Skylar's first kid party

Skylar had her very first kid party today.  She was so excited when she woke up that she kept asking and asking, when is my party???  Both girls went with John to the store to get the cake and some food while I stayed home and cleaned.  My parents came and we finished decorating.  Finally it was time for her friends to come.  Only 2 of her little preschool friends came, but that was ok.  They had a blast playing together.  4 of her cousins also came, my nephews Jake and Cameron and my nieces Shelby and Hunter.  It was only 2 hours, but that was enough!!  The girls had fun, but by the end, I think they were ready to go home.  We played pin the cutie mark on the pony (My Little Pony themed "pin the tail on the donkey")  Then we had cake and opened presents.  Then they wanted to play with the presents.  She got a lot of nice things and is thrilled.  Now the girls are camping out in the family room with their older cousins.  Hopefully they sleep ok.  Here are some pictures of her day. 

the family room all decorated

Skylar in her party dress

the gang, Larissa, Kelsey, Skylar, Jake, and Tayah

Pin the cutie mark on the pony

she got a doodle bear (something she's been asking for every day) 

yeah, a new Barbie

I thought this was cute

Eating dinner with the cousins

Just hanging out with the cousins

Skylar's birthday at school

Today they celebrated Skylar's birthday at school.  They sang Happy Birthday to her.  She brought in a special snack (popcorn in a Halloween bag with some candy corn and bat rings thrown in).  She got a birthday ribbon sticker and a card from the school.  She also got to pick from the birthday box.  This is what she picked. 

She just loved being the center of attention.  She was smiling all afternoon.  She can't wait for her birthday party tomorrow, and honestly, I'm a little excited too.  John is taking her with him to the store tomorrow morning and Rissy and I will decorate.  She's going to love it. 

Fall Festival

So tonight the girls had their fall festival at school.  It was like a fun fair.  They had games set up and the trike-a-thon to benefit St Judes Childrens Hospital.  At the festival the girls played the cupcake walk and each won a cupcake.

I glad they picked the same one, no fights!!

then they got tattoos, played a buried treasure game (a big rice bin with little treasures buried each with a number in them, coordinating to a prize box), decorated hats, played the duck pond game (similar to the buried treasure) and a fishing game where they put the pole over the wall and game back with a prize on the end.  Then I got the girls some popcorn and lemonade.  After they played some more games and we left.  Skylar said she was having the best time.  Larissa was a little scared with all the people around and clung to my side.  She wouldn't play some of the games at first either.  She did participate in the cupcake walk right away, but was aftaid of some of the other games.  Here are a few pictures of the girls enjoying themselves. 

cake walk

Skylar's crown

Rissy's hat

Trike-a-thon

bean bag toss

their goodies

silly ladies

They were playing with their stuffed animals.  I heard Larissa say, ok lets get in the car and go to McDonalds.  They "buckled" them into the bumbo seats and "drove" to McDonalds. 

impressed with Skylar's drawings

I have been really impressed with Skylar's drawings lately.  She puts so much detail into them now. 

this is me and Larissa in a boat and that is a shark in the water. 

I love the bumble bees in the air and the ants underground. 

orange frozen yogurt

After lessons today we took the girls to the mall to play for a bit.  We got hungry and decided to go to Old Country Buffet.  It's not our favorite place, but the girls like it.  We like buffets because we all get to get what we want.  Larissas first plate consisted of mac and cheese, black olives, salad (lettuce, cheese, corn and beets) and french fries.  Skylar had ham, mac and cheese, french fries and a roll.  Both then had some cottage cheese, raisins, craisins and more beets.  Then they got to have orange frozen yogurt in a cone.  They thought that was pretty cool!!  lol.

Swim lesson update again

Larissa is really doing well now.  Her teacher says she is really improving with every lesson.  She no longer clings to the teacher or to the side of the pool.  She is jumping into the water (to the instructor) she is trying to do her glides and kicks.  She can almost float on her back.  She tries really hard now.  I think our Friday night swims are really helping.  Her confidence is growing with every class. 

Skylar is also making great strides.  She CAN swim on her front, float on her front and back and glide on her back, but she doesn't have the confidence to do most of it on her own yet.  When she's floating, as soon as she feels your hands leave her body, she freaks out and sinks.  If she'd just believe in herself she could easily do it.  When I am helping her, I am barely touching her.  She is doing it all on her own, but my hands are on her, so she thinks I am helping her.  She will get it soon enough. 

One of Rissy's favorite parts of her lesson is when they  make a train and go by Skylar's class.  Here is their train today.  Rissy is the third child in. 

Skylar floating on her back

drying their hair after lessons