Birthday Party!

Marina really, really wanted a birthday party this year, and she's doing so well in preschool and also in soccer AND  basketball, that Mom just couldn't say no. But before we partied, we had to attend our basketball assessment day. Marina did great in the 5 and 6 division! She is one of only three girls in the 5-6 age group, but happily, she has two friends on the team.  One little girl is on Marina's soccer team, and one little boy is a good friend and neighbor.  And his dad coaches, so we're hoping he picks our girl up!

So the little boy who is our friend and neighbor?  He has a little sister who is two and is in Jessa's two day class at preschool. Jess and Laura have been inseparable since September on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and then Mom and Laura's mom realized we were neighbors at neighborhood grown- up Bunco, and now our girls get to see each other on off hours too.  They are both sweet and happy and also pretty tall.  Jess has been a little bit off the charts her whole life-- but our little Laura looks like she doesn't even believe in the growth chart. 

And so we've had a busy week, just like always! But we rested up just in time to have lots of energy for

Marina's party on Sunday afternoon! For the occasion, Mom got The Purple Bus to come to the River Park.  We had a blast!

After the bus, we played at the park.  We made treat bags and hit the pinata in our great Marina birthday party tradition.

And then we ate up the cupcakes of course! Welcome to 5 sweet girl!



Marina Turns 5!

Marina is FIVE! This is the good news.  You might be wondering why it took us so long to get this information out.  Well, I'll tell you, but that's the bad news: Jessa jumped on Mom's laptop and broke it.  Broke it good, too.  Luckily, we still have Grandma Q's old netbook, so we can still get you the news.  It just takes a little longer!

So! Back to some happy news!

Little Marina has gone from our sweet little baby:

To our big 5 year old girl! We celebrated with some cake and presents and a visit from Aunt Kim and Uncle Donald.

Here are some of Marina's cool birthday gifts!

Thank you to all my wonderful Grandmas and my Pop Pop and my aunts and uncles! We love this stuff! And the fun isn't over: Marina's party is on Sunday!

On the weekend, we took Uncle Donald and Aunt Kim to downtown Nashville, which is very fun.  We love the Pedestrian Bridge! We also checked out the shops.

Jessa had some interesting developments this week too that she really wants you to know about.  Our girl is potty trained!  She doing really well staying silly and dry!

This week started with a two day fall break.  Since we didn't have any school, we hit the road in search of adventure.  We made it as far as the zoo!

On Tuesday, we had fun at a Halloween party with our playgroup.

Mom and the sisters go on  lots of playdates with this group of Moms (when I'm in big girl school) and they always have fun.  Here's a picture from a playdate last week.

Catch Up!

 We're playing catch up this week, after taking last week off.  Mom was in Illinois, which is a place I've never been, for most of last week getting training for a new job.  We had a sitter here to help us, and Dad managed great, but there wasn't a lot of time to make a blog! Mom is temporarily helping  evaluate The New Teacher Project for the American Institutes of Research, which is evaluating The New Teacher Project's i3 grant from the Feds. All that training for a job that will be over by Christmas! Luckily, the evaluation kicks in again in the spring and next year too.   Before Mom left on Monday, we had lots of sports to play.  That means swimming for me (which has become my cross to bear), and soccer for Marina.  Marina likes soccer, but I don't think that's for me either. I told mom that after fall swim, I want to dance!

 

 

We've also been going to church a lot, on account of my preparation for First Communion.  Church is FUN in Tennessee!  First of all, my Religious Ed, or RE classes, are led by three very fun teenagers.  And there's only 5 of us kids!  We have a blast!  Second, at the Mass itself, I go to Children's Liturgy of the Word, which makes the time fly.  What's really different here though is that Marina goes to her own Pre-K Church class, instead of the Mass- and she's gone the whole time!  She loves it!

Our new church is very big.  And they have very big events.  These are pictures of the Fall Picnic.  Mom also thought is was very funny that on top of all this kids' fun, the church also had an open bar. Dad had a beer, which looked pretty gross, but made Mom laugh. Highly unusual!

 

waiting in line for the jumper.



Jumper!

Bounce House

 Mom also made sure to get Marina's room finished before she left Monday night.  This is the finished product.  Turned out very well, thanks to some good advice from some old neighbors!