Today the kids went to a birthday party of one of their good friends from playgroup. Unfortunately, in order to get Franny to her camp on time, we had to leave the party early and they missed having cake with their friends. So, I decided it was a good for a special afternoon treat of baking cupcakes and decorating them. It wasn’t the same as eating and celebrating with friends, but I think it was a good compromise. And, not surprisingly, it was the sprinkles that saved the day!
All the kids love riding their scooters, but few as much as Franny does. She loves speed and is fast! Delaney is frequently a little left out when the kids ride their bikes, but she has taken to Franny’s old scooter like a pro! She actually has gotten to the point where she has to wear a helmet when she rides. Before, she was just standing on it, so we let it go. But, now she can really get going! I’m just thrilled there is finally something she can do along with Cole and Franny. Our driveway is definitely going to see a lot of action this summer!
Nothing gets a day off to fast start like a super fun, high energy birthday party at Playdate PDX! Franny had a great time playing with her friends, and Cole and Delaney had a fun time on their own exploring the great play spaces they have at this great place.
Playdate PDX from T on Vimeo.
After a very busy week and then starting the day off with a crazy fun birthday party, we hung out at home for the rest of the day. The kids rode bikes and scooters, played in the back yard, explored the side yard, and went for a walk. It was just a easy afternoon to enjoy being together, and it was wonderful
T-Ball day 1 from T on Vimeo.
Cole had so much fun running the bases, I had to include this clip. Unfortunately, my view was blocked just before he reached home plate.
Rounding the bases from T on Vimeo.
Our planning for summer started way back in February, so there has been a lot of anticipation for the weeks that lay ahead of us. I really wanted to leave our old routines behind us and let the kids have fun trying out new things. All the kids are doing new activities (with the exception of Franny who really wanted to continue swimming all summer) and Franny and Cole are both in several camps. In addition to that, we have lots of family outings planned, doing new things and going new places. Monday was our kick-off, with Cole’s tennis class. He has been wanting to play tennis for a long time now. Unfortunately, Portland Parks and Rec didn’t have a class for his age group in a location that made sense, and I wasn’t able to find any other tennis classes or camps for him. But, persistence paid off and when I re-checked some local facilities in April, I found they had added new classes, and I signed Cole right up! Needless to say, he has been super excited about this for weeks, now! And, he had a great time. He was a little overwhelmed at first, but he listened to his instructors and put out a really great effort. I love that about Cole—he can get overwhelmed or scared trying new things, as all kids do, but he always finds some courage to get out and try. He’s a brave little guy and we’re so proud of him!
Franny wanted to write a special note for the Tooth Fairy, but with so much going on yesterday, she ran out of time and decided to wait a day, so she could write her note. Although she didn’t have her tooth to leave in her Tooth Fairy pillow, I promised her that the Tooth Fairy would indeed find it. After falling asleep, I put out her treats and sprinkled it with pink fairy dust (glitter). I hope that gets a big smile tomorrow morning—I just wish I could see her face when it happens!
Franny’s first tooth is officially out! Sitting down at breakfast, she realized that it was out, but didn’t know when it came out. Needless to say, she probably swallowed it, but whether it was during the night while she slept or with her breakfast cereal, we’ll never know for sure. We scoured her room looking for the tooth, but weren’t able to find it. It was a little anticlimactic for something that has held so much anticipation, but she is still very proud, to say the least!
Sweet Delaney is almost two years old. After watching Franny and Cole celebrate their birthdays, she definitely knew it was her turn and she loved it! She had her favorite Clifford as a theme, with wall decorations of Clifford and the gang, as well as a very fun and special cake decorated by her Auntie Noelle. Delaney had a great time celebrating with family, opening gifts, and trying to blow out the candles on her cake. It was a special day for very special little girl!
Recently, Delaney has started cocking her head to the side when I try to take her picture. Whenever these little things develop, I always wonder, where did this come from?
And, then I realize…
Franny has been waiting—not so patiently—to lose her first tooth. According to her, everyone in her class has lost at least one tooth. Some tears have even been shed with her frustration. But, a couple of weeks ago, her tooth began to wiggle just ever so slightly. Now, it is very loose and I would anticipate that it will come out sometime very soon. For Franny, however, that day can’t come fast enough!
