nearby campsite, Car show, opening a bar early to watch soccer, a nearby park conveniently located next to Island Brewing Company, and somewhere during all that fun Mommy and Daddy included their 11 yr anniversary.

Back to work, the girls started a new school for the summer which they both attend together, with a small portion of the day apart in separate activities.  A three day weekend followed since that Friday was Independence Day.  We started out at a block party near by at the Netters, with bike parades, balloon toss, and watermelon eating contests.  Then headed back to home for a BBQ at the Douglas's across the street.  The girls had been so magnificent as always, that they got to stay up to see the big fireworks at the Vet's stadium which we can see from our front yard.  The rest of the weekend we did crafts, got things put back in order around the house and enjoyed being home.

We set up some trial swim lessons at a couple new pools for the next week.  We liked them both, but went with the 24-Hour Fitness near our house.  After an almost 15 yr run, our receiver was no longer functioning, so we broke down for a new one just before Daddy went in for a Lasik eye enhancement before his warranty ran out to try and correct any residual astig from the first go around.  All the girls took care of Daddy as he rested his eyes, the girls let him rest with trips to the park and watch Mommy play soccer.

Toward the end of the month, Mommy took the girls for a long bike ride to the duck pond for their first time fishing (lack of bait was probably the cause of not catching any fish). Then Uncle Joe drove up to spend some time hanging out with all of us.

It's all been about togetherness for all of us, especially the girls this month.  They truly compliment each other in so many ways.  It was a joy to travel to so many different places in such a short amount of time and see them adapt and heighten the experience.  They play together so well, and also can take the time apart to play individually when they need a break.

Cienna has grown tremendously in her swimming confidence and the technique came right along with it!  She still loves every second of gymnastics and went through some skill testing with flying colors.  Her drawings increase in detail with each one.  Each time we watch our friends play in their bands she watches with such curiosity.  She really wants to continue fishing and use bait next time, but not sure what she wants to do with the fish once she gets one.  She also likes us all to hear her sing!

Kaylee has always had the confidence in swimming, but now the actual swimming is starting to happen.  She had no problem with her gymnastics skill testing.  She is starting to pick out words that she can read or recognize, as we read to her.  She really likes to ham it up with made up jokes.  Loves incorporating her cars into pretend play with her dolls.  Will start dancing pretty much whenever she hears music.

Vacation brings LOTS of pictures, and plenty of variety!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xJ5RqQjxLAmm6zzP8

Cienna - 6 Years, 5 Months... Kaylee - 4 Years Old!

Before our first end of the year open house at Carver, for the beginning of the end of Cienna's kindergarten year, we went to visit Joan and Larry for some comic book education.  Soon after Mommy took Kaylee to the Long Beach bike path to let her go free and expand her speed as long as she pleased with some mid way shell finding and a snack. Mommy also got a chance to dust off her long board. We had many story times with Isla and got to play with Lexie and Nickie.

Then spend a great Memorial Day weekend starting with a magnificent 5 mile family hike in Pasedena to a waterfall with no complaints from the girls and a trip to a nearby pub for lunch.  Then a great BBQ at the Geithmans for some much needed together time . Lastly another wonderful BBQing day with the whole Snow family.

This month we started new activities which include another season of swim lessons, and after many months of asking for them, their first gymnastics classes as well. Mommy left for a weekend to spend with good friends and Daddy got to take the girls to the Carver Carnival.  The Bakx kids then came to have some fun while Roman and Daddy made some beer for our up coming camping trip.

That week Mommy and Kaylee got to volunteer in Cienna's class with a lesson on teamwork, each team got to work together to build a delicious waffle with toppings to enjoy.  We had a wonderful musical put on by all the Kindergartners for an end of the year celebration that was more emotional than was expected before Cienna's last day of Kindergarten (which we are still in denial about).

That weekend we enjoyed each other going to a family breakfast outing at the The Crooked Duck then a first and very far between (wow was that expensive) family manicure day.   The following week we spent preparing for a party weekend.  Kaylee really enjoyed having close neighbors and family friends come over for a brunch with cake Birthday party.   She really loved having some of her Pre-School friends make it as well! After nap time that day we had another party with amazing friends at the Ferarrio's to celebrate Cobi's Graduation.  We'll miss him and wish him the best.
To end the month, Kaylee had her last day of pre-school, but her and most of her friends will be going back in the fall to enjoy more adventures together.

