Makenna's 6th Birthday Party

Makenna celebrated her birthday with family and friends at Classic Fun Center. They climbed through the Pirates Cove, jumped on the inflatables, and rode their scooters around the skating rink. Makenna had pink and purple sparkle cupcakes to go with her blue ICEE. When our party host passed out the ICEES they had plastic teeth on the lids for all of the kids.


The party favors that we made for all of the girls were flip flops that I tied water balloons on. Their were 15 girls. I made 15 different color combinations. Each unique for each of the girls. We had 4 boys at the party. They got black flip flops with a bag of water balloons. I was surprised that by the time I tied over 1300 balloons on the flip flops my forearms were sore from all of the stretching and tying. Kind of sad that I needed Motrin after making party favors :-)

Makenna with her friends.

Uncle Josh and Aunt Jeana's birthday surprises

When Makenna got home she was so excited to see a gift bag waiting for her. I must add that it was not just any gift bag. It was the Miley change into Hannah Montana gift bag that she was begging for in the store. After playing phone tag, we reached Aunt Jeana and she said it would be okay for Makenna to open her gift early. Thank goodness! The excitement was too much. As always, Uncle Josh and Aunt Jeana scored lots of smiles and gasps as Makenna saw what was inside. First, the most perfect card!
Makenna's very own Starbucks Card. Aunt Jeana works there and has started the kids early. Makenna loves to get the vanilla bean on hot days and the raspberry soy or hot chocolate on cold days.
The excitement continues with a Hannah Montana light-up bracelet and collector's cards.
She scanned through the cards recognizing the different episodes they came from.
Yeah, lipgloss! Even better...Hannah Montana microphone lipgloss!
Pink Shorts and what Makenna calls, courtesy of her friend Kaelyn, aqua shorts (not pictured)>
Two adorable Hannah Montana shirts. One of which she insisted had to be worn to her Hannah Montana birthday party.
Singing her excitement into one of the microphone lip glosses.

Thank you Uncle Josh and Aunt Jeana!!! You guys are very thoughtful.

P.S. I love my digital scrapbook and Starbucks goodies too! Love you guys!

Lesson on Gardening with Club Star

This week's lesson was on gardening. The kids learned about the different layers of soil, held worms that were used for making compost, ate a yummy treat that represented the layers in soil, examined seeds, and decorated a pot to plant their spider plant. Makenna is holding her nose because she found out what looks like dirt is actually the worm poop.

Father's Day 6/15/08

Here are the kids with Matt on Father's Day. We served Matt breakfast in bed and the kids gave him room service. Later that day, we went to Matt's dad's house for dinner. Then we came home and he worked with Makenna on her bike riding skills. We were running a little late with Matt's Father's Day present, so we gave it to him the next day when he came home from work. Hey, you can't rush art!

Bike riding on Father's Day

Makenna can now start, stop, and balance on her own.

Christen Family Reunion 6/14/08

Butterfly Nets

Tonight while shopping the kids spotted these great butterfly nets. You would think after almost ten years of parenting I would have anticipated the events to come. Such long handles can inspire a whole new use for these nets. They have had fun with them. Catching insects, using them as swords and many other things. I didn't realize how much intervention these nets would require :-)

Last day of week long swim lessons 6/13/08

The kids had a great week of swim lessons. Each year we do private lessons at a local facility. It is really neat to watch their progress. The boys strokes are becoming clean and pretty, while Makenna is become more competent in the water. This year we had new teachers for the first time in four years. I was a little nervous because our teachers have been so great with the kids, but it went well.

Strikers Father and Son Soccer Game

The boys played against their dads. It was quite a competitive game. Dads won 6 to 3!