Go O-Lu!!

 A couple of weeks ago, the girls got to be halftime cheerleaders at the Orange Lutheran v. Servite game.  Our good friends, the Derosas, have a new freshman cheerleader at O-Lu.  The cheer squad hosted a cheer camp that the girls got to be part of!  Go O-Lu.

Ryan had the smartest observation of the day:  "Tailgating is fun!!"
A girl after my own heart!



TOUCHDOWN!!

Well... "TOUCHDOWN" might be going a little overboard if we were describing the outcome of the actual game (Charlie's team got skunked!!) BUT... "TOUCHDOWN!!" certainly describes Charlie's football party to celebrate her 7th birthday!

 

So many family member drove out on a crazy traffic-filled Friday night to see Charlie's game and join us for a fun party afterward. 

 

Charlie, the only girl on the team, won over her teammates with some yummy cupcakes!

 

 

 

Just one of the guys...

 

 

Charlie's great friend, Addie, came out to the game to surprise Charlie too!



 

 

The family had to walk to the furthest field to see Charlie's game!

 

A group pic of Charlie's fan club

 

 

Party time!

(Charlie insisted on having ice cream cake with "Gold Medal Ribbon" and "chocolate" ice cream flavors.

 

 

Marzie...

 

 

Timmy and Anna...

 

 

Ginny and Charlie...

 

 

Gigi, Ginny, Anna, and Timmy...

 

 

Big Tim, Little Timmy, Anna, Ginny, and Patrick...

 

Melina...

 

 

Present time...

 

 

Ahhh, a Nike box... what a surprise!!!  Ha!

 

 

Reading the cards for each gift.  Good job Charlie!

 

Oo, a stinkin' farmer outfit!  Woo-hoo!

 

 

"Hmmm, what's in this big box?"

 

 

"Fuzzy!!!" 

Welcome to the Grace Family Mr. Fuzzy!

 

 

Charlie pretty much stayed inside of Fuzzy the Sleeping Bag for the rest of the night!  I think she liked it, don't you??

 

More presents from the comfort of the new sleeping bag!

 

 

Charlie thanking her guests with a rousing British rendition of "Charlie bit my finger" and "Alex Morgan scores aggggaaiiin..."

 

Miss Charlie Grace, you are one lucky girl!!

Thank you everyone for helping us celebrate a great birthday!



Sporty Jester Visits First Grade

Charlie Grace turns 7! 

This birthday was super special for Char Bear.  She counted down for weeks leading up to her birthday.  Finally on the day of her birthday, Mommy and Daddy had a big surprise in store for her.

 

 Hmmm... is that Sporty Jester at the door?  I wonder who she is there for?

 Charlie sees the famous Sporty Jester from across the room and me standing in the corner.  She is starting to put 2 and 2 together.  You can see her wheels turning.  Funny thing though, there are two birthdays in her class on October 5th.  Is it for her or isn't it for her?

 Mrs. Lupescu brings all of the kids to the floor.  Charlie sits in the first row patiently to find out why the jester is in HER class on this sunny October 5th morning.

 Wa-la!

Sporty Jester calls Charlie to the front of room.  Yippie, Mommy and Daddy got me a jester this year!!!  Woo-hoo!!

 The jesters at McGaugh are the special way that a mommy and daddy can celebrate a birthday or other special occasion at school.  We are not allowed to send treats.  Instead, you can donate money to the media center.  In doing so, you get to write a dedication to a beloved book in your child's name.  The jester comes to class, reads the dedication, reads the book, and does a special talent for the kids in class.  Sporty jester was our special guest for Charlie.  Sporty Jester does a trick with a basketball and rides a pogo stick with no hands.  Charlie loved.  Now her special book will remain in the McGaugh library for many, many years. 

 Here is Charlie's special book and dedication time on her 7th birthday!

We love you Char-Char!!

Go U.S.A.

We went to the  U.S.A Women's National Team's soccer match against Australia at the Home Depot Center recently with Ryan's soccer team.  The girls were so excited for the game

 

... and the tailgating

 

 Here is the group of girls that were there with us!

 Silly shot...

 Charlie was totally into the game too!  Go Alex Morgan!!

 "DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE, MOM!!!"

 The older girls had the time of their life... watching their role models was so awesome!

 The National Anthem and coin toss.  so cool.

 After the game, the players circled the field and talked to all the fans.

 Look at Hope Solo!  So close up!

 The girls were trying to get in close to get an autograph.  Selfish adults wouldn't let the little girls in.

 finally, the girls got  up close and got some autographs from their fave players.

 Good job getting in there Char-Char!!

 A view from the top!!

What an awesome day!!