Color Run

Olivia and I recently participated in the Springfield Color Run 5k with many of our friends.  This event was so much fun!  Start with as much white as possible, add in limitless color powder (it is a cornstarch based powder) thrown at anyone and everyone (even spectators were not safe), and end with happy tie dyed people.  Here is my "before" picture with Olivia.

 

Many friends that joined us for the fun - Dominic, Griffin, and Caden.  These are friends who Olivia has known her entire life.

And the moms' before picture.

The fun has begun!  Once the packets are opened, there is no turning back!  At first the kids thought we were crazy for telling them to get as dirty as possible, but they quickly got over their shock and joined in the fun.

I was very doubtful that this would wash off, but it only took some soap and a loofah and the blue was gone!

Olivia in the middle of the Color Blaze.  There were 3 of these throughout the 3.1 miles, and there was no escaping it!

The after pictures.

I thought that I was being so smart wearing a hat for the race, but once I took it off I realized that the color had bled through and I had tie dyed hair!  Thank goodness it came right out.  What a great event for families!

A Little Bit of Everything!

We have had an extremely busy spring, so here is a glimpse of what has kept us so busy...

 

Ethan's kindergarten music recital.  He did a fantastic job of singing and doing all of the dance moves.

 

Ethan's soccer games (he is on the Sharks) - he has really begun to enjoy this game.  Before, he would kick the ball and then celebrate by dancing for five minutes since he had touched the ball.  Ethan has now begun to actually work hard at playing the game.

Olivia on the "Rock Stars".  She is with a great group of girls on this team, and the coach is fantastic.

Ethan has now begun tball as well.  He does a great job with this sport, and has many friends on this team.  Unfortunately, he is on the Pirates (thank goodness he is not on the Cubs), so we actually rooted for the Pirates over the Cardinals at a recent game.

 

We went to a Cardinals baseball game for Mother's Day.  We always have to get this picture each year. 

Floppy hat day at Busch Stadium for Mother's Day!

 

Joe and I attended a Kentucky Derby party.  Wearing silly hats and drinking mint juleps makes for a fun party!

 

Joe and Olivia participated in the Girls on the Run 5k.  Olivia was able to half run/half walk the 3.1 miles - fantastic considering at the beginning of the program she was not a runner at all!  We are so proud of her for completing (and loving!) the program!  She is already asking to do it again next year.

 

The kids and I visited the St. Louis Magic House with friends.  The static electricity ball is always a big hit with the kids!   

Olivia, Ethan, and Ayla on the rock wall and in the climbing tree at the Magic House.

Mud puddles!  One good thing from all of our spring rain.  We love to go on walks after a hard rain looking for large puddles for the kids to splash in.

Olivia and I (finally!) visited the American Girl store in St. Louis.  We enjoyed having her doll (Anne) get her ears pierced, have her hair braided, shop, and have lunch with Anne.  It was a huge success, and I am so happy that we were able to do this before Olivia was too old to enjoy herself.

 

Olivia's Hip Hop Recital

Olivia had her Hip Hop Recital at the end of May.  She really enjoys taking this class - basically the current music and being sassy!  But this first picture makes her look WAY TOO OLD!   

 

Looking at herself in the mirror waiting for the recital.

My beautiful girl!

One bad thing about being in the 110% for height - you are always in the back!  Olivia did great - even had a solo breakdancing bit.

The family came to see Olivia.

Flowers for the dancer.  Yellow is her new favorite color.

Ethan Turns 6

Ethan turned six in mid May - unbelievable!  He did a several day birthday celebration - a family birthday party with grandparents, a friend birthday party, and then his actual birthday.  He does not mind this - especially when it means three sets of presents to open!  His theme this year was Super Mario Brothers, one of his favorite Nintendo DS games.

 

Ethan has requested a grapefruit cake for the past two years now - it is definitely his favorite cake!

Ethan once again had his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's.  He loves collecting the tickets and getting the prizes  Here he is getting his birthday crown from Chuck E.

Even though his theme was Super Mario Brothers, he picked a Green Lantern cake for his friend party.  I guess he had to mix in some super heroes in some way!

Ethan never shies away from being the center of attention!

Another reason that Ethan loves Chuck E Cheese - the ticket blaster!

My six year old "Big Man".  

And after all of the parties, his birthday finally arrives.  He picked a birthday donut for his breakfast.  Ethan also managed to open his presents before going to school - even though he really thought that he would be allowed to miss school on his birthday!

And Ethan requested Texas Roadhouse for his birthday meal since he loves A1 sauce and he loves their peanuts.  Yes, those are the two reasons he picked this restaurant.  However, after he learned that the waiters sing Happy Birthday and have you sit on a saddle, he might just pick this place again next year, too!