"Oh Man", is a fun common phrase for Cienna this month. Her love of reading inspired Larry to share his comic book collection to expand her imagination!   She loves every aspect of gymnastics and has done remarkable due to her desire to learn.  She also excelled in a higher class level of swimming which pushed her just a little past her comfort zone in the deep end. Cienna deserved and got some extra time with her teacher after earning 49 WOW's this year, her friend Brynn won a raffle to spend a day with your teacher and invited Cienna to come with her and spent some great time exploring a nearby fire house and had a great experience learning about what it's like to work there.   We all had an amazing first year in elementary school and are excited for more to come yet sad to see the beginning come to an end! With one week remaining for Kaylee to still be in school and a family vacation coming Cienna had AMAZING times with the Marshall's and Geithman's who we are lucky to have as such great friends to watch her the three days this last week when Mommy was at work!   She sure got spoiled!

Our baby unfortunately won't believe that she is still 3.  She is 4 now!  She is wanting, willing and starting to read.  She continues to love writing and her interest in art and concentrating on crafts keeps on keeping on.  Like her sister she was a BIG fan of gymnastics class from the start, she has loved expanding her physical ability!  Her confidence is swimming and sociability is what helps her improve.  She is no longer learning to ride a bike, but is now an expert, better than all of us.  She is truly an individual and a conversationalist.  We were so happy to have some of her pre-school friends at her birthday party this year.   She thrives off of making other people happy and enjoy things with her.

We are so lucky and fortunate for all of our family and friends.   All the love shows through in our amazing children!  Thank you all!  Busy Month.....as always.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVoJWwPLvTBAdzju9 

Cienna - 6 Years, 4 Months... Kaylee - 3 Years, 11 Months!

Spring Break gave both Mommy and Daddy a little extra time with the girls.  Cienna was happy to participate in some Wed. and Fri. morning activities with Kaylee.  We went to the Shipley Nature Center that Wednesday and Story Time on Friday which happened to have a Ballerina teacher guest speaker who included a mini ballet lesson.  That was perfect for Cienna's first time able to go in a while.   Then the day before returning to school Cienna's first front tooth finally came out while eating breakfast.

The following week we all had family day at the doctor for our yearly check-ups. Everyone's in good health!  The first annual and successful Rydmanfest followed that weekend for Daddy's Birthday.  All of our close friends were able to show up and take part in some high end backyard camping.
Kaylee had some school solo and class pictures taken for her yearbook coming out this year.  We had wonderful play time as usual including play gymnastics, dancing, running around, and having fun.
The next weekend was Mothers Day celebrated with our traditional bagel tailgate breakfast in the Lowe's parking lot, followed with a family day working around the house, and a great dinner.  That evening Cienna's second front tooth came on out when Mommy was putting lotion on her face...it was ready!

A few hot days followed, a little beach time was included, as well as our last fun soccer practice with the Pink Cheetahs.  The final weekend of the month, we had a chance to visit with Kristi and Isla that Friday before finishing out our first soccer season with the girls on Saturday.  Was such a great experience for all of us.  That afternoon we enjoyed celebrating Evyn's first Birthday at the Chavez's.  Then Sunday Roman came over to brew, we're preparing beer for Corey and Autumn's engagement party in a few weeks.  We also made Cienna's school project of a 3D cat using milk cartons and a little creativity (Kaylee got to make her own as well) in preparation for Back to School Night!

Along with Cienna loosing her two front teeth she keeps getting rewarded at school (getting WOW's) for fantastic work and behavior and initiating extra work for herself.  She has began taking more interest in reading informational books and loves retaining facts.  Drawing is now limitless for her, if she can think of it she'll make it happen.

