Skate City

Wednesday morning we met up with several other at Skate City in Overland Park for their morning kids skate session (9:30Am - 11:00AM).


I am the crazy mom who allowed the young man at the front door talk me into letting Dawson join in on the fun skating. His exact words were "How old is your little guy?" When I answered not quite two he responded "Awh! Let him give it a try." Well, he tried and conquered.

They take a short five minute rest period where the kids are offered a snack and small fountain drink or water. I like this picture because it captures Gabrielle's sweet side. And believe me when I say we have been dealing with an unfamiliar devilish side of her lately. I have jokingly said she is bipolar. She flips on a dime. Has anyone else experienced this with their girls? I will take the sweet Gabi anyday!

Here are my two in action.

Gabrielle getting her grove on during a dance song (they played Going on a Bear Hunt, the Chicken Dance, Hokey Pokey & others).

This picture wins my vote for favorite of the day.
No reason other than it makes me smile.

CC Fountains

Monday we spent the morning cleaning house for yet another showing (Lord will this house ever sell?) and swam at the neighborhood pool for a short bit so Tuesday we were all ready for a change of scenery. We headed down to the Crown Center Fountains with several neighbor friends. The kids had a blast frolicking around in the water while the adults enjoyed each others company. There was a camera crew there shooting for the upcoming Irish fest.
Stay tuned to YouTube for possible footage of the kids + a cow.
That's right - a big bovine was there and boy did it gain a lot of attention.
I will share the handful of pictures I took.
None too good.
The munchkins turned their back or ran the opposite direction EVERY time I went to snap.
Leave me a comment to let me know you were here.
I hope everyone is enjoying what remains of summer.
I am loving every minute of it!!

La De Da Spa

Last Thursday Gabrielle was treated to a day of beauty by her girlfriend Brooke. We met up with Brooke and her Mommy at Shear Madness and the girls enjoyed a manicure and full pedicure. They got to pick out paint colors (light pink for their nails and fuchsia for their toes).

After their manicures and pedicures were complete the technician applied sparkling glitter to the tops of their hands and feet.

They dressed the girls in matching spa bathrobes, boas, and tiaras.

If that wasn't fun enough Becky decided to take it to the next level and spoiled the girls with an up do. What fun!!

Gabrielle is just one year older than Brooke, but it is endearing to see and hear how much Brooke looks up to Gabi. We have been very fortunate to spend more time this summer with Brooke and her Mommy. Theirs is a friendship to be treasured. We are very fortunate to have them as both neighbors as well as friends.

Being Diva for the day is one experience that Gabrielle will not soon forget. She was so proud of the way she looked.
It is funny how a little pampering can do a woman (or a little girl) good :0)

Swim Lessons

After a little arm twisting I successfully convinced Travis that swim lessons were in order this year for Ms. Gabs. It was an easy choice where and with whom I wanted her to take them. Megan (who happens to be the daughter of one of my college professors from Nebraska Christian College) lives just around the corner from us and teaches private lessons at the neighborhood pool. She suggests partnering up with a "swim buddy" for lessons. Gabrielle and Kamryn enjoyed their time in the water with Ms. Megan. It never ceases to amaze me how kids will listen intently and follow instructions from someone other than their perspective guardian. I was intrigued at how much both girls trusted Megan. They each had their own strengths - Kamryn is a strong swimmer on her tummy and Gabrielle is a strong back swimmer. I look forward to starting earlier in the season next year and having the girls expand their swim techniques. All in all it was a terrific experience and money well spent!!

A Belated Birthday Celebration

I am sure most of you know Gabrielle is a New Year's baby.
This year her birthday happened to fall during the period that we were mourning the passing of Travis's Dad. We did do a small family party for her with GG, Aunt Shari & Uncle Darren while in Springfield and another cake and gift opening with Mema and Papa when we returned back to Olathe. Gabrielle had really been looking forward to having a party with her girlfriends, so after much delay (nearly 7 months!!) we finally put a low key gathering together.
My motto for the year: Late is better than never
Friday we met at Debbie Howard's Gym with five of Gabrielle's friends.

They each had fun on the balance beam

Uneven bars (I love the death grip and look of fear on Gabi's face)

The 40 foot long trampoline

And the biggest hit - the foam pit located at the end of the trampoline

Gabi made several attempts to scale the rock climbing wall while Tatum and Chase were more adventurous and mastered the larger than life "spider web" contraption then jumped some estimated fifteen feet to the mat below!! They each did this a handful or more times BEFORE we learned that it was against the gym rules. OOPS!

We took a short break for cupcakes, juice and gift opening.
Gabrielle was blessed with such great gifts - all of which she has already enjoyed and play with. These beautiful pajammies (as we call them at the Hicks household) topped the cake!! My friend Becky has a heart for gift giving. There is nothing ordinary about what she picks out. She puts so much thought behind each purchase. She surprised us just yesterday with a box of goodies for our road trip to Alabama later this week ... really who thinks of things like that??

She received two different Barbies - the Happy Birthday Barbie and Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty - to add to her collection.

Other items received included this adorable personalized thermos, some awesome faux vintage activity books, her very own crystal wind chime, a slip 'n slide (BIGGGG HIT), a new DVD, an accessory set to her Tinkerbell Toy & a hoola hoop (from her Mema).

I was so impressed by the gym facility as well as the generosity and level of professionalism displayed by the owner that I am really looking forward to our next visit there.

On a side bar ... is it bad that I am pining to enroll her in gymnastics now??
It may be time to find a PT job!!

Todays Tidbit

Attitudes are contagious.
Is yours worth catching?

I often hear myself saying:
I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm hot, my back is in bad shape ... the list goes on.
So if I am projecting a negative attitude, then I shouldn't be surprised when my kids grumble similar complaints.
These words "Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?" closed out an e-mail forward I received today. I really am not a fan of e-mail forwards, but obviously this message was meant for me to view today.

Princess for a Day

I just realized I didn't post about a special birthday bash we attended.
Gabrielle's good friend Gracyn turned THREE recently and we celebrated with her and several other princesses in the park. What little girl (or big girl for that matter) doesn't love being a princess for the day?

Gabrielle, Bree, the birthday girl Gracyn, Brooke & Emery

The back lighting on this picture is terrible, but it is such a sweet picture of the girls.

A game of pin the tiarra on the princess anyone?
Gracyn's mommy sure knows how to put on a party fit for a princess and her royal court. She rolled out the pink carpet, bubbles, a game of musical plates, craft time making flower halos & most fun of all cake decorating! Once again the take home bag was a hit. Gabrielle couldn't wait to dive into her new princess materials.