b-day weekend

my birthday bouquet!

 My birthday actually falls on a weekend this year (Sunday) and we decided to celebrate a little early (so that I can relax and do whatever we want Sunday ;-).  We started off our morning heading out to Medina to join Tobin's extended family in the Walk To End Alzheimer in honor of Grandma Thomas.  Team M.O.M. (Memories of Mom) was out there in full force.  Some of the little ones even ran part of the walk (partly due to our late arrival =).  The kids always have fun with family!
After the Walk, we spent some time at home preparing for our friends to come hang out.  We had intended to just have a nice laid back fire outside this evening, but with the thunderstorms that rolled in, we decided to just hang out indoors.  Our neighbors Justin and Tracy made a delicious homemade pizza and wings (divine), and paired with some brownies from Megan and Kateri, along with other great wines brought as gifts, we had a fantastic evening.  The kids (about 11 of them) entertained themselves in the playroom for the most part.  The rest of us got to hang out and just chat!  Great ending to a nice Saturday.  =)

 

 The girlies and guys (minus a few early departures!)

 

 

Here are some pics from the girl's gymnastics class this Friday =)

 

Finally on Sunday (my birthday), I had an opportunity to sleep in late!  We then joined mom, dad, and jen at First Watch for a nice Brunch.  We came home and had a perfect afternoon relaxing, playing outside, riding bikes, and another amazing brisket dinner by the Shammots!  Tob and I ended our evening by going out for a little movie date (courtesy of Gramma and Bapa) and sharing some Cheesecake Factory treats upon our return... yum!  Perfect weekend!

Apple Hill pre-school field trip

 Today we had our 1st field trip of the year.  Isa's preschool met at Apple Hill and we took a wagon ride out to the orchard to pick some apples!  Let's just say the kids were way too excited and some of the apples didn't make it back home in the bags... but in their bellies!  In our car we had Isa, her friend Ava, and lil Kyle (one of the boys I watch) along with me, Jessica and Tracy to help the little ones along.  Thankfully the weather held out and it was a nice morning out.  Gabi had her own little adventure with Gramma visiting Grandma Thomas.  Apparently she was Very well behaved (can't imagine it had anything to do with all the cookies they were offering her ;-).

Isa & Ava

Mommy and Isa, and Isa with her teacher

 

 Miller and Sikora kids!

Color Party and weekend!

 Once again, Will's imagination is beyond belief!  A few days ago we took a look at our family calendar and Will had drawn in "color party" on the square for Sunday.  So off we went to prepare for our Color Party.  He made invitations, came up with the games, and got everything ready for when everyone arrived.

First off we were joined by Bapa, Gramma, Justin, Tracy, Evan and our family for a wonderful dinner including pork roast, a delicious filet, potatoes, and corn.  Then the festivities began with a coloring contest.  Will drew a page and we made enough copies for everyone!  Then everyone got 2 votes to cast for their favorite pages!  What was awesome was that the adults even joined in!  The kids got the best votes and proudly posed with their works of art!

This weekend Tobin worked hard on revamping our bathroom.  In the meantime, the kids and I filled our time enjoying the beautifully sunny and a little cooler weekend.  Isa has been on her bike constantly.  The kids all took a nice bike ride to the park, through the forest.  The kids (Evan included) all had fun going all the way there on their 2 wheeled bikes!  The kids have so much fun with all the kids in the neighborhood, we love our home! 

Friday, my lil girls had a wonderful day together while Will was at school.  After gymnastics, the girls had a little dance party in the living room.   During quite time... the girls decided to go up to Isa's room.  When I went to check on them... I found them under a "fort" that they had made and decorated all on their own!  It was amazing!  So love their creative spirit!

little riders!

 Tonight we had a big evening!  While we were out riding our bikes around, Will's friend Evan decided that he wanted to try his bike on 2 wheels.  Tobin started him off, and he got it on his first try.  Despite a few falls, he kept getting up and just kept going!

After watching Evan's triumph, Isa got the courage to try herself.  She got it right away!  She was even able to start off on her own a few times!  She did great!  It was so fun to watch her build her confidence with every ride around the cul de sac.

