War and Peace

Last week the Gingell Girls decided to have a pajama afternoon into the evening. The girls set up a bed in on the floor in the playroom, I made a candy/popcorn mix for snack, and we turned off the lights. Then I popped in the movie Enchanted and we snuggled and watched it together. We had a great time and then of course the girls sealed off the night with a pillow fight. Will was home late that night, but made it home in time for the pillow fight.

Prime Minister Dennis Baker and First Lady Pam

This was the official weekend where my Dad's reign begins as the Prime Minister of Royal Rosarians. It started at a ball Saturday night at the Multnomah Athletic Club. He was installed where he received a trophy cup, gavel, his "furry cape" as the girls call it, and his medallion, which of course Kaitlyn and Emily adore. " Bampa, I love your necklace!" Then we had a nice dinner and danced the night away. I was pulled on stage with Rachel and Janis to do the swim, mashed potato, and YES, the sprinkler. For those that do not know that is my favorite move ever! We had a great time!

Then on Sunday, Dad was honored at the Rose Garden with a plaque on the grounds with the other Rosarian Prime Ministers and a rose that was planted for him. He was knighted with the Rubaiyat when he began Rosarians and so that is what they planted for him. It was the same rose that my Bampa was knighted with long ago. It is really fun seeing and meeting all these wonderful people that my parents have been doing so much with these last few years.

I do not have pictures from the formal, but will post them when I get them, but here are some from the Rose Planting and plaque unveiling at the Rose Garden.

Let the Games Begin!

At 3:30, every Saturday, our family heads to the Oak Hills fields for Soccer. You see, two of our family members have a soccer game beginning at 4:00. Will is coaching Kaitlyn and the rest of the Golden Rockets every Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon. It has been really fun for both of them. Will is really enjoying getting to know some of Kaitlyn's buddies and the community. He walks her to school every morning before heading to work and sees many of the same faces walking to school as well. Kaitlyn is just so proud of herself and is really getting into the game, much more than we anticipated. She is still our little girl that checks on the kids when they fall and gives hugs to the players when they get a goal.

FUNNY MOMENT: At the end of the game when they were doing their end cheer, they got in their lines to slap hands and ended up in a circle that keeps the slapping going. All the kids started laughing and thought it was a real hoot.

Emily's First Day of School

Today was Emily's first day of school. I tell ya, though, it doesn't get much better for a four year old than this. Her teacher told me on Friday she wanted to celebrate Emily's birthday on Monday at school and that meant it was Emily's show and tell day. So, for Emily's first day of school she got to bring Krispie Kreme donuts, her Hanna Montana guitar WITH attached microphone headset, and wear a Happy Birthday sticker. She was a VERY happy young lady. To be honest I was never worried about her going to school and having separation anxiety. She even made sure prior to taking my last picture of her that I was leaving as soon as I was done taking the picture.

She had a wonderful day at school and has spent the afternoon singing, to the tune of Louie, Louie!:

I said a Pharoah, Pharoah,

Whoa Baby , Let my people go

(Hip thrust forward) HUH!

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,

REPEAT SEVERAL TIMES

Emily Olympics

For Emily's birthday we held the Emily Olympics at our house for some of her buddies. I am happy to report that all went well. There were five events and a relay. We had the pixie stix javelin throw, the Frisbee discus, the balance beam, the long jump, and the water balloon shot put. To end the Olympic games we did a relay with Will's swim trunks and shirts and a set of goggles. The kids looked so cute. Finally we had an awards ceremony where each child was awarded a certificate and medal. We clapped for each athlete. The kids were so excited to get their medals. This is the end of the birthday festivities at our house for the year. BUT, Emily gets to celebrate her birthday at school on Monday. The First day of school, too. What a treat. She says she wants to bring Krispie Kremes for snack. I am so proud of her!

Happy Birthday, Dear Emily!

Today our baby turned 4. She was so excited and tried her hardest not to wake up her big sister, but just couldn't help herself and gave in to temptation about 1 second after waking me up to ask if it was her birthday yet. Will had to leave for work briefly after she woke up so we were unable to open gifts until he came home for the afternoon. Due to Emily's love of Barbie, we got her the Barbie ship/plane.Daddy took the afternoon off for Emily's birthday. We had a ton of fun.

When Will got home we opened presents, then had lunch at home, and got ready to go. Where did you go, you ask? We all went to the zoo so we could see the new baby elephant. For those of you thinking about going, GO! He is so cute and completely worth the 8-10 minute wait. Will agreed. We then came home and made"pupcakes" as Emily calls them.

Finally, we had pizza for dinner upon Emily's request and her grandparents, Nana, and Doug, Jessica, and Dylan came over. We will go out with Amelia and Audrey on Sunday. Emily was very entertaining. She would open an envelope and announce, " Look Sister, A CARD!" Then she opened many of her favorite things of this world. She got soccer gear, which she modeled for us and ran the circle on our first floor, the Movie Flicka ( another running activity Movie in our house), Quizno's Gift card ( you may think crazy, but my girls love to buy their OWN food), The Hanna Montana guitar, ( Her big girl Tar), and a plasma car. ( Which her sister got 4 days ago and they have been fighting over it ever since. (A fabulous gift for exercise, too)

We had a Supercalifragilistic day and I know Emily did, too!

An Oak Hills Otter

Today was Kaitlyn's first day of Kindergarten at Oak Hills Elementary. She was very excited and wore a pretty pink dress to commemorate the occasion. She was more than readyto see her teacher, Mrs. Doughty and and play with her friend Madison from her soccer team.

We got her up about 7:15 am so she could get dressed and then we had our annual Pillsbury cinnamon roll breakfast for the first day of school meal. Then Mimi came over to play with Emily so Will and I could walk her to school. When we got there they had many things for Kaitlyn to do to get ready and then Will and I took off. She filled me in on most the details when she got home. She was a very good girl and even received an Otter Note for being respectful. When I know what that means I will post it here. I hear it is something to be proud of and a very big deal. We are so excited for her.

When she got home on the bus, she was very hungry so she chose her lunch place and it was Quizno's. After many staring into space moments at lunch I made the decision to not go swimming today as planned and just hang out at home as a family.

All in all, today was a very exciting day for her and Emily has now asked if she can take "sister" to school on Thursday. Absolutely!