Grace's "official" eight year old portraits

Grace and Hannah - Professional Girl Scout Portraits

If they build it......

This past weekend left us with a longer to-do list than we had earlier in the week. Although not productive we spent our time the best way possible. On Saturday morning Craig took the girls to Lowe’s to attend a “Build and Grow” Clinic for kids. The girls each built a small tool box. They hammered and sanded and when they got home they painted them. Each of them was proud of their work. They left with their own safety goggles and smock. They are already signed up for the August event – building an herb planter. Our plan is to make them so self sufficient they don’t have any interest in boys until they are at least thirty. Later in the day Rachael and I went to Graeters to have some one on one time. She is fall-down funny and her smile is contagious. Her eyes twinkle – no joke! That evening we went to Nana and Papa’s house for dinner. Janice had two friends for dinner and her sister, Craig’s Aunt Sonya, was in town. It was nice to see Sonya and as always Janice made a wonderful dinner. The girls were a little wild but I wouldn’t know what to do if it was quite.

On Sunday Grace and I went out to lunch, shopped and had her “official” eight year old picture taken. We had a good conversation at lunch. Grace is becoming a young lady so quickly. One of our stops was to a Talbot’s outlet. This store did not have anything for an eight year old. She willingly went into the store, helped me pick out clothes, encouraged me to try things on and helped me select my purchases. I think she actually had fun and I saw a new sign of her maturity. For the first time she put what I wanted in front of her own desires and did it with a smile on her face. I was very proud of her and enjoyed her company. After her pictures I dropped Grace off at home and took Hannah out to spend a few of her MANY dollars. She still has more in her wallet than I do. After shopping we went to Panera for a Strawberry Smoothie. We had a good conversation about school starting soon and her upcoming surgery. She asked very intelligent questions. Hannah is working on her multiplication tables and asks to practice. If she only had a little self confidence she could do almost anything (anything if Governor Schwarzenegger changes the law about who can become President.) She is more than ready for first grade but doesn’t recognize that fact.

After this weekend we have laundry piled up and I guess it is more practical to wash the clothes rather than buy the girls new underwear so I will sign off now and tackle that to-do list.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Sunday Nana and Papa took the Murray Kellys (three kids, two adults) and our family to a Legends baseball game. The Legends are Lexington’s minor league baseball team and are affiliated with the Houston Astros. The stadium is very family friendly and the kids love to go. The weather was once again spectacular, perfect weather for a baseball game. While watching the girls in the play area (third base side)

Craig got a foul ball. After the game all the kids in attendance were invited to run the bases. Rachael ran with a big smile on her face the entire time. Several adults lined third base giving the kids high fives and Rachael loved it. During the game Grace took several pictures of the field (first pictures of this entry) and a nice one of Rachael's tonsils so you can see why she is scheduled to have them removed. Oh yeah, and the Legends played the Lake County Captains and won 8-5.

Happy Birthday Rachael Part III

We originally scheduled Rachael’s birthday party for July 14. Unfortunately only my parents could attend. The party was rescheduled for July 21 thus spreading Rachael’s birthday celebration over a two week period. Next year if we only celebrate on one day she may be disappointed! Saturday turned about to be a beautiful day with mild temperatures, low humidity and sunshine. Family and friends, including cousins from Cincinnati and Murray, Kentucky were able to attend. It was a relaxed celebration with cupcakes and homemade ice cream (thanks to “Uncle Alvie’s” recipe.)

Celebrating Hampa

My parents came down on Saturday to celebrate Rachael’s recent birthday and Hampa’s upcoming birthday (the next day.) The girls made Hampa a cake. They were very proud of their work. It was nice for the girls to have Ohma and Hampa visit without having to share them with other relatives.

Rachael's birthday continue

For Rachael’s birthday we took the girls to Gattitown for dinner. Gattitown is similar to Chuckie Cheese. They have a pizza/pasta/salad buffet and a playroom with arcade style games and a carousel. The kids had a great time, Craig and I survived. Going on a week night did help with the noise level and number of kids crammed into one room. Rachael says, "I am cute!" about the picture of her in the birthday girl t-shirt. One of the best hand-me-downs from their cousins in California.

I remembered to take the camera to swim class and have attached a few pictures. For some reason when I take pictures at the indoor pool they look grainy – may have something to do with the high temperature and humidity. I enjoy watching Rachael in her class. The kids sit on the edge of the pool and take turns getting in with the instructor. Every time Rachael has a turn she has a giant smile on her face the entire time. Once she is back on the pool edge she looks to me to make sure I have seen how well she is doing.

Happy Birthday Rachael!

Today Rachael is four years old. Time really does play tricks on you. On one hand I can’t believe it has only been four years since I had a c-section and a big baby with a head full of curly dark hair (where did that all go?) On the other hand I can’t believe my baby is already four. I find myself expressing myself with all the over used phrases – “They grow up so fast,”etc.

The other night I pulled out a stack of very early reader books – three or four word sentences with two or three of the words repeating on each page –The book is little, The ball is little, etc. I randomly picked one out and she read every word without hesitation. Grace explained that she and Hannah have been working with her. And I thought the only thing they did was fight!

This weekend Rachael received her very own library card. She is very proud.

Attached are library card pictures and two birthday pictures taken first thing this morning. I am sure we will have more to share in the next few days. I plan to take pictures at her swim class tomorrow night. Last night was her first class without a parent in the water and she was outstanding. She was so independent and proud of herself. Of course I forgot the camera.

Hannah is Six!

In the past few weeks we have been enjoying summer and family. On June 23 we had a birthday party for Hannah. Both sets of Grandparents, Uncle Drew and cousin Emily all attended as well as several of Hannah’s friends from school. It was very hot so the girls nixed many of the games planned for the back yard. Thankfully we have a basement that is ready for a lot of little girls.

Rachael played hostess – telling everyone good-bye and giving them each a hug. The girls that knew Rachael were not surprised but the others were not so sure of Hannah’s out going sister. In the past Hannah has been overwhelmed and withdrawn at her own birthday parties. This year having it at home with only 4 girls who were not relatives or close friends from the neighborhood helped. She was not as outgoing as Rachael but mostly happy.

After much discussion with family about Rachael’s snoring, sleep problems, breathing problems, symptoms that look like allergies and frequent throat infections we took her to the ENT last week. Rachael has tonsils the size of walnuts. When I sit with her quietly to read she sounds like she is snoring but she is wide-awake. The doctor said that they might shrink between the ages of 8-10 but that her tonsils would have to shrink A LOT to make a difference and he doubts it will happen. We scheduled outpatient surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids for August 8. We are convinced it will improve her quality of life and that of our family.

Hannah goes back to the Pediatric surgeon next week. We saw the doctor last year regarding her herniated bellybutton. At that visit he told us she was past the age in which it would correct itself. We decided to put off surgery not wanting to traumatize her right before she started Elementary school. Now it is time to get this done. Our insurance has a $4,000 deductible. Once we reach that amount everything including prescriptions is covered at 100% for the rest of the calendar year. If we are going to putting out that kind of money between the two girls we might as well get them both done this year.

As always I have attached a few photos. Make sure to take a close look at Rachael playing the egg game. She has the Newman thing with the tongue! We are looking forward to a restful Fourth of July. Happy Birthday America!