A gymnastics birthday, Kindergarten, and an 8 month old

Olivia has been asking to have her birthday at gymnastics since last year.  We were a little hesitant, since gymnastics is 35-40 minutes from Dayton, but several people came and it was great!  There were 2 guys working the party and they did everything- decorate, set up a gift and cake table, show people where to go, etc.  All we did was bring food- awesome!

We had the whole gym to ourselves for 1.5 hours, then 30 minutes in the party room.

Showing Pappy how to walk the beam:

We had so much fun and the best part was we hardly lifted a finger!

Her party was a few days before her birthday, so we saved a few presents from us to open on her actual birthday.  Michael had been looking for something special to get her- this is a big birthday!  She had confidently told me that she knew he was getting her a fairy.  Ha!  Good Daddy that he is, he drove over an hour to find a Tinkerbell snow globe:

The backpack and lunchbox she picked out for school:

We sure love this little girl!

The Friday after her birthday was her first day of school:

I was pretty proud of myself, I held most of the tears back until I got home.  It helped that she was very excited!  That lasted a day or two and she now asks me why she has to go to school every day.  Paige and I have eaten lunch with her twice and I am amazed at how fast they are moving and the fact that she has homework tonight.  Kindergarten has changed a bit since I was there!

Not to be outdone, this little pipsqueak turned 8 months old:

Note the drool.  She celebrated 8 months with her first tooth.  It's just barely there, but she is drooling and chewing like a mad woman.  Also take note of her hair.  This was after a bath and combing.  It sticks straight up all over her head.  I think there might be some curls in her future!  She is such a sweet, happy, into EVERYTHING baby.  She is quite attached to me still, but has recently taken a liking to Daddy and reaches for him as soon as he gets home.  She also signed "all done" today for the first time!  I have been signing to her for a few weeks and today was the first time she signed back.  Love it!

Last weekend, we took an impromptu trip to Huntsville, AL.  The US Space and Rocket Center is there, which is something Michael (and I!) find interesting.  Olivia is always up for a trip, especially one that involves a movie and a hotel with an indoor/outdoor pool!

It was really neat.  We spent about 4 hours walking through all the exhibits.  There was even a place for little kids with a  play area and a Shooting Star-like ride.  Olivia loved it.

I even got to take a picture of some astronauts:

Paige finally passed out in the sling:

Which meant Olivia got to ride in the stroller:

Michael and I could have spent more time there, but the girls were done!  It was a fun little getaway!