Cienna - 9 Years, 7 Months... Kaylee - 7 Years, 2 Months!

All the cookie selling this spring led to a trip for the new Brownie Troop 2283 heading for some fun at Adventure City.  They had a bigger new roller coaster which was the hit of the evening until we came back home to celebrate Corey turning 30 next door with a full on Luau.  Pig, dancers, and the works. 

We somehow managed to get one more thing glued on a model car that was last seen over a year ago, and the girls got to sew on Mommy’s machine when they came up with the great idea of using stuff we already had to make gifts for Grammy.  We also pulled out a couple of forgotten crafts from the   storage and did some cooking and baking!  We also got into the garden to harvest our fruit, veggies and hops.

There were gym theme days during this summer and Friday practices were in the morning, one of which we cleaned out the entire pit which took an hour past the end of practice and would have been longer if some of the amazing team parents didn’t stay to help put the pit blocks back in… what a crazy mess but the girls found treasures at the bottom including some guys wallet who lives in Canada.  There was one night after practice (late) that the team all stayed to have pizza and watch the movie Nadia projected on one of the gym walls.  Then the big sleepover at the gym that Mommy had to volunteer to stay with about 30ish+ gymnasts overnight so that the girls could also take part in the fun.  Awesome part is that Cienna and Kaylee were the first ones asleep even though it was still quite late for them.  However, since pretty much all others weren’t participating in the sleeping thing, Mommy got to stay up and make sure all were safe…almost ALL night.

We had a couple more Birthday’s that we got to celebrate.  Kaylee met a friend at the YMCA camp who invited us to their home for a party, and we headed over to the Bakx for fun, food, swimming, singing, and musical instruments to celebrate Danny who came to visit for the weekend.

The girls got a special camp week at “Act It Out” camp.  They went every day of the week and loved every second.  They each got to learn a monologue, a small group skit, and an ensemble with the whole cast of 10 great kids from ages of 7 to 13!  They got to perform for the family and friends on Friday, the last day of camp.  It was amazing to watch!  They even handed out specialty awards to each of the kids.

We finally remembered to check the off season for snowboard equipment that we need.  We got a great find in a used board for Cienna.  We made pizookies that evening to celebrate : )

Road Trip.  We left on Thursday to spend a weekend up north with family!  Auntie Bridget and Vickie flew to SR and we had to go hang out!  Trip there was great and we started with dinner at Poppa’s.  We woke up in the morning and the girls immediately wanted to jump in the pool.  The Marty’s came soon after to join.  After we helped Poppa move his office to a new room, Grammy, Bridget, and Vickie came to enjoy the pool and company as well.  That evening we all headed to Lucas Wharf to meet up with the Natal’s during their camping trip in Bodega and be treated to dinner by Grandpa.  It was delicious.  The following morning we all got treated to a great brunch at Grammy and Grandpa’s.  We were joined by Auntie Carrie and other friends.  We had a great time catching up, watching the kids, celebrating Uncle RJ, Betty’s birthday, and Grammy and Grandpa’s Anniversary.  The girls even got a Ukulele lesson from Grammy, and we got to enjoy the performance.  Then we crashed Cousin Jacob’s birthday party at Sean and Jamie’s.  We played crazy outdoor games and enjoyed jumpy time with good people.  We headed back to Poppa’s before leaving for some fruit tree picking and packing up for the LONG trip back home.

The following week the girls had gym camp.  Seriously can’t believe how much gymnastics they did in that one week.  It was only Monday through Wednesday, but 6 hours of camp then 3 more of practice is a BIG day.  They were troupers and enjoyed all of it.  They played plenty of games and even set up a slip and slide on mats in the gym.  At the end of the week, Sam (one of the gymnasts) held a pool party after Friday practice at her house to celebrate the end of this month.

Cienna can’t wait till next month just to do acting camp again!  She has learned again that playing with her retainer WILL break it.  Luckily this time it could just be soldered, but it made a point and she’s doing better.  However she has another tooth coming in which is great, but there is a baby tooth in the way.  The orthodontist told her it may have to be pulled so she’s been working on it.  During the trip up north her tooth fell out… however it was the wrong one.  Still waiting for the right one.  She has much improved in her swimming skills this summer and continues to read pretty much anytime she is not busy doing something else.

