Chloe Starts Kindergarten!!

I am interrupting the cabin posts to write about Chloe starting kindergarten!! Yesterday was her first day, but it was also the day where she started late and we (parents) got to stay the whole time... So today was the first real day!  I'll start with yesterday- it was so fun! She woke up SOOO excited and had picked out her clothes (with my help of course!) and jumped right into them!  We skyped Grammy and got to talk to her and Nicole before going to school, and then Nana came over to watch the boys, so Chloe had encouragement and excitement from all fronts!!

I am a Kindergartener!!

Little brother's not so sure about his big sis going off and leaving him each day!!

So cute!

Me and my kindergartener and little brother too!

Daddy and Chloe on the way to school!

She's such a big girl!

We found her room- Room 8!

The teacher rang the bell and all the kids shuffled into line... Here she looks a little worried and nervous!!

Little school girl!

In line with all the parents snapping away!!

Before going into the classroom the teacher told the kids to find their name at one of the tables and that there were some crayons and a picture for the kids to start coloring.  It was kind of amazing how quiet the room was- I don't think I've ever seen a room filled with that many 5 year olds so quiet!! I think they all must have been very nervous and wanting to be good!!

Very studiously coloring her picture!!

Chloe's table

Roll call!!

We got to do a little project together.

She is going to LOVE this part of kindergarten! Projects, projects, projects!!

Chloe and Mrs. Reed

Checking out the playground after we were done!!

When we got home I asked Chloe what was her favorite part of kindergarten and she said "All of it!!" 

Today was the full day, and it went just fine too! A little early for all of us, since school starts at 8:00 but we got there just in time for Chloe to go get in line and she started walking off without giving me a hug, so I called her back and got my hug!! Then as she walked into her class she just looked over her shoulder and says, "Bye Mom!" Like it's no big deal!! I have to say, I thought it would be a little harder to leave her, but I barely teared up!! I think it's because I know she is so ready for school and this is just a part of growing up!! Happy learning my little school girl!!

The Garage Sale & Lemonade Stand

A few weeks ago we had a combined garage sale with Juan and Cari, so between us we had quite a bit of junk to get rid of!! The day of the sale started off a little cool and overcast, but it burnt off by the afternoon and it was actually a great day to be outside!

The early morning crew!

Sage was watching all the action from the living room windows! This is often how we find him when we come home... I'm never quite sure how he knows to be there when we come home (since I don't think he waits there all day long!) but he usually is!!

I made a lemonade stand for the kids using their Ikea table and some wooden poles.  Chloe painted the sign and was sooo excited to sell lemonade to all the customers!!

They even got into our little local paper here (it helps that our neighbor works for the paper!) !

They definitely drank more than they sold, but they had fun doing it!! Chloe is quite the saleswoman and had no problem going up to the garage salers and asking them if they wanted any lemonade or iced tea!!   One man said the irony of his situation was funny- he had to pee, wasn't thirsty, and didn't like lemonade, but he bought some from Chloe anyway!!

Chloe is 5!!

There is something special about being 5, just ask a 5 year old!! Chloe could not be more excited about being 5 years old! When she woke up on her birthday I heard her in her room say to herself "I'm 5 years old!" and then she ran into our room and asked if she got to go to school today because she was 5!! Chloe is so sweet and thoughtful (most of the time) and loves to talk to anyone that will listen!  She is so very active and has so much fun swimming, playing soccer, and just running around playing with other kids!  4 has been such a great age and I'm really looking forward to 5! 

On her birthday, Sunday morning before meeting!  She is holding the doll she picked out with her gift card from Grandma Ruth!

What a big girl!

I can't believe she is 5!

She wanted pink cupcakes for her actual birthday! (That's how she differentiates between her party and her birthday! One is her birthday and one is her "actual" birthday!)

She and Eli added the sprinkles!

Happy Birthday, Chloe!

She got to blow out these ones on her own!

This n' That

The kids like to have what they call a sleep over, which means that they pick which room to sleep in and they sleep play in that room for the night!!

Here they are finally sacked out for the night!

While we set up his new train table and trains he was busy playing!! I love that you can tell he is making sound effects in this picture!!

Chloe & Elijah's Soccer Birthday Party!

Well, since Chloe and Elijah are in soccer they (and when I say they, I mean Chloe!) decided that they wanted a soccer themed birthday party!  I thought this was perfect for a boy/girl combined party! 

They had a soccer game that morning and then we came home to get ready for their party!

This cake was one of the least complicated, but it still seems to take a long time to make such a big cake!

The soccer ball on top!

The fan filled stadium was really cool and the kids loved it!

A full pool as usual!

Warming up!

Bombs Away!

Looks like Grandma Ruth has something important to say!

Blowing out their candles!

This is the face of a candle sniper whose candles have just been sniped by her little brother!!

Auntie Marila has the magic touch!

Their favorite part!! Look at all those gifts!

Digging in!

The party goers! (minus a few that left earlier!)

A sweet little boy

With his sweet Daddy!