Look at Maddie go!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went to Maddie's seeding tournament today to see where the girls would place for future games. I happy to say that the team did great! Madeline scored 2 goals and is beyond excited. :) GO MADELINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First day of 2nd grade!

Madeline's first day of second grade went really well, even better than expected! She has the same teacher that she had in Kindergarten. She loved her then and loves her even more now! Her very best friend is in her class and so are so many of her other little friends. I dropped her off at school this morning and walked her to her classroom. She almost immediately saw her friends and was off playing. No more clinging to mommy's legs, no more tears, no more constant reassurance that everything was going to be okay. My little baby has become a self sufficient, independent, and vibrant young girl. I am so proud of everything she has done, amazed at her excitement for life, and love her that fact she thinks I am the greatest person around. :) She is just so much fun to be hang out with, play games with, and well, pretty much everything!

I have the hardest time getting Lucy and Ava to actually go to sleep at night. They share a room at night (not during nap) and they find it so fun to jump on their beds, play with their toys, pull clothes out of their closet, or just make goofy faces at each other. I wouldn't have a problem with any of this, but it often lasts for a few hours after I put them to bed. I have tried everything that I can possibly think of to get them to actually sleep when I put them to bed: taking toys away, time outs, taking away privileges, etc. NOTHING WORKS! Tonight I thought I would out smart them... LOL I finally separated them after I asked them to go to bed several times. I assumed that the twin I took out the room would be very unhappy, then after a few minutes I would put her back in her room and she would then happily go to sleep. Well, the first thing I did wrong was assume that this little plan would actually work. I ended up taking Lucy out of the room (since she is the instigator of all of this) and put her in a very small side room with a gate up (I didn't want her to get scared if I closed the door). And guess what, she LIKES it, and Ava hates it! Ava wants to be with her sister so bad. This was supposed to work out so that Lucy would hate being out of her bed, so that when I put her back in bed she would actually stay there. Think again Mommy!!! One day I will think this is funny, but I surely don't right now!!!

Having fun!

Madeline and her cousin Kaitlyn
Ava roller skating. She was so proud of herself!
Madeline and her best friend Delaney at their first soccer practice.
My future pro soccer player!!!

Happy Birthday Lucy and Ava!!!

Can it really be true that Lucy and Ava are three? Let me say it again, three... three... three... I am still not convinced that it is possible that these little girls are three! I can still remember the day they were born, the memory so clear. I don't know what happened to those younger baby memories, it all seems a blur now. I think the fact that Chris I were juggling three kids made our memories not so good. Life is much different compared to those early days and I remember dreaming of the day they would be toddlers so life would be just a tad bit less complicated. Now, here we are! The girls will be starting pre-school in just a few short weeks. Admittedly, Lucy is much more excited about this than Ava.
Lucy, my once needy child that wanted to be held 23 out of 24 hours a day, is now the independent one. She insists on doing everything herself, from getting dressed in the morning, to washing her hands, getting in her car seat and buckling it, and even covering herself at night with blankets. She is also my little helper and loves to set the table, feed the dogs, cats and fish, or just help make a mess. :)
Ava, my once easy going baby, is now my very temperamental little girl. :) She has moments of complete sweetness, but then she turns around and seems angry or frustrated about something! Ava is definitely the sports girls of the family. If you let Ava do anything sports related she does exceptionally well! From riding her trike, to roller skating, playing catch or kicking a soccer ball. Something happens in her little mind and she is just so determined! Her skills for soccer amaze me... and she skates better than Maddie, no kidding!!
Both Lucy and Ava (and Maddie too of course) give us such joy in our lives. We tried so hard to bring them into this world, and although we face challenges and frustrations raising three kids by ourselves, we couldn't be more happy with what God has given us. They are all such wonderful little girls with great personalities and love for life.
We had a little celebration for the girls on Wednesday because Chris was leaving to go out of town Thursday through Sunday. We didn't want him to miss seeing the girls! Yesterday morning I took them to the zoo and Fairytale town and they had a blast!!!

Tent camping

Our camping spot
Lucy having a rough time
Sisters being cute!!
Papa making breakfast with fresh picked blueberries

We went tent camping for a few days just outside a little mountain town called Gurneville with the girls and three dogs. Camping with three kids is a challenge in itself, but with three dogs too? Good grief! LOL Believe it or not, the hardest dog is our little Boston terrier, Piper. We had a fairly good time, and it would have been even better, but poor little Lucy came down with a fever, stomach virus and breathing issues. She was not a happy camper. :( We actually came home one day earlier so we could get her into the doctor today. Despite Lucy being sick and crying over half the trip, we still managed a side trip to the ocean, picked some DELICIOUS blackberries, ate smores, and took a little hike to see some frogs in the pond by our campsite. We can't wait to go again, but when everyone is healthy. :)

Chris' creative side

Chris has quite the creative side when doing projects with the girls. Tonight's project was stick people made out of twisty ties. :) Good job honey!!!

A day at the park

I met a girlfriend at the park today to let the kids have a play date and picnic. The kids had a great time and I just loved how well her little boy Nicholas and our girls played together. He is such a cutie!!!

Our little girl turned 7 today!

Maddie just woke up, she was so excited that it was her birthday!
Ava, Grandpa Mike and Madeline
Madeline opening her present from Grandma and Grandpa Siler!

Really? 7? How does one year go by so quickly? I cannot believe our little Madeline is 7 years old today. I can still remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. Madeline has been such a joy and blessing in our lives. We have enjoyed raising her and teaching her and spending time with her. It just amazes me how much love you can feel for your own child, simply amazing.

We spent Madeline's birthday doing whatever it was that Madeline wanted to do. We started the day by going to the koi store and buying her a yellow fish for our koi pond that both of us have been wanting for a long time. Then she wanted to go to a bounce house for a few hours followed with going out to have Mexican for lunch. When the babies went for their nap, she wanted to play a few board games and also play a little Wii. For dinner she requested spaghetti, along with a chocolate cake with chocolate filling and icing. :) After dinner we went outside so Maddie could ride her new big girl bike! She was a little scared at first (because it is a bit to big for her) but after a little practice she is riding like a pro. :)

Happy July 4th!

Gavin, Madeline and Lucy watching fireworks.
Ummmm.. Don't show this one to papa yet! LOL
So cute!!!
Madeline, Kaitlyn and Gavin cooling down in the spa.
One of the happiest babies I have ever seen... Carson!
Dan and Teresa
My brother being loved by friend his Amber and his wife Chelsea
Amber and Chelsea
My mom and Chelsea


God Bless America!!! I am so proud to live in this country! What a wonderful day to celebrate!

The girls and I went over to my mom's tonight for a BBQ and fireworks. We had the whole gang there, it was so much fun!!! We all did miss Chris who was busy working at the fire station though. Today was also the girls first real 4th of July! The last two holidays they were actually sleeping before the party got started. They did really well after a little adjustment period to all the sounds. Maddie had a great time with her cousin Kaitlyn and their friend Gavin. I even caught Maddie and Gavin holding hands while watching fireworks, how cute!

Just some pictures for fun

The girls and I went to a friends kid friendly 40th B-day party
last week. All the guests were serenaded by a musical performance
by Madeline and her friend Delaney.
The girls enjoying a sucker pool side. :)
My little Lucy.... She has lots of spunk but absolutely NO style.
Ava playing dress up. She thought she was so cute when
she turned her head crooked.
Lucy's fancy dress.