Kaylee for the first month since November got not only one but two front teeth peeking in.  After being skeptical she also wanted to go every day the rest of the summer to acting camp.  She has been choosing to read on her own anticipating school coming soon.  She’s learned some songs on the Clavinova, been self-motivated to help out around the house, and been the lead in starting family game time.

We look forward to the crazy fall with introducing soccer into our crazy schedule!

https://goo.gl/photos/VDUGF9WBr92RD8gB8

Cienna - 9 Years, 6 Months... Kaylee - 7 Years, 1 Month!

What to do with school out of session... We thought of a couple of things.  After Kaylee bridged from Daisies to Brownies, the family took a road trip up to Bass Lake to meet up with more family.  We stopped at a hotel in Bakersfield on the way to make a more laid back trip.  After a BJ's dinner, Kaylee loosing a tooth at the hotel (which the girls were prepared for and brought the tooth fairy pillow), and a laid back awesome continental Father's Day buffet breakfast we only had a couple more hours before our big camping adventure at Bass Lake with Poppa, Marty's, and Kyle's.  We were the first to arrive and scoped out the best spot for all of us!

A great place to camp, and it wasn't long before the rest of the family arrived!  We spent the day setting up and scoping out the place and celebrating the amazing dad's that were there with us, along with a couple extra gifts for Kaylee's birthday.

After a small incident involving a brush and Mommy's head in the morning (not self inflicted), we planned a day on the lake with a magnificent rental boat that could accommodate all of us, a BBQ for dinner burgers and dogs as well as being able to pull a tube at a decent speed behind!  So much fun, and great weather for hanging out in the lake.  We headed back to camp and played a little LRC with the whole clan before a good night sleep anticipating our trip to Yosemite the next day.

After a little bit of a road trip, we saw so many beautiful sites, and such amazing water displays in between some great hiking trails!  Of course along the way enjoying each others company!  We had a bit more of a relax day at the campsite the following day with some bike riding and a lot of pool time as well as teaching many of the fellow campers how to play Kan Jam and glow in the dark Bocce Ball!  A very memorable trip indeed.

We then headed home to not really unpack, but re-pack to head right back to camping after one night in our own beds to Doheny with many great friends.  We even convinced the Marshalls to come join our crazy group!  While in Doheny for that short weekend we got to celebrate Rylee's Birthday which sparked and impromptu soccer game in the street, a surf competition and festival a short walk away, many of corn hole games, and ending with another birthday celebration for Michele before we left.

Finally getting home, it was back to work and the girls first week at YMCA camp.  They enjoyed camp from the first day.  Still during the week they already missed friends from school, so we had some play-dates.  It was quiet at gymnastics since most girls were in Georgia for competition.  We had fun on bike and scooter rides to the school playground and around the neighborhood.

Then the weekend began the 4th of July celebrations.  Cara/Keira/Misha's block had a wonderful party with water slides and super band.  Then we had extra days off work and spent time on the 4th at the Ferrario's enjoying pool time, always great friends, and games.  We ended the 4th at the neighbors with more pool time, great food, and views of the nearby fireworks.

Mommy spoiled the girls the next day since she had it off with a breakfast followed by... yes a shopping spree at Toys R Us.  They had so many gift cards building up that hadn't been used since Mommy is not a fan of shopping.  They pretty much got to pick out anything they wanted in the store. It was actually amazing how responsible they were with checking prices and being conscious about the cost.

Porter got his best buddy, Lula, to come stay for a week starting that Saturday.  Mommy finally got to build a bench out of her very first snow board.  The girls got another play-date with London before we helped celebrate Uncle Keith's 60th  birthday next door with a fun and delicious party.

The Natal's came on Monday as a stop on there way to a family vacation in San Diego.  They had a fun idea to leave their pups and take our girls for the day to spend some quality time on Tuesday. Then Mommy brought the pups to pick up the girls and spend a couple more hours of quality time (Mommy even went almost all the way into that freezing cold ocean : )) the next morning before bringing the girls back home on Wednesday.

