Amara pulled her first tooth

Mark the date, March 23, 2014--Amara pulled her first tooth!

  She has been working on it a while--actually it was January at her last checkup when the dentist mentioned it was starting to feel loose as she flossed it.

Amara has been wiggling it and wiggling it. I was googling around for tips to help kids, and read something about twisting--so as we were cleaning up last night, she did that and it got REALLY loose.

After fiddling with it all day, she came running up to my room around 4 and it was super loose--like to the point I could see the underneath of the tooth on one side. She sat here with me--i could tell she was kind of scared, and we just worked through it. Sure enough she pulled it all by herself. She was running around screaming and showing daddy and calling the grandparents and taking pictures!

I am just so proud of her that she did it herself. She's got such confidence anyway, but now she trusts me that it doesn't hurt and she knows she can do one more thing herself too. She wants to take it to show Ms. Sarah tomorrow, then it'll go in the pillow for the tooth fairy tomorrow.  

Her toothy grin is just adorable.

Easter crafting with Irelyn

I found a cute Easter craft on Pinterest a while back, and thought this might be a good year to try it out with the girls, since we have a much different space to decorate this year :) 

Irelyn brought Tim Horton's and craft supplies and we got to work!

Amara hadn't seen her friend Irelyn in a while either and I'd been talking with her mom Natasha--so we decided to have the kids come over for a Sunday morning craft time together.  

We had a lot of fun! Natasha and I kind of figured out the mechanics of the whole templating part and then when it was ready to get to work, the girls jumped right in! Everyone had ideas of the colors they wanted, how they could decorate and didn't hesitate to get busy.

In the end we made maybe 10 to 12 bunnies of all color, shape and size. The girls were happy to pose with their class picture (in between watching Frozen) and then were off to play.

The bunnies didn't mind, they sat still for their picture--right before they all headed to their fur-ever homes with Irelyn's family and ours.  Grandpa Jahn even stopped by for a visit later and Amara sent two of ours home with him, for he and grandma to enjoy.

Cora picked purple on purple (of course) and she loved it! She was carrying it around and I'm surprised she didn't ask to sleep with it. Amara put one of hers in her room too.  This is a keeper craft for sure!

Tiny prep skating party

Bailey's mom, Amie, organized a skate party for the Winter team tiny group--for them to get together and play and hang out. I happened to catch a bug that day and couldn't go--so bless her heart, she saved us at the rink!

Amie and Amara skated the whole time and Eric said Amara loved skating. She was so excited, she picked out her own outfit and fixed her hair and I guess even skated without the 'walker' a few times!

She even asked if we could go again--lucky for her we have another party there in a few weeks :) but we also signed her up for a little class they have on Saturday mornings.

Cora wasn't as impressed--she was still happy she got to go, but was content to eat and sit with daddy.  Eric said she lost her footing once and she was done for the day.

I was so thankful that Eric took the girls to the party without me--i hated missing it, but Amara had a wonderful time with her team. Even though she's not continuing with the full season team, I think she has had a good experience overall--and especially at fun things like this with the girls.

Busy Saturday!

This Saturday was certainly a productive one--and I'm sure will become the norm for us as it warms up.  Ily had a vet apt at 8:20 to get her flea and tick medicine before the bugs come out, then Cora had gymnastics class at 9 at Elite--Amara came along to watch, then Amara had cheer at noon (g'ma took her) then everyone crashed for quiet time.

Cora and Amara painted a little too, after morning activities--while the neighbors came by to visit--they snuck in the craftroom and helped themselves :) at least they don't wait for instruction!

After nap, Saphira came over to play--Amara hadn't seen her in a couple weeks since quitting at GCCCC, so they were thrilled to see each other.  They played in, out, around, playhouse, trampoline, barn, cars, etc. and wore each other out!

Cora helped me in the barn--dad and Eric built the first bay of shelves out there and that will make a huge dent at getting some things off of the floor and MAYBE we can actually use that space for parties again--vs. how it looks now.

