I know I posted this photo of Ruby the other day..  Thank you for your comments about it..  It's always fun to get one special picture from an event!  I am so thankful for this blog for many reasons.  But, mostly because it gives me the opportunity to document special days, special words, and special moments with our family and friends...  This picture is special to me because Ruby was very hesitant about her first swim meet...  But, I think this smile says it all...  With some sisterly encouragement from Sienna, and her supportive team she jumped in that pool with a little more confidence than she had on the bus ride over!!  All we ever ask from our kids is that they do their best....  And, she did!

For the summer I get to be a "Swim Team Mom!"  I have to say, for a super fan that gets to yell really loud at sporting events where her children are participating, this is the place for me!!!!  Ruby and Sienna made me one proud spectator today!!!!  Their first meet, and they did so great!!!  Sienna won her heat in the back stroke, and Ruby won her heat in the butterfly!  They did their very best in the breast stroke, and before they could finish off their day with freestyle the meet was called for weather!


I learned from some of the other Mom's that the young kids often get "Dis-Qualified" for touching the rope, or not doing the stroke right...  That did happen today to the girls..!!  They took it in stride, and we decided we would go to "DQ" to celebrate completing their first swim meet!


My favorite moment of the day...  When Ruby finished her first and third race, her biggest fan was the one waiting at the edge of the pool for her...  She wiggled her way in there to be the first one to say "Way to Go Ruby!!!"  Yep, it made me tear up!!!


Best Quote of the day was from Sienna when Ruby was grumbling about doing the breast-stroke... "Ruby, you have to swim it to win it!!"  Wise words from the big sister!!

I heard Ainsley tell a few people she had an "amazing" birthday!  We started celebrating early by waking up the little sisters so the festivities could begin...  Tradition over here is to open your presents when you wake up!    I made her some of her favorite pancakes and then she was off to tennis lessons...  Once lunch was over we headed home to get ready for her party..  Ainsley invited 6 friends from her school...  The party plan was a photo shoot with the "house photographer" at the studio!  The girls arrived at 3:30 and got ready!  Once their hair was professionally done by Kate it was off to the shoot!  The girls did great!!!  It was really fun to spend time with this special group of friends!    After pictures we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and the party ended at our house with cake and presents!  It was such a fun day!!

Here are some pictures from her special day!