Biakis Pool Party 2011

Sunday was the annual pool party at Angela and Bill's home.  Unfortunately it was a stormy night that led into a storming morning - complete with thunder and rain.  Everyone braved the weather and Thankfully by the time we arrived (around 12:30-1) the storm cleared!  It was still cloudy, but warm/dry and no signs of lightening or thunder, so we enjoyed an afternoon by the pool and a potluck/BBQ.  

The night before the girls HAD :) to have their toes and nails painted.  K picked pink and H picked blue - shocking, I know. 

Hailey ended up being our little fish.  Kaelin has become a little leary of putting her head in the water and chose to stay on rafts mostly or hanging onto an adult.  Hailey on the other hand went down the slide 3 times, and swam from one end of the pool to the other endlessly!  The only think we couldn't talk her into was the diving board.  Maybe next year...

Hailey taking a moment of rest.

 Dominic and Brad

I am choosing to believe that this is all in play, but really am not sure what Trey was doing to Dominic...as Brad laughs :).

Kaelin, with Kendra behind her, enjoying the rafts.

Hailey the fish.

Going down the slide with Uncle Jasey #1.

Going down the slide with Uncle Jasey #2.

The day ended with snow cones made by Aunt Karen, and very tired kids (no naps, and a full afternoon in the sun and water!). It was a great day - though we should have put on sunblock by the end.  Hailey, we have learned, actually tans, though her cheeks did get a little pink.  Kaelin is definitely my daughter; her little cheeks, nose and shoulders are a bright pink today.  She says they don't hurt, but I am using aloe on her every few hours.

Tomorrow starts K's school adventure with a morning Kindergarten orientation with Justin and I, then her first day (screening) on Thursday.

Lawrence County Fair 2011

Every year we attend the Lawrence County Fair with Justin's mom, Cindy (even when we lived in Chicago we came back to PA for the Fair!).  The girls LOVE going to the fairs, and we usually attend 3 a summer.  We went a little earlier in the day this year so the kids would have more time to ride the rides. The had some dinner and played games (yea for goldfish), and then had our usual snow cones while we watched the tractor pull.

Pictures of the kids on the rides.  Hailey loves to put her hands up on the 'roller coaster'.

A visit to the horse barn...after eating a blue sucker :).

Kaelin learned ALL about milking a cow.  Seriously, she was so intrigued.  The lady even let her feel what the suction felt like, and showed her where the milk was stored in tanks.

Our goldfish - Yea *sarcasm*.  We will see how long they make it.  Especially because on our way out of the fair Kaelin dropped her fish bag which exploded, Daddy scooped up the fish with his hands and then put it in Hailey's bag until we got home.  So far (24 hours later) they are eating and still alive.

Next fair stop is the Canfield Fair August 31-September 5...we usually go at least twice. :) 

Magee Girls' Birthday Party 2011

Yesterday was the girls' yearly birthday party. This year we decided to have it away from home - WONDERFUL idea!  We usually have it at our home and have to rent chairs and borrow tables and tents.  Then it usually takes 2-3 hours to set up and another 2 hours to tear down! 

This year we showed up at the Mill Creek Park Chestnut Hill pavilion, set out food and a few decorations and we were ready to go.  Each pavilion has it's own playground, sandbox and field for baseball etc.  And, it was only $50 to rent (not much more than renting chairs etc)!!

The weather wasn't great - grey and stormy in the morning, then clearing in the afternoon.  By party time it was sprinkling or misting (THANKFUL for the pavilion)!  We chose not to grill hamburgers and hotdogs this year, and instead got fried chicken and Italian sausage.  This too was a wonderful decision!  Awesome food (From Charley's on Kirk) and the price was almost to the dollar of what it costs when we grill the food ourselves (actually $5 cheaper)!

