Jack O' Lantern or NEELA?

Another day, another tooth!

Neela was getting dressed this morning, and figured out another tooth was loose... and out came tooth #5!

Somebody's starting to look like a Jack O' Latern -- symmetrical bottom missing teeth and all!

6 years, 1 week

We arrived 6 years and 1 week ago today... and came home to Copper Cliff Trail after 15 days at St. John's Hospital in these "tiny" outfits!  Today's measurements indicate we are almost 48" tall - and well on our way to surpass Mommy some day!

Brooke felt she was missing out, so here she is with her "coming home" outfit that Kylie and Neela picked for her on September 10, 2009!  She is as tall at 3 1/2 as Kylie and Neela were at 4 1/2!!

Snow Fun!

It snowed a LOT on Thursday night, and Friday was a winter wonderland as we waited for the bus.  We walked half way to the bus, tasting snow and throwing snowballs with our friend, Addie, before Mommy and Brooke picked us up to drive us the rest of the way.  The snow WAS pretty deep!  Then, we had more fun making the "snow fall" as we tossed it in the air waiting for the bus.

Today, we had a blast checking out the neighborhood tunnels and forts carved out of the big snow piles - and even climbed on top of a few.  Check out all the pink snow gear... can you figure out who is who??

L to R: Brooke, Kaitlynn, Neela, Addie & Kylie

Daddy-Daughter Cinderella Swing

One Friday, we brought home "tickets" to the Cinderella Swing in our "Friday folders".  We were so excited to go to the Daddy-Daughter Dance - Mommy went online to register us. 

(Brooke was VERY bummed she had to be 4 to go!!)

When we were at the Mall of America, Daddy took us to the Disney Store... and let us pick out new dresses to wear to the dance.

On the BIG day, Kylie was not sure if she wanted to wear her Easter dress or her princess dress.  Mommy made a quick stop at Target after dropping off Brooke - and found a tiara to match Kylie's dress.

Then, Mommy picked us up at Kids' Club - BEFORE we went outside!  She took us to have our nails painted...

... then we stopped at Children's Place to find white undershirts, picked up Brooke at school, and went to Brenda's to have our hair fixed!  We asked for French braids... Mommy really needs to learn how to braid!

Then, we went home for supper... and got all dressed up to hang out with Daddy!

Don't we look like Daddy's little princesses?
(If you are not "up" on your princesses, Neela is Snow White and Kylie is Rapunzel.)

For our final pose before heading out, Daddy wore his "tiara," too :-)

We did not dance much, but we had pictures with Daddy, pictures with the princesses, autographs from the princesses, colored pictures of princesses, got "ribbon dancers", had a cookie, and danced... to YMCA and the Chicken Dance, of course!

Turning 6!

All the girls recovered from being sick in time for their next big surprises!  First, Grandma Candy took Kylie and Neela shopping for new outfits... then, we headed for a HOTEL to go SWIMMING!

Of course, we "infected" Daddy, so he stayed home to rest...

We could not figure out why Mommy had not decorated the house for our birthday at school, but soon figured out she had saved all the decorations for the hotel room.  Tinkerbell, princesses and fairies were EVERYWHERE!

And... the we found Grandma Banana, Papa Pizza, Aunt Angie... and our BIRTHDAY CAKES!  Grandma made "Sofia the First" cakes for both of us - chocolate for Kylie, and white for Neela.

Before we went swimming, we really wanted to try the cake!  So, we lit the candles....

... and while everyone sang Happy Birthday, Kylie blew out her candles!!

Neela waited until everyone finished, but Brooke really wanted to help her... It took Neela a while to blow out the candles, so she did get a little help from her sisters!

Then, we headed for the pool!  We showed off all the things we learned at swimming lessons in the "big pool", and let Papa Pizza do a few cannon balls with us.  Kylie loved it; Neela and Brooke were not so sure.  We did spend a few minutes in the hot tub, too...

...before having pizza with everyone!  Brooke was very tired after skipping her nap, and crashed a little after 7.  Kylie and Neela played 'Garbage' cards with the Grandmas, before Neela crashed (in Mommy's room) and Kylie fell asleep with Grandma Banana and Papa Pizza.

In the morning, it was our REAL birthday!  We headed downstairs for breakfast, and were all smiles...

... with even more smiles as we got ready to head back to the pool!

