Swim team!

 Mira had her swim team tryout this week and we are thrilled to say she made the team! She had to demonstrate the four Olympic strokes (breast, back, freestyle, and butterfly). She did them beautifully and now is a member of the Life Time Fitness Cubs swim team. Above and below are two photos of her at the tryout.

Here is Mira right before her first official practice. She practices two times a week for an hour. It's nice because we get to choose the days she practices. There are 5 days to choose from and, as long as she comes twice a week, we can choose any day on any week. We are thinking Wednesdays and Saturdays for now. Our neighbor has a daughter who also just made the swim team, so Mira will have a friend on the team too! So far, we've had to buy a swim cap and flippers. Mira will get her team suit in a couple of weeks. We're not sure when the meets are, but are looking forward to seeing Mira compete!

First day of kindergarten and 3rd grade!

Mira and Amelia started a new school this year! We found a school that has all day, every day kindergarten for free, so we transferred the girls to an arts magnet school in Rockford. The bus driver picks them up in the driveway, which is going to be so nice for rainy and very cold days! They were both so excited (and a little nervous) to start school today.

The bus was right on time, and there are only 4 kids on the bus total! Mira and Amelia are the first stop, so they need to get on the bus at 7:15! Larry is their driver and he is the nicest man. He drove the same route last year and promised to take care of my kids for me.

Our tradition photo on the front porch:

 Boarding the bus!

 Me and my shadow, trying not to cry.

Last day of day care

Friday was the last official day of day care for Mira and Amelia. They had been going to Connie's house since Mira was 10 months old and Amelia was 3 months old. We love Connie so much and it's going to be so sad not to drop the girls off there every day! We are hoping she can take them for non-school days and again in the summer! But I have a kindergartener and a third grader on my hands, so all-day day care isn't needed anymore.

Connie tried so hard not to cry when we picked up the girls for the last time. She said the worst part of her job is when the kids are old enough to leave for good. I can only imagine what that is like, but we promised to visit!

We gave her a framed print of a bluebird (her favorite bird), and a bluebird mug. The girls also painted little bird houses for her.

A note Connie put on her door that day.

The best day care we could have asked for. She loves our kids as much as we do, and they were so happy there. Connie, if you are reading this, THANK YOU for everything! We love you!

State Fair 2012

We had a great day at the Great Minnesota Get Together today! The girls took advantage of many of the rides and activities, and we all enjoyed our favorite foods.

Always our first stop, the Canine Building. The girls love seeing the dogs there, especially the police dogs! We have yet to see a surgery on the screen there, but since Mira wants to be a veterinarian, perhaps next year we'll watch one.

 The Little Farm Hands building. This was our first year going through it and it was worth it! Mira and Amelia learned all about the from farm to table concept. They rode a little tractor, planted some seeds, collected vegetables, milked a cow, took it all to market and sold it, then were given a play dollar and were able to pick out a treat from their "store." Really fun, and educational!

 

 

 Amelia enjoyed 5 rides (boy, are they expensive! 5 tickets each at 75 cents per ticket). Mira rode on a few too and shared some of her tickets with Amelia. What a sweet sister!

 Mira had fun in the butterfly house again this year. I think they were smitten with her fluffy bow!

 No trip is complete without seeing the Princess Kay butter heads! The girls really thought it was neat to see a person carving heads out of a 90-pound block of butter. Did you know the princesses each get to take home their butter head? I wouldn't know what do do with it! Do you put it in the middle of the table at breakfast and help yourself to butter your toast or waffles?

 The Home Depot had a building and the kids all got to pick one of 5 crafts to build. Mira chose the bug box (and promptly went to the park when we got home and collected a grasshopper and some moths)!

 Amelia chose the sailboat (and promptly took out the paints when we got home and painted the daylights out of it!).

Finally, our annual family photo strip from the photo booth at the arcade.