Miriam's 6th Birthday

Miriam loved having a birthday at school this year.  While we weren't allowed to bring treats, she loved having her class sing Happy Birthday.  Her dad brought her lunch from Wendys and all the kids on the bus sang to her as well.  And the bus driver gave her a kit kat bar.  She loves her bus driver.

Her party was later in the week so we had a cookie cake on the actual day of her birthday.

She was so ecstatic about her presents.  And, to my surprise, so thankful.  She gave genuine thanks and glee after each present.  She even let Eliza help her.  It was how you always hope your child will act when receiving gifts (but don't usually).  

Now we won't talk about the tantrums that occurred the next day...

On Saturday, we had her birthday party with friends at the place where she takes karate.  When we signed the girls up for karate, part of the promotion was to have a free birthday party.

Done.  

All we had to do was invite friends and bring the cake.

They got to play all Miriam's favorite karate games.

 Everyone even got to break a board.

After games, they all got some pizza.

And then the best part...

Auntie Rebecca does it again.  What an awesome cake!

  

I love watching her face.  She was truly in her happy place--the center of attention--surrounded by her friends and family.

 I can't believe this girl is 6 years old!

She is wonderful, energetic, helping, excited, organized, determined, hard-working and so many other great traits.  Sometimes those traits might drive me a little crazy, but they make her the amazing person that she is.  And I'm so lucky to be her mom.

The Amazeum

Bentonville opened a children's museum this summer called The Amazeum.

We finally went and checked it out.  While it may not be the biggest and coolest children's museum, my kids loved it!  And we are even more excited that it is close enough to go back again and again.

We met up with our friends, the MacCabes.

The Market was a big hit.

We didn't have time to do everything, so I'm sure there will be more pictures to come.  Hopefully Dallin will stop putting the xylophone mallets in his mouth!

Starting Kindergarten

Is this really happening??? I'm so excited for her and she is so ready to go, but I can't help the mixed emotions as we all venture into this new phase of our lives of full-time school.

We made it a family affair for open house night before school started.

Miriam got to meet her teacher, Mrs. Crow.

She ran into her best friend, Anna.  They aren't in the same class, which is probably best for their teacher's sake. 

Eliza loved the book corner.

First day of school.

All loaded up and ready to go!

Eliza enjoyed being queen of the castle while Miriam was away.

Miriam LOVED riding the bus.  

And thus it begins.  For at least the next 18 years we will have at least one kid in school.  It's a little quieter around the house without Miriam home all day.  We miss seeing her more, but I know she is loving school (and would love to go every day if they offered it).  She is growing up!  It feels like a turning point in her independence and becoming her own person.  I'm so glad she is soaking it all in!

Wrapping Up Summer

The first part of August has flown by.  Since we're starting school this year, it really does feel like the end of summer.  This is how we spent some of our last few weeks of Summer break:

Playing with cousins.  

Philip, Dallin, Trevor and Mason--all born in 2014.

Stan and I were finally able to sneak away for our belated overnight Anniversary trip (no sick kids this time!)  

Love this guy! 

Dallin graduated from the high chair to the booster seat at the table and he loves feeling like a big kid. 

The day before school started, we had a "goodbye summer" pizza and pool party in our backyard.

These four have been friends since they were babies:

 

And now they're all starting school!

And they're all so excited!!