Mieke is now 6!! Hard to believe but true. The celebrations began with Mimi coming for a visit. My mom obliges at just about every request. Playing Mieke's game of "What's the Pasword?" which of course only SHE knows. So we lose every time. And it is usually when we are on the way to the bathroom and she blocks us in the hallway. And we lose again.

Mieke insists that it is not a birthday party unless you play games. So Mimi and she are playing Twister. For real.

Mieke and Addy attended a cheer camp with the Hudson cheerleaders. And now all we heart are "cheers" from the back seat. They did get to "cheer" at a Hudson football game, in the rain. Mieke was so excited for her "first game". 

As story hour reader, I get to do some fun stuff with the kids ....and their stuffed animals. They got to play the piano

 Posed with the pumpkin

And watched a movie.

Sara, Matt's sister came to watch Stephen play college soccer. We took Papa Ulven to dinner at a cook your own steak place. 

On Sunday mornings I get to spend a little time with these kiddos! Great bunch and so well-behaved.

This week is catch up and clean up week. Looking forward to no much on the calendar.

Catching up.

Big sigh. Every time I think about blogging I get a little sad and empty. My Dad was a faithful reader and checker of my previous blog. It's hard to get motivated knowing he won't be checking it every day.

But now my Mom has learned to use email and the internet, so I think that is inspiration enough! So here goes.

Mieke is, at the moment, taking a cheerleader camp at the Hudson High School. A two hour, one session, camp. SO excited she was last night "Tomorrow is my first game, mom." Yes, dear. "Do you think they will give us clothes to wear? Like a sweater with a letter on it and one of those skirts that goes red white red white red?" I think you get a free T-shirt. (didn't mention the pompons)

Of course it is drizzly and cold today. We have to get her dressed and to the field by half-time. Not sure I can sit at the game before that. So more later on that.

We got Mieke's school photos back today. She is almost smiling, like the camera took the photo just a second early before her smile was really there. Hair looks great. We had our family photos taken Tuesday with Ashley Schrage (ashleyschragephotography.com) and Mieke was super cooperative and she should get some good pics out of that. By the time we get done with hers and are ready for the family shots, Mieke is hot and sweaty and silly.  Oh well. At least she has her nice smile and those big blue eyes. Who cares what mom and dad look like!