My New Car

After much contemplating and discussing every possible scenario, we decided to trade in my Accord and purchase a new vehicle. I have been researching online for about a month and eyeing every car on the road, while also looking for the best deals. Leslie reminded me about the Costco Auto Buying Program and that turned out to be the best bet (thanks Leslie!). This morning I requested a quote on the Honda CR-V from our local dealership, received the emailed quote while we were at Knott's and then Matt and I went to the dealership tonight to do the paperwork. It was a little more time consuming than we anticipated, but all in all, we got the deal we were looking for and got the car I was hoping for.

I love the sportiness of this car, the color, the roominess inside and am happy to stay with Honda.

Taylor is hoping this will become her car when she turns 16...just as it is paid off! Until then we will enjoy our fun purchase!!

Salute to the Heroes

Every year, Knott's Berry Farm honors Police and Fire personnel with a month-long tribute. Officers and a guest get in free and additional family gets in at a discounted rate. Taylor won a raffle at school so she and Allison were free too!Before the park officially opens, everyone pauses for the National Anthem played over the intercom as part of the special tribute.

Then it is off to the coasters...we headed right for Jaguar, our favorite in the park. It is the only one that all four of us will do together!

When we got off the ride, there was no one else in line, so we jumped on again.

We made our way to Boomerang, but Allison chickened out after watching in line, so Matt braved that one alone. He said it was probably a good thing! The girls could do these swings all day. Allison spreads her arms and legs out as wide as possible and flies like a bird. Taylor, however, holds the chains most of the time:)

Lines started getting pretty long later in the day, so we spent some time walking through Camp Snoopy and Ghost Town.

There are lots of great shops and kiosks and even better people watching from this bench!

If only this hat came in a bigger size! By 2:30, the place was packed and we don't do crowds well, so we made our way home. I would have been disappointed if we would have paid to get in, but we had a good time and appreciated the free entry. It was nice seeing so many heroes honored and we are grateful to have one in our family!

Trailblazer of the Month

Today, Allison received the Trailblazer of the Month award and was called up at Friday Flag Salute.

Mrs. Siptroth is out on medical leave this week, but Allison was thrilled to have Chessa as her substitute. She called Allison up to the front of the class and read the kind words that Mrs. Siptroth had written:

Allison is climbing the Pillar of Success in the area of Responsibility! Allison, thank you for being such a reliable person. All year long, I have noticed that you automatically know how to behave appropriately in any situation. Your mature sense of responsibility shines through whenever I glance your way. In class, you are always hard at work and I can trust you to make the right decision wherever you go. In addition to being a wonderful model for other students, you are also a positive and willing classroom volunteer. I just love being your teacher this year!

Love, Mrs. Siptroth

WAY TO GO ALLISON! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

So Long Silver Bullets

The Silver Bullets finished their season tied for 9th place out of 22 teams. They had a lot of talent on the team and we were hoping for a playoff opportunity, but fell just a little short. However, so many of the girls improved throughout the season and Allison really came on strong as a defender and even better goalie!

Allison, Elizabeth and Rachel

Tonight was the end-of-the-season party at Pizza Factory. The girls had fun hanging out in the arcade, snacking on pizza and breadsticks and buying prizes with their ticket winnings.

Kaycee, Meagan, Erica and Shelby

Matt was the assistant coach and did a great job with all of the girls. He gave direction to the defense and really taught those players how to play positions. He really enjoyed his time on the field and is looking forward to continuing as the assistant coach for the U10 All-Star team!

Coach David was a lot of fun this season too. He kept the girls smiling and having fun at practice and on the field. We look forward to seeing him out there each season.

Although the season is over, Allison was nominated to tryout for the All-Star team and continues practicing her goalie training at the Hawks goalie clinics every Wednesday. She has grown so much as a player and really enjoys her time on the field. I think we will have a busy few months with lots more soccer and we wouldn't have it any other way!!

Happy 11th Taylor B!

