The Munchkins

Kaylee

Our  eldest child.  At the time of this writing she is 17 and a Senior in High School.  She has Dysgraphia, a writing disorter, but is very smart.  Kaylee devours books and aims to be a Mechanical Engineer.  Her Math skills are very good.  Kaylee is the "least girly" of the girls.

Kaylee has traits of both her mother and father.  Her mindset and thinking are that of her mother.  Her humor and fashion sense (much to our dismay) is that of her father.  Kaylee is a lovable person, but does not like public displays of affection.  For that matter, she doesn't care too much for private displays of affection.

Kaylee loves puzzles and can spend hours in her room piecing together puzzles.  Kaylee tried several sports until she fell in love with Ultimate Frisbee.  Kaylee volunteers at a Rescue Horse Ranch where she takes care of the horses and works with disabled children.  Kaylee's sense of "Right and Wrong" is incredibly strong.

Alora

Alora is a sweet and lovely child of 11 (for a few more days at least.  This was written in April of 2012).  Don't let the pretty exterior fool you, however.  This child is tough as nails.  To date she has broken her clavicle (collar bone), right arm, and left arm.  In all cases she whimpered, but didn't cry.  This girl is tough.  Despite her physical toughness, Alora may be the most emotionally soft of the three girls.

Unlike Kaylee, Alora has great fashion sense.  When she wears something which doesn't match, its because she wants to and will tell you so, otherwise she creates outfits which fashion designers would kill.  Alora is outspoken and unafraid to speak her mind.  She is the most "academic" of the three children, pulling in mostly A's with a few B's.  She is in higher level of math classes and regularly on Honor Roll.  She plays the viola, is in the "Battle of the Books" club, attends math club, and volunteers at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Space Odyssey).

One vivid image I have of Alora was seeing her outside one day in helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, and a pink dress rollerblading at high speed down the sidewalk.  Yes, that is Alora!

Arionna

Arionna is more the "classic beauty" of the group.  She is just a good looking little lady.  Part of this may be my interpretation, however, as Arionna looks the most like her mother of the three.  Arionna currently is 8, making an 8.5 year difference between our first and our last.

After our experiences with Kaylee's Dysgraphia, it was easier for us to identify Arionna's issues.  We had Arionna tested, and she came back diagnosed with Dyslexia, which makes reading and writing a struggle for her.  Do not make the mistake of thinking Arionna isn't smart, however.  At the same time she tested positive with reading issues, Arionna tested at the college level in mathematics.  Arionna figured out multiplication and division on her own, has a grasp of basic algebra, and her knowledge of science is very impressive.

Arionna also volunteers at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Space Odyssey) with Alora and Chance.  Whereas Alora is physically tough, Arionna may be the most mentally strong-willed of the three children, Arionna is often frustrated.  Her dyslexia frustrates her as she tries to read so hard, but just can't do it properly and becomes angry.

Arionna is not afraid to speak in public, something I encourage.  She enjoys riding bikes, hiking, and hugs.