Warmups!

I've posted about Paige's acro class before but I liked this picture from last week. They just built a new viewing area above the gym and it's so much easier and more fun to watch now! They start every class with all the kids running in a circle, then they do some stretches and split off into their groups.

Hike Bike

Paige and I went on a bike ride/hike the other day while Pat and Owen were at soccer practice. There were tons of people everywhere enjoying the weather and Paige wanted to get all the way down by the water like some of the teenagers we saw. We didn't have a ton of time so we compromised for partway down and a promise to go back another day!

1 mile!

We had a packed day planned on Saturday but when Paige found out we hadn't signed her up for the 1 mile fun run at her school she immediately began making the case for adding one more activity! Her argument was pretty convincing too-she pointed out how much she loves running and that this is one of her favorite activities of the year! The kids have done it twice (see here and here) but we missed last year because of the horrible weather! Owen opted out this year but regretted the decision when he saw it was more like a real race than it had been in years past.
 Paige and I got up early to be in time for the race-day registration and then we tried to work off her nerves by chatting with friends and acquaintances. I ran it with her because it was through the streets but I let her determine the pace. She was amazing! She never stopped and every time it seemed like she might be thinking of slowing down she would get a burst of speed and continue on. I was so proud of her determination that by the time we rounded the last corner and the crowd was cheering her on, I had to stop myself from crying. She ended up being the third or fourth kid across the finish line and definitely the youngest!

Surprise Mini-Date

Owen was invited to a friend's house a couple weekends ago and Pat brought Paige with him for the drop-off. They ended up asking her to stay and hang out with them so we had a few hours to ourselves for errands and a quick dinner! We've been awful about planning dates so this was a pleasant and easy way for it to happen. This was the day after our Rock Band night with friends so my voice still hadn't recovered but I managed to squeak out some good conversation:)

Reading

Soccer Starts!

The soccer season has officially begun!! Paige started things off on Saturday. She's in an older division this time so I wasn't sure what the skill level would be like but she held her own without a problem. They'll be practicing for 30 minutes and then moving into small sided games for the second half of the hour. Pat is helping coach this year so next week he'll start with his group of girls-and Paige will be one of them!

Owen had his first game on Sunday! Owen got to wear the captains armband and had some good plays but ultimately they were outmatched by a team they could have beaten. If they get to play this team again, I know his team is going to pull through with a win. The kids were all disappointed with the loss so I think this will be motivation to play even harder next time!

Pat had his first game on Sunday too (I was out to give my knee some more time to recover) but I forgot to get a picture!

Birthdays!

We celebrated some family birthdays over the weekend! Lisa and Alex are a couple weeks apart so we celebrated both of them on the same day with some yummy pizza, ice cream cake and fun games. The weather was so beautiful that we even got to do some playing outside!

Zsaz was staring Owen down for his piece of lettuce.

Laney and Paige!

Birthday girl!

Kindergarten Review!

We've known for a few weeks that Paige was going to have a speaking part in the kindergarten concert and even though it made her a bit nervous at first, she was totally confident when performance day finally rolled in! Her line was "And now you can watch us act it out with out little muffin rhyme!" She nailed it! This was the same concert Owen did in Kindergarten, a sort of year in review, so we knew a little about what was going to happen and some of the songs were familiar but it didn't take away from the cuteness of the whole thing and I still had to work hard to control my tears! The difference between this day and the first day of school was huge, I'm worried about what the last day of school is going to feel like but I'm so proud of all the great things Paige has learned and participated in this year!

Paige is sitting on the floor in the green! It was a comfy spot for her but made it difficult to see her during the crowded evening show. I got this picture at the morning show!

After the morning show, a lot of the parents rushed the stage and started snapping pictures. Most of the kids look confused.

Paige and her friend had a lot of built up energy before the evening show!!

group picture!