We then had a very rare weekend of not doing much accept the necessary up keep and just spending time together.  The girls brought out the entire broken up all combined Lego Friends pieces and we proceed to put each together booklet by booklet.  It was great family time.  The girls also each learned to roll and count all there piggy bank money that they have been collecting since birth.  They sorted, counted, and hand rolled all coins to be put in their bank accounts!  We of course had to get stuff done, so we washed cars etc. and went to breakfast once again before the girls enjoyed their next week of camp!

We managed to order a few chapter books that Cienna has been looking for and they came in, so she has done quite a bit of reading.  She just doesn't stop until they are done.  She was proud of herself making new friends at camp by asking.... What's your name?.  She says her favorite part of the month was tubing on Bass Lake!

We are happy that at least one of Kaylee's front teeth is making a strong appearance since it has been gone over 6 months and she has lost 4 since that one.  There is still one more about to come out.  She misses school friends but is easily made many more at camp.  More time in the water has made her a pretty good swimmer, and even went way into the ocean with Uncle RJ to boogie board in SD.  She loves building things, wouldn't stop till all Lego Friends pieces were built and accounted for : )

Can't even believe that we are this far into the summer and we will have started fall soccer by the next time!

This is all till next time.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sIVhO80ulKuMuh2G2

Cienna - 9 Years, 5 Months... Kaylee - 7 Years Old!

Not a bad start with date night at Ballast Point.  Then the beginning of Kaylee's turn to be scholar of the week at school which she gets to take Sammy the Seal class pet home then post the pictures of his adventures during the week on the class site.

That Saturday was non-stop.  Soccer first, help building the playground at school next, then a daisy tea party, followed by Hailey's Birthday party, finishing down the street with a Birthday/College Graduation party for Taylor.  On Sunday, we just prepared for the upcoming week.  We built a bottle buddy of Walt Disney, and gathered items for Kaylee's scholar week.

Daddy took lunch time on Wednesday to have lunch at school with the girls and Mommy then read a book to Kaylee's class.  The book fair was also that week along with Open House where the girls showed us all the amazing things that they along with their teachers have worked hard to put together.  Everyone put in so much time and effort!  We also went around and introduced ourselves to the 2nd and 4th grade teachers for next year... yikes.  Cienna put on her first full production of Sleeping Beauty as Merryweather to the 2nd and 3rd grade classes.

As a start to Memorial Day weekend, the girls made and omelet and toast breakfast for Daddy before we picked up his truck after getting a new paint job on the roof.  Sunday we had breakfast at Crooked Duck fueling up for a big hike to the Hollywood sign, then having the Marshall's over to play that evening.  Memorial Day was great at home, the girls got some things from neighbors that were cleaning out there old toys and we made delicious ribs with broccoli.

The following week was Cienna's big and final Merryweather roll in Sleeping Beauty for all who wanted to come, Kaylee had her first of many date night deserts and there was field day at school.
That weekend we did a little more prep for Kaylee's party the next weekend before heading to Chula Vista for the girl's State gymnastics meet.  They both competed level 3 and did an outstanding job! We were all SO proud of them.  We were lucky enough to get to stay with the Sklenicka's and spend some quality time with Jackson along with Joe and Dana.  During the week we had a Daisy meeting and Kaylee got a fun as always birthday gift from Auntie Bridget and Vicki.

More parties came as we went to celebrate Dylan's 5th before hosting a very successful vacation destination party for Kaylee's 7th.  Before each destination they got to watch an amazing slideshow made by Daddy of the place they would be going.  They stood in ice water and played fun games in Antarctica, then flew to Hawaii to make lei's and play limbo before heading to Italy for pizza and pasta.  The final destination was to Kaylee's house for cake and celebrating.

The last week of school was then here.  There was not much learning going on, but it sure was fun-filled.  Cara's birthday party was that Wednesday, then the last day of school which happened to also be a special young lady by the name of Kaylee's 7th birthday.  It started off with Strawberry Shortcake for breakfast, pizza party at school, then all of a sudden school was out for summer.  Here we come 2nd and 4th grade.... WOW.  Kaylee made her choice to go bowling with the family since Mommy and Daddy both took off work early to hang out.  After bowling at the arcade the girls actually hit the jackpot in the ticket spin of 1000 tickets!  They decided on a used real bowling pin as their prize.  After the arcade we went to Claim Jumper for dinner and her last date night desert!
To complete the month Kaylee bridged to Brownies and Cienna's troop had a cookie reward party.

