barbies...

What do you do with all those naked Barbies lying around your house?

I saw this idea on someone's blog and decided it was time to get rid of our naked Barbies.

Nail polish to the rescue! (I love how they are all doing planks in order to dry!)

Colorful fun (not naked!!) Barbies...and a Dora... :)

Kindergarten celebration

Before the end of school, Kylah had her Kindergarten Celebration. They sang a few songs and then called each child's name to walk across the stage. It was adorable. (Kylah is in the second row, middle)

Kylah was rocking those high heels again!

We are so proud of how well Kylah has done in Kindergarten. She is reading so well now and has learned so much!

These were two of Kylah's best friends this year: Kennedy and Caroline. They are all precious.

Kylah loved having Mrs. Scott this year. She was the perfect fit for Kylah, and we were so blessed to have her. I hope Norah gets her when she gets to Kindergarten too!

the end of baseball and softball

Baseball and softball season are over. We all had a really fun year. With Joe coaching Joey's team, and me coaching Kylah's team, we were pretty busy, but it was really fun. 

I love this picture of Joe's last huddle with his team after their last game.

We had many fun post-game nights on the field with the Adair's. Our kids seem to love running around, hitting balls, running bases, and just playing in the dirt.

They always ended up very filthy, but they had so much fun.

Joey got to play in a post-season All Star tournament.

He was so cute out there!

Kylah and Norah spent a lot of time at games watching Joey that last weekend (well, watching and playing...)

They were little troopers!

We are happy to enjoy some other activities during the month of July, but we look forward to more baseball and softball in the future of this Manthe family!

Joey turns EIGHT!

I think Joey had a pretty fun birthday this year. Nana and Grandpa were here the day before his birthday to watch his baseball game, so they brought him a present. He got some new KU sheets for his bed (he loves his KU room!) and he got an awesome KU shirt.

He had another baseball game on his birthday, so we took cupcakes for all of his teammates. His game was in Springdale, so we ate at Marketplace for lunch. He got a free chocolate mess for his birthday dessert. He couldn't believe how big it was (and he shared with his sisters!)

When we got home it was present time! The girls got him Clue, and Joe and I got him an overnight trip to the Diamond Mines in southern Arkansas (about 4 hours from where we live). Meredith and I are going to take Joey and Connor since they both have summer birthdays. It sounds like it should be fun (I'm hoping for a diamond, but I'm thinking the probability is low...)

We had his birthday party the day after his birthday. We were going to have it at Super8, where he has had it the last 2 years, because they have a good outdoor pool, but it started raining midday and never stopped. Luckily I was able to cancel the Super8 and make a new reservation at an indoor pool. Worked out great!

Joey asked for a Minecraft party. Here is the dessert table. We also had pizza and drinks. Easy!

When Joey asked for a Minecraft party, he asked if I could make him a 3D Minecraft cake. I told him I would try. I thought it turned out pretty good! It was a fun one to make!

The best part of a pool party is that you don't have to do anything extra to entertain the kids. And they love it!

Well, Joe is pretty good at throwing the kids into the pool and entertaining them. Sometimes he gets in the pool and throws them and sometimes he throws them from the side of the pool.

As soon as the kids realize he's doing this, the line forms! :)

We love our birthday boy!

Blowing out his EIGHT candles! (not possible he is that old!)

It was a fun and successful party! I love when we have the party at a place that we can invite all the families and siblings too!

All she wants for Christmas...

...is her two front teeth!

Last week Kylah lost one of her front teeth. She looked so cute.

And then a few days later she lost her other front tooth and the cuteness factor went way up!

Her brother was pretty excited for her too.

I love her little lisp and her big, gap-toothed smile. I did have to wrestle both teeth our of her mouth a little bit, but the end result was worth it for her. :)

catching up!

Wow.  It's been quite a while since I've blogged! Let's get caught up! :)

Joe had a birthday at the beginning of June. The kids LOVE celebrating birthdays, and they didn't disappoint. :)

We got Joe Apple TV. When he first opened it he wasn't quite sure what he is getting. But, we've been watching Friday Night Lights all summer so far, and have been loving the Apple TV! :)

Joey finished up his regular season of baseball this past week. We had a really fun season and a fun team. Joey played first base, and did a great job. It was fun to see him grow a lot as a player this season, and fun to see him love the game of baseball. Of course he always wanted to tell his Papa all about his games! (Papa's a college baseball coach). :)

 

Daddy (coach) giving Joey a little "instruction" between innings. :)

It was so cute to see the boys after their last game. We were so proud of them!

The end of the season baseball party was so fun, and all the boys got a medal and trophy.