Mia planned her birthday a few months ago, wrote out the itinerary on a poster and taped it on the wall in her bedroom. The itinerary didn't include a party, but did include breakfast in bed (nutella and banana crepes to be specific),a family fun day at Mall of America with a visit to the aquarium, lunch at Noodles and Company, and a visit to the American Girl Store and she really wanted a table and chairs from AG for her present.

The sweetest birthday request was that the two of us walk to Wayzata High School and back, which is about 2.5 miles. It was so great to walk hand in hand chatting for 53 minutes (how long it took us). We had so much fun that we decided to make this a birthday tradition as long as we live in our current house and the goal is to go at least a minute faster each year. 

Mia has matured so much in the past year,

she is a model student at school and according to her teacher, she is friends with everyone.

She loves writing, art, playing outside with the neighborhood kids, and having quality time with mom and dad.

 

Mia isn't a big cake eater and requested donuts for her birthday dessert.

Even though I love throwing a themed party, it was so much fun making her birthday poster a reality.

Even though we got her what she asked for, she was still really surprised and excited.

The aquarium was so much fun for everyone.

and I decided to sneak in a little surprise birthday dessert at the American Girl Bistro, which made for some fun girl time will Joe took Maxwell to the Lego store and arcade.

It has been so much fun watching my sweet but feisty first born mature into such an amazing little girl. She continues to amaze me more and more every year.

I love you Mia Kathleen.

September was a great month! The kids all started school, Mia and Naomi started dance and continued soccer, and I started moms group at church.

Naomi started kindergarten and Mia started 1st grade. 

I actually just met with both of their teachers this afternoon for conferences and both girls are doing so great at school! I'm so proud of both of them for not only performing well but for always doing their best and being kind to their peers.

When I picked the girls up at the end of the first day, they were both so happy which helped assure me that it is going to be a great school year!

Maxwell is also doing so well at school! Today when I picked him up, he cried because he wanted to stay at school forever.

Grandma made it to all the soccer games this year which meant the world to the girls.

Naomi and I went on a special date to a baby shower 

and the girls started dance. This year they are able to be in the 5-6yr old tap and ballet class together (and with friends from our neighborhood).

Mia often takes my phone and snaps tons of real life photos 

and this one is too cute/funny not to share. I was really into that story! haha

With both girls in school, Maxwell and I have been enjoying our one on one time. Occasionally he get spoiled and gets a Paw Patrol balloon and pretty much any food item with Paw Patrol on it.

We went to a lot of fun parties in September

and had a lot of fun moments at home.

I leave you with a few of my favorite pics from the month:

Naomi rocking it as she was Queen for the day at school,

the kids being super cute after buying some wrapping paper (I wasn't lying when I said we went to a lot of parties),

and this picture of Mia because we can all use a little more happy in our lives.