Halli's big day!

How in the world do we have a 7 year old? I know I say it all the time, but these kids are growing up SO fast!

To start Halli's birthday, we got up early, (not as early as Kevin), and headed to the pool where a bunch of people were competing in the "summer of seals" competition. It's a 500m swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1.5 mile run. Kevin did this last year too, and I really wanted to do it then, but no, they decided to wait until this year to let the girls compete, and of course, I was way too pregnant to join in, next year though!

We showed up as Kevin was finishing his run, so we didn't get to see him do any of the competition, but he did great! He got the most pull-ups, 20. I told him to get 25, but he was trying to "save" is energy for the run!:) Because his ankle was still bothering him from earlier this summer, his run was a little slower, but he still did it.

(can I just say, wow, what a hottie!:)

I have to say, it's great that he did this, but now that he's taking a break from working out and giving his body a much needed rest, I love having him around just a little bit more! Next year it will be even more fun when we can do the competition together, he's good at pushing me.

We stayed to swim until they did the awards, and then it was home to open birthday presents for the birthday girl!

Yes , Cheetah sat in her lap the whole time. That is, until she opened her pillow pal, which she loves!

After opening gifts, I took her, Peyton and JJ with me to the mall. Yeah, that's always a good idea! But we had to head in so that Halli could get her ears pierced! I think I was more excited than her about this one, but it was fun for her to pick out her earrings.

She was told it might hurt a little, and she was pretty nervous about it.

And then it did hurt a little. I think she didn't really want the second side done after feeling the first. This is the face she made, right as they pierced her ear.

I guess you gotta teach them young, that sometimes beauty can be painful!:)

After that we headed out for ice cream. Although Peyton is almost 4, she doesn't really care how messy she is. I wonder when that will change.

The birthday girl was pretty pleased with how her day was going so far, I mean, who doesn't like ice cream?

All Halli really wanted to do for her birthday was to go rollerskating. She's not that great at it yet, but she's having fun learning. Because Kevin's ankle was bothering him, it was his turn to babysit JJ while the girls took turns having me take them around the rink.

Even little Lexie got in on it, actually, she did better than Peyton.

Halli did really well, and got quite the workout as well. I had fun doing something a little active, and hadn't been rollerskating in years, so it was fun to get out there and do it again!

After a yummy pizza dinner with cousins and grandparents, it was home for cake and ice cream. She really wanted a kitty cake, so I bought some fondant and tried my hand at making a cat...she loved it, so that's all that matters.

We sure love this girl, and are so proud of her and the person she is becoming. She loves her sisters, and is an excellent example to them most of the time. I love how she wants to be a little mom to her siblings, and always tells me that she can't wait to be a mom. She want's to grow up so fast, wanting to learn how to cook, she routinely makes her own lunch, and helps get her sisters dressed in the morning. I am so in love with this girl, and amazed by her all the time.