Gabi Rose didn't want to be left behind and begged to have her training wheels off too... however, we decided to keep them on.  Like her older siblings, she has moved up to a big girl bike.  As soon as we finally gave the little trikes to cousins, Gabi was forced to ride Isa's old bike... and she is doing awesome!

We love our family bike rides.  We love the kids riding around the neighborhood with friends.  We can't wait for more adventures on our bikes!

 

newest little 2 wheelers!!! (Isa and Evan)

 Thought this picture of Tobin riding Gabi's bike was too funny not to post!

 

girls, girls, girls...

 On Fridays during this school year, it's just me and my girls!  Since Isa is off preschool on Fridays and Will is at Kindergarten all day, it was the perfect day for them to take gymnastics.    Today the girls finally started!  They have been waiting to go to gymnastics all summer (especially since they found out this is where their daddy competed in gymnastics when he was little).  Great Lakes Gymnastics offers and mommy and me class at 10am for Gabi and I, and Isa goes in 10 minutes later for her class at 10:10am.  I also get to watch the end of Isa's class which is awesome.  Both girls done and out the door in an hour! perfect!
Megan and her 2 youngest have also joined us for the classes!  So Friday's are going to be a great girlie day!  So far, I am loving the time with the girls. =)

 

waving at Isa passing by =)

so much more to love

 When we bought our home a little over 2 years ago, we knew we loved it and the community.  What we didn't realize is how much more we would love it a few years later. 
To begin with, we are almost exactly where we want to be.  We are blessed to be able to visit with many family members on any given day.  Surprise visits to Gramma's and Bapa's are easy.  Evenings with the Vincents or afternoons with Tob's siblings are easily arranged.  That isn't to say we don't miss those that aren't near enough (we do, and try to get them to move closer all the time), but feel so lucky are kids get to grow up around so many family members. 
If we thought we liked this community before... we absolutely Love it now!  We have neighbor girls that adore our kids.  We have several other couples in our cul-de-sac that have little ones.  Now, there are 9 little ones ages 18 months to Will's 6 that enjoy playing, riding around, and spending time together!  Priceless.  It's so great knowing that our kids all have little buddies on their street that they love to be with.  The kids (and adults) are forming great friendships and lifetime bonds.  They are our second families. 
Our home is also coming along.  We love our gardens, our new veggie garden and all the sunflowers that bring bright hummingbirds and gold finch to our yard.  Perfect.  It's almost everything I always wanted in a dream home.  We love that our home is always open to our friends and family.  We love that feel comfortable coming in and out.  We love that so many of our friends enjoy having playdates at our house.  We love hosting movie nights.  We love that we honestly feel like ... this is HOME.  We are blessed!

Isa is back to school!

 After a week of anticipation, and asking every day when Will would leave if she was going to school too, the day is finally here.  Our little Isa faith is in Pre-K.  So many things are hard to imagine with her.. that she will be 5 in less than a month, that Kindergarten is next after this year, and that she is growing up (maturity wise... certainly not height wise!) all too fast. 
So off Isa went on her first day.  She is once again in afternoon preschool from 1-3:30 Monday through Thrusday. Her teacher said she did fantastic and I am glad she had a good day!

 

some of her best fans wishing her well!

Labor Day weekend fun

We had a wonderful relaxing and fun long weekend together.  We spent lots of time together and with family and friends.  It was perfect.  After a great day with friends on Friday, several of the families in our neighborhood hung out as we chatted and watched the kids play.  Will then headed over to his buddy Evan's house for his 2nd friend sleepover ever!  He said it was awesome!

Saturday, we had a lazy morning and the headed over to the park to celebrate Isa's BFF's 5th birthday!  After the party we headed over to P, K & c's house for a little evening get together.  So much fun!
On Sunday we took a little day trip to Cbus to visit with D, K & g.  It was a wonderfully relaxing afternoon and the kids really had fun playing together. 
Monday started off with a little "Donut" party.... yep another one of Will's parties!  Will and Isa woke up early to make some "donut themed" streamers and decorations too!  After a few impromptu calls.... we had a full house and we got the party started!  So love our family and friends for being so accommodating!  We then spent the rest of the day outdoors enjoying the sun and spending time with our neighborhood friends!  We even had an amazing dinner at the Shammot's, who set the bar high with a wonderfully grilled filet.  Perfect ending to a great weekend!