Happy Birthday times 3

This weekend was a party !!

Em went to her first sleep over at Grace's Nonnie's house to celebrate Grace's 9th bday.  Since the Hathaway family has a dog, Grace's grandma offered to host the party so Emma could attend.  She said it was the best night of her life.  

C went to her little friend Tyler's 6th bday party! They jumped in the bounce house, did spin art, ate candy out of the piñata and ate pizza and cupcakes! So fun...

We celebrated with Jazzy at the Sea Life Aquarium.  She turned 6 and such a sweetie.  The kiddos loved the aquarium. Parker took a nap. 

We were wiped after all of this fun!

Mr. Dave

I have mentioned Mr. Dave before, he is the perfect "Ski Teacher".  Caitlyn's assignment was to write a story about a snowball.  

"When I go to Pinetop I ski.  My ski teacher, Mr. Dave has a strategy for me.  I hold a snowball in my hands so I can go fast." 

So happy we met Mr. Dave.  He emailed the girls a few weeks ago to see how skiing was going for them.  One his tasks next ski season will be to take Emma down a black diamond.  She wanted to this year, but I told her that was a Mr. Dave job.  :) 

Father Daughter, Father Papa Dance

God's little blessings

Fresh Beat Band and Cookies

We had fun at the Fresh Beat Band concert on Thursday night.  We had gotten the girls tickets for Christmas! 

Part of our weekend was spent at AJ's fine foods, selling cookies.  The girls did so great and we sold 149 boxes !!  On Sunday, Em and I went on a long over due Mom and Em date.  It was fun to spend some one on one time with her. 

following God's lead

We were excited to hear a Great Hearts Academy was being built just 2 miles from our home and would be ready fall 2014.  We have been thinking and discussing junior high and high school options.  I know it seems a bit early, but you always have to be two steps ahead.  We have heard so many amazing things about the Archway academies (elementary) and the Preps (jr high, high school).  We were first told about Chandler prep by a father of three girls from St. Tim's. He felt it was an exceptional alternative to Seton Catholic High School and provided a small, supportive, academy education.  

It is extremely difficult to get into Great Hearts schools.  They use a lottery system, so it truly is the luck of the draw.  We were really torn as to if we should  put Emma and Caitlyn in the lottery because we have been very happy at Neely Traditional.  After some prayer, we decided that it would be our best hope for a place in the junior high-high school because if you attend the elementary program you have first draw to attend the high school program.  We felt like since there would be so many openings due to it being a new school, we should do it now instead of 2 years down the road.  We had no idea if both girls would get in or if even one would.  

We were dreading having to decide if we should split them up if just one got in.   A week before the lottery, I completely gave it up to God and felt at peace.  God has a plan, both girls were drawn!!

We are thrilled and excited and so are they. It was even more exciting to see that some of their 2013 graduates attended Gonzaga !! Emma is sad to have to leave a dear friend but she knows they will be friends regardless of schools.  Great Hearts, here we come. 

http://www.greatheartsaz.org

In other exciting news, Emma made the RIO swim team this past week and she starts next Thursday.  What a blessed week full of new beginnings and exciting adventure.  

Praise God !! It will also be fun to watch it being built.