A Peek into Our Dinner Conversation

Tonight the girls were cracking me up with their questions.  Here are a few that I remember.

"Mom, what day was the first day you gave me mashed potatoes?  Was it a Wednesday?"
"Mom, do you think you could hike across Delaware in a month?"

"Mom, how old were you when you had me? How old will you be when you have Buddy, 80?"

Other questions involved the definition of coastline and being off sides in soccer.  Another question was "Mom, guess who is going to take us to see 'Despicable Me' when it comes to the cheap theater?" Since the girls had just told me a few days ago, I got that one right.  "How did you know that?" I reminded them they had told me.  Then E said, "You know you could probably tell Mom something and ask her about it in a year and she would still remember." I don't think that is true, but thanks for the compliment.  It is great to know that my girls think that about me.  I love dinner time; it is insight into the girls minds.

Happy Birthday MikeyZ!

So, this is a little out of order, since I have been working on June posts.  I figure I can take a break and do an entry about what is currently going on.  When it comes to birthdays in September I feel like they come one right after another, especially this week when there are some that even share the same day.  However, I feel like there is one I will take the time to specifically mention.  I thought we should take a moment to acknowledge Grandpa Mike's birthday.

Here is Mike with all the grandkids

Grandpa is always a good time.  He loves to entertain the kids.  Some of his specialties are taking the kids to the park, singing silly songs, and playing "Grandpa Hide and Seek". That gets the kids screaming!

He is always interested in the kids lives.

Mike is a great dad.  He always has a listening ear and good advice for his children, even if they are all adults now.

Happy Birthday Mike!

Futbol!

This summer all 3 girls attended soccer camp.  We were so lucky.  We had tons of friends we knew there.  I would say at least half of E's team, all of R's team and most of H's team. Even with all those friends I was really nervous about the camp.  It was for four days, and four hours each day.  I was worried that the girls might get soccered out, especially H.  This was her first organized soccer experience. Luckily, everyday I would pick them up they would all be super excited about what they had done that day.  I was so pleased I tried to capture the moment.

Here is the group we carpooled with: Brooklyn, McKenna, E, Carson, Emily. Front: H, Brinley and R

Another attempt to capture the moment; results no better then the first try.

H finally smiling after we are all home eating lunch.

A raspberry for every finger will do the trick!

Aladdin!

Right after school was out we were into dance dress rehearsals and performances.

Here are some cute red parrots waiting their turn.

Okay, I know this picture is so fuzzy, but I love it.  You can see E smiling and enjoying dancing.

My very serious Street Vendor

Oh, so pretty!

The fierce Tiger

I would say this is a loon, more then a red parrot

A different day, but still waiting

R was in charge of the street vendor cart and had to be out on stage by herself pretending to tend the cart. She did great.

Another fuzzy picture.  I seriously think H took most of the pictures of her sisters since she had to seat with me when it wasn't her turn.  R dancing on stage, but looking right at us.

Finally, H's turn to dance

Dancing with Jafar's crystal ball

Dancing is always more fun with a friend

H concentrating hard to do the choreograph just right

I will say this year seemed long, since they added more performances and I felt less then my best.  Even so, I still loved watching my girls dance.  They are all very good.  Plus, I love to see the light in their eyes while they are dancing.  I know they really are enjoying themselves.

The End

Well, the end of that school year.  The last day of school we decided to have a big breakfast.

2 happy girls, 1 not so much

Then the girls went to a whole 2 hours of school.  I picked them up.  We said goodbye to the old teachers and hello to the new. Also, goodbye to some good friends that won't be in their classes next year.

Mr. Schiewe and R

McKaylin and R

Mrs. Dana and R

R with Mrs. McNutt

(sorry the picture is so bad Rosie)

E and Anna S.

R, Lily, and E

Anna C. and E

E and Mrs. Brownlee

E with Miss Hannah

Keeping with tradition, we celebrated by having lunch with a few friends.  This year we ate at Sweet Tomato. The kids LOVED it!!!



R's Muscial Informance

I laugh every time I hear the name, but the music teacher insists on it.  She says it is not just a musical performance but that we are being taught too.  So, that must be reflected in the name.

Anyway, R's class performed "In the Garden".  R was a lovely firefly.  She memorized her lines and delivered them perfectly.  H and I had a delightful time watching her perform.

(PS Remember how lice was spreading through our 1st grade?  Every student had a hat or headband for this performance. YUCK!  I was a mean mom and told R she couldn't wear the headband until the performance and after it had been disinfected. She cried but was happy to wear the headband in the end)

Please be patient

So, I know that I am very far behind.  I counted and I have at least 20 post to catch up.  Please hang in there as I a recap my life from June in September.  Hopefully,  I can be all caught up before Buddy arrives.  Only 7 more weeks, but who is counting :)

A Touch of Culture

Near the end of the school year, last year, E had a Cultural Fair to show off what the students had learned on their year long projects about a country of their ancestors.  E chose England.  I thought it was a good choice as we were researching and realized she is basically 75% British.  Plus, let's be honest, it is the country that has had the most influence on our family traditions, food, and way of life (Yes, that was part of project).

Here is E in her traditional English outfit with her friend Katelyn in her Norwegian outfit.

The girls, and Heip in his ? outfit ( was really out of it that day)

We were suppose to make a tradition dish from the country E studied.  We decided to make Trifle. 

Here is the recipe:

1 pound cake, cut into 1 inch squares (didn't include recipe)

1 pint of raspberry jam (I used homemade)

4 cups of custard (didn't include recipe)

1 pound of strawberries, washed and sliced

1pound of blueberries, washed

1 pound of raspberries, washed

1pint of whipping cream, whipped

In a bowl  with tall sides or trifle dish, place a layer of pound cake bits.  Heat the jam, make sure you stir it. Drizzle part of the jam over the cake. Place a thin layer of each type of fruit. Top with a portion of the custard.  Repeat this steps until the dish if full.  Top the whole dish with the whipping cream.

This is how it turns out...

OK, that is how it turns out with a footed dish that has a heavy top, and you turn a corner while driving. Ugh! I tried to save it and ended up covered in it.  I had to walk into the school covered in the mess.  The principal felt so bad, she got me rags to clean up.  I stood out in the pouring rain and cleaned it the best I could.  Now the disgusting confession, I couldn't show up empty handed.  We really had spent hours on this dish.  I did scoop up anything not touching the carpet and serve it to the kids. I was nice enough to warn any adult who ate it.  Surprisingly, many still wanted to try it.

H's Pre-K Graduation

I know this is late, but it's probably better.  I was very emotional when this happened.  Little H done with preschool moving on to elementary school.  It was too much for a pregnant woman to handle without tears.

Here is H singing so beautifully

H receiving her "diploma" from Miss Cindy

H with her teacher, Miss Michelle

Here are her buddies we carpooled with for the last two years: Maddie, H and Shaylee

Every graduation they play this song that goes something like:

Look away and they're walking,

Look away and they're four

Look away and they're walking right out the front door

How do you expect a mother not to cry during that?  I have cried every year even when I have no one graduating.  Childhood goes so fast.  It is hard to be reminded if you aren't paying attention it will be gone before you know it.