Graduation

On May 21st Peter graduated from his first year of Joy/Preschool. It was a fun year for him and he had a great time learning new things. We met at the park and one of the Mom’s, Deb, brought along a “food craft” where they made graduation hats out of chocolate. Of course, Peter loved it! Congratulations buddy!

A Craft

Many mornings, at the crack-of-dawn, Peter wakes up and says, “Mom, can I do a craft?” That is when my dear husband rolls out of bed, takes him downstairs, turns on Sesame Street, and goes for a run. Eventually I rollout of bed and turn the t.v. off and get breakfast rolling. However, the questions continues to be asked throughout the day, “Mom, can I do a craft?” I put him off for as long as I can with chores and outside play, but when Elsie goes down for a nap, the craft often comes out. Here is Peter working on one of his masterpieces. It’s a boxcar to a train.

It's finally hot enough!

About a week ago it was finally hot enough for my kids to don on a swimsuit and go run through the sprinklers! Peter has been asking if he can play in the water and throw water balloons since March. They had a great time! Elsie just stood under the sprinkler the whole time and giggled and laughed while she watched Peter run through - back and forth, back and forth. When her lips started turning purple, I wrapped her in a towel and we called it quits. They had a great time!

A Little Princess

My friend, Natelie, whose picture is below, is a wonderful seamstress! I am really lucky to be her friend and have girls younger than hers because she is generous enough to give me her beautiful hand-me-down dresses she makes her girls. This is one that Elsie wore to church a couple Sundays ago. I think even she felt pretty special.

Fondue!

Fondue was a family favorite growing-up in my house. My dad was the chef when it came to "Fondue Nights". He had a special, "secret" recipe he got off the Galloping Gormet years ago. Every one of his girls has had to earn the recipe by doing something for him. For example, my one sister learned a Scott Joplin piece on the piano (my dad's fav composer) to "earn" the recipe, and I memorized "The Cremation of Sam McGee" (one of Dad's favs as well). So, a few weekends ago, a couple friends and their families came over and we had an evening of fondueing! We started out with everyone's favorite, Cheese fondue. It was this first course that I gorged myself and couldn't get myself to stop eating. Then we moved onto Meat fondue, and last of all, the exquisite chocolate fondue. As Rachel Ray would say, Yummmmo! By the third bout of fondue, I was completely stuffed. It was lots of fun though, eating and chatting it up with good friends. Sometimes I wonder if having friends over is worth it, after all the cleaning and cooking that goes on behind the scenes. I would have to rate this one as a success and definitely worth it!
Here are my friends Natalie and Cindy and their kids....



This is Natelie's daughter.

A Little Sleepy

Mike and I have wonderful neighbors! We are the "young ones" on the block and so my children (and the two of us) are spoiled continually. We are constantly getting hand-me-down toys and clothes. The latest... one of our neighbors gave us their old swing set! Can you believe how my children have loved it. Peter has always been a bit scared of swings, so he mostly just climbs all over it instead. However, I can swing Elsie forever on the baby swing. She loves the motions. One day earlier this month she got especially relaxed and this is what happend....

A Good Excuse

So, right after I had dedicated myself to becoming a true blogger, I was asked by my church to play the piano for primary (the young children in our church go to "primary" and learn songs and scripture lessons while the adults attend Sunday School). To those of you who know me very well, I am not a pianist, and certainly do not accompany. I never have much in my life. Well, apparently, they were desperate (obviously!) so I agreed to help. So, these songs are killing me to learn! The first week I spent 12 hours practicing these songs! The poor children that have to put up with me. So, every spare moment I have been on the piano, practicing, practicing, practicing! Tonight, I said, "Forget it! It is time for me to blog." So, there. I will catch you up with what's been going on since I have continued to take pictures.