More birthday-celebrating

You know we love to spread out a birthday or holiday!  Claire's birthday stretched out another weekend so that we could celebrate with the Barnes side.  Popa and Abu came over and gave Claire the perfect gift - books!  She also got a purse with a jump rope, bookmark, and ring inside.  She had never read Ivy and Bean before so it was great - AND it came with a secret journal book which she has been writing in.

 The next day we met Katie at Chuck E. Cheese for a last celebration.  Claire had been planning this day since Katie's birthday at Chuck E's.  We played games, had pizza with Alison, Matt, Jenna, and Katie and of course got a few junky prizes at the end.  She had a blast.  And THANKS Barnes family for the Frozen dolls, you know she loves them!

Birthday Weekend

We had a jam-packed weekend of fun things to keep on celebrating for the birthday weekend.  Saturday morning we met back up with the Masons for Glen Allen Day.  The kids seemed to enjoy the parade and as always, loved playing on "Mimi's playground."  

Next up was Claire's birthday present from Mommy and Daddy....a trip to Build-a-Bear!  She's been asking for that since the last time she was there.  She was so cute picking out her new "princess bear" and looking for the perfect outfit for her.  She named her Cindy (short for Cinnamon) Pepper (no idea why) Barnes.

When we got home, I pulled out her last surprise...an Elsa dress!  $1 yard sale white dress + $2 blue fabric dye = happy girl!  She didn't want to take it off for the rest of the day.  And now she wants to join the crowd of Elsas for Halloween, go figure.

On Sunday we went to Diggity Fest.  We have been before - it's a kids music festival with inflatables and games.  It was super hot so Fielder and Daddy didn't stay long.  We listened to some music, played some games, and called it a day.  

Playing Hooky

BIG smiles waiting for the show to start!

 

I picked up Claire early from school for her BIG surprise!!  I felt a little guilty pulling her out of school....but it was her birthday so not that guilty :-)
Months ago, Mom bought tickets for Claire and Samara to see Frozen on Ice.  It really wasn't a birthday present, but since it happened to be on her birthday I let it be a "birthday surprise."  When I finally told her where she was headed, I don't think she really knew what Frozen on Ice meant so she looked a little bewildered.  She's never been to the Coliseum or any place that huge before- in fact, I don't think she's even seen ice skating before!  Mom said her face lit up when the lights started and all the characters came out.  I wish I could have seen her!  Both girls LOVED it! I had sent a couple little treats for the girls including their Elsa braided headbands.  They turned out SO cute if I do say so myself.  And I may or may not have had Mom smuggle Frozen jelly beans from the dollar store into the show.  (Thank goodness since a snow cone was FIFTEEN dollars plus $5 if you wanted a spoon.  ridiculous.)

 After Frozen, we all met up back at Mom and Dad's house for a pizza dinner, cake, and presents.  Claire had an absolutely perfect day and I loved seeing the smile on her face.
Thanks Masons for making her day so special.

The Big 7

 Happy 7th birthday to my favorite girl in the world!  XXOO

She woke up SO excited for her big day.  We had sprinkle pancakes for breakfast and another hint about her BIG surprise for later in the day.  I was dying to tell her, but wanted her to be able to concentrate at school.

I can't wait to see what the next year brings for our smart, silly, funny, sensitive, and sweet girl.  Six was awesome and I'm hoping seven will be even better!  (Some occasional meltdowns give me a glimpse at our tween/teeny-bopper future and makes me appreciate the younger years even more!)

Maymont

Claire is back in school and it's back to just me and the boy.  I'm off to a good start so far - the indoor pool, the Y, playgrounds, Childrens Musuem.  One day when the weather was perfect, I decided to go check out Maymont.  I let Fielder take the lead and followed him wherever he wanted to go.  We stopped to look at "coconuts" (acorns) and explored a couple gazebos.  He liked the eagles and  hawks, although I'm still not sure if he even saw half of them.  It was fun to just keep up with him rather than try to get him to keep up with me.  Just a few photos that I took with my phone and I love how they turned out.  He's looking so grown-up!

1st day of 1st

1st day of school picture!!  She was so excited to be heading back to school.  

I couldn't wait to go get her in the afternoon and hear about her day.  We went to the bus stop and ended up waiting for an HOUR!  I guess it takes a while for everyone to get back in the swing of things!  After she finally got off the bus, she pretty much ran right past me without a hug or anything.  She said she needed to get home to pick out a bear to bring for teddy bear day (which is a week from Friday.)  When I forced her to tell me about her day she said "It was........long pause.......AWESOME!"
Love to hear that!  And I also loved to hear there's no homework for the 1st week. :-)

Last day of summer vacation

One last time for the outdoor pool this summer....can't believe how fast it's gone by and I am REALLY going to miss having the pool as a stand-by activity everyday.  The indoor pool at the Y just isn't the same.

They had a party today to close out the summer and a DJ was playing music.  Fielder loves when he plays Katy Perry!

 I've been amazed by how much Fielder has learned to do.  He is really almost swimming.  He loves to jump in by himself now and is able to pop back up for a breath.  I've seen him sort of "swim" on his back once, but he wouldn't try it again today.  Mostly he just likes to thrash around and spin in circles.  He just loves it!  I'm hoping to do swim lessons this winter/spring to "gear up" and with some luck, I'll have 2 swimmers next summer!

After the pool Claire and I did a little baking together.  I also finished all the laundry, filled out all the forms, got her bookbag out and ready with all her stuff she needs tomorrow.  I think we're set.  But man, I've been emotional about her going back to school!!  I'm going to miss having her around all the time.  She's so excited though and can't wait for tomorrow morning.

After dinner, Daddy took them out for a end-of-summer treat  :-)
This picture he texted me cracks me up...