Cienna finally used Daddy's old Polaroid camera and her film to take her first picture.  It was of the Hollywood sign.  Her class went to the Planetarium for a field trip.  She was in the toughest division for the State meet but her 9.2 score on the bars got her on the podium in 4th place which she was extremely proud.  Being Merryweather was also very rewarding and fun for her.  She had many lines to learn and nailed them all.  In school she really enjoyed being able to do all her school work in cursive.

Kaylee really enjoyed bringing Sammy the Seal to take pictures with for her Scholar week.  She lost her 3rd tooth in the top middle but still no sign of any growing in.  It's been since November since the first on the top.  Her class trip was to the Discovery Science Center.  After tripping up on her first vault which was her first event she got right back up and got a 9.05 on her second one.  For her Birthday Party she had the best idea of changing outfits with each destination!  Then she turned 7. There are no words to explain how proud we are of how she's grown in what seemed to be such a short amount of time.  My eyes are now too blurry to write more about that.

Welcome summer and next month we'll get to start by writing about our first week which we get to spend together on a camping vacation!!

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Cienna - 9 Years, 4 Months... Kaylee - 6 Years, 11 Months!

The girls enjoyed the rest of their Spring Break at YMCA camp.  We even went one day to go swimming even though they were playing with Mom at home that day, then we all went to lunch afterward.  Porter got to have a friend, Izzy, stay for a couple days while the Adams had work done on their house.  We finished up the week with early celebration dinner for Daddy and some make your own creations from stuff in the garage projects.

That weekend the four of us had a great time at a Galaxy game against the Sounders.  The girls got a special meet and autograph with Dave Romney for being Girl Scouts.  On the way out we ran into Gyasi Zardes who was very friendly and also gave them an autograph on their T-Shirts we made for the game.

Back to school the girls enjoyed the week with friends and Girl Scout activities.  Then another busy weekend was upon us.  Uncle Joe came to visit!!  After the girls had a fun art class with friends, we came home to hang out with Uncle Joe and made him ride a bike down to Beach Streets near by where they closed off main streets around the neighborhood encouraging people to walk and ride bikes to check out local vendors and enjoy free activities and entertainment.  The following day we helped one of Mark's co-workers (Fady) celebrate a surprise wedding proposal on a beautiful gazebo in Irvine.

We prepared for the following week to appreciate our teachers and anticipate Daddy turning 40!  The girls made Daddy a special breakfast before he had to head to work.  Then Mommy contacted some of Daddy's co-workers to join them at Steel Craft for lunch as a surprise.  The big Brewfest weekend was coming next, but not before the girls got their new team locker to share at gymnastics.

Daddy left first with Uncle B and Alex.  But Mommy followed the next morning to join them at Brewfest for the first time in 10 yrs.  The girls got spoiled with a sleepover at the Marshall's house.  The had fun playing and hiking in El Dorado Park before settling in with some movies and a late night of "sleep" with friends.  Meanwhile, Mommy and Daddy were having fun with our friends.  Camping, dancing, gallivanting, and most of all celebrating and finally sleeping on an Aerobed that fits in the back of our truck under the camper shell.  Even the rain didn't slow us down but made packing up the next day loads of fun :(.

The next day the girls went to a pool party for Alyssa's 13th birthday.  The following Friday was a terrific Carver school carnival!  Mommy spent much of the day helping to set up before Daddy came home early so we could all enjoy the event before heading to the last gymnastics practice before the exciting home gymnastics meet.  It was only our team but they were all decked out in their leo's and very excited to perform.  All the girls on the team did exceptional.  We were all so proud of Cienna and Kaylee.  Be sure to notice that some "pictures" are actually videos of their routines from the weekend.  Both girls were in the same level for awards and each place in 3 events and all-around!  Most important they had a great time and were proud of themselves!

