Play Time

Kiersten's soccer team finally got their trophies in for placing first in their division. Of course this calls for a party at the donut shop. The girls were pretty excited.  

Another trophy to add to the collection. 

The team also got a big trophy to display at Twin Oaks Christian School, which is who they play through. 

Kiersten decided to take a fencing class. She was very excited to start, and is there anything cuter than this???

She enjoys getting suited up to practice. 

Aren't they all just adorable? That's probably not what they would like to hear. 

I was surprised at all the little technicalities. They are constantly being corrected on the tiniest of wrist movements. It's definitely not for everyone, namely me. The lunges alone would do me right in. 

Kiersten has really enjoyed it, and seems to have a knack for the details. She does need to get a little more aggressive.

Kara participated in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. Sparring is her favorite part. 

She got a silver medal in sparring, and in her group for forms. She was really surprised and happy to do so well. Ben dropped Kiersten off after her fencing lesson so he could take Evie on her Daddy Daughter date. About an hour in, she started coughing relentlessly, and seemed feverish, so I snuck across the street to CVS for some cold medicine. I don't think Kara noticed I was gone. The tournament lasted about 2 1/2 hours, and while I'm sure it's fun to participate in, it can feel long sitting through it as a spectator. That's without a sick 8 year old in your lap. 

Group photo: Kara is off to the right in front of the bald gentleman. 

Kiersten had her fencing tournament. It is fun to see the difference from her first week, to the tournament. She made a lot of progress in her confidence and ability.

She was the only girl able to be at the tournament, so she was intimidated at first, but she held her own. 

This picture just had me laughing for some reason. She's just so happy in her mask. 

I'll admit, I don't always get what's going on exactly, but it is interesting and fun to watch. 

She ended up getting 3rd place, and was happy with her prize of a Reeses Peanut Butter cup. 

One of the boys got upset and complained that he lost to Kiersten. I told her to just let it roll off her back and have fun. The intermediate class should be starting in the next month, and she is ready to get back to it and keep improving. 

Eleven Years

Karalee has now been with us for 11 years. That is something worth celebrating.

I was planning to make more braided streamers, but I was getting tired, so I just ended up with one. I thin k I made it work. 

She woke up looking the same way I felt after staying up too late the night before.

She was excited to take some of her balloons outside for the mailbox. I told her usually people do that when they are hosting a party at their house, but she wanted to do it anyway.

I can't believe she is so grown up already. 

Birthday hugs were plentiful. 

She just wanted cereal and hot cocoa for breakfast. 

I also let her open one of her birthday candy bars. 

After dinner we let her open her gifts. 

Kiersten was very excited to buy her a pair of rainboots. She has been asking for some for a long time. 

Ben got her this Chiefs sweater, and she had to try it on immediately. 

Evie gave her a card with a coupon for 3 free boxes of girl scout cookies. 

She kept reminding me that her birthday was also her hamster Sprinkles' "hamsterversary", so we got her some treats. 

I love Kiersten's supportive excitement as Kara realized she was opening the cell phone she's been dying to have. 

Even the long list of rules associated with the phone did not dampen her spirits. She has been very good with it so far, and hasn't broken a "phone rule" yet. 

Ben helped make a birthday cake for Kara. We decided to go with the heart shaped cake this year. 

She loves blue, so we bought blue frosting. It happened to come with fish shaped sprinkles, so I went ahead and put those on as well. 

It turned out pretty fun.

Eleven candles can look a bit overwhelming on a small cake. 

She still got them all with one blow.