Gymnastics - second time

So, this was Kate's 2nd week of gymnastics.  Last week after Kate left school for gymnastics, Kitely asked her mommy where was Kate going, what was she doing, what do they do in gymnastics, etc.  She said she wanted a leotard and wanted to do it too.  So, Suzanne called and they had a spot in the class for Kitely.  Yea!!  So, this week they went to gymnastics together.  They did a really good job.  They listened well and tried everything their instructor asked them to do.  It was great!  They had a great time and can't wait to go back next week.  Kate is so excited that Kitely is in her class with her.  And I am so proud of them both!!  I thought they looked adorable in their leotards after class so I just had to get a picture!!  They are growing up so fast!

My birthday

Here we are on my birthday (Kate wasn't in the mood for a picture).

She said that everyone had to have a birthday cake and she wanted to make me one.  So, we made a chocolate cake with chocolate icing.  (I don't like icing but she only understands cake with icing).  And she had to add some sprinkles too (bats & pumpkins; red, white & blue stars; easter eggs; & red & green holly --- this was what she picked out of the pantry).  She enjoyed eating the cake batter before it was cooked too.  I think that was her favorite part of mixing the cake!

She helped Jarett put candles on the cake and sang to me.  It was really sweet.  I had a great birthday and appreciate all the sweet birthday wishes!!  I am very lucky!!

Clay & Paul come over for dinner

Kate, Clay, & Paul eating dinner together -- having a blast!

Paul, Clay, & Kate playing in the trees (they loved pulling on he branches & dancing around).

Kate, Clay, & Paul getting ready to roll down the hill to our house -- they thought it was hilarious!

Kate found my high heels and started walking around the house in them.  She was so excited to have Clay & Paul with us.  They went with me to pick her up at school today.  She loves to play with them.  She was so ecstatic she got to play and eat dinner with them -- she cried when they went home.  They are such great friends.  They are like brothers to her and are very protective of her.  (We are so lucky to have them as neighbors.)  

Gymnastics

Kate walking on the balance beam with the assistance of Ms. Bree, her teacher.

Kate smiling (hiding from the camera) after gymnastics.  She loved her first class at Premier Athletics in West Knoxville.  She loved it so much, she cried when we were on our way to the car.  She wanted to stay!  We thought we would try gymnastics this fall to give her a new, fun activity.  I think she's going to really enjoy it and learn a lot!!  She can't wait for next Monday night!  She picked out her leotard at Target Sunday night.  She wanted to wear it to school on Monday so she'd be ready for gymnastics!  She was so thrilled!!

Baking with Mommy

Kate wanted to make cupcakes so we decided to make marble cupcakes (not the best idea to make marble cupcakes -- should have made a cake -- she got a little messy trying to swirl the chocolate around in the cupcake holders).

She is very proud of her baking skills....as you can see!

We had a fun time making the cupcakes -- she loved licking her knife.  Later after they cooled, we put icing on them and sprinkles.  This was her favorite part.  She had 6 different colors of sprinkles to choose from and enjoyed deciding who got to have which colors on their cupcake.  She made one for Clay, Paul, Mr. Lance, & Ms. Allie but said that Baby Charlotte could not have once because she was too little and Gigi couldn't have one either because she was a dog.  She was very specific in her instructions.  It was hilarious!  She is definitely going to be joining me a lot in the kitchen.  She loves to help and loves to cook.  We should have lots of fun times ahead!!

Dollywood with Fiona

Riding the bees together!

Spinning in the tea cups -- fun fun!

Fiona and her Mom, Kimberly on the carousel (she rode the kitty cat)

Kate & Mommy on the carousel (she rode a fancy horse)

We picked the girls up early today after nap and took them to Dollywood for a couple of hours.  They had a great time together and did really well.  It was fun to get away for a little bit!!  

Kate & Kitely together again!

Monday, July 28th

Kate missed seeing Kitely while we were gone to the beach.  While we were gone, Kitely's parents bought a new house and started moving in!  When we got back, Kitely came over Monday afternoon to take a nap while the movers got all their stuff in their new house.  She then went with me to pick up Kate at school and stayed for dinner.  The girls had a great time together and really missed each other!  They were really sweet together.  I just had to post this picture of them drinking their Dora yogurts.  Yum yum!

Our last night in Destin

Kate & Mommy on the porch at the Inn by the Sea

Our sweet girl on the beach

Kate & Ava playing in the sand while we wait for our table at the Back Porch.

Sweet little Ava in the sand

Ava & Kate after we cleaned off all the sand waiting for our table.  They are such sweet friends.  The love each other so much and had a great time together on the trip.  I am so glad that they have become such close friends since Shannon & I were so close growing up and have become close again!  It's just wonderful to share that bond with my them!  Thank you Greg, Shannon, & Ava for being such special friends to us all!

More vacation pictures from Destin

Kate loved playing in the sand under the umbrella!

I think Kate ate this much ice cream on our trip!  She loves ice cream!!  This was at the little ice cream shop we went to in Seaside after it rained.

Ava, Ms. Shannon, & Kate on the steps of the Inn by the Sea.  It is the first Vera Bradley bed & breakfast and it's in Seaside.  It's gorgeous!

A family photo on the steps of the Vera Bradley Inn in Seaside.

Kate on the porch of the Inn.  I thought this one was adorable!

Thought I would share some more pictures from the trip.  We took so many good ones and had so many fun times!  We loved visiting Seaside.  It is such a beautiful place!  We went back to Seaside on Thursday after lunch.  We met some old friends (Valerie, Tregg, & Malone Johnson) at the Market Cafe in Grayton Beach for lunch.  They live in Gadsden, AL now but used to live in Knoxville.  It was great to have the chance to catch up with them.  

Destin beach vacation - part 1

Kate & Ava waiting to jump during Kids Mardi Gras at Baytowne Wharf.  They love each other!  Ava had her face painted like a butterfly -- it wasn't quite what we expected!

Swinging in the tire swing at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin

Enjoying the outdoor concert at Baytowne Wharf with Mommy

Enjoying the concert with Daddy!

Swimming in the big girl pool with Mr. Turtle - she loved swimming in the float by herself!

We got to go to Destin, FL with our friends, Greg, Shannon & Ava Meadows.  (Shannon & I grew up together and were best friends in high school).  They invited us to spend the week with them at their condo on the beach.  We went with them last year also.  Kate & Ava love each other so much and had the best time playing together all week.  We were able to spend mornings and afternoons on the beach and at the pool.  Then we were able to go out to eat at night and do other fun things with the girls in Destin.  We went to Sandestin to Baytowne Wharf 2 nights to enjoy various activities for the girls.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great time!  Thank you Shannon & Greg for inviting us to go with you!  We can't wait to see you all again!!