All About Olivia

While recent posts have focused on Ethan's busy life of parties and graduation, Olivia has also had her own busy life this spring.  One big event was that Olivia's second grade class read short stories on a fun event that happened to them.  Olivia wrote about going to the Illini Country Club with her friend Caden.  These narratives were broadcast on public access TV.

Both kids have stayed busy with soccer this spring.  Olivia has continued with team Rockstars, and in fact she scored the team's very first goal of the season.  To say that I was ridiculously proud is an understatment!

Olivia's school reading group wrote and performed a play based on the Cat Wings book series.  Olivia played the momma cat Jane.  She painted her costume herself, even though it is a bit Tony the Tiger-ish.  The play was four acts long (each about 5 minutes) and it was amazing the amount of material that the girls memorized!  Public access TV also recorded this play, so Olivia has become quite the TV star!

Olivia has switched from ballet to hip hop dancing, and the change has been exactly what she needed to become excited about dancing.  The music is contemporary and the dance moves are fun for her.  For her school talent show this year, she performed a hip hop dance to a Katy Perry song, and the kids requested an encore from her, and then she taught the class dance moves.  She was beyond excited about that recognition! 

This dance recital is the "non costume" year at her dance studio, so she was just told to make her own outfit of black and bright green.

Olivia is in the middle row, on the left side.  The class danced to a music medley of various current pop songs, and the kids all included some break dancing moves!

Olivia has her arms raised in the middle.  Great pose!



Over Memorial Day weekend, we braved the heat to watch the Cardinals defeat the Phillies (Yadi grand slam!).  Fredbird was wearing his World Championship ring for all to see!



Ethan Graduates from Preschool

On May 18, Ethan graduated from preschool.  In the fall, both of my babies will be in full time school.  The time has both flown and dragged by, depending on the day/hour/minute.  Regardless, this is quite the milestone for our entire family, and Ethan is both happy about going to kindergarten, and nervous about the big step.  Going from 3 day a week, 2 1/2 hour per day preschool to five full days per week is going to be quite the shock!

Here is Ethan waiting for his moment to shine. 

 

Ethan walking across the "stage" to receive his diploma.  He wants to be a professional baseball player when he grows up.  When another little boy in the class also wanted to be a ball player, Ethan had to high five the boy on his way back to his seat and congratulate him on his choice of professions.

 

Ethan is very proud of his diploma!



After the graduation the class celebrated with the tradition "picnic on the porch".  It was a great way to say goodbye to friends and teachers, and one last chance to "run down the hill".  Both of my kids LOVED to "run down the hill" and we are now forever done with that :(  Time for new memories and traditions!

Happy 5th Birthday to Ethan!

Ethan celebrated his 5th birthday with three (!) separate days of parties.  His first party was with his friends at Chuck E Cheese.  He has been begging to celebrate here for over one year now, and we resisted since it is not exactly my favorite place.  However, we hosted on a Wednesday night and Ethan was the only party that night, so it seemed as if we had the entire place to ourselves.  Here is before the chaos - an Angry Birds theme party.

Grandpa joined in the party and helped Ethan with the Skee Ball.  Little kids seem to want to throw the ball overhand!

Ethan and his BFF Cole - they have been friends their entire lives.

The main attraction - Chuck E!  Ethan enjoyed not having to share him with another party.

Cake time - Ethan has not told his wish to anyone.

The real reason Ethan desperately wanted his party here - the ticket blaster.  He was so excited to have a turn in the booth, and we worked on strategy for several days (how to grab the tickets and where to put them when he caught them).  However, Ethan figured out the best strategy of all - as soon as he stepped into the booth he instantly picked up the 1000 token ticket from the floor before the wind started, and then stuffed the ticket down his shirt.  The extremely nice party hostess decided to look the other way.  Ethan used it to purchase electronic drum sticks.

Ethan surrounded by all of his buddies.



Party #2 was a family party the following Saturday.  He was so excited to find out what present could be bigger than he is!

Ethan requested a homemade grapefruit pound cake for his birthday at home.

Testing out the new basketball hoop with Grandpa Brett.

And finally party #3 on his actual birthday.  He requested a donut breakfast, a Steak N Shake lunch, and a Smashburger dinner.  I am done with eating burgers for awhile!  Here he is making his third birthday wish.

Opening the last of his presents - Super Heroes, a T Rex, and an original Big Wheels complete with spin out bar.