Toothless Ryan

So our big girl Ryan lost her first tooth (and actually her second one week later). July 10, 2009 will be the milestone date that we will remember forever! Growing up Grace is what she is!!

The "model pose" at our special dinner

Can anyone guess the special restaurant we chose by this picture? Make a comment for this post to make your guess!

Calling all her "peeps"

Getting ready for the Tooth Fairy to visit! Aunt Ginny and Uncle Tim bought Ryan this Tooth holder when she was just a eensy baby and we have kept it in a safe place for 5 years waiting to use it! She loved it!

Picking just the right spot under the pillow.

Thank goodness the Tooth Fairy remembered to show up. I was a little nervous "she'd" forget sometime between bedtime and TiVO time! Phewww, what a relief! The second tooth, however, did not have such a punctual appearance from the Tooth Fairy! Bad Tooth Fairy... Ryan came in at 6:00 a.m. and said, "Mommy, is it morning yet?" I said, "Yes, come snuggle with me." And she replied, "But the tooth Fairy didn't come yet." And mommy quickly said, "Oh well, it's still nighttime for about another hour or so, why don't you try to go back to sleep." She tried. And in the meantime, mommy is pacing the room (cussing under her breath) figuring out what the darn Tooth Fairy was gonna do!" For the record, this is how the story went... the Tooth Fairy came and thought Ryan was awake so she didn't want to get the tooth from under the pillow and replace it with money because she didn't want Ryan to see her. So... she wrote Ryan a really nice card with money inside and put it under one of mommy's pillows because that is where Ryan sleeps sometimes. She also left mommy's window open (which is never open) so that must be how she got out! She promised in her card that she would come back the next night for the tooth when she was SURE Ryan was asleep. And she did remember to come back the next night, so all is well. Phewww!
Oh, but then Charlie put a note under her pillow the NEXT night for the tooth fairy and the Tooth Fairy had to remember to get that one too! Boy, Tooth Fairies work hard! I hope the Tooth Fairy gets a nice diamond gift of some sort for all her hard work! ;)

Summer Playdates

We have been filling our time with some playdates this summer. Ryan and best friend Kendall have been trading off hosting playdates every Thursday. On this particular Thursday ( a couple of weeks ago), we invited Halley from two doors down to join us. Halley and Charlie are just 2 months apart so this pairing worked out perfectly. Ryan got to have her "alone time" with her friend because now Charlie had a friend too!

We did some messy crafts.

And had a picnic.

And showed off our creations.

So Little Ryan is preparing for kindergarten. Teacher mommy wants Ryan to be as ready as possible. My kindergarten teacher friends taught me how to do "Interactive Writing" with Ryan so we have been practicing. We chose a topic... staying at Nona and Grandpa's house in the desert. We brainstormed some ideas about the weekend with mommy helping to spell the words. Then Ryan turned her 3 favorite ideas into a letter to Nona and Grandpa to express her thanks. Can you tell that Mommy is really proud of her "kindergartener-to-be"?

Her letter says,
"Nona and Grandpa,
I liked going to the museum. I liked playing with blocks and going to the movies.
Thank you.
Love, Ryan

Here is Ryan's Circle Map that we used to brainstorm all of her ideas.

Charlie drew a picture for Nona and Grandpa too. You might not be able to tell exactly (LOL), but she drew a picture of Charlie (in blue), Ryan (in red), Nona(in light green), and Grandpa (with the green legs) all at the movies(the large upside down "U" above the people). You should especially pay attention to the earmuff type contraptions on each head, that is the hair. Notice, that Grandpa doesn't have any earmuffs! And she signed her name at the top.
~~~
Ah, Mommy's little schoolies!

God Bless America

The 4th of July was a huge success! Thank you everyone for celebrating with us here in Seal Beach. I don't know if I made myself clear enough at the party, but 4th of July is my favorite holiday! Don't ask me how that I began but I believe it had something to do with SDSU and alcohol being allowed on the beach! Go figure! Anyway, this year was fantastic!
So many pictures captured the fun of the day. Follow this exciting play-by-play of the days events:
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The Smiths were the first to arrive and the girls quickly found their way to the play room.

Shortly after, the "troops" fell in! Look at the American Blue!

Patrick and Melina, we are so glad that you guys could make it! You added an extra special element to the party that we would have never known about without you (see "Flip Cup" photos below... LOL) ! Marzie, what a fantastic appetizer! Thank you!

Awwwww...

Ryan and Carsie go for a swim!

Ryan showing off her loose tooth! Still hasn't come out (5 days later)! Hmmm? Can anyone help me out on how long that will take?

Uncle Bubba took Charlie for a ride because she couldn't get her ear wet. Oh those ear infections, always bad timing!

Mother and Daughter? Or are they sisters? Sure looks like it to me!

Grandpa and Ginny "breakin' it down!" She's revealing her famous potato salad recipe. Dad, I hope you wrote it down!!!

Our little "Fly Girl"... Do you think she was able to keep that ear dry here? Hmmm, daddy might have gotten in a little trouble.

Paint projects compliments of the Smith Family. Thank you! Thank you!

The other halves "breakin' it down"

We even hired a band...

...And a topless little man as entertainment! So cute Cam!

Kudron Love

Very patriotic picture of Marzie and Nona!

Awwwww... dessert! Yummy! I was eating brownies too for three days after! Thanks a lot Cas!

Cr-azy Eye Ryan enjoyed dessert "just a little!"

My favorite part of the day!
"Flip Cup"
We are NOT opposed to college drinking games at our parties! This game was a first for me but it definitely won't be the last! I'm hooked! However, Patrick made me take the tablecloth off for better balance of the cups... that was hard for the party planner in me! But I got over it REAL fast with just one round of this game! Whoa, so much fun!

Awe Man, that team always won! Darn it!

OO, I think we got our one token win this time! We brought on Mike as the "professional" and Katie was an incredible lead! I think I was the weak link! Don't worry, I will work on it for next time!

Yes Patrick, we know... you are #1! You just wait mister, I'm gonna practice!

Katie leads us off...

Patrick beginning the game! Hey, look who's gonna bring it home for this team!! Whoa, is that Steve Grace going for the drinking game???? Nah, it can't be. It is!

Proof in the pudding! That's MY man!

Game over. Back to regular ole adult fun!

The Buckaroo Club Meeting
(Check out Charlie's various poses in the next three pictures. What am I gonna do with that one?)

Fireworks at the Navy Base from our balcony

Trying to get some fun family shots.

Here is a good shot of the Kudrons. Too bad we couldn't get Cameron to turn his head.

The Graces... Charlie didn't like the noise. It scared her. And what's with the green ribbon? Where did she get that? I don't remember that at all.

Daddy and Ryan enjoy the fireworks show together. We LOVE that daddy didn't have to work on this particular 4th of July, it made it extra special for the girls and me.

Charlie spent parts of the show inside on Grandpa's lap. She is still not too sure about those loud fireworks.

Nona and Mike... great picture! Mike usually makes funny faces during pictures just to make my mom mad. She'll be happy for this one.

Lori and Nancy enjoying the show and watching the kids go crazy on the balcony! Such a fun new experience for them.

Marzie loved hanging out with the girls and the girls LOVED Marzie just as much!

Nona helped the girls to sing American songs during the show. They loved it!

Oh wow... what a great day!
Again, thanks for coming out to spend it with us! I can't think of a better day!