 Tomorrow is a skating party and temps back in the 20s again, but we love these warm days when we can be outside and start putting things back together!!

Pottery time!

We had the opportunity to spend time with the girls on a Sarah sick day recently, and painting pottery came to mind. The girls LOVE to paint, and Easter is one season where we haven't done a ton--so we went to Coffee Break. I had been wanting to do a hand print platter for Easter--and I hope it turns out great--I was happy with it.

There was another class going on in the other part of the store, but we pretty much had the space to ourselves.

The girls picked out egg holders and had a great time painting.

Amara found tiny eggs too at the end of our session, so they painted those right before we left.  It only takes a week to get it back, so I absolutely cannot wait to see it all.

Cora's tumbling class

Cora started at Elite gym with her tumbling class this week and she was SO excited to be going to a big class by herself! We knew from her other classes that she loved it, but this gave her a new experience and some time on actual gymnastics apparatus too.

Of course she loves the tumbletrak,all the kids do--and she spent time on that and the bars.

She wanted me to take a picture of her scale pose on one of the mushrooms too, her balance was really good! It's only a half hour class, so it raced by--but we had a great time together and I love watching her explore.

registering for kindergarden

Amara is officially registered for kindergarten. This fall, 2014, she will be attending Darbydale Elementary School.

We have an assessment and a tour at the school in May--and I'm excited for that. Nothing crazy, just seeing where she "places," I guess--from what i can tell, there are 2 classes but both have the same teacher, just on alternate days.

The school will only be hers for a year, and then the new school is being built right behind it.  She should start in the new school in her first grade year--and then that is where Cora will start too.

It's no Harrisburg, but it is the smallest school in our district. I've heard great things about it and the people I've talked to say the kids love it there.

Here we go!

Happy first birthday Connor!

Connor's birthday party happened to fall on a competition day for Amara--so we all had a long day BEFORE the party.  Columbus was also getting drilled with a winter storm :) but we braved it anyway.

We headed up to Kristin and Jim's at 4:30 on Saturday--the girls were excited to see the kids and celebrate at the party for sure. Having 5 and one on the way on the Jahn side and 3 so far on the Young side and a ton of friends, parties are something the girls are used to for sure!

Tiny's at The Arnold Classic

March 1st weekend was not a calm one for us for sure. Amara's Winter Tiny Team performed at the Arnold Classic--with about 20,000 body builders, cheerleaders, and curious visitors.

This was the 2nd of 3 of the competitions for the team, and it was a very different venue than the OSU event last month.I wondered if they would be star-struck when they came out and I think for SURE that happened. They were so cute, but overwhelmed, lol.

We had to get there early for her team at 8 anyway, but we knew it would be packed. Weather was calling for 6-8 more inches of snow on Sunday, so we figured everyone would try to get in while the weather was ok.

Amara was excited to compete with her team again--she likes the uniform, the hair curls, and having everyone come see her.  Grandma and G'pa young came to see her as well as the Jahns' and then G'ma stayed around all day to shop :)

At the end, the Tiny Prep took 3rd place--disapointing for parents but the girls had fun regardless--which is all that matters at this point. There were TONS of girls there from PA, KY, OH, and IN, all smiling and dancing.

Since it WAS the Arnold classic, he came out to present a scholarship to a winner and all the parents and g'rents got to make over him :) the kids had no idea of course...

and with that, the 2nd competition is in the books. only one more left--a handful of practices and that is it for Amara's run in the Tiny Winter prep team!

Last day as a busy bee

Amara has always gone through phases at school where she 'doesn't want to go.'  I'm not entirely surprised. We made the decision for her to stay part time with her sister for BOTH of them--but the downside was she never really gelled at the preschool part of it.

She has been at GCCCCC for about a year and a half, and in the Busy Bee room since August--and has loved it.  But with Sarah leaving for her mission work in June, leaving only 3 months left of her in our lives, we decided it was time to make a change.

