Chloe is 11???

I don't know how in the world Chloe just turned 11. But she did. Eleven years ago on August 28th, Chloe was born. She was a tiny thing at 6 pounds and 6 ounces and 20 1/4 inches long. The most wonderful, perfect, beautiful thing we had ever seen. My labor and delivery with her was horrible. No epidural and more pain that I could have ever imagined. We were so happy to meet her, to love her, to be her parents. She was my first baby, the one who made me a mother.



Being the mother of an eleven year old isn't something I thought about when I was pregnant with her, or when she was a baby, or even a toddler. It is sometimes interesting and not always pleasant. She is a delightful daughter though and is one of my greatest joys and blessings. Now at eleven she loves makeup, wild jewelry (less is more means nothing to her), especially earrings, gum, crazy clothes, pandas, reading, her new cell phone, magazines, sleepovers, and polishing her nails.

On her actual birthday this year we had a little cookout and an ice cream cake. We finally relented and got her a cell phone that she has been dying for.




For her party we rented the pool. She had a great time with all her friends despite the cool evening.





It was a great birthday and I hope she has many more happy ones! I can't wait to see what the next year brings (I think).

First Day of School

I can't believe the summer is over. Chloe headed to sixth grade today, and Owen to first grade.





I've wondered, worried, and prayed about and for them all day. I think Chloe will be fine but I worry the most about little Owen. He's such a baby in so many ways, and gets so nervous about things. He was very brave this morning though. I'm hoping they both had a great day, and I can't wait to hear about it, and kiss their faces! Three hours to go!

High Dive

This summer Chloe has been going off the diving boards at the pools. She has never had swimming lessons, but taught herself to swim, and has always loved the water. Swimming is her favorite summer activity. We usually go to our little country pool, but sometimes we go to the town pool which has a couple diving boards. This week we went to a different pool about 30 minutes away. It's a much bigger pool than we are used to, with a slide, a mushroom of water, and two diving boards. One of the diving boards is pretty high. Chloe and her friend Camryn were brave enough to jump off of it on Monday when we were there. It made me so nervous, but I'm proud of Chloe for being so brave (and Cam too). (I wouldn't jump off that high dive for $100!)







Here is the summer pool crew! Front: Sophie and Carolee, Middle: Owen, Leah, Phoebe, Back: Camryn, Chloe, and Joseph. When we first started our summer friend swims, we only had two kids between us. Now we have 8. (When we went into the new pool this week they asked me if we were a daycare!)



Owen with his friend Carolee. They have a love hate relationship. ;)



And this pic is for Mindy because she said it was good blog material:



Thanks for the great summer, friends!

Happy 1st Birthday, Molly!

After years of asking for one, Chloe got a toy poodle for her birthday last year. She named her Molly. Molly has become part of our family.




Yesterday was her first birthday. Chloe wanted to celebrate with a party. So, she decorated the back porch, helped make a doggie cake, and invited some doggie friends.


Phoebe and Danny at the party (Phoebe does this pose for all pictures now):






With the doggie cake that the dogs promptly gobbled up before I could take a picture:



Opening gifts:



And all the doggie guests (Lucy with my Mom and Phoebe, my brother-in-law Ed with Chester, my sister Betsy with Lilly, and Chloe and Molly). Danny's four beagles also got a piece of cake and were at their dog boxes in the backyard for the party.

Chloe's acting debut

Chloe is in a local production of Hansel and Gretel. She is Maida, a peasant girl. We have practiced two and three evenings a week for awhile now. Last night was the first performance. There is another tonight, and one tomorrow. Chloe did so great!!

Zoo Trip

On Sunday we went to the Columbus Zoo. It was Phoebe's first time going to a zoo. She had a good time. She liked the manatees and the monkeys the most. Owen says he liked the rhino, the slushie, and the train ride. Chloe's favorites were the red panda and the monkeys. The monkeys are always my favorite. The kids were excellent and we had such a fun time together.



This flamingo was grouchy and pranced up and down squawking at us.



I always like the flamingos, they are such a beautiful color in person.



At the aquarium the kids got to touch several different sea creatures.





The manatees are always so neat to watch. So big, yet so graceful.



There were lots of statues to take pictures with but usually the kids didn't want to be bothered with it.



Chloe at the penguin exhibit.



Chloe and I touched a rosy boa snake. I so wish I hadn't, it gave me the creeps afterward every time I thought of it.



The carousel:



Phoebe did lots of pointing at things:



I loved this gibbon monkey. It would swing from the ropes and trees.



Chloe was put out she had ride by herself in the seat behind me on the boat ride (don't you love her shades?). They only allowed two to a seat. Danny rode with Owen, and I rode with Phoebe. If only we had a third parent (preferably a mother).







This orangutan was so cute:



Chloe with the gorilla. He ate a piece of cardboard while we watched him.



These two bonobos were so cute snuggling each other:



On the train. Owen loved the train. He kept telling us he wanted to ride the train but we worked our way to it while looking at the animals. He said "If we didn't have to look at all these animals we could ride the train".



Finishing up the trip with some slushies. Owen loved this double stroller we rented. He wanted to take it home with us.



As Danny says, a good time was had by all.

5th Grade Field Trip

Yesterday was Chloe's class field trip. We went to Lewisburg to reenactments of the Civil War. There were different stations the kids went to. It was long and a little boring, but the kids had fun. After eating lunch there on the lawn, we went to the Lost World Caverns which the kids enjoyed. Caves creep me out a little, but this one wasn't too bad. Finally we went to Beckley and ate lunch at Ryan's. It was late by then and we were hungry. I ate enough for a week. Chloe asked what about my diet (which I follow loosely at best) and I said I wouldn't worry about it then. She said to her friend "I don't know why my mom is on a diet. I think she's skinny for her age". LOL It was a long tiring day, but fun with no problems. We were on the bus about six hours I guess. I sat with my friend and we talked the whole time on the bus, so that was nice. We left home at 5:30 am and didn't get back until after 11:00 pm. I still haven't recovered. I guess for someone of my age that can be expected. ;)

Abe Lincoln talked to the kids about his life.



Chloe outside the gift shop at Lost World Caverns



Inside the cave



At the restaurant