For Mother's Day the girls let Mommy lay in bed till 8 and in the meantime made a project together of a game that we could all play first thing when we got up.  They cut and painted a large circle in blue with glitter (which Kaylee suggested would be best done outside) then cut out 7 continents from green construction paper.  We had our own initialed die to roll onto land, if we landed in the water we had a consequence card of cartwheels, jumping jacks, etc.  We had a blast playing as a family before we went for a family run and then headed off to a wonderful brunch at Joan and Larry's.  Afterward we did home projects including finishing our address sign and fixing sprinklers before making dinner to eat in the bed of the truck in our driveway to carry on our Mother's Day tailgate tradition.

Cienna earned her very first (out of four) medals during her gymnastics meet and one of them happened to be first place on floor!  She is loving gymnastics, continued to excel at during her science portion this month, and actually enjoys that she is starting her 3rd grade SBAC testing.

Kaylee continues to surprise people with her capabilities, people forget that she is only 6 during gymnastics.  She showed her swimming abilities when challenged to a test across the pool to get to the deep end.  She has enjoyed learning about France for her upcoming project and presentation next week.

Don't forget that there are some short videos included.  Enjoy!

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Cienna - 9 Years, 3 Months... Kaylee - 6 Years, 10 Months!

The garden is weed free and before long was full of soon to be veggies.  But first in the long line of Birthday parties was a fun little tea party for Mandy, which Kaylee enjoyed with her friends.  Next came STEAM night at Carver put on by all the student teachers from the LB State program.  They were very creative with gas filled balloons to learning how oil ruins birds feathers.

Mommy then turned 40, and we got to go to a new date night dinner location with yummy Thai food. She got spoiled from all the love and birthday wishes from friends and family!  The next morning, Daddy surprised Mommy by taking the day off of work so they could spend time together...just the two of them.  Complete with a run together, breakfast at a new spot, surprise lunch with the girls at school and ended the adventure with a foot massage. Then got to start the garden off right with a trip to the best garden starter spot to get dirty with the family, planting in the garden!

Soccer was thrown into the mix, before London's girl day spa birthday party again for Kaylee and her friends.

The girls donated to the school and got some wonderful gifts at the school Spring Boutique before Spring picture and a fabulous Career Day at school.

A 40th celebration BBQ was held for Mommy at our house filled with tremendous people and fun! Thanks to all that came to hang out and have a good time!  The Bakx, Ferrario's, and Netter's (and of course Daddy!!!) helped make it all happen!  Next party up was Kaymryn's 7th, Paris themed party!

Next were fun check ups at the dentist before Mommy and Daddy set off with 10 other remarkable friends on a pretty unique adventure.  The 12 of us ran back and forth through the trails of Southern California from Huntington Beach to Coronado.  We followed each other as we ran one at a time for 34 hours in minivans!  Mark's was the first and Cherie ran the 6th of the 12 legs.  We each had the pleasure of running 3 total.  Mark had the longest run of his life (8 miles) at 4am in the morning on his third and final run of the event and Cherie had every single extreme up hill run in the race (over 200 flights of stairs in one day... and the next day had plenty as well).  Even with no sleep, we had great company and therefore a good time.  We did sneak away to head to Stone Brewing Co. at Liberty Station while waiting for the rest of our team to complete there legs.

Meanwhile we relied on amazing people in our lives to take care of the girls.  Sara from down the street got to our house at 5:45am when we had to leave for the run and got the girls to school.  Joan picked them up and spoiled them along with Larry and the Bakx for the rest of the weekend full of fun, delicious dinners, ice cream, pool time, play time, even including a movie at the theater.

After a staff meeting at the YMCA and a full work week otherwise, the girls were ready to start Spring Break that Friday before Easter.  We loved on Daddy before he left for work and missed him as we enjoyed a day which started out with a run/bike ride.  Along the way Kaylee found a cool knitted heart with a note stating that she got to keep it and it was spreading the word of always being nice to people.  We then headed for a fun game of bowling, which we realized that Cienna hadn't been in about 3 years, but Kaylee has been a few times.  Cienna picked it right up and we all had fun before heading to the attached arcade and then Baskin Robbins... since we had gift cards and all : ).

