Apple Doesn't Fall Far

This (among 20 others) little doozy of a family portrait appeared on my iPad. The Barbies must have had a busy day posing. I used to do the same thing with my Barbies and Cabbage Patch Dolls. The only difference is that we printed out rolls of them on film. Most of these dolls were actually mine, especially the ones with the frizzy hair. I love, love, love that the girls play with dolls. I played with them for years! I might have to start again now that my live dolls won't let me dress them anymore. ;)

 

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Ski Camp

Last year I stayed at the lake for a week with the girls. This year we got to spend the WHOLE week with our favorite guy. We go to the lake a lot on the weekends, but having a whole week with Brad was a blessing. We labeled it Ski Camp and will stick to it. We all had a goal to do "something new." The first night we took a long sea doo ride. In a cove we stopped to swim and our first "something new" was Brad doing a backflip off the back of the sea doo. At that point I knew it would be a good week.

I did some skiing outside the wake (ha ha) and learned to drive the boat so Brad could ski. The whole time I was doing it I kept asking the girls "Is he alive?" I was so worried. Jilli's new thing was tubing, which she has done the past two summers but this year is deathly afraid of it. She also tried skiing but took "hold on" a little too seriously and forgot to let to of the rope when she fell. Yikes.

Mia rocked Ski Camp and is now a confident skier behind a sea doo and the boat. She was SO proud of herself as were Brad and I. The first time she actually got up she went pretty far and left me stranded in the water cheering her on. I could hear Brad whooping it up as he was driving. When he circled back to get her after she fell, he jumped in the water with her for some high fives. She wanted to go again and told me she didn't need me in the water anymore. I foresee Jilli giving it a solid effort in the future as she wants to be just like her. Mia's smile each time she skied was priceless, she was so proud of herself.

 

 

We look forward to Ski Camp again next year!!!

 

The girls enjoyed sitting in the boat playing cards.

Mia perfecting her front flip off the diving board.

 

Cousins Dane and Ava came and played too!

 

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First Communion

 

Be still my heart, she is just so sweet.

As long as she got to wear heels, she was happy!

 

 

 

 

 

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Mia Kate's First Holy Communion

On April 20th, Mia received her first communion. It was a lovely experience for her and I am just so proud of her. She has poise and grace and just breezed through the entire experience. Here are just a few photos of her special day!

Pew marker with her handprint.

Her biggest fan!

Our little family.

Grandpa Frank and Grandma Cheryl

Grandpa Ron, Grandma Jan and Fr. Jim

Great Grandma Betty (my Grandad would have been SO proud of Mia, missed him this day!)

Mia's Godparents, Aunt Bry and Uncle Aaron

 

 

Great Grandma Trudy and Great Grandpa Earl

Her special cake!

More pics to follow!

 

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Last Day of School

Alleluia school was finally over! My family has voted that Summertime Stace is so much better(and nicer) than School Year Stace. I will work on that. Anyways the girls rocked Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Jilli is reading like a pro and Mia is working on division in math. Both are little scholars who put forth 100 percent effort on their work. We are so proud of their achievements! Note the photos however, Mia posed nicely. Jillian was having some sort of outfit issue (should wear uniforms even on the last day) and was uncooperative for a picture. So here she is the last day of Kindergarten! I am sure she would never do this for her teacher. Funny how I can successfully manage twenty-one 3rd graders, but not one 6 year old.

 

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Dance Recital 2013

Mia participated in her 5th dance recital this June! She is so fun to watch, her NAC routine was one of the best in the recital. In her daily life she isn't much of a performer, but she really comes alive on stage. The 5 and 10 year students get a trophy at the recital. Mia has been counting for the past 3 years and was so excited to get hers! The night before she had a high fever and was devastated to miss. I told her that if she couldn't dance, she could always just walk up for the trophy. She said "I am fine laying down, but not so good when I stand up." Yikes. Lots of rest and meds got her through the recital, but she then crashed for the next four days with fever. Mom of the year points right there! ;)

 

 

The meds are wearing off in this picture with Dad, but she has her trophy!

Jay-Bird danced this year to an appropriate dance, Yakkity Yak, Don't Talk Back. She knew her dance well and brought smiles to our faces. This is the first year I haven't recorded their dances ahead and had them practice, more Mom of the Year points there. We carpooled and I either just dropped off or picked up and didn't go in. Going into the show I was a bit nervous, and knew M.K. would pull it off. Jilli pulled it off as well!

 

Of course the girls were in separate shows and I spent 11 hours at the Lied Center. Surely that makes up for over medicating and lack of observing throughout the year. Thanks for the entertainment girls, you are awesome and we are so proud of you!!!!!

 

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Spring Soccer

Mia finished Spring Soccer back in May. She worked very hard and is becoming more aggressive. She just loves being on a team with her friends!

 

 

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Swim Team

Mia recently completed her first summer on swim team. It wasn't much of a hit at first, but with persistence and hard work, she wants to continue next year!

 

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My best helper

In order to get control of my life, seriously trying to balance working full time, I had to recruit some help. Brad and I had many conversations about how I could work, chauffeur kids, and still get a decent meal on the table. Our help.....our daughters. We split the week up, Mia sets the table on days with an "n" and Jilli sets on days with a "t." When it is not their day to set, they have to clean up and set the table for breakfast. My favorite part is that I get one on one time with both girls. Plus we get the work done in half the time.

Mia LOVES this!!!! She loves time with me alone, without you know who. She really enjoys cutting fruit and helping make the meals. I love "n" days because I have great help!

 

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