Welcome to Columbus American Girl

Aunt Kim and Breea invited us down to Columbus to spend the day with them and to visit the new American Girl doll store.  Breea grew up loving these dolls and even brought her favorite one with her. (She is going to be a freshman in high school but, I couldn't believe the amount of "older girls" in that store buying new dolls.)  

After saving money for the past 6 months, Dawson picked her doll and paid for it.  She was all smiles!

Meet Saige....she is the American Girl doll of the year.  She is from New Mexico and loves art and horses. 

Breea brought an old doll with her...one of her favorites named "Marisol."  She was girl of the year in 2005.

Dawson's old doll Caroline and her new doll Saige joined us for lunch in the store cafe.  The store had a hair salon also.  You can pick and pay for whatever hairstyle you choose.  Marisol had a little styling done today! 

At the end of our shopping, we ate lunch with our girls in the cafe.  It was fun to have them join us at our table in their birthday hats!  

Flower Girl For the FIRST and LAST Time!

My very good friends Keri and Chad were married this past weekend in Mexico.  Dawson was so lucky to be asked to be the flower girl in the wedding many months ago.  At the time when she was asked, Dawson was pretty sure she was not interested in doing this job. But, as time got closer, she thought she MIGHT be interested!

Daddy and Dawson are off to the 5:00 beach ceremony.  Was it ever hot!

Dawson and Keri right before it was time to walk down the aisle.  

 Dawson became very serious and nervous about walking down the aisle.  She was really not sure about what was going to happen!

Everyone was ready to go!

Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of her walking down the aisle because I was staying with her until the last minute.  She did a PERFECT job!  When she came back to her seat, she whispered to me "I will never do that again mom.  It was the most embarrassing moment of my life with everyone staring at me."  It was very cute!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Kralik

 Just waiting for the group pictures to start.

 Time for a little dancing with the bride!

Admiring the first dance from a far.

And we ended our stay in Mexico with some swimming and playing in the sand!

Skating Time!

It's not quite her birthday but, we always try and fit in Dawson's birthday party a little bit early before all the families hit the road for their summer vacations!

If you remember last year, we had the exact same skating party.  I tried to convince Dawson to do something different this year but, she was really in love with doing the same thing again.  Her decision goes along her personality....she likes repetition.

This year's theme was Strawberry Shortcake!

Can you believe she's really turning six already?

All smiles when it came to blowing out the candles.  

This year seemed to be a lot easier for most of the kids.  It's amazing how their coordination changed in one year.  In fact, they wanted to skate the whole time!

 After a little encouragement, I did get them off for some pizza and cake.   A few girls mentioned to me they don't like white cake and they would rather skate!  How funny was that!!!

 I love how Grace was all smiles when she opened her treat bag!

A few friends stopped by for a picture!

 Look at that balance!

Grace looks like she's having fun! 

 One of Dawson's favorite parts was using two cones and skating very fast!  I did get some good video of her doing this!

 

 Karli and Dawson took time off the ice to pose for a quick smile!

 Next came the gifts....She loved every part of opening them and she couldn't wait to really dig into them when we got home!

I loved how all the girls were interested in the presents and giving Dawson her gift.  In fact, they were pushing each other to pass the gifts because they were so excited.  It was very cute!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!!

Summer Birthday Treat for School

Having a summer birthday myself, I knew how important it was to get to celebrate in school with your friends.  I always had the chance to bring in a treat at the end of the school year.  Well, Dawson is following in my tracks with a summer birthday so here is her treat for school tomorrow.  

She wanted it to be chocolate, summer like and some how include her love for her "Teddy."

 It was the perfect birthday treat!

Victory Gallop Fieldtrip

Each grade level at Dawson's school chose a charity to support all year long.  Her class picked Victory Gallop, which is a therapeutic horseback riding.  They are also known for "Petie the Pony."  He is a pony that goes to Akron Children's Hospital and gives lots of love to the children!  What her class didn't know was that I was a board member there for many years prior to Dawson being born.  It has always been a favorite charity of mine!

 Her class went a few times in small groups to deliver items collected each month.  Today, the whole class went to see Petie for the last time, play on the play ground, picnic and take a hike.  

 Since Papa works so close, he stopped by for some fun!

 The kids were told to take a silly picture with Petie!

They really do love Petie.  My animal lover was front and center when it came to petting Petie!  In fact, she even has a stuffed Petie I bought for myself many years ago!

There were beautiful views as we headed on our walk towards the woods.  

  A few of the other horses that were eating in the fields.  They were beautiful horses! 

 And finally we headed back to the barn.  It was a hot day and the kids were sweating.  When we made it back, popsicles were waiting for us!

Count Down

We are counting down the last days of KINDERGARTEN!  I can't believe another year has come to an end!  Are you ready for us FIRST GRADE?

As you can see from the picture, we just came inside from playing.  It's our first 80 degree day today!  We are loving it!

101 Dalmatians

What I love most about spring is all the culminating school activities.  From performances to picnics, it's all so much fun!  Last night, Dawson's school put on the play 101 Dalmatians.  It consisted of all the kids in grades K-6.  Now that sounds like a ton of kids, but she goes to a small school.  The kids did an amazing job and it was a first class show! 

 I was very surprised to see Dawson dancing and singing her heart out on stage in front of a full crowd.  No fear at all.  In fact, all smiles!

 Every parent was responsible for creating or buying a Dalmatian costume with the only stipulation of long sleeves.  I bought a white dress and leggings online then cut out LOTS of felt spots.  I love how all the costumes looked so different!

 AS you know this movie has lots of singing.  In this show, they had lots of singing, dancing and moving around on stage.

 There was lots of movement.  They did seem to know just where to go and what to do!  

 My sweet puppy.

The final bow! 

 All smiles and giggles!

 And the whole cast....it's hard to see but, it goes all the way to the back!  There's one benefit to being short....you are always in the front row so your mom can ALWAYS get some good pictures!

After every performance, their must be flowers.  Congrats Dawson on your Kindergarten musical!