Monkey on the monkey bars
So high!
Perfect swing for three
Follow the leader
Worn out!
Scrimmage
15 years ago
This weekend, Franny was invited to a birthday party at Skateworld for roller skating. It was fun for her, as she has always wanted to go roller skating. But, it was fun for me, since I grew up going to our local roller rink, which was not much different from this one, including early 80's music and neon lights. They did a dice game rather than the hokey pokey, but it was amazingly close to what I experienced years (and years) ago. They even had the same tan skates with orange toe brakes. She had a great time, and I even joined her for a few laps around the rink. If it wasn't for the $3.25 they charged me for a diet coke, it could have been 1979!
Last week, I took Delaney to the doctor after weeks of a persistent cough. Thankfully, she didn't have pneumonia, but she did have a doozy of an ear infection in both ears! After a week of antibiotics, she seems to be back to the old Delaney. And, we love that Delaney!
This week, families were invited to come watch Franny's class perform the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Musical Play, as well as two Readers Theater performances of The Three Little Pigs (Franny was Mother Pig) and Little Red, Grandma, and Mr. Wolf. The kids were very impressive with their singing and reading of their parts. It was a big deal to all the kids, as they have been practicing for weeks, and even made their own props and backdrops. Franny was very nervous, but did a good job and I think she had fun singing the songs and being a part of the production. I was proud of her, and I always love being able to come to the school and see the amazing things these kids do!
A shaky video--I was holding Delaney while trying to film...
Living in Portland, it usually seems premature to wish for eighty degrees in June, much less in April! But, we were blessed this beautiful weather, and the kids made every minute count. On Saturday, we spent the day at home, and we pulled out the water table and pool, turned on the hose, and had an awesome time! These three were loving it!
A gorgeous Friday afternoon called for a fun family adventure. We headed to the Pearl for a fun walk, including a stop at Greenleaf Juicing Co., dinner at Chipotle, super fun play time at Jamison Square, and then yummy ice cream to finish it off. It was a great kick-off to the unseasonably--but wonderful--weekend weather. Is it really only April?
First stop: Greenleaf Juicing Co.
Jamison Square: who needs water?
Last stop: Ice cream!
Delaney's puzzle skills really amaze me. She can easily put together a 50 piece puzzle by herself, like this one she did tonight. With a little help, she can even put together some of Franny's old 100-piece puzzles. She is excellent at finding distinctive colors and patterns and putting them together. We do a lot of puzzles together, and I frequently just pretend I am helping her and watch her methodically put pieces together until the whole thing is done. I think that's pretty good for a little girl who's not yet three years old! Delaney always seems to raise the bar on our expectations when she finds something she really wants to do. I can't wait to see where her determination takes her!
Rick recently brought home an iPad from work. The kids immediately fell in love with this wondrous gadget. It's the perfect size for them to play games--some are great (Shape Puzzle) while others are less than impressive (Angry Birds). Cole also likes to type out words on the notepad, while Delaney loves watching video clips on You Tube. While I've tried to not get too hooked on the iPad, it's hard not to think about all the great uses for it, the great apps for the kids, not to mention the unquestionable coolness of it, as it is a very slick device. But, it does have to be returned, and that is probably for the best. Heading into warm weather and summer break, the last thing we will have time for is another screen in the house. But, it is fun, no question about it!
In Cole's class, every child gets a turn to take home the 'Mystery Box' and return it with an item inside. The class then gets to try and guess what it is, with the help of three clues. Cole has been waiting for his turn, and it finally came. He brought it home yesterday and he was so proud! He decided pretty quickly what he wanted to put in it--his Tormentor (monster truck Mater) and Frightning McMean (monster truck Lightning McQueen).
The clues were:
1. There are two, but they are different.
2. There are eight tires.
3. They are friends that work together to beat monster trucks.
According to Cole, no one was able to identify his items. There was one boy who did say monster truck Mater and Lightning McQueen, but because he didn't know their monster truck names, Cole didn't think he really got it right. And, I wouldn't dream of telling him otherwise!
Cole bringing home the mystery box (and really great face paint!)
Getting the box ready to take back to school
I love these pictures of Franny blowing out the candles on her cake--I love the reaction Cole is having in each of the pictures! I should note that this is the first year that Franny has wanted us to sing Happy Birthday to her! It was wonderful!
Franny had a wonderful time at her party. It was a small party, which was good. Her best friends were there, along with their special friends, which included eight American Girls, a stuffed horse, and a stuffed snake. Delaney and Cole both invited a friend, which worked out really well, since Cole wasn't interested in all the girl stuff, and Delaney was just too young for the games. They played three games--American Girl bingo, musical chairs, and a tray memory game. There were small prizes for the winners, but in the end, everyone received a prize. She wrapped it up with cake and gifts, and it was a great time!
The other half of the guest list
The luncheon
Delaney and her friend had their lunch with the dolls
One of the dolls' tables...with the two special stuffed animal guests
American Girl bingo
Cole and his friend for the party
Delaney and her friend
Getting ready for the tray memory game
Gifts
Happy girl
