Racing for a Cure & Abby's Birthday Adventure: Part II

In year's past, we have celebrated Abby's Birthday with our family after The Race for the Cure.

We started downtown for the race! This was the first year in a long time that I was able to participate (in years past I always had to work at the restaurant). 

Mom and the girls made special hats for everybody to wear during the race.

Abby was the cutest little Birthday witch I've ever seen!

She's so eager to kick cancer's butt!

We weren't very successful at finding the beginning of the race we signed up for. We realized about 200 yards in that we began at the wrong starting line! Because walking the 5K was out of the question we turned right back around and joined one of the races...still not quite sure which one it was!

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Pops picked us up from downtown and we headed over to YaYas for some brunch and Birthday cake.

Oh, and of course, presents! 

Phew! That was a long weekend of birthday celebrations! 

A note from Mom & Dad: 

Dear Abby,

You are the most energetic, ambitious, loving, caring and bright little girl I know! You have grown so much in five short years. You have brought a lot of light into our family and we are thankful for every day that we have you in our lives. You have a kind heart and an ever-lasting love for your big sister! 

I hope that you had a wonderful birthday weekend and we look forward to another year of joy and excitement from you!

Love you so very much Abby-do!

Mom & Dad

Abby's Birthday Adventure: Part I

Our little munchkin turned five a few weeks ago! We kicked off her Birthday weekend by sharing cupcakes with her preschool class! The class sang Happy Birthday to her and she helped me pass out the cupcakes! 

Saturday was her Birthday and Abby woke up to some gifts. Elizabeth gave her a HUGE pillow pet and she received a jewlery box from Mom and Dad. 

Before we could start the festivities, Abby played in her soccer game. She had a special guest join her on the sidelines. (Poor Cora had to watch a lot of soccer that day!)

The girls' cousins joined in for some cupcakes and playground fun!

We took a break at the house between Abby and Elizabeth's soccer games. 

After the game, we took the kids to Fat Willy's for food and football (gotta squeeze those football games in on Saturdays too). 

There was a street fair going on at the time so the kids had some frozen yogurt during half time.

Then, FINALLY, we made our way to the much anticipated Build A Bear!

The girls each picked an unstuffed-stuffie!

This was a first for Cora so she was pretty curious about the process!

After stuffing our bears, the girls gave them a "bath" and fluff!

After checking out, Abby got to ring the bell and the entire store shouted Happy Birthday to her!

Phew, that was a lot of work!

We made our way back to the house for dinner and a sleepover.

Cora didn't quite make it to the sleep-over part, but she stayed for the evening and we had a good time watching a movie. 

Abby had a fun girls day with Cora and her sister! There would be more fun to be had the next day!

Back To School: 2nd Grade and Pre-K

I don't know why I am ever surprised that the summer has gone so quickly! We had a very fun summer full of camping, swimming, and many other fun adventures. The girls always go through growth spurts through the summer and we find ourselves reminiscing about how small they once were. 

Elizabeth went into the 2nd grade this year! She was very lucky and was placed in Mr. Olsen's classroom along with many of her friends from her 1st grade class! 

The principal always kicks off the school year by having the kids write their names in chalk on the black top! We have a new principal this year, who we all adore!

Abby went on to her second year of Pre-K. Last year she did 3 full days and went to five this year. She'll be ready (or not) for Kindergarten next year! 

Nearly three months into school, the girls are thriving already. I look forward to the strides that they will both make this school year! I'm a very proud Momma!