Fancy Birthday

talking to gpa. jr. and wearing headband from Sarah Joy

pink, purple and yellow fancy cake

excited to blow out the candles

enjoying parfaits

Happy 7th Birthday Brianne!

ready for tea sandwiches and strawberry italian soda

sunglasses made by mike

pin the sunglasses on Fancy Nancy - also drawn my mike

slightly off

waiting to open presents

I can't believe that my daughter is 7! How could I have a 7 year old? Could this be true?





We had a fun day of celebration. Nate, Carm, Sienna and Isaiah came over the night before so the kids were up and outside playing before any of the parents were even dressed. What better way to start out your birthday than to be with your beloved cousins? Mike brought the "birthday donuts" home as we prepared for the "Fancy Nancy" party. Carmen helped me make tea sandwiches and a fruit plate while I finished the decorations. We read the Fancy Nancy story, had some coloring games, learned some french words (just to be more fancy), played pin-the-sunglasses-on-Fancy-Nancy and endulged in pink birthday cake and parfaits. Each girlfriend received a boa, purse that she decorated during the party, a fancy feather plume, and a Fancy Nancy story and sticker book. We had a studpendous time! Thank you to all who made such an effort to come and celebrate Brianne!





We ended the day at a swim party with church friends. Brianne crashed on the couch well before bed-time. She didn't even make it to her 'birth' time 10:48pm....but neither did I. :) Lets just say, I was peacefully sleeping and thankful it was 10:48pm in 2008 instead of 2001. The past seven years have been such a blessing. We love our energetic, joyful, sensitive Brianne Claire!

Black Belt Cake

Sensi Mike

I am proud to say that Michael has earned his black belt! In a surprise and emotional promotion last Thursday Mike was overwhelmed to find his dad (Sensi Peoples) and entire karate class standing in honor of his accomplishment when he came down from teaching. His mom, sister and the kids and I were there to surprise him and witness the event. He and his dad had a private ceremony as part of the induction into becoming a black belt. Mike is the first to earn this honor in the Ko Setumi West school of martial arts. We celebrated afterward with pizza and a cake I made to match their logo. Mike has been working towards his black belt since he was 15 so this was a big deal for him. We were teasing him later about which title he prefered...Sensi Mike...Rev. Sensi Mike...Pastor Sensi Mike...and we'll add the M.A. to the end in a few years. ; ) Good One Babe!!

Maicee

all smiles


new backpack and lunchbox


Josiah wanted to be apart of it too

She's officially a Pine Grove Bear


Playing in her classroom before class starts.

My "mommy's girl" who wouldn't leave my side (or Brianne's) just last year is suddenly so confident and sure of herself. Maicee started Kindergarten this year is was ready to go! She has Mrs. Holtz who goes to our church and who taught Brianne in Kindergarten, so that made her more comfortable. She is in a K/1st combo so it seems to be a little more structured which is what Maicee likes. She was all smiles on the first day and had no issues when I walked her to class. It was a different story for Mom, however. I am thankful for one more buddy at home with me, although I'm afraid I'm a boring playmate compared to his sisters.

Brianne

first day of 1st grade


treat after school


first soccer game of the season


hot and sweaty. she played hard!

My energetic, full-of-life daughter is a big First Grader now. She was willing but timid about her first day of school. There are 3 first grade classes this year so inevitably she was going to be split up from some of her friends. Also, going to school for a full day is a big change. She seems to be enjoying it and will share tid-bits here and there about her day if prompted. She's growing up, changing a ton and becoming a little lady. She does still have her energetic times, which is good for us to see. She's also playing soccer again this year. We took last year off with Josiah's health issues so she's taken a bit of time to feel comfortable on the field again. Saturday was her first game and she did great. She's 'under 8's' so they actually try to play positions. She played forward the first half and defender the second half. She's still one of the fastest ones out there so she's a good forward but she did really well defending the goal. We're very proud of her...can you tell? :) Thanks for letting me brag.

Pretty Girls

Flowers and Cake

This past weekend Brianne and Maicee were the flower girls in a wedding. The couple getting married were in our youth group just a few years ago. Because of my close relationship with the bride (Becca) she asked the girls to be apart of the wedding and asked me to make her cake! Although I explained what an amateur I am, she insisted it would mean a lot to her. So, I made my first wedding cake and it looked okay, didn't fall over, and actually tasted really good. Thank goodness for fresh flowers - they made the cake look much better.

Visit from Scotland

We were so excited to have a (short) but good visit with my good friend and Brianne's God-Mother, Sarah Joy! She flew in from Scotland ,where Jeremy is getting his PhD at St. Andrews, to be in a friends wedding in Santa Cruz. She made the drive up to Pine Grove to spend one night we us. Tina, (friend from camp) also came over for the day to catch up. Tina's two boys and my three had a cute picture session. We missed seeing Sarah's three who stayed at home with Superdad, Jeremy. We miss you Sarah!

Flowers

Since my backyard is still dirt, straw and rocks I especially enjoy my blooming flower beds in front. My blue hydrangea is my prized plant. Josiah likes 'helping' Mike mow the grass. He rides in the backpack and talks to him the whole time. It's cute.

The Beach

The annual Oates Family Beach Trip was wonderful. It's something we look forward to and count down the weeks. (51 more til 2009!) The cousins LOVED spending 24 hours a day with each other and the siblings enjoyed the rarity of all being together in one house. Despite the younger boys getting sick, we had a great time. Mike and I were surprisingly tired when we returned home and concluded that even vacation isn't relaxing with three kids. It's just that time of our lives.

Swim Lessons

Maicee and Brianne took private lessons this summer and ended up enjoying it. There were a few rough days but by the end of the week they were much improved. I'm encouraged that they are much more water safe.