Birthday Week!

It's been an exciting couple of days with Micah's 11th birthday yesterday and Ailie's 3rd birthday today! Micah's birthday started out with his traditional cinnamon roll breakfast and opening presents. He got some Adidas indoor soccer shoes that he's been wanting, a soccer ball, lockers for his bedroom ( which are a project that he and Daddy will be doing together), and two videos that he loves from his sisters and brother. He played soccer with Dad in the afternoon and then finished the day with supper at "Five Guys" and birthday ice cream cake.
Ailie started her special day off with donuts-what better breakfast is there for a girl that constantly thinks about sugar? :). She opened her presents from Mom and Dad- a play computer, "hello kitty" purse, and brown boots. She got a manicure and pedicure from Mom this morning with pink sparkly nail polish and played outside, then opened presents from her brothers and sister at lunch. Grandpa and Grandma McCuen and Aunt Lauren came over to celebrate both birthdays tonight. Ailie had her choice for dinner-chicken nuggets, guacamole and chips and fruit salad. Micah got money and a gift card and Ailie got things for her new purse and an art box full of supplies. Her favorite thing was the tic tacs -the box was almost gone by bedtime. :).
Such fun days! Can't believe how fast the time goes by...wish we could slow it down! Each new stage is so exciting and we are so thankful for each one of our kids that God has given us!

Happy Birthday!

Dave's 36th birthday was today. We had a special breakfast this morning, then Ailie and Jude and I surprised him by bringing donuts to work for all his coworkers to celebrate with him. Ailie helped me make his favorite dark chocolate birthday cake, and he opened presents tonight. I am so thankful for every year with him! I don't know what I would do without him! Definitely the best husband and father in the world!! Love you Sweetie!

Labor Day Zoo Trip

We went to the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City on Monday. It's such a fun little zoo with lots of great animals that you can see up close. They also have a petting zoo which the kids loved, because they all (even Jude) got to feed the goats. After the zoo, we went to the outlets for a little shopping for our 3 September birthdays that are coming up and then ate supper at Jimmy Johns. After supper the kids ran around on the football field outside the college football hall of fame in downtown South Bend...such a fun day!

Game Day

Micah played in his first Jr. High soccer game last Tues. Aug. 28th. I was reminded of how big he's getting when he told me not to start a cheering section on the sidelines....so different from the little boy who wanted me to cheer for whatever number he was wearing when he played Saturday morning soccer at WCA. :)
He started and played midfield most of the game. They have a young team, but they played very well against a much older and larger team...didn't win this one, but looking forward to the next game!

Family Fun Fest!

We spent the day yesterday at church helping run an event for the community that Dave was in charge of called Family Fun Fest. It was such a fun day for everyone! There were inflatables, games, a petting zoo, rides on a cow train, face painting, a hot dog lunch, and all was free. Here are a few pictures of the girls after getting their faces painted, Ailie and Jude petting bunnies, and Jude riding on the cow train with Uncle Jon and Jake.

Ailie's Infamous Purse

Ailie NEVER leaves home without her silver purse, which by now is being held together with a few threads! The contents of the purse change all the time, and if we are missing something that's the first place we look. We decided to empty her purse and this is just a little of what we found: about 50 kleenexes wadded up, a used bandaid, beads, a ring, a piece of a broken hanger, Micah's tooth fairy money, a wallet, crayons, an empty pack of gum that was almost full the last time we saw it the day before, and much more. :) Glad she only has a small purse!

First day of school!

Micah and Laci started school on Thusday...Micah in 6th grade and Laci in 3rd! Time flies! Micah has Mr. Martinez in the morning and then switches classrooms for the afternoon with Mrs. Lee. He enjoyed the day as much as a 10 year old boy could enjoy the first day of school. :). He is definitely very excited about playing Jr. High soccer this season! Laci, on the other hand, loved her day with Mrs. Habeggar. She is in a combined class with 2nd and 3rd grade, so that is a new experience for her. She did not stop talking for quite sometime after I picked her up from school. They are both looking forward to a great year!