Field Day!

One of the best things about joining first grade at the end of the year is getting to enjoy all of the fun end-of-the-year activities!  I loved field day as a kid!  I remember how exciting it was to get to play games outside all day, to mix with older kids from other classes, to feel wild and free with the finality of everything.  At Lizzy's school, all of the first graders wore red.  They began the day with an all school assembly where each class got to share a cheer.  Peter and Catherine loved getting to watch that part.  Then, everyone hit the yard to begin the games.  Of course, I spotted Auntie Elizabeth heading up game, dancing around and making it extra fun for everyone.  Lizzy loved all of the different games, and she had a big smile as she made her way all around the yard.  The extra cool thing about this field day was that the jog-a-thon was going on at the same time on the field.  Each class took turns running around the field with their buddy class.  This was the fun part for Peter and Catherine.  Peter, and his good buddy Andy, got to wait at the finish line and hand rubber bands to each of the kids as they ran past to mark their laps.  They loved this job!  They stood there for hours handing out those rubber bands!  Catherine, spotting one of the giant field sprinklers made her way over to the water, and it wasn't long before she was stripped down to her diaper playing away.  When all the big kids had gone in, Peter and Andy finally got to run some laps of their own.  Next year, they'll be joining all the big kids as kindergarten students.  What an awesome day!

Spring Sing

At Lizzy's new school there is an awesome music teacher who works with all the students.  He is fantastic, and one of the special things he plans each year is a concert just for the first grade families.  For weeks Lizzy had been singing the songs she learned around the house.  On the day of the Spring Sing, Caroline came over after school because her parents had an event for Mary Kate's graduation.  We made muffins and ate dinner, then got all dressed up and ready to go.  The girls were so excited.  Their class did an awesome job singing all their darling songs, and then we even got refreshments after.  Afterwards, Caroline got to sleep in Lizzy's bed for a little while until her family came to get her.  The girls we so excited, they couldn't even get to sleep.  How adorable it was to see them snuggled up together in Lizzy's bed.  I bet we'll have many sleep-overs in the the future.  

Jack is Back!

One of the very best days we've had since moving to Davis was when Jack came home from college.  Jack is, quite simply, our very own family celebrity.  The kids absolutely go crazy when he is around.  They all love him so much, and it's such a treat to get to spend time with him.  Jack is just an amazing kid.  I don't know too many twenty-year-olds who would take the time to snuggle, wrestle, and run around with a bunch of little kids, but Jack does, every single time.  He shares his energy, his fun, his kindness, his big heart so openly with all of them.  It's awesome to see.  It's hard to say which kid loves him the most, because they all really do, but this time, Catherine might have edged everyone out.  She couldn't stop smiling at Jack, and she insisted he hold her the whole time.  As a busy toddler, Catherine doesn't have too much time for anyone to hold her, which made this love-fest extra special.  What a treat it was to drive home and see Jack waiting outside, and then to all get some frozen yogurt.  We all loved spending time with him.  What a great afternoon!

Balloon Fun

Farmers Market......we've got to pace ourselves or we'll be bankrupt by the end of the summer.  There's just so much to enjoy there, it's hard to resist!  On this night it was balloon animals we just couldn't say no to.  Dilly Dally the clown is pretty intriguing.  The good new is all the kids were thrilled with their creations.

Swimming Buddies

Maybe the only thing that can make swimming time any better than it already is........special buddies to enjoy it with.  I have a feeling these guys are going to be enjoying lots of quality pool time in the future.

Ballerina Bathing Suit

Oh, yes....yes, I did.  I bought the ballerina bathing suit and I think I could seriously stare at Catherine all day in that thing.  I love the ruffles, I love the sparkle, and most of all I love the maximum chubby roll exposure.  Don't be surprised if I make her wear this everyday.

Farmers Market......Still

I know, I know.......we get it......you guys really like the Farmers Market.  But, we do.  We really like the Farmers Market.  If the Farmers Market were a band, we would be their biggest groupies.  We can't get enough, and it's quickly become our Wednesday night tradition, and treat.  Each week, there's something new we love- the balloon lady, the face paint lady, the bounce houses, the merry-go-round, the park, the music, the food......I could go on and on, and by the end of the summer, I'm sure I will have, many times over.  I'll leave it at this- We really love the Farmers Market.

Finally, A Girl Scout!

Lizzy has long wanted to be a girl scout, and now, her dream is finally coming true.  And boy, is it coming true in the biggest way possible.  We've hit the girl scout lottery.  Her leaders are a married couple that are life-long scouts.  On our first meeting, we pulled up to their house, where they had erected a hand-made flag pole for the girls to raise the flag and say their pledge.  In the backyard, the dad had put together a "monkey bridge" that he had assembled with logs he had cleared from a family property.  Huh?!  People actually clear their own logs, and then put them to use in rope bridges?  These guys are so cool!  I don't think Lizzy understands quite how good she has it, but I'm certainly amazed by all their hard work and dedication.

Let's Take a Walk

We've always been ready for a good walk, and now we're enjoying exploring our new neighborhood.  Just down the block there is a small park area, complete with baby swings, excellent climbing trees, and an open field to play ball.  Something for everyone, so it's just perfect.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Have we mentioned how much we love our pool?  We love our pool.  And just when I think I can't love it anymore, my love grows a little bigger.  We've never considered ourselves real "pool people," but I've got to admit, I had no idea what I was missing.  The pool is the best!  We've lived here less than two months, and it's amazing to see how much the kids have taken to it, and how each one has become more comfortable with the water.  We are well on our way to having three little fish in our family.

Little Stacker

New town......new grocery carts, and boy do these ones come with something extra-special- a little shelf for Catherine to stack all the food she grabs out of the back of the cart.  These shelves come in handy when we try to convince Catherine she has to actually sit in a cart while I do my shopping.  These days, she wants to walk, and explore the store, and basically pull everything off every shelf.  It's super fun!  Believe it or not, we haven't broken anything yet (now I just jinxed myself).

A Lego Education

When we moved, Peter missed the last month of school.  There was really no place to sign him up for here, so he began one really long summer vacation.  While he's been busy having fun and playing, I've been feeling a little guilty that he's stuck at home.  Perhaps he's sensed my guilt, and like any skilled four-year-old, he's pounced on my vulnerability.  Let's just say Peter's been keeping himself very busy with legos.........lots and lots of legos.  When I have to go to Target now, he cheers and innocently says, "Mommy, I know you're not buying toys today, but can we just look at the lego spot?  Just to see what they have?"  Boy, has that kid got my number!

Post-School Fairy House Fun

You'd think that after a long day at school Lizzy and Caroline would be anxious to get home and relax. Not these girls!  Once the bell rings they're ready to get back to work.......on their fairy houses, or dinosaur museums, or secret hideouts, or whatever project strikes their fancy that day.  They've made the dirt area next to extended care their turf, and as soon as they get out of the first grade line, they are busy at work.  Sometimes other friends will join in too, and often Peter and Catherine will play too.  I love to see them busy at work, immediately lost in their own little world, ready to imagine, and create and play.