School's Out Backyard Bash

To celebrate the end of school and the beginning of Summer, Paige had a party for her preschool class. We played a bunch of games in the backyard including pin-the-tail on the donkey, a ring toss, duck duck goose, and hot potato.

After games in the yard, we all came inside for lunch--pb&j sandwiches, chips and apples with dip. We watched one episode of the Backyardigans, since it was a "backyard bash," then back outside for more games of red light, green light and the Farmer in the Dell.

We ended with delicious root beer floats and an unexpected visit from our neighbor's cat, who obliged all 10 children as they pet/mauled him.

It was a fun day, the rain held off (thank goodness) and the little kids were happy to get to come to a party just for them.

*Much thanks for the extra and gracious helping hands of my sister Debby and my friend Juliann. You guys are awesome!

Fashion Show

Last week, Ashley's Activity Days group held a fashion show. This is Ashley in her "sporty, yet stylish ensemble." Each girl got to choose an outfit to wear, write up an explanation of her attire, and model it down the runway. They also had to choose a prop to bring with them that represented an interest or a hobby. Ashley chose a book because she loves to read so much.

It was a cute activity and Ashley was very excited to "model." She was thrilled, because I even let her wear a little colored lip gloss. The girls definitely hammed-it-up, who knew so many of them would let their inner models come out.

*A word about the pictures--I left my camera home on this day, which happened to a very crazy day. Dave took a picture with his camera phone and we borrowed someone else's camera but we didn't figure out how to use it properly.

The Garden is In

New house, new garden. We are going to try our hand at gardening again this year. We are hoping for more success in this yard than we had in our previous. We got the garden in over the weekend and so far so good---lots of rain to keep it moist and no rabbits have managed to overcome my fencing. (Not yet at least, I know those bunnies are out there planning, plotting, and conspiring against me!)

Opening Day

Our subdivision pool opened last Saturday. Fortunately it was 85 degrees outside and warm enough to enjoy a dip on opening day.

Greek Food Festival

Okay, I obviously love food and have an overeating problem---but you can't worry about that when you find a Greek food festival in town! I read about this festival that is held every Memorial Day weekend by a local Greek Orthodox church. Well, all you have to do is tempt me with dolmathes and souvlaki and I am there!

And oh, was it worth it! We had to drive about 40 minutes to the County fairgrounds where the festival was being held, but didn't I already say it was worth it. The festival was in a huge, air-conditioned exhibit hall, with lots of space and so well-organized that we didn't suffer the crowding issues that are usually a part of the festival experience.

We ate souvlaki, gyros, greek salad, lemon rice, and loukoumathes. The honey puffs were a big hit with Paige (no suprise!) We also had a baklava sundae, which is my new favorite way to eat baklava. After stuffing myself sick, I bought some dolmathes and spankopita to take home. Yummy.

There was also some entertainment. Here is Paige playing on one of the inflatables that were there. We also stayed and watched some Greek dancers, Paige really loved that.

HURRAY FOR FOOD FESTIVALS!

Flip-Flop Frenzy

Ashley and I braved Old Navy at 8am today for the $1 flip-flop sale. It was pretty much a madhouse and the store sold out of flip-flops in 45 minutes. I sure was glad to have Ashley with me who was a big help holding flip-flops and keeping our place in line. It was a fast and furious feeding frenzy, but I wasn't too stressed because on some level it was pretty humorous.

It truly reminded me of a fish farm, where you have piles of fish squirming around in a little pond going for a handful of fish food someone has thrown into the water. In this case, the fish were a bunch of girls/women grasping for flip-flops (food) being thrown down to them from Old Navy workers standing on ladders. (I skipped this part and just went for the selection of flip-flops that were more easily accessible in boxes on the floor.)

In the end, Ashley and I came out unscathed with 19 pairs of flip-flops! This was pretty moderate considering that we split them among me, Ashley, Paige, and my sister Debby. It didn't even compare to the 25-30 some girls were buying for themselves. CRAZY!!

Farewell (forever) Preschool!

Well, it's official, our youngest child has completed preschool! Farewell preschool! You have been very good to us. We have enjoyed, the songs, the artwork and the games. Paige and I have appreciated having a little time apart to spend with friends and increase our independence.

For the past two years, Paige has gone to preschool at Waubonsee Valley High School Early Learning Lab. Basically, our local high school offers a course of early childhood education for it's students. Part of the high school curriculum includes an early learning lab supervised by a teacher in which the high school students plan, prepare and teach a class of preschool students. Of course, in order to teach preschool, you need preschoolers and this is where Paige and 14 other kids come in.

Having done other preschools with Ashley, I have been very impressed with the Early Learning Lab. Paige has basically had one-on-one instruction. Also, because of the many available helping hands and creative minds, Paige has gone on field trips and done activities that really aren't possible in other types of preschools.

On Monday, as it was the last day for the teachers who are Seniors, the preschool held a reception and invited parents. Here are some of the pictures from that day:

This is Paige's preschool class, in some of the pictures, her high school teachers are in standing up in back. I included these pictures to go along with the picture above so you could see Paige "ham-it-up" as she strikes a pose during the photo shoot. (What you can't see is a mass of parents with cameras taking picture after picture of the kids.)

After all the pictures, which was not a minor feat considering lining up and getting that many preschoolers to sit still is a big challenge, their teacher, Mrs. Pierce led the kids in some songs. In this picture they are singing "5 Little Ducks" at Paige's request.

Paige with the teacher of all students, Mrs. Pierce. She is amazing and has been doing this for many years!


And of course, no party is complete without refreshments. We actually had them at the start because who wants to wait for food!

Paige and her friends eating at the snack table.

After snack, it was time to show mom around the classroom and visit with some of the graduating teachers.

It was a fun day and I truly appreciate how much Paige loves her teachers and how much they in turn love the kids. As a parent, it is always comforting to leave your little one with people, who know your child, think she is adorable, and really enjoy teaching.

The next day as a "thank-you" present, the preschool families provided a breakfast for the teachers (on a day with no preschoolers.) Paige and I helped organize the breakfast and we delivered it to the school in the morning along with some flowers for Mrs. Pierce. Everyone was very appreciative and Paige had fun helping me carry all the food into the classroom.