Bike Rodeo

Last weekend we decided to check out the bike rodeo, hosted by the hospital in our neighborhood. Each child got a laminated "bike license", followed by a thorough "bike check-up" (tires pumped, seat tightened).Then they proceeded to the next station where the staff measured each little head to determine the appropriate sized bike helmet for each kiddo. Kayli was thrilled when they handed her a pretty pink bike helmet for FREE! Ohhh, it's a good day when you not only get a FREE bike helmet, but one that matches your outfit, AND... happens to be your favorite color! 

ok, just don't pinch my neck please...

oh yeah...

time to try out this bike course...

then, Kayli got her face painted like a puppy...

there were other fun activities like planting flowers, fishing for prizes, and even learning CPR!

we had a great "hotdog lunch" with chips and pop for only $1.00! Then, as we were headed for our car, we saw the clowns walking around and just had to take a picture with them...

Oh, and the other thing that happened on our way to the car was that a guy from our local newspaper stopped Kayli and asked her some questions about this event, then quoted her in the newspaper the next day! One of the quotes was about wearing bike helmets to stay safe. The other quote was about being lucky enough to get a pretty pink bike helmet that perfectly matched her outfit today! Too funny!

Lots of Snow Days This Year!

One day, towards the end of February, we came home from school and were so excited to see this...

the next day we awoke to this...

not really time for Spring, but still...

The snow just kept coming and coming and coming! We had snow day after snow day after snow day! Kayli kept wearing her pjs inside out, putting spoons under our pillows (and I mean 4 or 5 spoons under each pillow until I told her it was unlucky to use more than one spoon to wish for a snow day!) She was loving all the snow! I thought it was pretty, and enjoyed sipping a leisurely cup of coffee in the morning. However, I was not thrilled with all the shoveling! (I really need to break down and get a snow blower next year.)  

we still managed to have lots of fun with all the snow!

AND we got another foot the day we returned from our Spring Break in March! NOW, it's time to tell Old Man Winter to go hibernate for a while and let Spring begin!

 

 

 

 

Back up to the Big Birthday Celebration!

We've had sooo many things going on in our lives the last two months, (beyond all the blizzards and snow days) and trust me, I always had my camera poised and ready! Problem is, when you're so busy, it's very tricky finding a moment to post those pics on the blog! I do, however, have a committment to myself to eventually get these things posted since I don't want to leave out any momentous occasions on my yearly blog book.
So, here it is, only one month late, the Birthday Blog...Happy 8th Birthday sweet pea!

This sweet girl continues to be the light of my life! She's my bright, funny, witty, sensitive, cautious, caring, kind, inquisitive, jewelry-wearing,purse-carrying, creative-dressing girl! 

We celebrated her birthday, first, with her friends from school, at an artist birthday party at our house. This was the invitation...

I had lots of fun with the food and/or decorations, like making these edible "paint brushes"...

and displaying some other colorful sweets...

the "paint dots" were a bit of a mystery to some kids, asking "do we eat these?"

Kayli provided some artwork for the patio door...

we set up a stage to take "thank-you pictures"...

and added a few other artistic touches...

 

everyone got to decorate their own artist apron, then immediately began a project at one of the 3 different craft stations set up...

we sang "Happy Birthday"...

sat around the table and giggled about silly things while eating the "art supplies"...

Kayli opened some cool crafty gifts...

and we sent everyone home with an envelope full of completed craft projects, paintings, and photo "thank-yous"...

Kayli and Lily had some fun with the backdrop after all the girls had gone home...

Other birthday fun included a family gathering where Kayli and her cousin Jake both celebrated February birthdays...

Kayli dressed all in pink, complete with birthday sash...

Jake just stepped off the basketball court, so how appropriate that Kayli and I bought him this cool t-shirt...

Kayli's aunts, uncles, and cousins gave her some great gifts too...

A new princess swimsuit & cover-up just in time for our Disney trip...

a new "snuggle friend!"

Kayli also received a nice birthday package from her buddies in North Carolina...

then, there was the morning of her actual birthday, where we started the day with a healthy dose of sugar...

and then, there's nothing like celebrating your birthday at school...treats for all your friends, a special sign on your desk, and then, Kayli got to pick a friend to walk around the school with her to deliver birthday treats to all the teachers. When she stopped by my room, I could tell that she was having the time of her life!!!

Oh Yeah, I would say this has been a totally awesome couple of weeks worth celebrating a totally awesome girl turning 8!