We had about 55 people show despite the wet weather.  Everyone brought a side dish and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner.  The kids loved the woods, and dirt and playground!  Most were filthy messes before going home!  The trees kept them from getting entirely soaked thankfully.  And the guys were able to get in a few rounds of cornhole!

We also enjoyed a wonderful cake made by Tami (again this year!).  She enjoys making and decorating cakes occasionally for fun.  We are blessed that she has been willing to do it for our girls! 

Kaelin had to have Abby help blow out her candles.

The mirowave that Hailey got was a big hit :)

After opening presents the kids got to open the pinata.  In years past we have had trouble actually breaking the pinata open (an adult has to rip it by the end), so this year I got a string pinata!  It worked fairly well, though we did shake the pinata to help some candy out.  

Jecca designed and ordered some magnets for us for favors that turned out adorable as usual!  

Overall - it was a huge success!  All the kids had fun, and our kids said it was the best day ever!  They loved their presents (a lot of craft kits and hands on learning!).

The next hurdle in our lives is a dr. appt for both girls tomorrow to get yearly shots :(.  Then we are looking forward to the Lawrence County Fair on Thursday and we have a family pool party Sunday! Next week is the beginning of kindergarten for Kaelin!

Haircuts

Last week I took the girls for haircuts, for several reasons: 1 - their hair was in the face and badly needed cut!, 2 - to get ready for their upcoming party, and 3 - so Kaelin would be ready for Kindergarten!

Here are some pictures.  Hailey really likes her hair to be blow dried 'straight' with a round brush, she says it makes it soft.  :)  However, it NEVER stays straight for long.

Note: Kaelin's kindergarten orientation is Tuesday (8/23).  Then her first day is Thursday (8/25) for screening.  Friday we are supposed to get a call telling us who her teacher will be this year.  Then, her first day of school is Monday (8/29).  She is riding the bus with her best friend, Abby, from next door.  Abby will be in 2nd grade this year, so she is going to be Kaelin's guide :).  

Kaelin's 5th birthday...

On Saturday, Aug 6, Kaelin turned 5.  What?! Seriously?!  Yep!  I can't believe it.  I cannot explain how fast the last 5 years went, and I am having a very hard time belieivng she is starting school in 2 weeks!  Kaelin is a very smart, outgoing little girl.  She loves any kind of imaginary play or craft.  She also is a big helper and loves to help her sister (usually in public, not so much at home :) ).  She helps me with small chores around the house and is very good at following precise directions.

For her birthday we had a very busy day planned!  The next day was the Magee reunion, so we had a bit of baking to do with a dish for that and K's cake.  K helped me back (and tasted) during the morning.  Along with getting her nails painted.  Then we took a trip to Build A Bear, courtesy of Grandma Jan, followed by a brief stop at a friend's birthday party.  We finished the day with a family dinner at Red Lobster and then cake and presents at our house.

Her new ladybug from Miss Kathy (and Mr. Peter, and Claire).  Hailey got a blue one of course.

 Crafts!  She got 6 different craft kits from Grandma Barb, Papa Tom and Uncle Jasey

Getting ready for school - Mommy and Daddy got her the Fancy Nancy backpack and Hello Kitty lunchbox she wanted.  

 Uncle Ray got her an Easy Bake Oven!

Cake time:  Flavors picked by K - funfetti with chocolate funfetti icing.  It was actually pretty good.

Not sure who had more fun baking - Uncle Ray, Uncle Jasey or K?!

But she LOVES to decorate!

Sunday we then had the Magee Reunion at the farm - with food and fun.  The girls love Papa and Grandma's new baby donkey Jazmine.  (She completes the family of 3 donkeys).

We also got to spend the evening at Papa Keith and Grandma Cindy's.  We headed over to wind down after the warm afternoon at the reunion.  We did a bit of that, had some dinner and then had a bunch of fun - four wheeling, playing with Daddy's old transformers, and taking a bath in the giant tub :).

All in all a fun bday weekend for K!  She can't wait for her ladybug party next week!