Before we prepared for Easter at Auntie Kimmie's, Mommy and Auntie Kimmie went to our scheduled annual Birthday Manicure/Pedicure together.  It was great as always to spend alone time just to chat.  The family then, together, prepared a French Toast Casserole to bring for Easter brunch, painting eggs, and playing games in anticipation for the Easter Bunny!

Good thing the bunny came so we could lure the girls into our bed after they awoke for a show at 7 before the big hunt.  They had a great time and got some cool robots that we spent time together building before we headed next door!

The Snow's put on an AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL spread  as always for Easter "brunch"!  They have amazing family and are happy they invite us into it.  There was another egg hunt and more Easter baskets.  We even came home after and were very successful fixing the washing machine before heading out on a family bike ride.

The last two days the girls spent at YMCA camp and have Loved IT!  Park days, Swim days, Kaylee even got to go to Chuck-E-Cheese's today with her group.  They look forward to Thursday when they get to go back but are happy to stay with Mommy tomorrow.

We even got an extended family member yesterday.  Izzy is a good friend's dog that gets to stay with us a couple days while they are out of their house.

Cienna just inherited another upgraded bike from a neighbor, which also means Kaylee gets her bigger one and they are looking forward to another run/bike ride tomorrow after transferring all their cool spoke and other bike accessories to the new ones.  They continue to grow beyond our comprehension.  Love gymnastics.  Cienna is excelling in typing, Kaylee reading over a half hour a day.  Both making new friends at camp with ease and fit in to an unknown situation better than they ever have.

It's been busier than we had thought, but I guarantee we have enjoyed all of it!


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

We saw the aftermath of last months storm as we started the month going for a family run through the neighborhood parks.  We then had our first, of close to 10 throughout this month, Girl Scout Cookie selling booths before having a tremendous time bouncing around at Ava and Ricky's Birthday Bash having the entire Sky High Sports rented just for the party crew.

The following Monday the girls didn't have school, so the they were lucky enough to get to play with the Marshall's all day while Mommy and Daddy were at work.  Then the Drama Club for 2nd and 3rd graders began with an early morning orientation which Cienna had been waiting for.  That Friday after Cienna's class Scholar store during the day, we had free a Pizookie during date night since it is Mommy's Birthday month before heading to the Gymnastics for Team parent night where the girls got to teach Mommy and Daddy how to do cool moves on all of the events.  As just a couple of examples, Kaylee got Daddy to do a pull over on bars and Cienna had him try handstands on the high beam.  Mommy even got to prove she's "still got it" with her kip to hand-stand impressing the gym's director.

Sunday we got the Carver Parent Ragnar Crew all together at our house for a meeting to discuss details of our running trek to San Diego.  Daddy got the first leg, which for his 3rd run of the 24+ hour race he gets to run over 8 miles, but does get to be the first of 12 to complete his legs of the journey.  Mommy got a good slot if you only look how the miles play out having the longest run first and slowly going down in mileage for the next two, however it happens to be all up hill pretty much the entire time for all 3 of her legs.

During the next week the girls brought some books to school which they got to exchange with others who participated.  Then they made their move to competitive level gymnastics (Level 3).  This changed our weekly schedule around as their gymnastics nights got all switched up.  Mommy had to cut back on a soccer game or two during the week, but it actually gives more time to make dinner and spend together after school for homework and playtime on the nights without gymnastics.  Also meant that Mommy is now part of the competitive team coaching staff.  The girls also participated in dress up at school for Read Across America honoring Dr. Seuss's Birthday before the weekend was underway.

The girls went to Cameron F.'s Jedi training Birthday and Cienna prepared for her Drama Club "Sleeping Beauty" audition that happened on Monday after school.  She practiced and tried out for every spot.  While waiting for the results to come on Friday, the girls both got to walk to the nearby Marshall Middle School to watch their production of Peter Pan.  Cienna was very excited to find out that she got the part of Merryweather.  She's gets a bunch of stage time during the play which isn't until after a couple of months of practice.

After many practices, it was time for the Talent Show Dress Rehearsal.  The girls all did great and were excited for Saturday.  The show was in the afternoon and was so much fun to watch.  Both of their acts were so much FUN!

Sunday we headed to a Nerf War Birthday party for Aaron R. in Cienna's class.  The two girls along with Hailey A. held there own among the sea of boys.

