The Kassel Family Project Life 365

To begin the evening, Andy took Laura to Bass Pro Shops to buy her birthday present from us.  She has been wanting a toy camping set that included a car, four wheeler, tent, food, campfire, and people.  She was so excited to show it to me and she started playing with it right away.  After dinner, Uncle B, Aunt Rachel, and Alia came over for a short visit.  They brought along birthday presents for the kids.  John was very excited about the Transformer that he received.  Laura was literally over the moon about the Fife and sheet music that she received.  She told Aunt Rachel that she wanted an instrument and was so excited to receive one.  At least once she made a little bit of sound so I think she will be playing the Fife before long.  Not sure about having a flute player in my household (trumpet, saxophone, or clarinet anyone?!?), but I *guess* I can let that slide!

John got his five-year immunizations today.  Four were required, so that meant three shots as two of those are combined.  To say that John was scared would be an understatement.  It was over in a quick amount of time, but you could tell when the immunizations were given.  My ears are still ringing from the high-pitched screaming.  John was over it pretty quickly (thank you smartphone for the app distraction!), but he would not let me remove the band-aids and he even took a bath with them on.  It’s all good though because the “dark side of turning five” is now over!

Andy took John to get his 5th birthday present from us today – a brand new, 16″ Hot Wheels bike!  No more “baby bike” for John!  Andy took the training wheels off right away since John doesn’t need them and we also got him a kickstand.  The Tigger bike is moving on out (just as soon as we find a buyer)!

Happy 5th Birthday to our rambunctious, car-loving, athletic, fun, and soon-to-be in Kindergarten All Boy!  I can’t believe you are five.  You are growing up just too fast!  We love you John!

Happy 7th Birthday to our beautiful, happy, talkative, inquisitive, super fun Wee Ginger!  Where has the time gone?  Weren’t you just born yesterday?!?  You are growing too fast.  We love you Pretty Girl!

Today was all about family.  Family, Family, Family.  I could *not* have asked for a better day.  Seeing my completely awesome cousins Kristin, Erin, and Noelle was just great!  Hanging with my Uncle and Aunt and all the kids was just so fun.  We hung by the pool, ate some great food, drank some drinks, and just chatted away.  I did not realize just how much I had missed them all.  Sitting there and talking with my cousins was just amazing.  Yes, we “keep up” on Facebook, but it’s not the same.  Actually being there to talk about our lives was what I needed.  I love them.  I *really* do.  There will *not* be a two or three year gap next time we visit!  Thank you my crazy family for reminding me just what family means.  I love you all!  And, Erin, you made Picture of the Day!

After picking up Laura from her first Camp MUDD sleepover (she declared that the sleepover was AWESOME!), we headed to Byron, IL, to spend some time with my Uncle Creep (Art) and Aunt Tammy and cousins that we had not seen in at least a couple of years.  The trip to Byron was uneventful and took just at 5 1/2 hours.  We arrived right about 8 pm.  We ate a quick dinner and then spent the evening chatting away.  It was a great start to the weekend!