As with previous months Kaylee's concentration keeps extending.  Her writing and drawing skills continue to improve since she chooses to do it more often.  She has started asking to do counting math work at school and her teacher stated that it seems to come easy to her.  She did such a great job keeping up with Cienna's soccer team at every practice, in behavior as well as skill, that at the end of the season congratulations she got the extra jersey and certificate as an honorary Pink Cheetah.  We can't believe that next month we will no longer have a 3 yr. old.....sigh.

Enjoy the smiles and silly antics!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pioq8PJC8C5eHJBz5 

Cienna - 6 Years, 3 Months... Kaylee - 3 Years, 10 Months!

Lots of soccer throughout the month with the new addition of the girls Wed. practice and extra Sat. game to go along with Mommy and Daddy's usual games. And of course we continue trips to parks, and creative playtime at home.

We continued to enjoy Nanna and Poppa's company for a while, even getting Poppa to where a tiara and play the princess game.  They helped celebrate with us through a busy week of partying as well.
The first Sat. started with a visit from Cienna's teacher at her soccer game.  Then that afternoon we went to The Chavez's to celebrate Eric's Birthday before heading to the Ferrario's for Scotch tasting in celebration of Larry's Birthday.  They also threw in extra celebration for Kristine and Mommy!
The next day was Mommy's actual birthday which we spent enjoying each other and working together on an amazing dinner of smoked ribs and homemade pasta along with salad and a delicious cake from Kim for dessert.

Early the following week Poppa and Nanna had a nice trip back home, and we mellowed out on the parties for at least one weekend.  We were lucky to get to watch Lexie and Nickie for a short while on Friday.  Then, instead of getting some things of our own accomplished that weekend, we took on a fun task of making a pretty awesome foot stool/shoe bench to donate to Kaylee's pre-school.  It was nice to get our hands dirty again and bust out some power tools.

More parties followed starting that Friday with a fun little get together at the Bakx to help support Dani's business.  The next morning many of them including Daddy set off on a Brew Bus to try out many breweries for Roman's Birthday.

Cienna had a Spring Picture (free dress) day at school, then headed to her very first field trip without Mommy or Daddy to Centennial Farm.  The following weekend was all about her Talent Show with dress rehearsals on Sat. and the Big show came on Sunday of all the kindergartners coordinated on stage in the large Wilson high school auditorium.

Much great news came to follow with the lunar eclipse on Monday and a successful birth of Paisley Mitchell.  Then new life continued on Tues. with another successful arrival of Jasmine Marin Leedy!  Both families are doing great and falling in love yet again.  Of course it was also silly sock day for Kaylee that day followed by silly hair day on Thursday : )

That week was also Cienna's turn to be Star of the Week at school.  She got many perks, but the best was Mommy and Kaylee coming to the classroom on Friday to help Cienna teach the class about mirrors and each build their own kaleidoscope.  This was of course after Mommy and Daddy worked quite hard preparing for the event.  After the lesson we spent the rest of the day in the class enjoying an Easter egg hunt and joining the class for lunch in the cafeteria!

We then geared up for our first time whale watching on Saturday.  The best part was, we got to do it with Aunt Bridget and Vickie who came to visit from Texas.  As if just being on the boat with family and friends wasn't enough, we got pretty darn close to a Mommy and Baby Grey whale pair.  Also saw some Sea Lions and a rare Brown Booby bird.  Bridget and Vickie came back to our house in the afternoon to help prepare for Easter with egg dying, and Kaylee getting to open her first Birthday presents from Grammy a couple months early : )

We ended the month with Easter Day.  The girls were quite spoiled.  Early morning Easter baskets before the egg hunt.  Then more goodies, including Easter dresses, in some front porch baskets (Thanks Snow's), and yet a third set of gifts along with Aunt Bridget and Vickie coming back for more laughs and fun!

Cienna was very excited for her first time on a school bus for her field trip, and to finally be Star of the Week at school.  She got to bring something to share for each day of the week.  She continues to get WOWs quite often at school, which we are not surprised by.  She still wows us as she excels in reading and all school studies.  She enjoys every bit.  Her favorite part of soccer is running around with friends.  Playing cashier to practice making change as she and Kaylee sell things around the house has been fun.  Next month will guarantee a lost tooth as one of her fronts is currently pretty much dangling!

