Summer 2012

All of our kiddos...even the furry one!!

Chloe is Five!!

The anticipation nearly crippled her.  The impatience nearly drove me crazy.  However, we made it!!  Chloe's birthday finally arrived!!!  She is 5 years old now!

Her day was fun-filled....  Lunch at her favorite restaurant, a trip to the park, bowling, ice cream and cake/cupcakes!

Five is apparently the age at which children are able to start making all of their own decisions....  Chloe informed me as soon as she woke up that she will be doing whatever she wants now.  I believe the conversation went a little like this...
Chloe - "Mom, am I five now?"
Mom - "Yes, Chloe."
Chloe - "Well, now I get to do whatever I want and you are not the boss anymore."
Mom - "Dream on, Chloe.  You are not the boss."
Chloe - "Actually, I am.  I am five now."
Mom - "Chloe, you have to be much older to be in charge."
Chloe - "How old?  Six?"

Yep...welcome to our world of Chloe!
She's 5 going on 15!

A little about our Chloe Belle...
She loves singing and dancing.  She'll do both in public with no care in the world about anyone seeing her.  She introduces herself to anyone and everyone we meet.  She loves animals and getting dirty.  She is curious about everything!  She can make a mess faster than anyone we know.

She's so loveable and has the sweetest way of showing it.  She loves fighting with her brother and sister.  We think one of her favorite things is to get her brother and sister angry, and she's very good at it!  She makes us laugh so hard and brings so much love into our home.  Such a special girl!

Happy 5th Birthday, Chloe!!

Spelling Bee

Miss Samantha made it into the Spelling Bee this year!  She did an excellent job!  I believe she ended up 7th, but we couldn't be more proud.  Each time she spelled her word correctly, she'd walk back to her chair, take a deep breath of relief and then turn to look at Chad and I sitting in the audience.  A thumbs up was always our quiet response to a job well done.

Way to go, Samantha Grace!!

Her first time up to spell a word.

There were 30 kids that qualified for the Spelling Bee.

Getting down to the end.

When she got out, she was greeted with hugs from a few of her good friends.  Then they decided to pose for me.  :-) 

Preschool Graduation

Our baby girl graduated from Preschool.  I'd be lying if I didn't say that this makes me a little sad.  However, the sadness is overshadowed by the amount of pride and love I have for Miss Chloe and all of her accomplishments!  This Preschool year has been one of trials and triumphs.

We've come a long way from the first day....

1st day - Screaming at the top of her lungs and clinging to me for dear life.

Last day - She was sad that she has to leave her teacher, asking "Can I take Miss Julia with me to Kindergarten?"

What a difference a year makes!  Congratulations, Chloe Belle!!

So...On Chloe's last day of Preschool I asked her if I could get a picture(singular).  She was more than accommodating!  She requested me to keep taking pictures while she posed.  And, so I did.  Here is the results!  :-)

Going to the Preschool Graduation!

Chloe with her teacher, Miss Julia.

Chloe and her best bud, Lauren!

Chloe's Preschool Diploma

 These two.... What one doesn't think of the other one does!  It's both terrifying and hilarious!  :-)

Preschool Graduation Ceremony

Birthday Girl

Miss Samantha turned 9 years old this week!  She has been so excited for her birthday and reminding us everyday that we were just one day closer.  I can't say I blame her, I love birthdays too!  She celebrated her day by taking cupcakes to share with her class at school, getting two floral bouquets, bowling after school, dinner at her favorite restaurant, and getting a few birthday gifts!  It was a pretty special day for a very special girl!

At the Bowling Alley

Waiting Patiently

Samantha is rethinking the bowling idea...

And, this is why... Birthday girl lost.  :-(

At her favorite restaurant, El Camino!

She is so excited to get the "birthday treatment"!

Sombrero, Dessert, and whipped cream on your face!!  She loved it!

Yes!  Happy Birthday, Samantha!

Chloe had to try it out.

Don't forget Code-man.

A rose and balloon from Grandma and Grandpa Sillman.

A flower bouquet from Grandma Jane and Grandpa David was delivered to Samantha at school!  She thought that was so special!

Play Ball

Baseball has started for Cody.  This year Cody is playing on the kid pitch team.  It's definitely been an adjustment from the previous years.  There is certainly something to be said for the learning curve that comes from the comfort of having the coach pitch all the time to having 9/10 years old's throwing balls at you with so little experience. 

Cody's expressed interest in pitching and 1st base, so that is where he's been spending his time.  Even with just two games under his belt, we can already see improvement.  His pitching is improving and he's feeling more comfortable covering 1st.  I think it's going to be a great summer!

 Pitching

Pitching

Pitching

Give it a ride, Cody!

Running the bases.  Awesome number, Williams!  :-)

On 3rd.

Rock and Fire, Code!

Playing 1st Base

One of a kind

Miss Chloe is one of a kind.  Her antics never cease to amaze us.  So much laughter in our home happens because of her carefree and unapologetic love for life.  And, here she is once more....being Chloe.

In her jammies, playing on the iPad sporting a kool-aid mustache.

 All dolled up for the day.