Soccer Girl

It's official . . . Kallie loves playing soccer as much as I did when I was her age. We love watching her excitement and dedication to the game. She loves playing defense but at the same time loves to score goals. Right now she plays with a bunch of IVE friends and their team name is "The Stingers". They chose that name b/c three of the girls (Kallie included) got stung by bees at the first practice.

So far the season is off to a good start. The girls are having fun and getting better each week which I love to see. Kallie continues to tell us how much she loves soccer and that she wants to keep playing even when the season is over. We can see her dedication and love for the sport so we are excited to see where it goes. Go Stingers!

First day of 1st Grade

Well that was fast, summer came and went in the blink of an eye. Although I would like summer to stay Miss Kallie Bates has been excited about the first day of 1st grade for weeks! We met her teacher Mrs. Clark and I think she is going to be a great fit. She is young, enthusiastic and open to help the kiddos learn best in a way that works for each individual student. We are excited for the year ahead and by the look on her face Kallie is too. Happy first day baby girl, we love you.

7th Birthday - Cuddly & Scaly Fun for All

Kallie LOVES celebrating her birthday just like her daddy. She started counting down the days to her party about a month ago. Since she loves all things animals we decided to have a company come to our house with cuddle (rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters) and scaly (lizards, snakes and a tortis) the kids could hold and learn fun facts about. We had 15 kids over and they had so much fun. The loved holding the cuddly animals and “most” loved she scaly ones too! I was a bit shocked when Kallie decided I should take a picture of her with a HUGE boa constrictor around her neck . . . I would call that a successful party. After the animals, we had birthday cake followed by a piñata and last minute I had the kids bring swimsuits (it was 90 degrees) so they could run in the sprinkler and have a water fight. It was a lot to pack in but all worth it to watch the smile on Kallie’s face. She had so much fun celebrating her big day with her friends.

Happy 7th Birthday

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. From the moment we went to the hospital thinking they would send us home, to being shocked when the nurse told us it "was time", to the exact moment when I held you on my chest for the very first time. Seven years ago on August 11, 2010 my dreams of becoming a mom came true. So, this morning at 7:11am the very moment you were born 7 years ago we wished you Happy Birthday!

Kallie, you are one silly, smart, funny girl. You love to sing, dance, tell funny jokes, recite random animal facts, play soccer, build houses with your legos, family game night, playing shopkins, all art projects, running around, reading, school and of course building things with daddy. You love spending time together as a family playing family games, going on adventures to the river, going out on the boat and of course watching our favorite shows American Ninja Warrior and Naked & Afraid (it is not as bad as it sounds).

You love learning, going to school and of course Cougar Club. You are a great friend who is compassionate and wants to make sure everyone is happy and included. I could not be more proud!

I decided a few years ago that I would always take the day off on your birthday so we could spend the day together letting you choose what we do. Today we spent the day at the zoo and had so much fun. I gave you the map and off we went. I am pretty sure we walked in circles and took the long route to every animal but we laughed and decided it didn't matter because we were together, it was perfect! We ended your birthday meeting daddy for dinner and of course a special trip to our favorite frozen yogurt store.

I look forward to spending the day with you every year and hope this is a tradition that lasts a lifetime! Happy Birthday Kallie, I love you to the moon and back!

XOXOXO, Mommy

(58lbs & 51.5in ... +90% in height!)

July Summer Fun

July was such a fun month . . . packed full of fun activities and adventures. The weather has been amazing so we have been outside enjoying the summer sunshine. Kallie started Kindercamp and loves it, We spent 5 days at the cabin with the family celebrating the 4th of July, Kallie was a bridesmaid for the very first time in Samantha & Josh’s wedding – Mimi and Papa were in town for the wedding which was so fun, we took our annual trip to the Strawberry Festival, Kallie took a learn to ride a bike class (not quite there yet but she keeps trying), Kallie, Sara and Kate had a lemonade stand, I took Kallie on a little trip to Snoqualmie Falls, we spent a long weekend at the cabin with friends (tubing, smores, boating) and most importantly (to daddy) Kallie caught her first King Salmon!!! Here are a few pictures from our July adventures . . .

Kindergarten Graduation - Class of 2029

Kallie, It's official . . . we have an IVE Kindergarten graduate in the Bates family! It has been a crazy whirlwind of a year but we survived. You started the year a bit hesitant of the adventures ahead and ended the year with so much pride and confidence in yourself. You had so many success this year it would be hard to list them all but I think it is definitely worth highlighting a few: You made amazing new friends, You learned to read (level F books!), You learned how to add/subtract, You LOVED going to Cougar Club (even were sad if we picked you up too early), You loved riding the bus to school with all of the neighborhood kids and most importantly you just love to learn! Although the year flew by and I am sad it is over you are more than ready for the next adventure . . . 1st grade here you come! We love you to the moon and back and so much more! Love Mommy and Daddy What do you want to be when you grow up? Rockstar, Professional Soccer Player or Track Star What is your favorite Color? Golden What is your favorite Animal? Cheetah What is your favorite food?? Artichoke Hearts What is your favorite thing at school? Recess What is your favorite TV Show? Wild Kratz Who is your favorite snuggle buddy? Dewey What is your favorite thing to do with daddy? Build Things What is your favorite thing to do with mommy? Cuddle on the couch What is your favorite vacation we have been on? California b/c the nickname is Cali like me

Mothers Day

As I get older I have come to realize how lucky I am to be mom . . . it is truly a gift I do not take for granted. Life changed on August 11, 2010 and I have not looked back. It is has been wonderful, happy, exhausting, exciting and everything in between but I would not change it for the world. I am the luckiest mom in the world . . . I love you Kallie!

Happy Valentine's Day Love you to the Moon and Back! Bye,Love you Sweet Dreams Good Night