Anyway, they were in the car playing with them on the way back when PJ dropped his.

Mia: PJ, you can have mine.  Here.

PJ: That’s ok.  I don’t need it.

Mia: Take it.

PJ:  No. I don’t want it.

Mia: What else are sisters for?

Happy Birthday

to you.

Happy Birthday

dear Mia.

Happy Birthday to you!

Did you see her?

This was their actual number. Since this was dress rehearsal, there were some kinks to work out, but performance night was flawless and they didn’t even need cues from the instructors!

Awards were awarded.

PJ received the Joshua Award for Leadership, an Excellence in Reading Comprehension Award, and a Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness Award.

Celebratory homemade ice cream was made (and eaten).

And songs/verses/poems were performed.

Welcome to the first morning of summer vacation!

When we returned, we hit the ground running with end-of-the-year activities.  Field Day was one of them.  The kids made cute shirts in their classes. Mia’s has a caterpillar on the front. 

PJ won the second place ribbon for the first grade sack race. 

After lunch the kids all headed to the pool at a neighboring camp to swim. We forgot Mia’s swim suit. At least I had an extra swim shirt and she fits into Ty’s shorts. PJ proved he’s not only fearless but that he’s a strong enough swimmer this year to jump off the diving board. 

After swimming we finished out a great day with popsicles and awards. PJ won the second place ribbon for the first grade sack race. 

a Girls’ Day (with Mommy, Nana, and Auntie).

What better way

to start a Girls’ Day

than with a girly lunch of edamame and sushi?

Summer calls for flip flops and painted toes.

Or painted nails if you’re feet are too ticklish.

These girly girls are

two peas in a (edamame) pod.

I love this girl

who will give a

dance

performance

at a moment’s notice

anywhere (including the median at our local outdoor shopping mall)

with anyone watching.

She also takes a decent picture.

A Girls’ Day would not be complete without

dessert!

Thanks Nana <3

They remembered everything–balloons, presents and dessert.

We had a few close friends over for the first bushel of steamed crabs for the season.  I knew about that part.  But then, my children ushered our guests to my parents apartment and fitted them for party hats (or ‘helmets’ as Ty called them).   I had to follow last so that I could be “surprised.”

There was specially decorated brownies and make-your-own sundaes for all.

Presents were aplenty and PJ (without the help or knowledge of any adults in the house) had even used his own money to buy me my very own soprano recorder from the school store.

Here are all the party conspirators.

Thanks guys. It was a special night. I love you!

When I signed Mia up, I envisioned her wearing her Barbie Island Princess costume since it is really the only character princess outfit she has.  When it came time to get dolled up for the party, she informed me that the sleeves on that dress bothered her.  While we deliberated over whether she should choose another, non-character dress or I should try to fix the sleeves on the Barbie costume, Nana presented Mia with an early birthday present–a Tinkerbell costume. 

Perfect.

She proceeded to ready herself and even got a princess updo.

—————————————

Fast forward 15 minutes and we’re driving to the library.

Me: Wow, Nana really saved the day.

Mia: No she didn’t.

Me:  Well, she had that Tinkerbell outfit for you to wear.

Mia: I know, but she didn’t save the day.

Me: Well I think that was pretty kind of her to give that to you.  [At this point, I'm getting a little annoyed that she seems less than appreciative of Nana's gesture.]

Mia:  I know, but there are still other people with problems, Mom.

It’s dawning on me that I don’t give my kids nearly enough credit.

Me: You’re absolutely right.  That’s thoughtful of you to think of others.  Let’s just say Nana saved your day.

Mia: Okay.

Wednesday we had a chance to see our little diva in action as her preschool class performed all the nursery rhymes they’ve learned over the past couple months.  The stills really don’t do the performance justice.  You can hop over to our video page to see it in living color