Happy 10th Birthday Kizie!

In the past on Kizie's birthdays I've posted pictures that I'd previously had online.  In honor of her 10th birthday I have "new" Kizie pictures to share with you.

J. Crew argyle for school pictures!

She always looks cute in purple.

My friend Laura got her this blue dress from Spain.  Tillie wore this dress for pictures with Kizie's chicks.

She always loved swinging.  She wore this coat all the time.  Tillie wore it quite a few times too.

Our outfits match often because she loved it.

I used to have more control over her wardrobe.  She loved crewcuts when it first started.

More J. Crew argyle.  We have all these sweaters saved for Tillie.  Argyle is always in, right?

She liked exploring this beach with Tim and I.

When my parents got the referral, my brothers and I gave this outfit to my mom for her.  It's from Gymboree and I bought every last piece -- hat, socks, overalls, sweater and bodysuit.

Happy birthday dear sister!

Happy 9.5 Birthday Kizie!

Volksparade

Remember how I told your I would have cute Tulip Time pictures because I would have helpers along to make her smile?

Fail.

In her defense, it was 82*.  A little hot for that many layers.  Shortly after taking this picture Kizie asked to take her costume off.  As we were waiting for them to come back, Tillie asked the same thing.

Of course, I was prepared for her to be wearing her costume and be mostly covered from the sun.  I didn't have a sun hat or sunscreen.  A quick trip to Tip Toes covered the hat (awesomely they were handing out 20% off coupons to everyone who came in) and Model Drug sold me some sunscreen(that I will now keep in the diaper bag).  As we passed Crane's a doughnut sounded good, it appears Tillie agreed with this idea.  She was a much happier baby in her romper.  I couldn't believe how much she loved the parade!  She clapped for all the bands, she waved to Gov. Snyder and danced to Katy Perry.  (What band director thought Katy Perry would be appropriate for Tulip Time?)

Then she fell asleep on the way home and even stayed sleeping when I moved her to the couch.

3rd Grade Girls

Kizie had a sleep-over Friday night with 14 girls from her class.  My mom enlisted a lot of family members to help drive them all to her house.  Kizie said she needed to ride with me because "strange girls might scare Tillie".  As we were leaving Kizie said something about her niece. 
One of the girls said, "That's your niece!?!*"
I replied, "Yep, Kizie is my sister and Tillie is my baby."
Kizie piped up saying, "Yeah, I was adopted."
Another girl in the back, "You're adopted!?"
Kizie, "Yes!  From Guatemala."

The girls then all said, "Oh, yeah! Blah, blah, blah." and they started telling exaggerated stories in 3rd grade fashion.

I get used to how Kizie looks being in my family and used to get surprised when people would ask me if she was adopted because it's like she's always been here**.  It's kind of nice to know that the girls in her class think the same way.

* Tillie has been to school at least 2 a month since she was born.  They all should should know this.
**  Now I usually get comments about "how striking my two daughters are."  Kizie thinks this is hilarious.

Happy Birthday!

To my favorite NINE year old sister.

Feliz Cumpleaños Mi Hermana!

Crafty Night

A few weeks ago I went to a craft fair with Kizie.  Being an 8 year old girl, she wanted to buy everything.  One thing she pointed out was a fleece blanket.  I replied that we could make one when Mom was in Chicago.  That night came last night.

We made a trip to Field's Fabric to choose from their tables upon tables of fleece.  I did have to steer Kizie away from the rainbow leopard print, and now we both love the patterns she chose.  I must not have looked very crafty because the clerk kept asking me if I was sure I knew how to make them and if I had sharp scissors.

When we got home I cut the fabric so that the two pieces were the same size.  After I cut out the corners, Kizie and I got to cutting the strips.

Then we had a lot of tying to do.  Kizie kept complaing about how much her back hurt during this.  Near the end she said, "Remind me to never make one of these again."

I do love the patterns we picked out.  I'm kind of jealous.

 

Kizie thinks it was worth it in the end.

Coloring

 A couple weeks ago I took Kizie and Tillie to Russ'.  While we were waiting for our food the girls both colored their placemats.  Kizie's was a castle and Tillie's was a hot fudge sundae. 

Kizie colored hers very carefully and even added bricks to the solid walls.  Tillie kind of scribbled on the paper. Sometimes the color landed on the sundae.

Kizie took one look at Tillie's and said, "Woah.  She is not going to win a free meal.  Don't you think they'll be impressed with my great coloring?"

Guess what came in the mail today addressed to Tillie.

Kizie would not believe me when I told her it was a drawing and not a coloring contest.  Maybe she will when I show her this tonight.

Guatemalan Girls

Well, both of them have dresses anyway.  Can you believe I found this dress for Tillie at a garage sale!?  Kizie has had dresses in about every size growing up, but she's never had purple.  What a find!

Yes, I am aware that my girl looks even more pasty when next to her Mayan aunt in Guatemalan dresses.

That Kizie

Tonight my mom and Kizie are watching Tillie while Tim and I go to Amy's birthday party.  I called home today to see if they could bring a stamp over when they come.  Kizie answered the phone, but I could hear my mom in the background.

A: Kizie, can you ask mom if she can bring a stamp over when you come over tonight?
K(to mom): Mom, are we going to Amber's tonight?
M(to Kiz): Yes, what time do we need to be there.
A: Tell mom that we should leave by 6:30.
K: Good!  I'm going to take my scarf for you to cut it for me.
A: Can you ask mom to bring a stamp?
K(to mom): Can you bring a stamp when we go?
M(to Kiz)  What time do we need to be there?
K(to mom): 6
A: No, I don't need to leave until 6:30.
K: Yes, but if we get there at 6 you'll have time to cut my scarf.
A:  Let me talk to mom.


No one probably finds this as amusing as I do. 

Carry on.

Happy (half) Birthday Kizie!

Eight-and-a-half.

I love my sister.

My favorite Dutch girls.

What?  They both have Dutch last names.  Anyway, I went with these two girls to Veldheer's.  Kizie needed her first pair of wooden shoes and Tillie needed a Dutch hat to match her dress.  We had a lot of fun trying on shoes. 
Some were too big.

Some were just right.

There were a lot to choose from.

Kizie happily took a pair home - woodburned just for her.

Oh, you're still here looking for pictures of Tillie in her Dutch hat?  You'll have to wait for the great Tulip Time reveal.  Here she is with some tulips though.