St Louis 2010

Lots of fun on our trip to St Louis. Here are a few pictures. Lots more to share in the next few days!

The Baby is Five

This year, we decided to take it easy on the birthdays. We just had a couple friends and their kids over for swimming and cake.

We also played Dance Dance. Such a fun game. If you haven't played, I highly recommend!

The cake was a choice made by the birthday girl. I was surprised to find out that Ariel lives in the Gulf. If you look close, you can see oil in the waters of the cake. Very impressed that the cake bakers are able to work current events into their cake making.

Frogs

Summer bugs and frogs. Or are they toads?

I've been listening to the kiddos laugh and squeel about the toads for the past hour. Honestly, it's been a long time since I've heard my son's high-pitched innocuous jubilations of delight.

Utter abandoment for all things cool and a too long reigned in release of excitement.

I would have gone out there to take pictures of him so excited but that surely would have ruined the delighted yelps of summer.

Summer. That's what it's for.

3rd Grade Water Party

What could be better than a water party on the last day of school?






















Even Little Bit was allowed to participate.













Ice, Ice Baby....
















Run Girl, Run!

My kids' school really knows how to do the final day.

5th Grade Graduate

Here Jonah is receiving his diploma and the Presidential Acedemic Award. This is the owner of the Round Rock Express.

Here he is receiving his Math Medal.

He's off to Middle School. Can't hardly believe it.

We have a Graduate!

She is not proud of herself at all.

The theme was Red, White and Blue, which she reminded me of this morning. That third child is so on top of things.

They sang "Deep in the Heart of Texas" for us and it was so darn cute.

I had no idea there were so many verses. I only remember the first one from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Can't believe my kids are becoming Texans. I am sure my Oregonian and Washingtonian parents are not happy about this development at all.

Also not only do the kids pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA they also pledge allegiance to the Texas flag. Every morning. I really don't remember pledging allegiance to the Oregon flag.

Here is the pledge:

Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.

There you have it, preschool graduation of a Texan child.

Texas Meadows

The wildflowers in Texas are absolutely beautiful. Little Bit had fun exploring the end of the wildflower season.

Express Game

The 5th graders got to go watch an Express game today.

Freya and I had fun tagging along.

SOAR!

The big girl SOARed today!

She was so surprised to hear her name called.
The Personal Best Award was given to her.

Here is what the teacher had to say about her:

"This student is always showing her best! She has really worked hard to improve her writing. In math, she is taking her time and showing work on all her problems. She is also a fabulous reader and ALWAYS actively participates in class discussions. I am so proud of her!"

Easter 2010

This year the Easter Bunny came big time. He hid eggs outside for the fist time. Because the Easter Bunny hid the eggs outside, it rained. Pretty sure that's the basis of Murphy's law.























Also, he went a little crazy and sent 4 baskets instead of 3. I think Grandma Birdie had something to do with that 4th one.

She Really Will Sleep Anywhere

When you're tired....

Plant Nursery

We went to the nursery today to pick up some flowers and herbs. Freya had a hay-day picking out flowers for her fairy area.

The turtle really is a huge draw.

The sign to the right of her says, "unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy."

Felt Easter Eggs

I had so much fun making these felt hearts for Valentines, I thought I would make some eggs for Easter.
















The hearts stayed up way too long because I loved to look at them.

This is an easy and fast craft.

Cut out your egg shape from two pieces of felt. If you would like ric-rac or ribbon as the stripes, glue down first, making sure they area bit longer than the egg for ease of sewing. Cut an extra length of ribbon for the hanger. Once the ribbon has tried, sew around your egg (sandwich the hanger of ribbon between the two pieces of felt and sew in while sewing around edges). Leave about an inch open to stuff with filling. You can cut off the extra ribbon at this time.

Have your child lightly stuff with filling. You can call this fine motor skill work or sweat shop labor. Whatever the PC term is at the moment. While your child is stuffing, work on sewing your next egg.











Once they are all filled, finish sewing the opening closed.




You can finish embellishing with hot glue and any little items you wish. I chose some fun roses, sequins and bows.

Hang on door knobs, pictures or anywhere you need a little holiday spirit!



I can see making these for many different holidays, shamrocks, ornaments, pumpkins etc.