Baby Ballerina

Maggie participated in her very first dance recital on May 31.  Needless to say after sitting through numerous dance recitals, baseball games and school concerts for Cate and Ben she was thrilled to have an event that was hers and hers alone.

She and her classmates danced to "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen, a song that Maggie absolutely loves.

This was the one event that I was really, really sad to miss while I was in Europe.  But I am grateful for the technology that allowed me to see videos and photos almost instantaneously!

Memorial Day Weekend

After dropping me at the airport Chris and the kids headed back to town for soccer.  Then they spent the weekend in Harlan visiting grandparents and cousins.  By all accounts, they had a great time! 

Dilly bars and cousins?!?!  What could be better?

 

Visiting Great-Grandpa K

 

Cece rides a big wheel

 

Soccer!  Ben and Maggie both played soccer this spring and much to our surprise, Maggie LOVED it!

Last Day of Preschool

Where does the time go?  How is it possible that Maggie has already finished her first year of preschool?

I had to include the first picture of Maggie and her buddy Gavin.  I suspect a secret crush on Gavin as she gave him a plastic trophy on the last day of school.  The trophy is only significant because she and Ben have been battling over possession of said plastic trophy for about six months.

Conversations with Maggie

#1.

Maggie:  Dad said today is a free candy day.

Me:  Really?  I should call and ask him.

Maggie:  No.  You know the truth.


#2.

Maggie:  Mom, when you get mad you need to stay calm right?

Me:  Yes.  Who told you that?

Maggie:  ME!


#3.

Maggie (after witnessing some not-nice behavior from Cate):  Cate, if you were nicer you would be happier.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Watching Ben (her "bubba") play ball 

The Little Girls

We've Got Talent!

This spring Cate and Ben participated in their respective classroom talent shows. 

Cate played the piano while her friend, Kiki, sang "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" in Spanish.  Ben and his two buddies, Clive and Brendan did a dance to "Kung Fu Fighting." 

Needless to say their rendition of "Kung Fu Fighting" brought down the house...the kindergartners loved it and the other parents found it hilarious (probably because it wasn't THEIR children who were, literally, kung fu fighting...)

Cece As Arm Rest

No Need for a Thermometer

May was not a good month for us from a health care perspective.  Mysterious fevers, ear infections (Cate and Chris), pink eye that spread throughout our entire family and took weeks to clear up, and one corneal abrasion (me...perhaps one of the most painful things I've ever experienced).

Maggie was under the weather for at least a week.  She spent this time curled up on the couch in her footie pajamas, cuddling and watching movies.

The morning she came down for breakfast with her ukulele, butterfly wings, silver-sparkly shoes and her pink princess crown, I knew she was starting to feel better.

Happy 40th Birthday Daddy!

Neighborhood Fun!

Reason #239 why I love our neighborhood!

Funny Faces!

Grandparents Day!

Cate and Ben were very excited to have Grandma Joan, Grandma Sheila and Grandpa Doug visit their school for Grandparents Day.

Cate is 8!

The highlight of Cate's 8th birthday was a slumber party with her three best pals.  Unfortunately, the day of the party Cate woke up with a very high fever and what turned out to be a double ear infection.  The camping-themed party was postponed (much to Cate's great disappointment) but I think, in the end it was worth the wait and exceeded her expectations.

Lots (and lots!) of snacks served throughout the day/night....starting with a trail mix bar.

Lots of games played...including an outdoor scavenger hunt

As requested, an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.   We decorated the top to include a tent, faux campfire, mini hotdogs and mini s'mores.

Outdoor painting

Cate also requested "real" flowers at her party

Despite the relatively cool weather, the little girls lasted all night out in the tent.  Chris (aka "Dad of the Year") also camped out with them.  (NOTE:  Maggie was inside before 10 and Ben climbed into bed with me around 3am).  I think one of the highlights for the girls---although they protested---was when the neighbor boys ran through the yard and scared them around 9pm.  The next morning, after a healthy breakfast of donuts and orange juice, the girls curled up on the couch to watch "Little Rascals Save the Day."

Good Morning!

Trivial Pursuit

Tonight Ben begged us to play Trivial Pursuit.  I tried, unsuccessfully, to convince him that we should pick a different game.

Trivial Pursuit, I told him, is even hard for adults.  Really hard.

Especially the Genus Edition.

And it takes forever to play an entire game.

Tired of arguing, I finally gave in and we played (a modified version) and even though the game was still going at bedtime I have admit that Ben was ahead (4 pieces of the pie to 2).

The questions he got right:

1)  What are the six weapons in Clue?
2)  What state was John Denver's "mountain mama" from?
3)  How many colors are in the rainbow?
4) Who is Bruce Wayne's alter ego?

Ben was pretty proud of himself noting, "See Mom?  This game isn't as hard as you thought!"

Clearly it was much harder for me as I could only manage to get two questions right the entire time we played.

Cate's First Communion

Special thanks to Aunt Jenah for coming over early to do Cate's hair for this special day.

Our pew with the banner Cate made for First Communion

Beautiful!

With her Godmother, Aunt Amy

Blaise, Miss Nelson (Cate's 2nd grade teacher) and Kiki

Happy Face

Me:  Can you smile?

Me:  No.  A real smile.  It kind of looks like you're trying to poop.

(Maggie looks at picture)

Maggie:  Nope.  That's my happy face.

First Communion Prep