Thursday happened to be the Dr. Suess PJ party day in her class and Ms. Ashley asked me to volunteer. I got to see her with her friends one last time.  Spend some time with Saphira, Landon, and Addison--see her interact with peers, teachers, be a helper, and covered her up for her last class nap time.

It was a "last," for a lot of reasons, and I know she took a lot from that experience--but she gave a lot too. Her teachers sent sweet notes home, and the administrator Mrs. Christie sent Eric an email that said "We will miss Amara’s tender heart and beautiful BLUE eyes"

I sent a note to the class parents too and several reached out with emails and phone numbers to stay in touch.  As a parent, I hope that my kids walk out the door with me and spend their time being a good friend, helping others, and being kind.  I feel pretty confident she has touched a few lives and I'm good with that.

For the rest of the time Sarah is here, Amara and Cora will get to be together and with Sarah 5/ days a week.  Eric and I agonized over the decision to "pull her from school," for a lot of reasons, but we did it and we hope it goes well.  When Sarah does go, the girls will start with Carissa in mid-June, then Amara will be in Kindergarden in fall.

We don't know now if Cora will attend GCCCCC when Amara starts school yet, but if we do--it will likely be there.  All the teachers told Amara to come back and visit and i'm not sure if she will ask, but if she does, I will certainly take her there.

Valentine's day/ Eric's first gun experience/ first sleepover with g'ma and g'pa Young

I'm a romantic...but Valentine's day can be tricky with the girlies.  For Valentine's day, I made Eric clams in white wine sauce (for the first time, and he loved it!) and did a heart-shaped pizza for the girls, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolate pie.  We all had a great low-key dinner, while it snowed and snowed...but there was more to come...

I surprised Eric with a scheduled outing--to Ohio Valley Outdoors in Lancaster for some range time the next weekend.  The girls were excited to stay with g'ma and g'pa Young--a first for both of them, and I was excited to see what Eric thought of being an outdoorsman.

He LOVED it!   Before we left, we ended up with a .22 pistol for target practice and the promise of coming back again (in fact, we had to, because we didn't have updated licenses and had to go back on Saturday to pick it up anyway :( )  He really liked shooting and the range master, Dan Libby, told us over and over that we were both good shots.

We headed to Pink Cricket for pizza and beer after our range time and the girls played and then giggled in bed, in Aunt Kristin's room (according to g'ma the next day).  Eric was so excited to have one of his favorite pizzas there in peace, lol.  It's the little things...

They came home the next morning tired, but happy, and Eric was excited to try and find some ammo to go shooting (appears there is a bit of a shortage on that at the moment).  I hope we have a chance to get away again soon--Amara has taken a bit of interest in archery (from the movie Brave), so he better get comfortable shooting!

Disney princesses on ice

We got tickets to see the Disney on Ice that comes each Winter with the Donato family and about 40 others from Nationwide. Great seats, hopped up little ladies and a LOT of snow to make it through to get there.

Once the show finally started though it was great! Cora loved the Little Mermaid sections with Ariel of course.

Amara liked the parts with Jasmine and the other Aladdin characters, and both girls enjoyed all the lights, treats, kids, and the fun afternoon.

We were really glad we went, and the girls seemed to really like it. Lucky for us they come every year like clockwork!

4 wheelin' in the snow!

Mom and dad let them borrow their 4-wheeler for a bit this winter. With the record snowfall and crazy cold weather we've had, the girls have enjoyed playing.

We spent time building snowmen, making snowballs, and even just riding up and down the driveway.

I think Eric is having more fun with his toys than he will admit, lol.

I'm not sure if we'll keep the 'toy' once it warms up, but we have enjoyed it the last month or two for sure!  Thankfully the girls have a few more years till we need to worry about big toys like this--but it was nice to have the adventure for a bit!