Dance Recital

It's that time of year again! When my entire weekend is consumed by a dance recital for a 5 year old. This year we've upped the ante with 2 dances, 2 costumes, and a whole lot longer in the auditorium.

Not sure if my kid's a natural poser or if this is what they teach in that dance class.

 The ballet look is always serene, half-closed lids and a no-teeth smile.

And the recital (rehearsal) footage. Lucy is 2nd from the left in tap and at on the very left in ballet.


Dance recital 2014 from Kristin York on Vimeo.

Rainbow Day

Lucy's elementary school is doing an ABC countdown for the last 26 days of school - today was U, yikes! - and R day was Rainbow day. Wear as many colors as you can. I thought it would be fun for the kiddos to decorate shirts and they had a great time decorating and wearing them. Check the socks. Perfect finishing touch I believe.

 And this cracks me up as it's how every day goes. Jamie threatens Lucy with a weapon. Lucy shrinks and cries. Repeat process.

Happy Rainbow Day to all!

Gymnastics Spring Show

Lucy is into the spotlight. She wants people to watch her, clap for her, bring her flowers, etc etc. I thought Jamie was a limelight kind of guy too, but found out I was totally wrong. He's a mama's boy who love the audience of one, I think. Thus our experience at the spring show.

Jamie's show was at 9:30 so we showed up at about 9:00. The place was already packed, we only got a seat way off the the side of the bleachers, and Jamie was supposed to leave me and go through the door and fence store to a room where all the little kids were waiting. That did not happen, though he did make two appearances on the floor for the obstacle course before the show started. When he started screaming and someone stole our crappy seats we cut our losses and left.

Lucy's show was at 11:15. We got there and she didn't even turn around to look at me in line as she walked through the door, and was a total ham on the floor.

In other news I do believe that we're talking to agents about Tokyo 2020.

And the whole routine:

Gymnastics Spring Show from Kristin York on Vimeo.

 Since Jamie didn't participate I thought I'd have them do a backyard spring show for me after we got home. That didn't go so well either, but at least I didn't have to drag him out screaming.

This is the tumblebug rainbow, one leg lifted.

 Lucy's cartwheel.

 And what gymnastics show would be complete without some car race/repair action?

Maybe next year Jamie will participate, we'll see!

Jamie's Preschool Class

Next year Jamie will finally get a chance to go to Small Wonders, the same preschool Lucy went to with the amazing Miss Karla. I'll admit kindergarten is a bit of a letdown after the connection I felt with Lucy's preschool and the teachers there, but I'm practically over it. Lucky for us Miss Karla also runs through parks & rec afternoon classes, and Jamie was finally old enough to try out the pajama party class. Yea!

The class started out a little rough for Jamie. He didn't want to go the first time, didn't want me to leave him, and then for a couple of weeks didn't want to go back. He came around, and now every morning asks if it's a preschool day. Disappointing that today is the last day, but he'll get lots of preschool days next year!

Today I went in to try to snap a couple of pictures of him, but the other kids kept noticing me so I ducked out pretty quickly. Here he is playing before the class started:

I managed to get this one from afar as they were gathered around the rainbow table for the craft before another little boy Miss Karla has called "the ambassador" called me out of my hiding spot as Jamie's mom. Jamie's all the way on the right, you can barely see his head peeking out under the #6.

Finally, doesn't he look happy? Small Wonders is just such a happy place - I don't know if all preschools are as fabulous but I'm pretty pleased with this one.

Kindergarten

Did I mention Lucy started kindergarten? Yeah, it was a while ago now.

We have a copy of Twas the Night Before Kindergarten that we read, and that she pretended to read to Jamie. By the end of the year she'll be reading it by herself.

 Lunch packed! I really enjoyed packing this first one, but as I mused in August, it has indeed gotten old. She eats a nutella sandwich every single day.

 SO EXCITED!

Jamie didn't want to be left out of the backpack action.

This might be my favorite picture ever.

 Lucy's classroom. It was so neat and organized at the start of the year. Her poor kindergarten teacher has 26 kids for 7 hours a day, including 2 non English-speakers, with no aide. I think this is insanity.

 The students are allowed to line up between 8:15 and 8:25 outside the building. At 8:25 the bell rings to go into school and at 8:35 the school day starts.

 And this was the temperature when I picked Lucy up on that first day. Did I mention the air conditioner was broken in her classroom? We kept getting notifications to send water bottles with the kids. 26 kids for 7 hours at over 100 degrees with no air conditioner. There's the start of a joke in here somewhere.

 But she was still this excited at the end of the day.

 And day 2 we snapped a picture of Lucy with Mrs. Lenaghan, who Lucy writes is "The Best Teecher Ever"

With well over half the year gone I say it's been a success.

Who needs training wheels?

 Not this girl!  One push and she was off.

Bike Riding from Kristin York on Vimeo.

Not quite on two wheels yet, but plenty willing to stand on the tricycle pegs.

 So proud:

Backyard Fun

Thanks Grandma, for sending this splash pad home with us this summer.  We've gotten plenty of use, especially post-stomach bug when we're not supposed to go to the pool!  As you know, it's important to have protective eyewear while playing in the yard.

 Somehow I get the feeling taking a Christmas picture will be a little easier this year.

Splash Pad from Kristin York on Vimeo.