Webkinz! Everywhere Webkinz!

Lauren had her birthday party last Saturday. She and Abbie both convinced me to have a Webkinz party at the house. It has been YEARS since we've had a birthday party at our house--and now I remember why! I always love having someone else have to set up the party and clean up after we leave. All WE have to do is show up!

This year they really, really wanted a Webkinz party. It didnt take much convincing, as I even have my own Webkin--shshshhhh! don't tell! Well, I soon find out that Webkinz have not licensed their stuff yet--so no going to Party City and just buying the plates, banners, napkins and games. Oh no!! I had to come up with the games and actually MAKE them. Did you hear that MAKE them! Anyone who knows me at all, knows I have absolutely no creative bone in my body. But, we finally picked some games and wah-la...a Webkinz party is born. Oh, and did I mention I invited 15 four year olds---figuring only 10 or so would actually be able to make it....guess what! All 15 came!!! Imagine--15 four year olds INSIDE my house. Oh, and did I also mention, we had planned for an outside party--until it was 52 degrees and raining that morning.

Anyway, the party was a HIT! Webkinz galore--Pin the Tail on Scarlet (Lauren's cat Webkin), Candy Bash (pinata), Lily Padz, and we made our own Legendary Crowns of Wonder--and of course--the Employment Office--we made hamburgers for lunch.

So, all that matters is that Lauren and her friends had a great time. And next year,--we're going bowling! :)

Lauren starts Pre-School!!--finally!

Finally, after almost 4 years of waiting---Lauren started Pre-School!! :)

Here in Kansas, the cut-off date is September 1, so Lauren missed starting school by just a few days. Last year when Abbie went off to Kindergarten, Lauren had a hard time--she was really ready to go to school, too!

This year she started at Lord of Life in the 3 year old room--even though she's going to turn 4 next week. She had her backpack packed and ready to go at LEAST an hour before it was time to leave. She has two of her friends in her class with her--Henry and Brett. I don't know what it is around here, but there are NO GIRLS her age. It's the same thing with Abbie's class, too. Out of 80 kids in Abbie's grade, only 21 are girls! Looks like both Abbie and Lauren will have to get used to playing with the boys!

Lauren was so excited when I picked her up from school on Tuesday. She told me all about the songs she sang and a few new friends she met. And of course, she told me all about snack. Anyone who knows Lauren, knows she's very food motivated!! :)

We don't have very much going on this week, but we're gearing up for Lauren's party on Saturday---a WEBKINZ party!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend...here are a few pictures of her first day!

Weekend? What weekend?

Ever wonder why they call it a "long weekend?" I do, because it takes a LONG time to recover!

We sooo love having an extra day withoug work at the Munky store, but it just seems that we can always cram MORE into that extra day! Between the BBQ's, garage cleaning, swingset staining, and yard work, I'm beat!

The big news of the weekend was that Abbie got a new bike! Her old bike was WAY too small to learn how to ride without training wheels. Jon took her out on her old bike a few weeks ago and she was TERRIFIED to ride it. She's a pretty cautious kid, but she was missing one elbow pad, but had all the other gear, and of course a helmet, but was so scared it turned into a tantrum, so Jon just gave up. She's been scared to try again. So enter...new, flashy, pink and purple bike with STREAMERS on the handle bars and what amounts to a "purse" where they USED to put baskets back in my day. Oh, and she was INSISTANT that it have a kickstand...hmmm, we never figured out that one...but her don't worry....her new bike does have a new kickstand :)

All geared up with new elbow and knee pads and even WRIST guards(?)...can you say overkill? We took her up to school to let her try riding in the parking lot...and lo and behold...she is SOOOOO close to being able to ride by herself, but she is so afraid of falling she is almost too afraid to try.

Meanwhile, Lauren couldn't wait to get her hands on Abbie's old bike with the training wheels...she was off! She has no fear! She's definitely our risk taker!

So here are a few pictures of Abbie and Lauren's biking extravaganza!

Hope everyone had a fun and restful weekend...I think I'll go take a nap!

1st Grade---Here we come!

Abbie started school on Wednesday!!! She is officially in 1st grade! How did this happen? Where have the last 6 years gone? Last we checked, we were bringing her home from the hospital in a heavy spring rainstorm in her car seat! We just stared at her...not knowing what to do next. Gosh, I can't believe how big she is!

She didn't have much to report...She gets along well with everyone and makes friends pretty easily, so I just have to assume that we'll only hear about school if its bad!

We started carpooling with our neighbors this year, and Abbie seems much more excited about riding with Anthony and Marie to school each day, then actually GOING to school! Ahh to be a kid again!

Lauren complained all day that Abbie wasn't home and asked constantly if it was time to pick her up yet. But, after Abbie came home Lauren just started jumping on her and even kicked her in the shoulder--don't know what that was all about! As you can probably tell, Lauren is my "spirited" child :) We just can't wait until pre-school starts for Lauren...T minus 12 days and counting....

So all seems well here. We are hoping for a quiet weekend and maybe 0ne last trip to the pool before it closes for the year. The girls will be devastated.

We finally did it!

We finally did it! After months and months of talking about it--we finally have a blog! The Kluiter's have finally joined the techies!

I struggled with doing a blog at all--our lives just aren't that exciting on a day to day basis. But, since most of our families live far away, we thought this would be a great way to keep in touch and post pictures of the girls.

I can guarantee I wont be blogging everyday, but I will try to keep it up to date with our "happenings". Someone reminded me that family and friends out of town are interested in hearing from us and seeing pictures, even if it doesn't seem exciting to us!

The summer is coming to a close very quickly. Abbie had her 1 hour orientation/meet the teacher this morning. She has a great teacher--Mrs. Magsamen. She's excited and has a lot of great kids in her class this year.