IYooWee Fusion All Stars

Kendyl and her best buddy, Madison, decided to give cheer a go this year.  We really had no idea what we were getting into, but the girls truly are having so much fun.  They are on a recreation level competition team and have a full routine set to music with stunts and everything.  They even have the uniforms, huge bows, and make-up to look the part.  The first competition was in December, but I'm just now getting around to writing about it.  So, here are some pictures from the first AND second competition.

The three musketeers

 Our girl high in the sky (and loving it)!

 Grandma & Grandpa

MawMaw & PawPaw

 Cousin Jordyn and the girls

 The newly anointed cheer family

Competition Number Two

For the second competition we were at Ohio State and Kendyl had her classroom turtle, Myrtle, with her for the weekend.  The idea being that the turtle goes everywhere she does and then she writes a journal entry about what they did.

Ms. Kendyl & Myrtle

 The little sisters along for the ride

  The proud competitor

 A must-have shot with Brutus

Two competitions down and I really think we're getting the hang of it!

Introducing The New Hair

 Kendyl started anticipating her birthday in October after she saw how Lauryl got to celebrate hers.  The agenda: special one-on-one time with mommy with a trip to sweet and sassy followed by a photo session at JCP.  It was very spur of the moment and me taking advantage of Lauryl with cute hair and a great mood, but it worked out wonderfully! I was more than happy to oblige Kendyl with the same scenario to commemorate her special day.

Let me state for the record that Kendyl has been requesting short hair since before school started. The cut I agreed to for back-to-school wasn't nearly as short as she wanted and she has never missed a chance to remind me! Here's a before and after shot for comparison. The stylist did a great job giving her curls after hearing we were getting pictures taken:

BEFORE

AFTER

I was delighted with the final length and thought that Kendyl's 7 year pics turned out terrific.  The curls made her look spunky and went well with her peace inspired outfits that were fully coordinated by her.  She had a blast at the photography studio and walked around all day fluffing her cute curls.

Bedtime came around and I had to give her a shower because her hair was doused in glitter.  After the shower she asked me to dry it so she could see how it looked.  When she turned to the mirror after I stopped the dryer, I was shocked that her reaction was tears.  She was devastated.  She thought it looked exactly the same as before and she was NOT happy.  Granted the cut was bell shaped and I wasn't thrilled with how it was laying, I didn't think it was tear worthy.  She was so upset and looked so disappointed that I asked if she wanted to go back and get it fixed.  The response was an immediate and emphatic YES!

So, after school on Monday I took her back.  We got a girl we have had before and she asked Kendyl what she wanted.  Kendyl grabbed the shortest layer by her chin and said she wanted all of it cut to match.  The stylist didn't even really glance at me and started cutting with the first piece being a huge chunk off the back.  I knew then that there was no turning back.

The end result had Kendyl beaming from ear to ear.  She officially had the cut SHE wanted, not the one I wanted.  There hasn't been a minute of cutters remorse and she says she will never have long hair again.

AFTER PART II

And even more importantly, she now matches the bitty twin that she gave the haircut.  To her that part alone is PRICELESS!  I guess I should just count my blessings that she didn't ask for matching bangs!!

Winter fun

This winter has brought lots of great snow for the kids to enjoy.  They are always thrilled to bundle up and go out to play with Robbie.  It's definitely a daddy activity since I prefer to stay warm and dry inside.

I heart my snowbunnies

Lauryl actually enjoyed the snow this year and truly LOVED running around and flopping to the ground to make snow angels...our yard was covered in them!

But even more fun than the snow angels was the improvised snow ramp and sled pulls that Robbie created.   The girls could seriously do it all day if Rob was up for it!

I'm glad he enjoys going out and goofing off in the snow with them!

Our Baby Boy

Kendyl got a camera for her b-day and she has captured some great shots.  I love popping her camera card in to see what I'll find.  While I was less than thrilled with the video of her singing in her underwear and sports bra (we discussed that she is to take all future videos in full dress-head to toe...I even want her to wear socks!!!) I do ocassionally find some heart-warming stuff.

We welcomed our kitty, Maddux, into the family last year.  The girls both adore him, but Kendyl LOVES him like crazy.  I couldn't help but smile when I came across this photo of him.  He's such a good boy:-)

I took this one, but want to include it here because it helps illustrate their sweet bond.

Kids say the funniest stuff...

Overheard at the dinner table

KB: "I know my letters better than you"

LB: "I know my letters gooder than you"

KB: "Gooder is not a word"

LB:  "Yes it is.  When you leave the hospital you get to go home because you are gooder.  See?"

Personally, the fact that she tried to use it in a sentence and prove that she knew what she was talking about almost sways my vote in her favor:-)

Kendyl's 7th Birthday

Months before Kendyl's birthday we started discussing party options and decided on roller skating.  As the date got closer and the time to schedule it arrived, I brought it up again.  To my surprise Kendyl no longer wanted a school party and adamantly asked me to stop asking her about it.  She insisted she simply wanted a party with her family and her friends she had known a LONG time.  So, we changed routes and planned a party at the house with family, neighbors, and the Moore's (of course).  As the date got closer and the invitations for class parties poured in, I think she regretted her decision.  I felt bad, but I tried t throw her a party and that boat had sailed.  I think she still had a good time with her peace themed fiesta.

Mindi helped me make awesome party favor t-shirts and I found adorable peace sign gift bags

We ordered a tie-dyed peace themed cake

We had a scavenger hunt type activity that the kids lost interest in pretty quick (that took us ages to plan and coordinate), but I think they still had fun.  Overall it was a fun party and I think the birthday girl felt special and celebrated and that was the main objective.

Rob, Kendyl & I ended the night with a toast to her 7th year:-) 
It's so hard to believe our baby is already 7!!