Kaylee loves the freedom of no training wheels and now just tries to go as fast as she can on her bike.  She loves the speed.  We need to work on the concentration a little : )  Her writing skills are really improving and can now begin to write short sentences as we tell her the letters without us correcting or helping with her writing.  This comes with the ability to focus more and has also shown in her expanding art skills.  Tight pants are still her favorite to wear because she says they are the most comfortable.

Energetic and amazing.  The things they come up with are inspirational and way silly!  Dancing, singing, role playing, arts and crafts, it never stops.  And we're sure glad for that.  Oh yeah, Porter got to wear his first dress!

Click below for the Pictures.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/d36PnnXQyAgsAXmY8

Cienna - 6 Years, 2 Months... Kaylee - 3 Years, 9 Months!

Got a chance to catch up with some of the Buckles family nearing the end of their Disney Land trip allowing Kaylee and Callie to princess out together which started us on the right foot for the month. 
That weekend Mommy got to play in the "Pot of Gold" soccer tourney with friends, and Cienna got to learn how to be a Ninja at Kai's 6th Birthday party.  In between activities we got some family skateboarding action in the backyard.
 
Some of the following week was spent cleaning out the girls drawers of clothes that were too small or expiring, and preparing for a tremendous weekend ahead.  Hoping the weather forecast was accurate (enough), Daddy got off work early on Friday and we started our adventure up the mountain to Big Bear.  We were lucky for Mommy's work friend to offer us to use his cabin.  The trip up was a little wet but went great, then the snow began to fall as soon as we pulled in the driveway and began to unload which was much better than it continuing to rain.  Staying in with hot chocolate and games, we had a good night sleep anticipating the foot deep of falling snow through the night.  We spent the whole next day in the front yard.  Created awesome 25yard+, and steeper 10yard long sled rides, along with Mr. Snowman!  Mommy couldn't help herself when she noticed fresh powder and some clearance in a valley through the houses.  One great snowboard ride followed by a long walk back.  Porter had just as much fun as the rest of us, sprinting in the snow and finding new birdie friends to play with.  After another great evening, we started packing up to leave which included Daddy digging a path through the sled run we made (which was a little harder packed now) so we could get the truck out of the driveway.  On the way home we swung by Hanger 24 brewery for lunch where the girls had their first taste of soda, a Hanger 24 root beer, after one tiny sip neither of them were quite fond of it.

During the following week Kaylee had a nice play-date with Abby from school, and helped Mommy begin building up the spring garden.  That weekend we continued planting in the garden, and went to a cool "kids in the kitchen" park festival along with usual soccer and starting a batch of home brew with Roman and the kids.

We then found out that Cienna's first soccer team currently did not have a coach, so, well, we decided to volunteer.  After some good research we conducted our first successful soccer practice that Wednesday.  We have a great group of 6 girls and supportive parents.  We think it was good that it turned out this way since it made Cienna much more comfortable.  Also we got to pick time and place for practice (within walking distance) and also allow Kaylee to practice too.
The next day we were all excited to see Nana and Poppa whom had a smooth trip down in the bus just in time for Poppa to see Cienna's very first soccer game that Saturday (Go Pink Cheetahs).  Daddy made sure to make it in time after his morning appearance at a memorial soccer tournament for a friend.
Throughout the weekend, we were able to bring down the next size bundle of clothes to fill each of the girls with "new" clothes.  Then head to "Family Science Night" at Carver to investigate who took and where did our cougar go (turns out the janitor took him for ice cream).  Also got to finish planting the garden, ready for plenty of garden fresh meals.  Mommy and the girls got to hang out with some past soccer friends that we hadn't seen in a while to celebrate the coming arrival of Baby Girl Leady!

Going beyond knowing how to read, Cienna's knowledge of all studies is expanding.  Even starting her computer programing skills with conditional statements, getting the hang of counting money, reading the clock hands, and surprising us with plenty of informational facts.  She has enjoyed every bit of soccer so far, and even did her first sewing project with a real needle and thread.  She also had a good run in with a gate latch at school, which I think she won since she handled it so well, but it sure did leave a nice black eye.

