School work

Snippets of Ryann.  Seriously this girl is awesome. Except she doesn't believe in neat handwriting or spelling. But whatever. She is still pretty cute. 

Swim team

We have tried for some time to find a niche for Ryann. Ryann is amazing. She is a thinker- she ponders and doesn't react quickly. She is helpful and tries to find better ways to do things. She has her own timeline and somehow makes it all work during the chaos of our home and family. 

However,  She isn't super self motivated, she isn't very coordinated, didn't have fun at softball, lives in her own little bubble, didn't want to do soccer--- but along came the swim team--- and we thought we would try it out. She is getting better and better each day and she doesn't ever complain about it!!! It helps she swims with some cute boys I am sure. But she also is able to do things at her own pace. Hopefully she continues to like it- but if she doesn't then there is always basketball- right?

Here we are trying on swim caps. 

Return of the beanie boos

These girls crack me up. This was Ryann's creation. 

Open house

My cute Ryann had her first real science project displayed at school today. What a doll and I am so proud of her. We have had such a fun year and I can't believe it is almost over. Wow that went fast!!!

Keep it going

We like to keep birthday celebrations going as long as we can over here. Ryann got this awesome lady bug land where she gets to raise ladybugs. Grosses me out, but she is so excited. 

Also we brought brownies to her class- per her request. Another gross thing--  prepackaged brownies-- never as good as homemade, but for some reason the kids were in heaven. 

And here is her I can't open my mouth and smile picture because I am eating a brownie picture. 

Last day of being 8!

This cute girl turns 9 tomorrow. 

We had such a fun day playing with friends and enjoying the beautiful weather   

We went to yountville park and later this evening went downtown and ate at burger fi after walking the river walk. 

Last night we had a girls movie night with some friends from church and we watched "wild hearts can't be broken" it was so adorable and they had a lot of fun. 

Train tunnels

While in Tahoe last week my dad took ryann to the abandoned train tunnels. She had a blast and is still talking about it. 

Crazy hair day

The girls had crazy hair day at school Friday and they sure had fun!

Little artists

I realized I had a Mac overload the past few days.  So now on to my other children. 

They made some bookmarks at the school library this week. 

Cara enjoys paining her face with whatever fruit she can find. This variety happened to be cherry. 

Stuffed animals

Rich put the girls to bed and told them to go to sleep. I came to check on them and this is what I found. 2 cute girls with about a thousand stuffed animals surrounding them. Can you find them?

ER visit

The other night we had to take ryann to the ER because of her severe ear pain. She kept waking up in tears. A couple years ago she had an eardrum rupture so I wasn't too excited for that to happen again. She ended up with bilateral ear infections and started on some antibiotics. The ER trip was pretty quick. In and out and home in about 2 hours. 

So no swimming for ryann for a week, but we shall survive. 

Iread

Ryann finished a program in school called iread. She worked really hard on it and we are so proud of her. 

Tulip festival: Ryann

This girl was all about pictures this day.  She was also a huge helper. She actually got interviewed by a local tv station as well.  

This silly girl also refused to wear regular shoes so she ended up totally muddy. Oh well. It was vacation. 

Crazy hat day

Butterfly release

Ryann got a butterfly kit from auntie ashley for her birthday. They started as caterpillars for a week, then cocoons for a week or spans then butterflies for a week. It was gross to me but awesome to the kids. 

On release into the wild day ryann wanted to do it at school. She brought them to the playground after school and had quite the gathering of people. 

She named them all and it turned out to be auch a magical birthday gift. 

Thanks again auntie ashley!!!

Softball

since we are spending 4 days a week playing softball I think there will be a lot more blogging and pictures about it. 

Last game ryann hit twice and scored twice. Wahoo! 

The after party

Ryann wanted her baptism to be rainbow themed. From the primary song "when I am baptized". My friend Stephanie catered the party and my awesome family helped soooo much with the fruit, desserts, decorations, and drinks. Ryann had so much fun and it was great to see all the people who love and support her. 

Barbie uno

We finished off Ryann's birthday by cake at grandma and grandpa great's house. Then we played Barbie uno which was pretty funny (like most games with kids). I think overall my sweet girl had a great day. 

Happy 8th birthday Ryann

Happy birthday to my sweet girl. 

Last month she was bullied at school. It was too painful to write about at the time, but let me tell you now, she is tough, strong, resilient, and happy. 

She isn't afraid of anything... Except zombies, scorpions, the fish monster from scooby doo, and not bullies!

She is still in her own little world, loves ponies, unicorns, rainbows, and butterflies. She also loves Pokemon, movies, music, piano lessons, and breakfast burritos. She buys lunch once a week, only likes cinnamon apple sauce, loves iPad time,and is learning how to play super Mario brothers. She recognizes instrumental music from movies like her daddy and dances like him too. 

She has a crush on a boy in her class named Owen. He is cute but not happy about her liking him. She tries to deny the crush, but can't most of the time. Reminds me of her mommy in elementary school. You should have seen the look on her face when she opened his valentine. Quite precious. She was also thrilled he didn't throw her valentine to him away. Oh man. Boy crazy girl. His best friend is named Marcus, which is what she wants to name the baby if it is a boy. Oye vey.  

Ryann had lost 7 teeth, shares a room with her sister, still won't change mac's diaper but is a great big sister. She dresses herself daily, hates pants, loves making us laugh, fights with her sister, misses her best friend Kennedy from Arizona, doesn't eat much sweets, is playing softball, loves the library, stuffed animals, and is starting to be a great reader. She is also planning on being baptized next week. 

We love you Ryann Paige!

California winter

We had a couple cold days this week and then it seems to warm up nicely after school.

These pictures show you how different my girls are. Seriously...Ryann would wear shorts every day if I let her. Cara, on the other hand likes to bundle up.