Leo's birthday shoes

Leo is a self-identified "sneaker head".  He loves looking at and talking about expensive sneakers.  He got his first pair of Nike Jordans for his birthday last year from his Nana.  This year he wanted some rare shoes that were going to be very hard to find (and not to mention very expensive).  One night when Tom and I were discussing if this was a reasonable gift for a 12 year old and wondering if we could even get one of the super rare pairs of shoes he wanted, I remembered you could order a pair of custom Nikes on their website for only a small amount more than a regular pair.  This seemed like a good alternative and when we proposed this idea to Leo, he was fully on board. He spent weeks coming up with different color combinations.  We made sure to place the order earlier enough that they could be created and shipped by his birthday.  They, in fact, arrived a little early.  He couldn't wait until his birthday to open and enjoy them so when they arrived on Thursday, he went ahead and opened them.  

 They are very unique and he is very happy with them.  They are a little big so he has room to grow and hopefully can wear them for a good long while.

Serafina's Reflections Dance 2019

Last year Serafina submitted a dance video for the PTA's Reflections contest.  The reception honoring participants falls on Leo's birthday this year so we won't be attending.  She'll still get her medal for participating and probably have her entry moved up to the district level since almost all of the entries are visual artwork and almost no dance chorography.

Here's this year's dance.  The theme was "Look Within".

Tie Dye Party Re-do

Last month I hosted a tie dye pool party.  Unfortunately, in an effort to save money and be more environmentally responsible, I used a different dye product.  The shirts came out...not great.  The colors were dull and the white parts turned a dirty pink.  So we needed a redo.  Yesterday we had that redo.  

The girls swam and snacked.  

 Then they got busy tie dying.

 The results were much better this time.

Birthday visit to American Girl Doll store

As part of Serafina's birthday celebration, we took a trip to the American Girl Doll store.  We had appointments for one doll to get her ears pierced and the other to get her hair fixed and styled.  It was surreal to be doing this for dolls but it made Serafina happy.  She also picked out some items to buy with her gift card from Nana.  

Leo was a good sport to go with us and took an interest in this tiny bowling alley.  

Serafina's 10th Birthday

Serafina is 10!  She was so excited to be double digits.  These high-top Converse were number one on her birthday list.  I love a practical present.  These are a size nine!  Two sizes bigger than I wear. 

 I made a confetti cake with chocolate frosting per the birthday girl's request.  Tom decided to take on the important task of writing the birthday message.

Serafina supervised.  

 End result.

 Leo dressed up front porch Fred for the birthday party.

 Wearing her birthday crown on the big flamingo.

It was the usual pool party fun with all the chaos we know and love.  Here's all the kids and dads in the pool.

We did a make-your-own-sandwich bar and everyone built themselves yummy sandwiches for lunch.

 Cake time!  First a picture with Halle.

 Then I told the kids no one was getting cake until I get a picture.

 I told them "make a funny face" and not all of them are very good at that apparently.

Leo wanted to light her birthday candles and then we all sang of course.  

It was a very fun day and Serafina had a great birthday.  Now Leo is very happy because we can start talking about and planning his birthday.

Serafina's Birthday Eve

I can't believe my little baby girl is turning 10 tomorrow.  Of course I had to take a walk down memory lane.

 This picture is from Arkansas

 This from a few weeks ago when she started back at Dance Academy.

 Before dinner we took this picture so I can prove I'm still an inch or two taller.

 We were both wearing jumpsuits and thought that was pretty awesome.  She can kick a whole lot higher than me.

We headed out for a little pre-birthday dinner.  

 Nana joined us for dinner.

 A special treat for the almost 10 year old.