Cole received some birthday money from his grandpa and great-grandma. And, he knew exactly what he wanted to buy—Maters from Mater’s Tall Tales. He chose very carefully and ordered two Mater/Lightning McQueen sets online. But, then came the waiting. Fortunately, we had a tracking number, in the last few days we could check when it was scheduled to arrive. So, when he left for school that day, he told us ”Keep an eye out for my Maters!” They were waiting for him when he came home—he was very quiet, inspected them very closely, and then took them up to his room to play with them. You would think at some point he would be satisfied with the number of Maters he has—I think his count is nine—but he is already looking forward to when Mater the Grater can join the ranks!
Today was the final day of kindergarten. What a wonderful year it was. I am so thankful that Franny was placed with a teacher that understood her right away and was able to connect with her in a way that allowed to her have the best kindergarten year she could have. I am amazed and overwhelmed at the growth she had both academically and emotionally, and I am thrilled at the incredible experiences she had. And, while I would not change anything, it does make for a sad departure. Yesterday, the kids had a small party that parents were invited to. All the kids were saying that the end of the year was ‘bittersweet’. Such a big word for six-year-olds—obviously a word discussed in class—yet so true. Her teacher asked parents to stay away on this final day so that they could have their last time together as a class. When Franny came home from the bus stop, I asked her how her last day was. All I got out of her was that it was “bittersweet”. And, all I could really think was that it really is….for all of us!
Kindergarten class of 2011
Student notes for their teacher
The first-grader-to-be!
Don’t let the disgruntled look fool you—Delaney loves sprouts. Alfalfa and broccoli sprouts she will eat by the handful, and she will very tediously eat mung bean sprouts one by one as long as she has the patience to sit still. Fortunately, they are quick and easy to grow so we always have a constant supply. For some reason it just seems funny to me to watch her eat a big handful of sprouts, but given they are considered one of the healthiest foods, I am definitely not complaining!
At Franny and Cole’s swim school, the last day of each session is focused entirely on life jacket safety. They come with clothes over their swimsuits, put on life jackets, and learn how to maneuver and react safely and appropriately in them. I’ve never cared much for this last class and even considered skipping it today. But, both Franny and Cole really ended up having a great time! The lesson has improved a lot since the last time they attended, and even included some boat safety, which Cole loved! Franny always loves being in the water, but Cole didn’t enjoy his swimming experience as much this session, so it was great to leave it on such a high note. The other thing both Franny and Cole enjoyed about this evening was that they were able to be in the same class, since all levels have the same lesson. There were lots of smiles at the pool tonight!
Yesterday, Cole helped put a new battery in the car. Rick showed him the battery and all it’s parts, explained to him what it does, and then told him what they needed to do to change it. Cole was very proud and kept calling himself the ‘big helper’. He said Franny could be the ‘little helper’, which she wasn’t very pleased with (even though she didn’t want to help, anyway). There was some trouble getting the battery out, but Cole never lost interest and even went to get his own tools in case they were more suited for the job. In the end, it all worked out and Cole got to tighten up the final bolt. I think it was the highlight of his day!
Field Day was quickly followed up by the school carnival yesterday evening. There was so much fun to be had, Franny initially had a little trouble taking it all in! There were three bounce houses/slides, hair and face painting, lots of carnival games, and fun food (snow cones!) spread out over the outside campus, gym, and cafeteria. Franny had fun with her friends, but spent the majority of her time with Delaney and Cole. They raced through the bounce house obstacle course, tried to dunk our neighbor in the dunk tank, and just had a ton of fun!
Going down the slide
Three crazy, happy faces
D and C checking out their faces Cole at the dunk tank
Friday was Field Day at Franny’s school. There wasn’t the track and field events with ribbons like when I was in grade school. Rather, there were a lot of relays and team events. This was right up Franny’s alley. She was laughing and smiling the entire time! It’s great that they have these days to celebrate and have fun together as a class—they had such a wonderful year together!