Kaylee can now ride her bike by herself for short distances at a time, if we had a little more time to practice she would have it.  She also proved herself to deserve to practice with Cienna's soccer team.  Not only can she keep up with the skill level, but listened very well to instruction.  We had her first Parent/Teacher conference at school and there were only great things said.  She has taken on leadership roles with some of the younger kids, and is very interested in participating and instigating learning activities.  This is getting more apparent as she discusses and uses the things that she learns at school.  Lately it has been the life cycle of the caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly as she watches it in class, as well as learning about her organs in her body.  She also has enjoyed being able to write her own name on art projects.

Mommy and Daddy are so happy to have had a part in such great friendships that we have in our family.  It not only makes us extremely lucky, but proud as well.

For a short month, this sure was long winded.  The pictures aren't as much, enjoy!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7YRaSJXgozrm8Ef6A

Cienna - 6 Years, 1 Month... Kaylee - 3 Years, 8 Months!

After the holiday season, we break into the Birthday season.  A much anticipated visit by the Natal's began with nothing but fun, and stayed that way the whole time they were here.  Soon after their arrival we threw a "Fashion Design" party per Cienna's request for her first "friends from school" Birthday party!  It was full of crafts, dancing, a great time.  As if that wasn't enough we headed to Disneyland the next day, a dual celebration for June and Cienna... and all of us, really!  It was a full day, and we definitely made the most of it. Before the Natal's ventured home, Auntie Megan, along with June, went to spend some time helping out in Cienna's classroom.

Life continued with dentist appointments for the girls that week.  Then there was snow in the LBC, at Cienna's school nevertheless for Snow Day with monster size sledding and play area :)  Continuing that theme we all went to the movie theater (Mommy's first time in over a decade and the first time for the girls) to of course see Frozen.  The soundtrack was very quickly downloaded afterwards, and let the dance party and role playing commence.

More, very welcome, couple of visitors showed up the following week.  Vera brought precious Daniela for us all to meet.  We all got our time to cuddle and love on her (and Dani too) before they had to go.  The visit included a Birthday party at the park for Kaylee's school friend Ryhon.

That weekend we had a couple of friends over to watch (at least the start of) the Superbowl.  At least the smoked ribs and car bombs were good.  Another sunny week led to plenty of beach time and outdoor play.  The family then took a hiking adventure to San Pedro and followed up with fort making in the living room.   Since Cienna had the last two Mondays off of school, Daddy and Cienna got a day to spend time together for the first one.  The girls then got to exchange Valentines at school that week.

We sprinkled lots of crafts and even more dancing throughout the month which ended with a trip to a new park in Signal hill and playing in the muddy garden, which is getting prepared for Spring veggies!

Cienna had wonderful Birthday celebrations and loved having her Auntie and cousin visit her classroom.  Her dentist was pleased with her two new bottom teeth and we foresee a couple of top ones soon to come.  She has become an avid reader and has finished multi-hundred page books.  Her teacher has moved her out of "Star Readers" and into chapter books with reports.  Her creativity really comes through as she thinks up random detailed projects and can execute them just as she had planned.  She still would like to do gymnastics, but also decided she would try soccer this Spring, so is currently signed up to start LBYSO this coming up month.

Moving from 3 and a half toward 4 is such a developmental time! Knowing that Kaylee excels when she can see the big picture.  We started showing her how to sound out words and begin to read.  Then she decided that it was worth more effort and has quickly progressed with her Upper Case, Lower Case, and Letter sounds, which then led into sounding out words on her own.  It also makes her proud to have started writing letters as well.  Of course her favorite is still dancing and for the most part acting.  She can maintain a character or expression, even when we do our best to distract her.  Her dentist appointment went really well also, even though over two years later her dentist still thinks her front tooth may decay at any moment (no signs as of now) from the chip when she was 18 months old.

It is pure enjoyment to watch these girls grow together.  They love to be silly together and still spend time doing their own things.  Each one has their own characteristics that they share which helps the other grow in their strengths and weaknesses.  They learn to share even when they don't want to because they want the other to be happy.  And have also learned that the more they know about their sister, the easier it is to push their buttons on purpose at times too!

Till next month...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/53rFzZCYg1CFcdor6