little fishies

Rhiannon has been taking swimming lessons over the summer, and over her last week of summer break she had a lesson every week day. She has graduated up to the "eel" class. (Make that the ''Ray" class. Wow, up 2 levels in one summer..)

She can jump in and swim back to the side of the pool...

She is working on her "ice cream scoops"

And floating on her back

She also picks up rings from the bottom of the shallow end. She swims under water easily, but she's still working on keeping her head up while swimming. All of my kids love the pool. Michael is the only kid in his parent and me class that does not cry when he dunks under water, he gets to move up to no more Mommy or Daddy in the pool with him next week. Kaitlyn surprisingly loves the pool too. I was sure she would scream at the cool water, but she is happy going in up to her arm pits. She just splashes, laughs, and giggles at big sis in the water. My water babies.

Saturday Rhiannon had her Build a Bear birthday party.

It was very well organized, they were lead through the choosing, stuffing, "fluffing", dressing, and naming by an employee that sounded like she could have been a preschool teacher. She made it fun for them. (like it wouldn't have been fun... She made it more fun)My wide eyed fist sucker. She does love those fingers.Rhiannon's flower head band she picked out for her "last day of being 4" day.Michael fluffing "Charger"So much to choose from....Ta dah!Rhiannon's kitty on skatesAnd more presents, "oooooh!"

After building the bears/puppies/kitties we went to picture people and got a pic of all the kids and there new little buddies. They all had lots of fun. Rhiannon says next year she wants her party at the park, so she can have a pinata. She's thinking ahead...

Half a decade

I asked Rhiannon what she wanted to do on her birthday and of all things she said she wanted to go to the mall. I opted to take them on a day Grandpa could go with, I don't at all desire a day at the mall with just me and 3 kids. So Rhiannon dubbed it her last day of being four, and we celebrated it. Grandpa Rambo is the one and only person who braves going out with me and the three EVERY week, and it is usually a bit crazy, but without that we would not get to do all this fun stuff, I couldn't, wouldn't do it my myself right now.

So we played in the play area...


We picked out candy in the candy store.....




and picked out flowery head bands and butterfly hair clips.

Then to our favorite spot to eat, soup plantation.

mmm..

After lunch a trip to toysRus where Rhiannon and Michael checked out toys with Grandpa while Mom snuck around and hid bags in the back of the van.

I'm glad I took pictures the night before because I woke up to Michael peaking in to my room asking "can we open presents?" Instead of answering him over the sleeping baby I quietly started getting out of bed, which I guess he took as "go for it!" cause he ran back to the living room and I herd him say "she said yes!", then I herd mad ripping sounds. I ran out, grabbed my camera, and took pictures of jammied, messy haired kids ripping into presents. It was like christmas. Then we sang happy birthday and ate cake way to early in the morning for that much sugar. Good thing they mostly like cake for the novelty of it, and don't do much more than pick at it.

Then to Shakys for some games, pizza, and some Nana, Papa, and uncle Donnie time.

Kaitlin watched the light on this game go round and round while flailing her arms and legs and gasping. It was just amazing how that light kept coming back around again and again.

With the help of Dad, Papa, and uncle Donnie they ended up with a whole lot of tickets..

Rhiannon and uncle Donnie were having a "lets see who can close their eyes right when a picture is taken" contest.

And both of them!

After watching Rhiannon get gifts all day Mikey was thrilled to get one of his own.

Princesses are all ways a winner when you're a 5 year old girl.

This play doh set is by far her favorite, and most messy, thing she got for her birthday. And I can't even count how many times I have said "put your play doh away, it will dry out!"

5 years old..... and starting kindergarten in just weeks. Man this goes by fast.

mmm summer

Just sayin...