Happy 8th Birthday, Teagan!

Day 2 of competition for the crew at NEO.  Below is a pic of the Cheetahs, the 2011 Mini Level 1 US Spirit National Champions!  Way to go, girls!  We are so proud of the hard work the girls put it in each week at the gym.  They leave their hearts out on that floor each and every time.  And it pays off!

 This is a new pop star, Thomas Fiss, that performed before awards this afternoon.  Aidan was so excited to get his autograph and meet him... not sure how a 5-year-old understands the whole celebrity status deal and why on earth he wanted his autograph, but he did.  And so, if Thomas Fiss ends up as the next Justin Bieber, Aidan can say he met him when he was first getting his start.

National Champs won a medal AND a national champion jacket!  How exciting!  This is Teagan wearing her new jacket and medal, and posing with the Cheetah trophy. 

When we got home from Columbus, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, and Mema came over to give Teagan her birthday gifts... and boy did she rake in the loot.  She got a new printer for her computer (thanks Grandpa and Grandma), earrings (thanks  Uncle Mike), lots of new clothes, a diary and fingernail polish.  Perhaps the most exciting gift was her new sewing machine (thanks Mema) and sewing kit made especially for her by Mema.  She even has her first sewing project ready to go - stuffing and material for a handmade pillow that she will make this week on her new sewing machine hopefully!

And who doesn't love a yummy ice cream cake (a la Friendly's)?!? Mom didn't eat any (nearing the end of my second 28-day cycle on my meal plan), but I hear it was delicious!

We did tell Teagan it was too late to break out the sewing machine tonight, but she couldn't bear to wait any longer to use her new sewing kit.  She ending up making a heart to stuff using her whipstich that Mema taught her.  Aidan even got in on the action because it must be something cool to do if his big sister was doing it!

We had such a long and busy weekend, but boy did we have fun!?!  Too bad the weekend is over and we have to get back to work this week.  I'm behind before I even walk in the door tomorrow...not a great way to start out a Monday.  Aidan has his Christmas program at school this week and Teagan has a birthday party for Abby on Friday... and then a cheer Christmas party on Sunday... seems like I'm forgetting something in the middle there... anyway, another busy week and weekend ahead!  We wouldn't have it any other way. :)