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Feb 25, 2016

Jitterbug Fun

We've been so pleased with the Jitterbugs program at Riley's preschool.  For the amount of time they have with the kids each week and the cost of the program, the sure put on a fantastic show for the parents twice a year.  We'll miss Miss Nikki and the program when school is out in May.

Last month, Riley had her first performance of the year.  All the videos we took are uploaded on our YouTube page - www.youtube.com/mrspate22

Here are some pictures from the special day.  Riley loves to be on stage in front of everyone, and really enjoys getting flowers afterward and heading to dinner to celebrate her accomplishments.  Her pick, of course...and it's been Red Robin the last two times (the only times we ever eat at Red Robin it seems!)




Could she look any happier?





And this is what happens when I leave Gavin in charge of the camera for taking pictures while I take videos....






My goofball!

Thank you for bringing a smile to our faces, Riley.  We love watching you perform on stage and know we will get to watch you for many years to come - whether it be singing, dancing, or acting.  The stage is your home!


Feb 18, 2016

January Fun

In the spirit of getting back on track, here's a quick look at January!

Riley is definitely getting use out of her new salon area Santa brought her.  She loves to put on makeup by herself while sitting at her little vanity.  I love to sneak a peek in through the door and watch her without her knowing.  She is just so beautiful.




Riley also started gymnastic in January and is loving it so much.  I was hesitant to start her because it's a bit pricey, but I'm so glad we did.  She is having a blast and doing really well.  

Since she had just started gymnastics, it seemed to be perfect timing that Mara and Addie invited us to go to the Razorback women's gymnastic meet for American Girl day.  We had such a fun time (while the boys headed to lunch and the arcade.)


Addie had to teach Riley how to call the hogs....perhaps we should get some Razorback attire added to our wardrobe. ;)

Riley also had pajama day at school and discovered a new love of doing dishes.  It was a busy month for her!



Gavin hit a new milestone in January as he transitioned to a backless booster seat.  Carseat safety is a big thing for me, so this was a hard thing to accept, but it was time.


He also had his first TREC Showcase in January.  Gavin got accepted into the Gifted and Talented program back in October, and his Showcase night was for him to show us what he'd learned during the first unit, Strike It Rich.  He put together a powerpoint presentation all about money, and had a checkbook he'd created to show how he learned about deposits, withdraws, and balancing a checkbook.  He also printed his own money that he designed.  It  was really cool to see how much he learned, and he's thrilled to be in the Experimentality unit now learning about science.


There's something different about him lately that I just can't put my finger on, but it just reminds me that he's getting older.  {He is, after all, almost 8, which he likes to remind me frequently...}  He says things that just sound like a teenager, like responding to things he heard on TV with a 'Shut up!' 



Phoebe continues to work on learning her manners, and admittedly, I haven't been good about walking her and giving her the proper exercise she needs so we've been struggling a bit.  She's about 60lbs now, loving her bed still, and beginning to gain our trust enough to sleep in our room without her crate at night.



I love making memories with these goofballs.  As I blog this morning, I'm waiting for pre-registration for kindergarten to open up and it just baffles me that I'm gearing up to be an 'elementary school empty nester.'  I can't believe we're already at this point in our lives...So bittersweet.



I love them so much!

Feb 10, 2016

December Dump

Here goes nothing! I'm going to leave the rest of the December pics I want to document right here, just so I can feel caught up.  Love these memories!



Early morning Legos from the Advent Calendar box.



The dog that's always in trouble...




We made a Giving Jar to save money to donate for next Christmas.

Moustache Smash and Puzzles! 


We went to a birthday party at Jump Zone and had fun racing.




Lots of sleepovers <3 font="">




Annual buckeye making!


A fun girls' day with Riley...we got our hair cut and then visited the fabric store and picked out fabric for the blankie she wanted to make Jarrod for his Christmas gift.  So sweet!


We also took advantage of the unseasonably warm December weather and finally saw our first Christmas parade in downtown Bentonville. 




 Ended that night with chocolate chip cookie shots from Mary's Little Sweets.

The kids went shopping with the money they made from selling their unused toys and bought new toys for the children's shelter.


Riley finished her first session at Trike Theater.


 The boys had a boys' night and went to see Star Wars on opening night.  I think you can tell they were pumped up! 


Early morning donut date with Daddy (so Mommy could wrap presents!)

Phoebe snuggles.  Love, love, love.