Dolls!

Look at our little dolls playing with their little dollhouse!

Lovin' the Library

We love spending time at our local library.  They offer a lot of weekend and summer activities.  Emma took part in a Martha Speaks book club for several weeks this summer.  Each week they read stories, played games, and made projects to go with the theme of the chosen Martha Speaks book.  Emma brought a friend, and the girls had a great time.  Scott played with Lauren up in the Children's Department while I enjoyed time with the older girls in the Community Room.

Spash!

After Emma's morning swimming lesson, we would occasionally stick around and spend some time splashing in the wadding pool.  Anderson Pool has great water features for little ones.

Sprinkler Sisters

Aren't they both little divas posing in the sprinkler for the camera!  Lauren loves to copy what Emma does and says.  Emma eats it up . . . for the most part!

Spring Ballet Recital

Emma's dance class meets once a week for 45 minutes at the local community center.  Their instructor, Miss Jen, organizes a little recital at the end of the session.  Last winter they performed a mini version of The Nutcracker.  This spring, they were butterflies.  Emma enjoys ballet and wants to continue next fall.  We enjoy watching her practice and perform!

Mother's Day Program

Emma's kindergarten class prepared a Mother's Day Program and presented it for all of the parents and grandparents one afternoon.  It included songs, sign language, poetry, and art.  Each child made a picture of his/her mom and said, "I love my mom, because . . . "  Most mentioned snacks, rewards, or toys.  Emma was the last to speak and proudly announced, "I love my mom, because she reads me books."  My heart just melted!  The kids also shared cookies and punch with their guests afterward.

A Hunting They Will Go!

 

What a beautiful morning for an Easter egg hunt in our yard--green grass, warm sun, a light breeze!  The girls did a great job of sharing. 

Lauren Turns Two

Elmo, Abby, and the Sesame Street gang helped us celebrate Lauren's second birthday.  We played pin the nose on Elmo, but Lauren was so quick, I couldn't get a picture in time!

Egg-citing Times

The girls dyed eggs and added stickers.  We bought a tie-dye pattern kit, but I should have known not to expect the same results as the packaging.  They never look like that!  We still thought they were pretty.

Leprechaun Trap

Emma and I made this leprechaun trap and prepared it for the night before St Patrick's Day, complete with a fake gold nugget on top!  We hope the little green guy climbs the ladder and takes the bait!

The next morning, we found this mess!  He obviously fell into our hat trap.  But the clever fellow used a gold necklace as a rope to escape!  Do you see the green footprints . . . and he lost his own little leprechaun hat during the hasty departure?

TP Roll and PB Birdfeeder

Part of Emma's weekly homework is to complete at least 3 activities each week from a monthly calendar.  This week one of the tasks she chose was to make a peanut butter and seed bird feeder.  They suggested a pine cone, but we used a TP roll instead.  The birds loved it, and we made another a few days later.

A Rainbow Party

In addition to Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day parties, Emma's school celebrates the classroom teacher's birthday with a party.  I signed up to cover the drinks, but it ended up I planned the entire rainbow themed event!  We snuck into the school to decorate her room with rainbow streamers and balloons.  The kids made birthday cards at home and brought them in on the day of the party.  The moms who were able to attend brought rainbow M 'n' M cookies and chocolate gold coins.  I sent in a few Rainbow Fish books to read while the kids ate.  Then they gave her a gift card to Biaggi's restaurant.  Happy birthday, Mrs. Mandros!