Mommy was very happy she can still "lift" the two of us... 6 years later... but the water helped!

We were even happier to see Daddy arrive - he still did not feel great, but he wanted to be part of our party, too!

After we checked out, we headed back to our house to open gifts.  A few things...

Big Grandma & Big Papa sent purses - with MONEY!

Grandma Candy & Papa Lollipapa brought Legos, and the outfits we picked out :-)

Aunt Heidi, Uncle Cory and the boys sent Crayola project kits - they were fun AND MESSY!!

Aunt Angie bought scarves we cannot WAIT to use!

Grandma Banana & Papa Pizza are sending us to dinosaur camp at the zoo...

Aunt Renee & Uncle David sent science kits...

...and we got new Cubbies gear from Uncle Chuckie! 

Of course, Brooke decided she had to wear her Cubs gear, too!

Everyone headed home, and we spent the afternoon trying our new toys before heading to a special party for our friend, Jacqueline.  We had noodles, got balloons and tattoos at her party!

And yes, WE ARE SIX!!!!

Our 1st Birthday at School

For two days in a row, we celebrated at school!  Yesterday, for Valentine's Day... today, our birthdays!

We were so excited, we could not sleep any longer!  Kylie and Neela were up before their alarm - and Brooke followed quickly behind.  Kylie came up to tell Mommy, "There are no grown-ups downstairs to make us breakfast."  Neela was downstairs watching "Sofia" already!

So... we ate a very early breakfast... toaster waffles and fruit!

At school, we had "star tiaras" from our teachers - and Mommy surprised us by bringing Happy Meals for lunch.  We had "cold lunch", and also won the "Principal's Pick" when we waited in the lunch line.

In the afternoon, we were able to share our treats with our classes.  Kylie brought red, white and blue chocolate and white cupcakes (she chose a chocolate one with red frosting), and Neela brought suckers from Grandma's candy store.  Then, they shared suckers at Kids' Club before Grandma Candy, Papa Lollipapa and Uncle Chuckie picked them up for a dinner out at Las Margarita's!

The night ended with a bit of a challenge... Neela and Brooke got Kylie's bug!  Uncle Chuckie was in Brooke's room, so helped her clean up -- Mommy and Daddy had Neela in her room, then Neela ended up sleeping with Mommy.  We made a quick recovery - and are ready for the next part of our celebration!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Our Valentine's Day was a little different than past years.  Kylie got sick on Wednesday night, so she could not celebrate her first Valentine's Day at school today.  She stayed home with Daddy in the morning, Mommy came home for a few hours, then she helped Daddy buy Mommy a new pillow and pizza for supper.

When Mommy went back to work, she was able to go the Valentine's dance at Brooke's school.  Brooke and her friends had fun dancing, spinning, playing with the light switch, and convincing Mommy to blow bubbles for all her friends. 

On the way home, they picked up Neela... Neela had so much fun at school for the day!  She even got a "special" Valentine from Will... just ask her :-)  Neela did bring home all of Kylie's cards, and everyone was able to see the notes, sweets and gifts their friends made for them.

For supper, we celebrated with heart-shaped pizza for the girls, scallops for Mommy & Daddy, and heart-shaped balloons with heart plates for everyone!

Happy Heart Day!

Friday Night at the Children's Museum

Daddy had to bowl last night, and Mommy did not feel like movie night.  So... she picked us up from school, stopped at McDonald's for supper, and headed to the Children's Museum.

The Dora & Diego exhibit opened since we visited last.  We spent a long time on the ...

Piggie Pirate Ship...

Figuring out how to get Tico's nuts to the top of the tree...

Flying the space shuttle to Dora's next adventure...

and climbing Jaguar Mountain!

After hanging out at Dora's exhibit, we decided to paint our faces - we never walk past the face painting stand without a LONG stop to be VERY creative :-)

Then... it was "member's night" - so we got to see the NEW "Circles" exhibit!  We learned a lot about circles, gears, and spinning lights.  We helped on the "job site", and then Mommy and Brooke made a "unicorn" hat from newspaper! 

The museum was closing... and Mommy had to DRAG us out the door.  We hope we get to go back the NEXT time Daddy bowls!

Tooth #4!!!

We are losing teeth left and right, and today was no exception!

We were getting ready to eat, and Neela decided the tooth was in the way... so she pulled it herself!!