Klay Family: Exciting and Happy Milestones!

Happy Birthday to Me! I turned 7 years old yesterday. My parents asked me what I am most looking forward to this year and I said, "going on the 2nd grade field trip to a greenhouse, Florida, cabin trips, and Mexico!" My parents are a little confused by the Mexico comment.

I invited our elf, David, to our house as he tends to pop in on our birthdays. I wrote him a note, set out his cupcake outfit, and crossed my fingers he would arrive. And...he did! He hung up balloons on my door and left me donuts with candles in them. Cooper and I talked with him about what we were up to these days and also put a bug in his ear about some X-mas gift ideas.

Since my birthday was on a school day, and our mornings were rushed, I begged to tear open my gifts. I had just 3 to open from my parents and I loved them. I received 2 water guns, my own Samsung Tablet with a red carrying case, and a special, hand-carved Eagle, our school's mascot and initials. Mommy had some connections to someone who will be making these as a fundraiser next year at our school, so I feel so lucky to have it first. It is proudly hanging in my bedroom. My parents asked what gift I liked best (thinking I would say tablet) and I actually said the Eagle was my favorite!

After school, Cooper and I had a water gun fight, so I changed for our dinner out at a restaurant on the lake, then we had cake, and went to Cooper's graduation (more to come on that). When I blew my candles out, my Mom asked what I wished for and I told her, "a tablet, but I already have that, so I don't need anything!" She loved that answer :)

I had a great birthday with my family and classmates. I brought hamburger cupcakes to school (those were a huge hit) and tomorrow I have my friend's celebrate with me at the rollerskating rink. Being 7 years old is awesome so far!

Happy 12th Birthday Liberty! Cooper and I wanted to dress her up for this special occasion, so we put our hockey medal around her neck and added a Chuck E Cheese birthday crown to top it off. She wasn't amused what-so-ever.

Liberty was a plea from Mommy as she always grew up with a dog in the house. Daddy always had a cat, so they had to come to an agreement. After Mommy begged Dad to come check out some new Golden Retrievers, it was game over. Liberty was the "runt" in the litter and her birth name was Little Red. Mommy had to have her because she taught at Little Red at the time (it was a sign, so she says), and Liberty was just so tiny and adorable. She has been the best dog we could ask for. Many people ask if she is showing her age and she is. She is more arthritic and lays around most of the time. She still goes for short walks and runs around in the yard (briefly). We know our time left with Liberty is limited, but we are so happy she celebrated another year with us.

Another milestone to celebrate is Mom is driving! She feels free at last! 3 weeks post-op and now that her knee can bend comfortably to 90 degrees, this was an exciting moment. She has driven 3 times now~ to PT, to school so she could work for a few hours (this was on the weekend), and a quick errand which wasn't easy since with crutches, she can't push a cart, so Cooper was her cart. Mom sees her orthopaedic surgeon on Monday and is hopeful that her appointment goes as well as her PT/healing has been going so far.

We are winding down the school year and a HUGE celebration for Cooper was to take a coach bus to Como Park. Every child had to bring a parent chaperone and since Mom can't crutch for an entire day, Daddy was happy to go. Cooper was excited for snacks, movies and a bathroom on the bus for the trip over.

At Como Park, the preschoolers were able to have 4 hours of fun by visiting the animal exhibits and going to Como Town (rides). Cooper's best friends, also had their Dads as chaperones, so it was perfect for all the boys to hang out together. Cooper's best friends will join him in Kindergarten at the same school next fall. We are excited for them!

Soccer is also nearing the end of the season. We have two games left. Last week, we had some special visitors, Uncle Matt, Emmett and Whitney. They came to cheer us on. I had a good burst of energy/play for the start of the game, but then mostly hung out, kicked the ball a few more times, and was excited to get my end of the game snack.

Cooper is a little more ambitious. On his own, he sets a goal.... "I am going to score 7 goals this game!" He then decided 5 goals was OK and sure enough, he scored 5 goals and loudly announced this to the spectators. My parents were slightly embarrassed thinking that parents might have thought they told him he HAD to score 5 goals.

Memorial Day weekend always means time for our vegetable garden. Daddy tilled the soil... it appears healthy and had lots of worms (it sounds gross, but it is a good sign).

My parents asked me to bring down the box of vegetables and I problem-solved. Farmer Caden arrived (camo rain boots and all) with my gator stocked with the veggies, stakes and twine.

We bought plant stakes to help us identify what we planted. I grabbed Sharpies and phonetically spelled away... "Erbs" (Herbs)

Melin Woter (I was hoping to do Watermelon all in one line, but that word is a little long....)

Pumpcin (Pumpkin)

Sqosh (Squash)

Zooceenee (Zucchini)

Pepers

Tomato (spelled it right on)

And there you have it! My parents think this year's garden is the most special ever. We check it daily and so far, our plants are healthy and we even harvested rhubarb to make muffins, bread and rhubarb crunch!

Ready, Set, Grow!

And lastly, the final exciting milestone happened last night. Cooper graduated from 4K. In honor of his big day, we gave him a special gift, an Eagle and the book Oh the Place's You'll Go! This book was something Mommy bought and started for me when I graduated from preschool too. Each year, the teachers write a message inside of it. When we graduate, we will have lots of signatures and messages to commemorate our school career. To say the least, Cooper was so happy for his special graduation presents.

Cooper's graduation took place last night. He came in with cap and gown and was acting a little shy.

Once they started, he was reciting poems, singing and doing his thing. We thought he looked so sweet and "big" up there.

Every graduate had to speak into the microphone by sharing their name and what school they would attend for Kindergarten. Cooper definitely isn't one who loves the spotlight in a group setting, so he did his thing, and quickly returned to his spot.

I think his favorite part was walking back down the aisle... kind of like a wedding. We can't believe that in just 13 years, he will be dressed like this again but for a very different accomplishment. We know that time will go by way too quickly!