A Splendid Day

Yesterday was a day to savor and remember. Since Doug left in the morning for a business trip, I decided to take the girls downtown for the Festival that was going on all weekend. I wasn't sure if I was nuts to take them down by myself or not, but I was ready for a little adventure. We ended up having a marvelous time! We ate yummy foods and watched dancers and musicians perform. Ava enjoyed dancing along with the music and trying to imitate the dancers (see photo below). The girls also had fun taking part in a bunch of activities for kids.

One of the best parts of the day was at the end when Hannah joyfully exclaimed...

"Oh Mom, this is such a splendid day!" My sentiments exactly, my dear! Sorry you had to miss it, Doug.

Goodbye Kindergarten, Hello Summer!

Friday was Hannah's last day of kindergarten. She had a great year in kindergarten so it was a bittersweet day. We are so grateful for her fabulous teacher and aide and the many ways they have shown her the love of Christ. I can't believe Hannah will be in first grade in the fall! In many ways she is ready to be in school every day, but it will still be an adjustment (for all of us). We are so thankful for a wonderfully long summer break first. Summer, here we come!!!

Hannah with her teacher Mrs. J and her aide Mrs. H. on the last day of kindergarten

Our Graduation Girl!

A special breakfast the next morning

Enjoying a great start to summer

Just Jazzin' Around

Hannah took a break from ballet this year and tried Jazz with her friend Grace. She loved it and her awesome teacher Miss Lauren! The culmination of their year was a recital on Saturday night. They danced to a peppy song by PureNRG called "When I Get to Heaven." After practicing with Hannah I can't get the song out of my head - it's very catchy. Both Ava and I have also picked up some of the dance moves so the three of us love performing impromptu mini-recitals at home.

The real recital was based on the Lord's Prayer and was very moving. I often had tears in my eyes. I feel so blessed that Hannah is able to dance with a Christian dance academy. I'm hoping she'll dance there again next year, but lately she's been talking about trying gymnastics so we'll have to wait and see.

Hannah's jazz class minus Rupa.

Grace and Hannah and an adoring Ava who wanted to be in the picture too

Flowers and smiles go hand in hand

Hannah's cheering gallery...Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Ava, Dad, Papa, and Nana

Cool ice cream shirts from Nana and Papa

Social Butterflies

During the month of May our social calendar (mainly Hannah's) was filled with good times with friends and family. We treasure you, our family and friends, and enjoy sharing special or every day moments with you.

We enjoyed spending time with my aunt Jan while she was here from Thailand. We were able to hang out at my dear cousin Kristin's house. Her daughter Leah and Ava had loads of fun together.

I love this picture - doesn't look like Ava is having any fun. Ha!

Sydney and Hannah on a bug hunt expedition

Hannah and Grace playing "Chinese Restaurant" again...wish I had video footage.

Potion making the morning after a splendid sleepover

Ava's not about to be left out of the fun...here she's enjoying popsicles with Anna, Matthew and Matthew's toad

Hannah's friend Lia was trying to revive a penguin when she and Hannah played pet hospital...the things these two think of!

Veterinarian Hannah treating an iguana

Ava and Chloe...two cutie patooties

Meeting our friends' son, Carter, for the first time. Awww...

"C'mon, Dad, just one more spin around the block!" Who can resist those faces?

Celebrating 70 Years!

As mentioned on a previous post, my dad celebrated a big birthday in May. He turned 70!!! Wow, Dad you're getting old...guess that means I'm getting older too!? I think you're doing pretty great for being 70 - it's probably chasing after grandkids that is keeping you young!

We had a couple different opportunities to celebrate. We waited to have our family celebration until Dan, Angela and Andrew came for Memorial Day weekend and we could all be together.

We love you, Dad, and hope you have many more years of good health and good times!

So Long, Nemo

Tonight proved once again how much Hannah is like her mom. When we arrived home late after being together with some friends, I discovered that Nemo was no longer energetically swimming around his fish bowl. When I broke the news to Hannah that Nemo had died she burst into tears and cried quite hard for her little friend - I shed a couple tears with her...more so because of how broken-hearted she was. She asked through tears if she could keep him in a box on her dresser. After assuring her that Nemo wouldn't do well sitting in a box on her dresser long term (can you imagine?), we decided to give him a backyard burial. This is probably a good time to include a link to my previous entry entitled "Momo," which highlights just how much Hannah and I are alike. You can check it out at http://adashofthisandthat.blogspot.com/2009/03/momo.html

After searching high and low for just the right small box - Nemo had grown to be quite large so we had a hard time finding one that he would fit in. We finally decided on my Silpada watch box because Hannah liked the soft cotton in the bottom. She wrote I love you Nemo on the box and then we had to place him inside. I tried to do it, but in the end I had to call in a reinforcement... AKA Doug. Once Nemo was in the box, Hannah added a heart bead. We decided on just the right spot in the backyard (in the dark with a flashlight) and Doug buried him while we watched.

Then it was time to put a tired and emotional six year-old to bed...not an easy task. I asked which book she wanted to read, but she wanted to look at one of her photo albums instead - to make her think of happy times, she said. We looked at the photos and talked about them and about Nemo. She wondered if she could keep his bowl sitting on her dresser. I told her she could get another fish if she wanted and she countered with asking if we could get a kitten (way to work it, Hannah). Unfortunately, I am allergic to cats so that's not going to happen. She finally decided that she wanted to get another fish and then burst out crying and said, "I want a fish just like Nemo." I'm sure one of these days, we'll have Nemo II swimming around in Nemo's bowl. Until then, I have to admit that I miss hearing Nemo's little noises as he swam around and gobbled up air and water. Hannah's room seemed especially quiet when I snuggled with Hannah to get her to sleep. So long, Nemo.

Family Picnic Fun

While my mom's sisters were together, we had a family picnic on a beautiful Friday evening. It just so happened to be someone special's 7oth birthday as well - can't belive my dad is 70! It was so great to spend some time with my aunt Barb from California, my aunt Jan & uncle Rog who are serving in Thailand, my 97 year old grandpa, and all of my other aunts, uncles and cousins who came. It was the perfect night for a picnic and birthday celebration! All of the kids had a blast playing on the playground and the grownups enjoyed chatting and catching up with one another. We surprised my dad with a special cake that instigated lots of laughs. I still need to add a picture of that once I get one from my mom so you all can have a good laugh too. We still had more celebrating in store for my dad so I'll add that to a different post.

Long live the Tickle Monster!

Uncle Rog and Aunt Jan with Leah

Aunt Marge with the newest member of the family, Brooke

Ava and Ajla...two peas in a pod

Matt, Mark and Ahava

Jen and Ari

Nicole and Hannah

Mark, Mirsada, Ava and Ajla

Sarah and Libby

Grandpa, Mom and Ava

Kristin, Leah and I
Aunt Barb and Grandpa with me and Ava

Jen, Nicole, Mike, Aunt Carol, Uncle Rog and Uncle Jim

Aunt Barb, Aunt Marge, Brooke, Brian, Ava, Mom, Ajla, Mirsada, Dad and Mark