Jack, Cheeseball Preschooler Extraordinaire!

This just seemed like the right title to this photo...Jack specifically requested this pose for his first-day-of-school snapshot. Preschool has been a mixed bag for Jack this year — his best friend Owen was going to be in his class at Miss Sara's preschool, but then moved away. Which left Jack as the only boy in his class. Some days he's excited about school, some days, I can barely get him out of the car. Once he warms up, he usually gets with the program. As I get to know Jack's personality, I realize he's more and more like his Dad than I thought — Bob has to be talked into stuff, and is sometimes slow to warm up. The other day, Jack told me that he "hates Costco, because there are too many people." It was so totally Bob it was frightening.

Despite Jack's stubborn and slightly grumpy streak, he is such a lovable boy. He tells me he "wuzes" (loves) me "all day" and gives me hugs and kisses on demand. He is fiercely protective of his siblings (even though he's usually responsible for most of their frustration), and has a wicked sense of humor. He'll bust into a karate kicking and chopping frenzy at the most inopportune moments, and I just can't help laughing at it. Why can't he just stay three a little longer?

Happy 6th Birthday Mia!

The day before Mia's birthday, our new American Girl doll store opened at the mall. I decided to surprise her with a visit, just to "look around." Bob and I hadn't decided if we were going to buy her one...they're just so expensive. Turned out that an opening of an American Girl store is a big red carpet event...we had to wait almost three hours just to get in the door. Mia invited Reese, her BFF, along to join in the fun.

Due to the long wait, we went home and got Jenni and Reese's big sister. We had to do some fast talking to get them in since we didn't have extra tickets. 

Mia had enough of the photos and was trying to get out of the shot here...

Neither one of us was prepared for what was in store for us! The American Doll brand is quite an institution! 

 Of course, I couldn't resist, so I put in a call to Bob, and with a contribution from Grandma, we decided to buy Mia her first American Girl doll!

Mia and Lanie

 Aidan made Mia a birthday poster to wake up to, along with all of her presents.

Birthday breakfast! Mia requested sausage, homemade cinnamon rolls and eggs. 

Because we had spent so much on Lanie, I had to think fast and come up with a special present to open on her birthday that was inexpensive. I had some leftover material from a blanket I had Mia a few years ago, so I made a doll sized matching rag quilt.

We headed out to the zoo, one of Mia's favorite places. She's going to be a "zoo keeper" some day. We have a family membership, so we go as often as we can.

We met up with Grandpa Littlewood and Laurel.

Grandpa and Laurel offered us all camel rides. The boys took them up on it right away, but Mia needed some convincing. She finally got on and LOVED it.

After the zoo, we headed over to T-Rex, a favorite birthday spot. In fact, we go three times a year on all the kids' birthdays. Grandma and Uncle David came along.

This girl brings so much to our family. With Mia, there's never a dull moment. There's never a quiet moment either. I love her personality and all her little quirks — she cares so deeply about her friends and family and is so intensely excited about EVERYTHING. Happy Birthday Mia!

Back To School

The night before the kids go back to school, I try to make a special dinner. This year, the kids requested pizza and a yummy ice cream punch drink. We finished it off with the Best Chocolate Cake Ever!

This second grader is growing up way too fast...

Mia has been ready for Kindergarten for the past year...

At school

A few days after school started, the kids were ready to start riding the bus. Mia had been BEGGING me to let her ride it since the first day, but I am a little overprotective. We had a big talk with Aidan about watching over his little sister. A few days later, Mia complained that she wanted to sit by her friends but Aidan wouldn't let her — he insisted that she stay by his side. Big brothers are the best!

I LOVE this photo. I can see Mia's huge smile just from her profile, and Aidan is being protective as usual.

Meet The Teacher

A few days before school, Mia got to meet her new Kindergarten teacher. She actually already knows her pretty well since Aidan had her two years ago. We are so glad that she will have such an amazing teacher — we know Mia will love Kindergarten. This girl is READY.

Another bonus is that Mia's been reunited with her dance buddy Julia!

Aidan loved revisiting his old classroom. I know he felt super grown up — just look at that face.

The Zoo

I know I've already mentioned our visit to meet the new polar bear at the Kansas City Zoo. We have a family membership, so when we need something fun and cheap to do, we head out. It's about 30 minutes away, and even though it's small, we love it.

They hide food for the tigers then turn them loose. It was a little scary...

Sometimes we feed the Lorikeets. But inevitably, someone gets pooped on or bitten. 

This time Aidan got bitten. Drama. Somehow I snapped this shot before the attack. 

Theater in the Park

Our cable company sponsored a night at the Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park for their customers one night this July. A couple of other moms and I headed down for some free entertainment.

We packed all the essentials...snacks...blankets...chairs...

...and our favorite princess dresses...

We had a great time — until the show started. We quickly realized that our kids just weren't ready for theater in the park. The show was Cinderella, we had bad seats and the acting was worse. It was worth a try! 

This photo of Brycen and Andrea made it all worthwhile...

Fourth of July!

I was called to the activities committee over the summer and was feeling good enough to help out at our Fourth of July picnic.

My favorite part of the day was watching the kids get on their bikes (which they had decorated in red, white and blue) and parade around the walking trail. Here's Jack dusting the kid on the trike...he's a speed demon.

Jack had a little TOO much fun...