Happy 4th!!!!

This year we celebrated the 4th of July a day early.  The 4th fell on a Monday and it was just much easier for everyone involved to have the party on Sunday instead.  So we got on the road at 4:00 Sunday morning and drove down to Mission Bay.  The plan was that Leilani would sleep on the drive down. Nice try Mom and Dad!  She was awake and chattering frantically for the entire 2 hour ride.

 So excited about her new 4th of July bathing suit!

 Headed down to the beach to play in the sand.

I take this same shot of Leilani and Mike every year.

She was very proud of her sand penmanship.

Hair cut day

Leilani and her daddy both got their hair cut.  Michael cut of 12 inches and donated it to Locks of Love.  Leilani got 4 inches cut off to make it a bit more manageable for the summer.

We headed over to "Grandma Delma's" salon so the excitement could begin.  (Grandma Delma is the mother of my best friend, JeNora.  Delma is my 2nd mother and has been doing my hair since before I could drive! She is Leilani's other Grandmother.)

 Daddy's hair

 Leilani's hair

 So excited to have her hair curled.

 When one of your grandmothers is a hairdresser, you get a Barbie Hairstyling Doll as a gift.  Leilani has been styling this dolls hair non-stop for the weeks since her haircut. 

GGG

Great Grandma Gloria (Triple G) came to visit and her grand children and great grandchildren gor together at Chuck E. Cheese's for lunch.  Leilani is always happy to see Triple G.



Preschool Graduation

Leilani will be headed off to Kindergarten in the Fall.  But first, she and her classmates received a proper send off from Tutor Time.  It was a rough day for us because she has been at that school for more than half of her little life.  We LOVE the staff there and give them credit for Leilani's love of school. 

 During the ceremony, each of the kids had to demonstrate something they learned during the year.  Leilani demonstrated 8 colors (in English, Spanish, and sign language) Here she is signing the color "yellow"

 Then they all recited a poem:

 

Here is a bunny

with ears so funny

And here is his hole in the ground.

When a noise he hears,

he pricks up his ears,

and hops into his hole so round.

When they were awarded their certificates, they stood up and told the audience what they wanted to be when they grow up.  "My name is Leilani Kerry Flowers and when I grow up and want to be a teacher."

The graduates

 Leilani and Shelby, her school BFF

 Her teacher, Ms Joey

 With her little friend, Jordan.  They've been buddies since they were 2.

Navarro Family Day.

One of the most amazing things that has happened to us since Leilani was born, has been our relationship with the Navarro Family.  Not only were Leilani and Rubie born just a few days apart, but our families also share the "adoptive family bond."  Our family day celebration (when Lani's adoption was finalized) is in October.  The Navarro's day is April 30th.  We were so excited when they asked us to share their very special day with them. 

Early the morning of the 30th, we all set out for the Happiest Place on Earth to celebrate The Navarros.

Leilani went on her first TWO rollercoasters.  First she tackled Big Thunder Mountain

Then she dared the Toon Town Coaster.

The wait for Captain EO was more exciting for some of us than others.  This expression is one of the things I love most about Rubie.  She is never afraid to let you know EXACTLY how she feels!  (I love that kid!)

We love you Navarro Family!  Happy Adoption Day!

Leilani's birthday card for Daddy's 40th.

Mona's birthday party

Leilani's Uncle Nate is Daddy's oldest friend in the world (since the 7th grade!).  And as luck would have it, his daughter, Mona, was born just a few weeks after Leilani.  So the joy of raising daughters is just another thing those two men share.  Mona's 5th birthday party was held at an amazing gymnastics center. 

There were all sorts of things to climb on.

 Hang from

 Jump on

 Leilani had a ball.

 Happy Birthday Mona!