School House Rock

 The school put on the first ever (that we've been going to this school, 6 years) play with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. They did a few songs from School House Rock.

I can't tell you how much we enjoyed this show, it was so sweet, very fun and peppy! I was sad when it was over, really I could have stayed and watched another hour of it.

Of course, Jaida was right in her element, doing what she loves and we were so proud of her and all the kids who did such a great job!

Can't wait for next year...and maybe Jenna will be able to get in on it.

Jaida Turns Eleven!

 Jaida had her birthday party a day later than her actual birthday because she had the School House Rock play that day. She wanted a SPA birthday theme, so we went with it. 

I think this cake is what inspired the theme, I had pinned it on Pinterest a while ago and she loved it.

We ate lunch then made an oatmeal mask, foot scrub and did our own mani-pedi's. I must say, it was the quietest birthday party I've ever been to! We had soothing music playing in the background and only a few girls over, made it pretty easy to manage.

 We celebrated with Framily Sunday night, so really we had a Jaida birthday weekend with two cakes and lots of friends! We are so blessed to have Jaida, she is very caring and helpful to everyone she knows. We love you, Jaida!

Kids

 I took the kids out for a mini photo shoot, because I didn't have a recent picture of them all together and also because of Jaida's 10th birthday pictures.

First Day of School 2011

 This morning started early, 5:30 for me to get to the gym.  I guess when I left the kids heard the garage opening and decided it was time to get up.  Russ got them back to bed, but when I came back to shower they were getting dressed a half an hour earlier than planned.

I made swedish pancakes for the kids, because it is their favorite and I thought they'd eat them right up.  The nerves were too much to handle I guess because J only ate 1/2 of one and Jenna only ate 2 bites. 

Let's face it, I was just as nervous as they were!  

Three stomach aches and a few tears was as bad as it got.

 All morning long Jaida was carrying her cup around "just in case" she couldn't hold her food down...luckily she threw the cup in the extra bag when we got to her classroom.  She was good to go.

 Jenna did great too, she was so excited to see her BFF again!  I'm so happy they're in the same class again, they're such cuties!

Just before we left Jenna started with a few tears, which didn't help my stomach ache.

Happy to report that they both did great and are excited for their new teachers and classes!

Last Day of School

 Here are the girls on their first day of school, way back in September, 2010.  I couldn't believe how small Jaida looked, she has completely grown out of those pants she is wearing.  Jenna lost that pink jacket (still no idea where it is) and is now wearing the jacket Jaida was wearing.  I just can't believe how big they look after a few short months!

 This morning we took a picture with the girls and the candy lei's we made for their teachers.  They both wanted to wear a dress on their last day.  So proud of these girls, and so grateful for their awesome teachers they had.

3rd Grade Celebration

 Jaida had a fun celebration in her class yesterday.  The kids wrote, directed and acted out small plays about what they'd been learning about throughout the year.  They were really fun and very well done.  I was proud of Jaida, she had several parts and did an excellent job. 

Obviously I'm out of the habit of taking my nicer camera to these types of events.  My cell phone had to get the job done this time.

Swing

The kids were finishing up the movie Megamind on Saturday and I noticed Jenna was swinging for most of it.  I got a good laugh at how much she loves to swing.  

You may be asking yourself, why is the couch in the hall?  Answer: It was still on the carpet sliders from the tent day and the kids put it there to swing from.  

Or, you may be asking yourself, why do they have a swing in their hallway?  It's actually my home made (wish I had the real thing, but I'm too cheap to buy it) TRX strap for working out, the kids just use it as a swing.

Then, Jaida wanted a turn...she hasn't had as much practice as Jenna.

A few pictures

 

 I took a few pictures of the kids just before the party yesterday.  I made this frame to go around the pirate cut out, it made for a great frame for the kiddos.

A funny thing yesterday, when the girls woke up for school Russ could hear Jenna whispering to Jaida, "you don't have to make your bed, Mom will do it because it's your birthday.  She did it for me on my birthday."  I got a good laugh when Russ told me.  When we were getting ready for the party I asked the kids to pick up their toys, Jenna told me that Jaida didn't have to do any of it because it was her birthday.  What a sweet little sis looking out for her big sis on her birthday! 

Happy Birthday Jaida!

 Ahoy, me hearties!  We celebrated Jaida's 9th birthday yesterday with some friends.

 I'm not sure how Jaida came up with the pirate theme, but we went with it.  

The thank you bags.

 A shot of the birthday crew after their balloon fight.

 Russ came up with some clues to the treasure, I placed them appropriately around the house.  This was my favorite part of the party, watching them run all over the house trying to figure it out was hilarious.

 The dessert table.  I decided to make it easy on myself and do mini cupcakes with icing in the fondue pot, they could add whatever sprinkles they wanted. 

 

 

 The girls saying "happy birthday Jaida", then clinking their drinks...so funny!

What's a Jaida party without dancing?  

We borrowed this game from our friends (thank you, L!), and it was a hit!   

 Present time.

 The easiest cake I've ever made!  I loved it, and so did the girls...I think it may be a new favorite!

 Dig in!

We all had a great time, so grateful for my little girl!  Love you Jaida girl!

Just Dance!

To say Jaida loves to dance is an understatement.  She is ALWAYS dancing!  We went to our friends house for dinner the other night and they started playing the game.  I loved watching Logan shake his little buns.

This week the girls started school, Jaida 3rd grade and Jenna Kindergarten.  Jaida started Monday and it was a breeze, she's an old pro by now.  Jenna started today and I was a little nervous she wouldn't do so great when she was crying this morning and not eating anything.  She calmed down and she ate some banana, she was great the rest of the morning.  She sat in the back of the bus with big sister.  I met them at school and got them settled in.  No tears=good day for everyone!  Happy back to school everyone!

Sewing

Jaida got her sewing skills on and sewed this shirt for her dog.

I helped her pin it together, but she did all the sewing by herself!