You, my brown eyed girl....

Today is my daughter Clara's 13th birthday... Clara is my (not so) mini me, she is my only brown eyed child, and she looks just like I did when I was her age!! She has a sweet, caring heart, she is always very empathetic and a good friend to all. I don't think there was a year in Elementary school where she didn't win an award for Citizenship, and has just recently been chosen by her middle school principal to be one of a handful of mentors at the elementary school... And she is a funny character, too!! She makes us laugh, and masters impressions like no one I have ever seen!!

When she was about three years old, she looked at a picture of our wedding (where my husband was wearing his dress blues) and said: "Mommy looks so pretty, with a pink dress, and pink shoes, and flowers in her head, and daddy.... Daddy is going to work!!"

A few years later, she cracked me up with this naive statement: "When I turn 18, I can do whatever I want... With your permission!"

Not only is she a wonderful person, she is a smart cookie (straight A student and a member of the National Junior Honor Society), and a great athlete! This last school year, she was the only seventh grader in her school (even among the boys) to meet all six presidential fitness standards!!!

Tuesday is the first day of school for her brother and sisters (she is the only one starting Wednesday), and I am looking forward to spending the day with her... I have a fun day planned for us! Happy birthday, sweetie, I love you so much and I am so proud of you!!!

One more family member...

The Lang family has one new member... We found this cute little polish bunny at a garage sale! Alex asked me to please, please, PLEASE buy it, I said no twice, then I thought, why not? Alex named her Eva and she is so sweet!! I am such a sucker!!!

Our little soccer star! Viva o futebol!

Rita's soccer team participated in a soccer tournament last weekend and came out in first place!!! This was the first time the team played at a competitive level since they all came together and we think they did an amazing job!!! We are very proud of them!

Just a moment ago...

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was holding you in my arms, rocking you to sleep with your favorite nursery songs...? Wasn't it just a moment ago that I saw you proudly getting into that school bus on your way to your first day of Kindergarden...? Wasn't it just a second ago that you nervously and anxiously started your grand adventure into Middle School...? Everyone told me, and now I know... Time is but a moment, don't dare blinking...

As you move into High School, we are so, so, SO proud of you, Anna!! We know you have what it takes to fulfill your dreams and achieve greatness, and can't wait for the next seconds, moments, tomorrows... We love you!!

P.S. ... Not blinking...

The sweetest times

Before school ended my son's kindergarten class went on a fishing field trip... The kids had a blast and Alex was absolutely beside himself when he caught his very own fish (he had it for dinner that night!). I can't believe this school year is over... I wouldn't have missed spending this time with him for anything!!


























The day before the last day of school, I joined my daughter Rita on a walk around our little town. Every year, the fourth graders at our elementary school recreate the Oregon Trail. The children love to dress in period clothes, and craft their own wagons as they prepare for a long walk. The day ends with a picnic at the park, music, dance and treats. These are the sweet memories we will treasure forever!!

Update!

Rita has made it to the A team!!! Go RITA!!

Time flies...

I can't believe it's been over two months since I have posted pictures... The kids are growing fast and we are just trying to keep up with them!!

Rita is trying out for Classic soccer and we should know by the end of the week if she made it into the team...

Anna turned 14 a few weeks ago (she was just a baby yesterday...) and is looking forward to start driving next year (gulp!). She starts high school in September and is both anxious and nervous...

Both Clara and Rita attended the Gymnastics State Championships in Eugene a couple of weeks ago and did awesome!! Clara took first place in beam and second in bars for her age group, and Rita took a third place all-around for hers...!!! Their team came in 3rd place out of 20 teams!! We are very proud of them! Unfortunately, this was Rita's last meet, as she quit gymnastics so she can play soccer at a classic level...

Alex continues to grow like a weed.... He is a super fun kid who likes to get in trouble once in a while!! He makes us laugh and pull our hair out everyday!!