Two front teeth!

I really, really love the toothless grins!

End of year field day

The kids had a half day today and enjoyed some "field day" festivities  - a bike a thon/sponge relays/egg relays.... They had a blast!  Killian and I showed up a little early to try to get a few pictures.

Elementary students had a water balloon fight but the teachers ambushed them before they got started!

 

Adorable!

Kayden's 6

Bigger and bigger!!!  The kids just keep growing up so much!  Kayden has a fantastic year at school this year and has really blossomed as a leader (a quiet leader but still a leader).  She is incredibly shy when a parent is around but when I watch her secretly, she's outgoing and talkative.  Ms. Wilcox has told me on multiple occasions what a "gem" she is and how she could "teach a hundred students at a time if they were all like Kayden" and how she is such a "perfect, well rounded child and student".  She apparently follows her lessons plans without challenge at school and is fairly mild mannered and always has a smile.  She has exploded into reading this year and is reading chapter books which I think is so fun.  Kelly and I both love to read and it is neat to see the kids really enjoying it as well.  We have to tell her to turn out the light and go to bed frequently because she is up there reading so late!  The best thing about her reading, however, I think is the effect it has on her sleep.  She still doesn't get as much sleep as the other kids seem to need and she still has a hard time getting so sleep sometimes, but since she started reading chapter books, the middle of the night waking has ceased.  I think that her body is able to calm itself into a more restful state as she gets to sleep and if she stir at night she no longer wakes all the way up and she certainly isn't awake for 2-3 hours at a time like she used to be!  Geography is still a favorite subject of hers and she has brought home many maps.  She probably knows more geography than me!  She plays well with either sibling but not well with both of them at the same time. :)  She is a passionate, strong-willed little girl that loves cuddles and craves one on one attention.  I always have a ready helper in the kitchen if she is around and her smile and giggle can light up the room.   

Stats:

* Height: 46.5 inches (74.12%)

* Weight: 46.12lbs (58.62%)

The doctor said that looked perfect.  She is long and lean (and full of muscles from all her running/jumping/swinging!)

I love Keeley's smile in this picture

Snuggle time with brother and cookies.  Oma had taken her to get her James Avery Charm and obviously had to stop for cookies at Paradise since it is right next door.

She loved her scooter.  We didn't get any pictures of her riding it for some reason (I'm guessing brother melt down...) but she loved it.  It is one of those where you straddle your legs a little and sort of move your hips to move it)

That weekend we got together with the grandparents for an "official" birthday celebration.  Kayden requested CiCi's for dinner and a dolphin cake.  We enjoyed the dinner and cake.  Only complication was that we had to re-light Kayden's candles multiple times because Killian kept blowing them out thinking that it was his birthday!

She seriously has one of the most adorable smiles around.  It is infectious!

 

He was crying here has I held him back so Kayden could FINALLY blow out her own candles!!!

End of the year Ensemble party

Ms. Bell organized an end of the year party for the Ensemble girls.  We started out at Rusty Taco.  It was so cute to watch the girls eat together.  Ensemble has been a good experience for Keeley this year.  She's really grown a lot and had so many good experience with older girls.  I'm glad she had such a great leader with Ms. Bell.

After Rusty Taco we headed over to the dance studio and took a hip hop class (even the moms!).  It was so fun!!  Not all the moms participated but I sure did.  I miss dancing and this was a fun chance to bond with Keeley.

Daisy Bridging

The girls have completed their first year as Girls Scouts and it is time to bridge.  We joined up with another (more experienced) troop for the event.  I think it was neat to see the much older girls and all the patches they've earned and to see how much they lead the ceremony.

Flag ceremony

Kayden earning her pin for completing her first year as a Daisy.

The mirror part of the bridge to Brownie Scouts.  So funny because I have very distinct memories of this but my mom had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned the mirror...and she was the leader!

Receiving her Brownie vest

And her pin for a year of scouting

The girls from our troop that bridged.  I think they will all be returning.

Friendship circle time!

Sea World!

For Kayden's birthday this year she decided to skip the party and head to Sea World!  We are so lucky because ALL the grandparents joined us!  Oma drove down with our family on Friday night and we met up with everyone else when we got there.

We stopped in Austin for a quick bite to eat around lunch time.  I love Austin.  When I looked for kid friendly places on my phone, tons showed up.  We chose one that had out door dining and a playground for the kids.  It was the perfect stop for a road trip meal.

When we arrived in San Antonio, we made a stop by the Alamo.  Kayden had studied it a little to put it in her landmarks book at school so we wanted to make sure we were able to see it on the trip.

Daddy explaining a plaque to the kids that showed the way the Alamo would have looked.

When we checked in to the hotel just a little bit later, we hit up the pool first thing!

"Gobbles" are a bit unnecessary since he doesn't like to get his head wet..

Enjoying a dinner of cheerios on the porch after swimming.

We left the kids with Oma and went to meet up with Grandad and Carolyn for a grown up dinner.  Then we all turned in early to be prepared for our adventures the next day!

We started with breakfast all together at the hotel...

And then it was off to Sea World!

Grandad and Dad trying to figure out the photo booth.  It was broken.

The dolphin area.

Killian taking some pictures of the dolphin area.

Kayden had so much fun at that area that we decided to feed the dolphins the next day.

Waiting for the big Shamu show.  Everytime we'd say, "There's shamu" Killian would say, "NO!  That's Orca"  He pays attention to Octonauts!

We left late afternoon and headed back to our rooms to rest and cool off a bit.  We then put on swim suits and met downstairs for dinner and a swim.

Three cute kiddos enjoying some ice cream!

The kids wanted to explore the lazy river and the grandmother's lounged in this cabana.  Looks pretty relaxing with the kids all over it!

When we came back later, Kayden discovered we'd decorated the hotel room for her :)

Daddy and Killian watching a show while everyone worked through the showers.

The girls watching a show after baths.

The next day we started the day with the dolphin adventure!  We got to touch them and also feed them.  Killian didn't want to do either of those things until our turn was over and then he was quite upset about it.  It is hard to be three.  Kayden really enjoyed it.

We split up at that point so the girls could ride a few rides (we'd ridden a couple the day before while Killian napped).  When we met back up again, the girls got their faces painted.

We left the park and stopped at another great restaurant (they had a huge field for the kids to run and play in ) and then got on our way.  All three quickly passed out!

Very fun birthday adventure!