Ashlyn's First Award

The first Award Assembly of the school year and Ashlyn was chosen to receive an award!

She was beyond excited and couldn't stop talking about it.

Bonus: Christian received a surprise award; glad I was there.

A great couple of kids!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to me!

I had the opportunity to fly up to San Francisco for the day to do go shopping with my good friend Tina. Since my birthday was only two days away, what better excuse?

Especially since we'd be flying up on a private jet . . .

with exceptional service and food . . . and only the four of us (me, John, Dirk, Tina).

John and Dirk had appointments in the Bay Area and Tina wanted to go shopping so invited me along. Also planned was a romantic dinner with a view . . .

Not a great picture of the plane, but it's the best I could do in the dark with my phone walking to the car (which was brought right up to the plane . . . spoiled!)
It was a very fun trip, we came home with some good buys, and thanks to both sets of parents who helped with the kids, it was a perfect day!

On my actual birthday morning, Brooke, my planner and chef, whipped up this before school:

(with choice of salt and pepper - she's so cute!)

After a fabulous lunch date with my good friend Becky, John brought home a lovely array of sushi for dinner that was succulently delish!

Here's to another wonderful 41 years!

Brooke's Tenth Birthday Party Bash

Brooke helped plan her birthday party and only wanted to invite a handful of girls, and have it more like a playdate where they make crafts and play games. Great! Simple! We made a cute Twister-inspired email and sent to 7 of her closest friends. Each one of them were so excited and were all able to come.

The big surprise, which due to scheduling conflicts had to come early, was an old-fashioned ice cream truck. My friend Holly is starting this business with her husband and two kids . . . check it out - isn't it darling? They play fun big-band-type music and have fun treats for the kids to choose. They girls were all so excited!

Hi Holly!

And they all enjoyed their ice cream outside.

Then we divided into two teams and went on a scavenger hunt throughout the neighborhood.

As we were running around, I had to capture the splendor of the clouds! It was a magnificent night.

They dashed up the street and went into neighbors' homes (that we knew) and had a great time.

They each brought back a mod-podge of items and did a great job!

We ate pizza, then tie-dyed t-shirts. They did a great job and ended up with some cute creations. But man! was that a mess for me to complete the next day. Rinsing out all those shirts took me a full hour and then I had to run the washer four full cycles. I had no idea the back end of the project was so time consuming and labor intensive.

We also made cute satin hair clips and the girls did a great job! They all turned out beautifully.

The satin edges needed to be slightly burned. We decided that would be a great job for John.

They played Twister . . .

and did the CanCan (??)

and jumped on the trampoline.

All that running around and jumping got them hungry again . . . it's time for cake.

Brooke wanted what she has named a "lava cake" because well, it looks like lava.

It's really four layers of white cake separated by a light cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries, topped with a whipping cream & cream cheese frosting and a strawberry glaze.

Check out that bad boy. That's one big cake.

Make a wish sweet girl!

It's present time! The girls sat in a circle while music was played and passed around all of the presents. When the music stopped, the one Brooke was holding would get opened.

John would take the birthday card after she opened the present and "read" it aloud: "Happy Birthday Brooke, I'm so glad you invited me to your party because I think your dad is so cool."

The kids were all hysterically laughing at the silly things he was making up.

After, they all did their nails while watching an episode of The Cosby Show.

Brooke had a great time! At the end, they all popped a balloon that had a number in each one. They would then choose a giant-sized candy bar in order of the number they had. They left with a little bag and their hair clip, a nail polish, candy and the shirt (that came later).

The party ended at 10:00 and the next morning we were so thankful that it wasn't a slumber party!

On Sunday, we celebrated with the Merrills. It was Chelsea's birthday, too.

Melanie made Brooke a ton of hair clips - they are so cute! She did an amazing job.
Of course John has to be silly. Brooke got a soccer ball from Grandma and Grandpa that they brought from Holland.
Happy Birthday my sweet double digit!

One Decade. Double Digits. X. Ten. 10.

A decade goes by in the blink of an eye.

Ten years ago today, I was laboring in a hospital bed

Not uncomfortable, just waiting and resting, excited for your arrival.

You were easy!

At about 4:30 in the afternoon, you made your debut and have been a beautiful, delightful and wonderful girl ever since.

You are a dark-haired beauty with gorgeous bright blue eyes.

Growing more fabulous each day.

You are fun, talented, and eager to help.

You love to create, plan, and direct.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Brookie Cookie!

We love you!

Back to School

It's the first day of school, and children everywhere have butterflies in there tummies, and parents are skipping around like it's the most wonderful time of the year.

We have mixed emotions around here. It's exciting to get on a new schedule as the summer wears on, and yet it's terrifying knowing that the children are in fact growing and embarking on another year that will surely fly by at the speed of light and the days of fun in the sun at the beach and playing with friends until the street lights come on are over.

Good bye freedom, hello homework.

And hello to these cuties who are ready with their backpacks, supplies, new clothes and nerves!

Brooke and Christian go to school together every day as Ashlyn has afternoon kindergarten and Madison's school starts 20 minutes later.

BRACES!

Put on yesterday, the day before school starts. What great timing! Poor thing was so uncomfortable.

Christian is super-duper excited that he gets to be in 2nd grade with his best bud, Harrison. Those two boys! Look out Mrs. Berman! (His brothers Sam and William wanted to get in on the picture).

We couldn't be more thrilled that Brooke got Mrs. Babcock! She's the best!!!

Madison is starting 7th grade and was eagerly met by her buddies Bridget, Malory and Fatimah once she arrived at her locker. I think these same girls were in her 6th grade picture, too.

Now it's time for Ashlyn to go to school. I made her a tote bag (recommended for K) and she picked out the fabric. It's so cute!

Walking our last baby in to kindergarten.

She has two lovely and wonderful teachers (who've had all the Merrill kids!).

Mrs. Barkman and Mrs. Zdenek ... we love you!

They eagerly hugged Ashlyn and said "Our last Merrill!"

Ashlyn found her desk and was so excited that dad was able to escape work for a few minutes to walk her in.

She jumped right in and became the line leader and had a great first day of school. Not knowing anyone in her class, we were a bit concerned, but pleased for the opportunity for her to grow and learn to make new friends. The first thing she said after school was, "I made a new friend!"

On the 2nd day of school, Ashlyn's still so excited and loves to dress up for it and have her hair done just so. I wish I took a picture of her on the 3rd day when she had Shirley Temple curls.

Being goofy and posing. Soooo Ashlyn.