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!

Flipping Around

We spent a few hours in Columbus today for a family event.  My sister happens to have a trampoline which, I am seriously opposed to.  But, I usually give in when she's there and watch her every single second.  Today, I practiced taking action photos with my camera for something to do!

 Lots of back handsprings and back flips.

 This girl loves to jump and flip all day long.  In fact, when I picked her up from school yesterday, she did cartwheels all the way to the car.  

 No fear!!!  

Ezra Jack Keats

Dawson's class took a fieldtrip to the art museum as a culminating activity to their study of author and illustrator "Ezra Jack Keats."  Most of us know him best from his book "The Snowy Day."

Here's a little info from the museum....

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats is the first major exhibition in the U.S. to pay tribute to award-winning author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats (1916–1983), whose beloved children’s books include Whistle for Willie, Peter’s Chair, and The Snowy Day, published in 1962. The first modern full-color picture book to feature an African-American protagonist, The Snowy Day inspired generations of readers. The exhibition features over 80 original works by the artist, from preliminary sketches to final paintings and collages, including examples of Keats’s most introspective but less-known output inspired by Asian art and poetry. 

A space in the gallery was transformed into a reading room inspired by Keat's art and stories.

 This was a wonderful place for the kids to listen to a story and get a feel for urban life.

 This was a room full of class books from various schools.   The students wrote about one of Ezra's books and also created an illustration.  The art museum scanned everything and made a compilation of stories into a book created by Snapfish.  I really want to use this idea for my own classroom!

 Dawson came home with this book which she said was her "favorite" story by Ezra Keats.

 Apparently, her teacher had read this story to them and taught them how to make paper hats.  When she got home, she created a hat for Teddy all by herself!