Wow, how did this adorable 11 week old turn into a beautiful 11 year old so fast? I can't believe it has been 11 years since we welcomed our 1st baby girl into the world. You have been such a blessing and I love you more and more each day!

I have always loved the sparkle in your gorgeous blue eyes and your smile melts my heart. You are such a considerate daughter and always try your best. I am proud of the friend that you are to everyone you meet and am so proud of your accomplishments at school and on the soccer field. I love your new found sense of adventure and eagerness to try new things.

As you turn 11, you surround yourself with great friends, have all A's in 6th grade, just won the division championship on your Hawks team and celebrated with 15 friends with a Pop Star Mystery Birthday party. You love painting your nails, playing on your laptop, listening to music, mastering new hairstyles, helping me bake, texting your friends and sharing stories about your day. You make us laugh with your funny voices and lack of common sense (sometimes). You can't wait for the ski season to start, but were so sad that we didn't get many warm summer beach days. All of these things, make you YOU and I wouldn't change a thing.

I love you with all of my heart and your Dad and I couldn't be prouder of the 11 year old we are raising. We love you so much Taylor and wish you the best year yet. Happy 11th Birthday!!!!

SHOGUN

Unfortunately, Taylor's birthday falls on a Monday and this Monday is especially busy. We have school, Allison's team party, soccer practice and All-star tryouts. I will do my best to still make it feel like a birthday, but we did most of the celebrating this weekend. There wasn't any question of where she wanted to spend her birthday dinner... Shogun for SUSHI! She couldn't have been happier when her California Rolls arrived!

Allison and Reanna had more fun with the umbrellas and cherries in their drinks!

We are not a sushi family, but luckily for her, the Lebitski's are. She tried a Rainbow Roll for the 1st time and loved it!

The chef made a heart out of the fried rice, turned the onion into a volcano and did all of the tradtional knife tricks.

There wasn't much room left in her sushi-filled belly for this ice cream but she enjoyed hearing the Japanese version of Happy Birthday and sharing dessert with her friends!

Pop Star Mystery

It is getting harder and harder to come up with creative birthday ideas, but this year I stumbled across the fun Pop Star Mystery dinner party online. Taylor would play Destiny the Pop Star and invited 15 of her friends to play different members of her staff. Each girl received this invite in the mail along with their personal character card.

Destiny got all "dolled up" and was so excited to celebrate her 11th birthday with great friends.

Allison played the role of Peanut, her personal chef.

As each girl arrived, we were so impressed with their costumes. The invitations said costumes were encouraged, but each girl participated and played their role perfectly...talking and acting just like their character throughout the night. Before the play, we munched on turkey croissants, fruit skewers and chips. Then the girls all got into character.
Margo the hairstylist, Twiggy the bodyguard and ChaCha the Costume Designer all took very good care of Destiny to keep her looking her best and staying safe.
Pinky the Makeup Artist and Cecilia the #1 fan

Binky the Backup Dancer
Gumdrop the Guitar Player

Muffy the Manager

Tiny the Tiger Trainer
Iris the Backup Singer
Penny the Songwriter and Lulu the Personal Assistant
I played Detective Darcy Dripperson and was on scene trying to solve the case of the missing $1,000,000 Destiny intended on giving one of her staff members for all of their hard work on the 500-week tour. Through character speeches, interrogations, lab evidence and some super sleuthing, the girls all solved the crime and had so much fun in the process. There was a script to follow, but so many of them were performers beyond their script, making it extra funny and special.We took time out to sing Happy Birthday to Courtney, Maylie and Taylor.
She was spoiled with so many wonderful gifts. I think we will be spending quite a bit of time at the mall, shopping with all of her new gift cards! She loved the creativity that her friends have...handmade hairclips, earrings and necklaces. She will have the prettiest nails in town with all of the nail polish and accessories too!

Then it was time for a Just Dance 2 marathon.
Matt even got into it...dancing to "It's Raining Men"!The girls went home with "Pop Star" themed bags with Pop Rocks and Ring Pops. Taylor is blessed with wonderful friends and I think they all had a really fun time together.