We now have a completely amazing, well rounded, intelligent, independent, driven, thoughtful, creative, loving, outgoing, powerful, and athletic (adjectives from the family) 14 year old! She also wanted to add full of important activities. Cienna has made a lead part in the upcoming play, and is co-chairman of student site council for her school, 1st chair in Jazz Band, and in vocal ensemble. There is nothing she won't put her self out there for even with the fear of not succeeding. That doesn't even include the leaps and bounds that she makes every day at gymnastics in her "spare time" of 18 hours a week. She has showcased her progress on her private blog and enjoys every practice and meet as she continues to progress! She also got accepted to her school of choice for High School next year, "Milikan Quest", which is a scholastically chosen group of applicants. So, yes, she speaks for herself. And others speak of her.
Given all that I guess she deserved some balloons to wake up to as well as a good breakfast before school. Then a birthday song from friends before ice cream treats at gymnastics. Afterward she opened some gifts from family before yet another desert and celebration with just us.
She was very excited that she had a gymnastics meet the day after her birthday which happened to be in Anaheim. We made a whole weekend of it and actually got a hotel room that Saturday night. Cienna did have a great meet and we all got to enjoy each other in the hotel. The next morning we got up to support/coach Adi for her session before going back to the hotel so Kaylee could get dressed for hers later that afternoon before checkout. Kaylee had a solid meet as well and had fun with her teammates.
Daddy got his Meta Quest Headsets (one for work, and one for family play) that next week. We also prepared for a great birthday celebration. Cienna invited some friends to meet at the Belmont Shore Pool near the beach bike path. We all headed on a fun sunset bike ride to Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt on the Boardwalk. Enjoyed sweet treats, and checking out the cool nearby shops before riding back along the path. They took advantage of photo ops and fun times to hang out together!
The next day we had our "Super Bowl" with the 49ers and the Bakx. It was a decent game even though the Niners lost, but the food was amazing. Lots of appetizers, and of course ribs! We played with the Meta Quest, Trampoline, and loved catching up!
The girls created many projects which included some intricate KiWi Co kits built by Kaylee and Cienna designed her Birthday thank you card templates. We also got time to hang out with the Marshall's and Vigliotti's for bike trip to ice cream at Handels. The girls also had fun getting some dollar store decorations for Valentines Day.
We were so happy and fortunate to be invited to Robert and Elissa's wedding. It was a beautiful day and we were all happy to share it with them. The next day we made and recorded a rap song for Poppa's 80th birthday. We all think it was amazing...maybe not so much, but Poppa loved it...maybe??? But no matter, we love Poppa.
We welcomed a visit from Auntie Bridget the next week. No matter our week schedule she only made us all better and enjoyed all the time we had with her. She hitched a ride with MiKayla on Monday. They got to enjoy dinner with Mark. Then Mommy and her Aunt had a blast at Knott's Berry Farm. Bridget got in using Grammy's annual pass that she bought last winter. Mommy loved spending the one on one time with her Aunt. We actually got to look around the Amusement Park and go on one of the best roller coasters there!
Cienna continues to make very creative paintings as you will see in the Olympic background, we finally got Daddy a (or two) gym Dad T-Shirts.
We got to doggy sit Lula while her family was in Mammoth. That...actual Super Bowl Sunday we went to Knott's to ride Hang 10 since it was out of commission before going to the Bakx for game time. It was a good game, but better company.
Next up, Valentines Day. Girls had school off but Mommy and Daddy had to work. MiKayla was awesome and brought both Lucky and Ellie to hang out. It was fun for them to have 5 large dogs to play with throughout the day and MiKayla brought them to lunch at Panera to eat as they watched Encanto for the umpteenth time.
Mark had a "fixed" root canal from over 20 years ago because it may not have been done correctly, but is healing alright.
We could look at pictures of our kids all day long, but pictures definitely show a better story than we could write.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RUQyLgGA1arwxive8

