School's Out

School is out for the summer, or, at least for Bella, it is. Today was her last day at school and they called it Carnival Day. They had outdoor fun activities, class picnics with hot dogs and cookies, bounce houses (which Bella got to watch a short cartoon instead), and face painting. Mrs. Shannon, Bella's amazing teacher this year, bought the kids class shirts based on their class colors of sky blue and grey and class theme Wild, Wild West (sheriffs). We are going to sadly miss her next year- she was so caring and fun.Let the summer begin!

Bella's Ballet Performance, Birthday Parties, and Victoria's Award

What a busy, busy, day, I mean week, I mean month! Bella had her ballet performance this past weekend. They danced to the song How Much Is That Doggie in the Window? Although getting her to practice was like pulling teeth, she did a great job, even with a cast on. One of her highlights was the fact that she got to wear real makeup. After I put it on she said to me, "Mommy, I look prettier than you." I'm not sure if I should take this as a compliment :)
One of Bella's friend's mom took some pictures for us. Can you tell where Bella is? I use to say look for the red hair, now it's look for the pink cast.
McKenzie and BellaI was Room Mom for the little ballerinas, meaning I helped get them on stage and waited with them until it was their turn. Trying to contain 7 budding ballerinas for an hour and a half (on two days- rehearsal and performance) is like trying to contain wild bulls. Don't let their innocent, cute smiles fool you. I brought books to keep them quiet backstage and a beaded bracelet activity- it lasted all of 15 minutes.Victoria had 3 birthday parties to go to on the same day as Bella's recital. Two of the parties were for her two closest friends at school- Isabella and Bentley. Isabella's party was at Sweat and Sassy. They did her hair and make up and dressed them in cute dresses. Victoria loved it!Bentley's party was a movie party- they watched Kung Fu Panda 2 and ate cake! Elliot's party (the little boy who Victoria sits next to at school) was a Bounce House party. Needless to say, as soon as we got home, Victoria had no problem sleeping that night. (She's been waking up the past 3 weeks off and on in the middle of the night and having problems going to bed.)On Tuesday Victoria received an award at school for her reading success throughout the year. She has really surprised me with her abilities. She went from whining about reading to reading a book all by herself up in bed (I could hear her through the sound monitor.) She has gone from a Pre Kindergarten reading level A to an almost 2nd grade reading level G.I'm very proud of Victoria.

Field Day, Award, and Playdate

Victoria had Field Day up at school this past Friday. I wasn't able to go, because that's when I was getting Bella's cast, but Bentley's Mom took pictures for me. Apparently, they were inseparable- that doesn't surprise me. When I picked her up from school, she couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had (also about a Tug-A-War she had lost in and a water bottle fight that she had won.) Looks like they had a lot of fun.
Bella had dance class today and was awarded a metal for being an outstanding ballerina :) even with a broken arm. We love her teacher Mrs. Michelle- she's so patient and caring and has red hair too.After dance class, we met Bella's friend Hannah at Frisco Commons park for a playdate. Hannah is Bella's best friend at school. They couldn't stop smiling and chasing each other around the whole time. We enjoyed the weather and had a picnic.Then played on the playground.

Victoria's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Victoria's 6th birthday this past Saturday. It was a butterfly birthday party.
Bella pretends to take a picture of me. Carol wore a really pretty butterfly shirt.

We painted butterflys with watercolor, and had a butterfly relay race outside. Then we ate pizza and cupcakes.

After opening presents, the girls played Red Light/Green Light outside. The weather a gorgeous 70 degrees. Victoria gave us an explanation of the rules- and "no cheating" she said :) Happy Birthday Victoria!

A Fractured Day

This Wednesday at gymnastics Bella fell on her arm. I thought it was just sprained and put her old splint on from a year ago when she sprained her hand falling off the bunk bed ladder. Today, I asked her to make a fist and she winced a little, so I took her in to the doctor to have an Xray. While we were waiting to see the doctor I took her to Chic Fil La for chicken nuggets and chocolate milk. And oops- we had spillage. Luckily, I had a change of clothes in the car. Then we did the long wait to see the doctor. Verdict- buckle fracture of the distal radius. Treatment- cast for 4 weeks/splint for 6 weeks after. Bella loves her cast though- bright pink :) Go figure.

Mother's Day

We went to Six Flags for Mother's Day this year. We had free passes for each of our season passes for this specific day, so we got to take Renae, Josh, Caleb, and Chloe with us. Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dick lovingly agreed to watch Keira :) We had a blast! When we first got there, it looked like it was going to be very crowded, but luckily, the longest I waited in line was 20 minutes.
The kids enjoyed hanging out with their cousins and riding the rides with them. I think their favorite ride was the Judge Roy Scream, except Bella couldn't go on it just yet.

Mother's enjoying their kids :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Easter

Saturday we decorated our Easter eggs. This was the first year that the kids could do it all by themselves, although Bella did crack one by mistake.

Saturday we also celebrated Jeremy's and Mom's birthdays by going out to Bucca de Beppo, Jer's favorite restaurant- they have a great Apple Gorgonzola Salad and real thin crust Italian pizza. We got the "Pope" room- it has a bust of Pope Benedict and a large Lazy Susanne that you spin your family style food around on.

The next morning the Easter Bunny came. He left the girls candy, a cute white bunny, a pinwheel, and a Disney princess castle to share.

We went to the 8:30 church service after seeing our baskets. The night before, as I was cleaning up around house ;) I accidentally dropped a large metal art box on my toe and broke it. We got to church 5 minutes early, or should I say late because as everyone knows, Easter service is packed. We had to stand outside in the courtyard. It was actually quite nice and peaceful, and luckily there was a bench that I could sit down for my foot. They had speakers, so that you could hear, and we watched the storm clouds over head that didn't produce anything but shade for us. We went to Carol and Dick's house afterwards for a ham lunch.

Tanner and Tessa and the Lunn cousins hunted Easter eggs. The big kids, Caleb and Tanner, went first in the front yard. The adults had to help step in, because they were hidden so good. It was an all out affair.

In the back yard, Tessa, Chloe, Keira, Victoria, and Bella looked for their eggs.

After the hunt we sat around and chatted. Josh showed us how he walks on his hands.

Victoria was goofing off and put Easter grass in her hair as a wig.

Tanner's next with his hands!

The girls decided that Grandpa needed some grass in his hair too.

Bella blowing bubbles on this glorious day. Happy Easter!