St. Patrick's Day started the last weekend of the month.  After walking the girls to school, it turned out that the sub Ms. Ahrens (Kaylee's teacher) thought was going to cover her, never showed up.  So, Mommy somehow found herself teaching the class for the morning (under staff supervision) until things got somewhat sorted out.  The principal even came in to watch for a little while.  We made Corned Beef dinner, wore green, and the girls of course got treats at school.  Then the month ended celebrating Auntie Kimmie's Birthday.  We went over to say Happy Birthday and ended up staying for dinner and desert : )

Cienna has been over excited this month with getting a part in the play that she really wanted and moving to competitive level gymnastics.  She was so proud of herself getting her last skill to complete all her routines, her front hip circle on bars.  She also had fun selling cookies which came to an end and we believe she sold the most in her troop.

Kaylee had gotten her front hip circle a little earlier in the month which was also her last skill needed to complete all her Level 3 routines as well.  Even being the youngest one on team, she certainly holds her own and loves doing so.  She was sad to see cookie sales come to an end but definitely sold her fair share and then some!

Not as many pictures this month, but there still are some cuties to see.

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Cienna - 9 Years, 1 Month... Kaylee - 6 Years, 8 Months!

Cienna's 9th Birthday party on her actual birthday set the month off to a great start!  Everyone had a great time enjoying leisure sports up the wazoo.  The minimal rain that we get down here subsided just long enough for the party.  During the following week, Cienna got her first bee sting during P.E. at school.  She handled it like a trooper, just wanting to get back to class.  Mommy was helping in Kaylee's class and was there to help since the school nurse was out for the day.  Cienna also got her PTA Reflections project awarded as it has advanced to the next round again this year.

Then began Girl Scout cookie season.  We helped pick up the first load from the warehouse and haven't stopped selling yet.  Door to door, cookie booths, etc.  The girls are enjoying the business aspect and engaging in conversation with neighbors.  Cienna's Troop had a cookie kick off party and Daddy took Kaylee to go bowling and hit up the arcade.  That evening they girls made friends with a snail and we made Strawberry Shortcake that Porter ended up finishing the following week since it was left on the counter.

We finally had a tiny bit of time to fit in an open gym, like we don't get enough gymnastics.  That evening after Mommy and Daddy put the girls to bed they had a good neighbor Sara come over to stay at the house while they went an enjoyed an evening to celebrate Kristen's 39th Birthday.  It was a great time and good company.

We had plenty of play dates as usual including an extra special one with Vera who came to hang out for a few days because she's awesome!  We were all excited to spend time with her.  Mommy and Vera took a lot of time exploring Long Beach and Vera introduced Mommy to a massage place that is quite amazing.  Mommy and Kaylee took Vera to Joe Jost's for her first pickled egg!

Uncle Joe's 40th Birthday party was a great reason for a quick trip to San Diego to hang out with the Sklenicka's and enjoy Helix brewing company.  The girls also found that a brewery is a great place to sell more girl scout cookies.

Lincoln's B-Day was a day off of school for the girls, but not for Mommy and Daddy so they had a special day with friends.  They got to go to a movie theater to see Lego Batman and learned how to make slime from Mia.

We enjoyed making cards for each other for Valentines Day and truly loved the half of a day storm that came through to end the month.  It's pretty fun to see weather when you don't get it too often.  Mommy and Daddy played in the down pour while moving a fallen tree off of the trampoline in the backyard.

As mentioned, Cienna was a trooper through her first bee sting, and is excited that her reflections project is again going to the district level.  Now that she's nine things have changed dramatically... not really.  She is still just as amazing and we couldn't be more proud.

Kaylee on the other hand.... just kidding.  She really has grown this month.  She's trying her hardest to respect her teacher and not laugh every time her classmates try to joke around.  She keeps advancing with reading, but still enjoys math a bit more.  The snail friend gave her some new perspective on "cute" animals.  The very last day of the month Kaylee made her last gymnastics skill that she needs to complete all her level 3 routines, the front hip circle.

Enjoy the photos!
https://goo.gl/photos/ud9ano2diWPVhjdZ6