Rock Band

I powered through a barely-there voice so we could all hang out with friends! It's an awesome mix of kids too, Paige went to preschool with a kid from each family and one of Owen's best friends is part of it too. Then there's a family we've been friends with since Owen started school and a girl one year older than Paige who she adores! The adults all get along too-Bonus! Another family hosted and fed us an amazing meal and Owen tried shrimp for the first time ("What is this? I like it." Walks away, comes back, "I don't want this, it doesn't taste good." More shrimp for me!). The kids would filter in and out, grabbing food, wrestling, playing tag or taking a turn at Rock Band and there was even an impromptu moment where we tried to play Cups without the cups sliding clear across the room as we tried to grab them. We ended the night late with me grabbing some hot tea to go and waving because speaking was no longer an option!

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Pat had to go out of town for work a couple weeks ago and the kids were sort of devastated. Even more so than usual! In an effort to be able to talk about Pat without the kids crying I came up with an idea to send him a list we made for a photo scavenger hunt. The kids had some great ideas and even though Pat couldn't complete them all (apparently he didn't come across a fox while he was there...) they looked forward to his pictures! Here are a few! (Owen would also send Pat pictures of his Pokémon cards labeled with names and riddled with emojis:) )

Bathroom mirror selfie-Check!

Artwork in your room-Check!

I think this one was "selfie with a stranger without them knowing"-Check!

Ears!

Paige is officially the proud owner of two holes in her ears! And the earrings that go in them! A week or two before her birthday she told me she definitely wanted to do it and I probably asked her everyday after if she was still sure. She was! We took her to the mall the day after her birthday to have it done. I was a little concerned initially, with the associates working that day as they were acting a little put out to have to pierce ears that day, but we talked a little longer and I could tell they knew what they were doing. Paige sat down in the special chair and when they pierced her ears she didn't even flinch! I know how great she is at getting shots but I still expected to see a look of surprise or something! She did great and they look great on her. It's been about a week and she's a little annoyed that she can't put different ones in yet (2-3 more weeks!) but she's doing a great job taking care of them (With some help!)

Before!

After!

Party stuff

Paige requested a fox theme for her birthday party a few weeks ago (although she did try to switch it to a Chipettes theme a couple days before! What!?) and it was a lot of fun to put together! We already had the right color streamers so we printed off some free fox pictures, bought some balloons and a figurine for the top of the cake and it looked great! We also put out some pinecones and "wood" candles that we had for an extra woodsy atmosphere.

We made a vanilla layer cake with some chocolate decorations on the side.

Close-up!

Owen got Paige the fox stuffed animal for her birthday so we added it to the decorations!

We use this chalkboard banner for everything!

Birthday Party!

We had Paige's party in the evening so we got to relax and take our time setting up for most of the day! It was a blast hanging out with friends and family and I think everyone had a great time. I think Paige was feeling the love:) The day had started out sunny and cold but by the end of the party it was snowing super hard! I'm so grateful people were able to come and everyone got home safely!

Getting ready to blow out the candles!

Some of the kids!

Silly faces!

Paige got a giant frisbee from her Aunt and Uncle and Reed used it to shield them from the rain

One of my favorite pictures!

Birthday Morning!

Paige turned 6 on a Saturday so we had a lot of time to celebrate without worrying about getting anywhere. She woke up early and ready for some sprinkle pancakes, as per tradition. We had decorated the house the night before, for the party we were having later that day, and less than half the streamers fell down by morning! Success! Paige was super excited to open presents, although I don't know why she was just assuming we got her some... ;) and it worked out perfectly because Pat and Owen went to a soccer coaching session while Paige put together a new lego set and I prepped for the party!

Birthday balloon chair! (also tradition)

Number 6 balloon! Yay! (does this balloon seem familiar?)

Owen helped Paige cover her eyes.

Reaction to seeing her presents!

New dance bag!

New lego set!

Those lego bags are tough! This is one of my favorite pictures of the day.

More Easter!

The second half of Easter day was spent at my parents house. The kids had to solve some riddles to find their baskets and Paige was able to have a turn reading the clues this year! We ate a good meal together and took a walk around the neighborhood because the weather was soooo nice.

Reading clues.

Got them!

Playing Left, Right, Center. A new favorite!

Mom and Aunt Marlene

Us!

Paige was incredibly sad when it was all over!

Happy Birthday Paige!

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!