The Saint Patrick's Day Parade

I looked at her today a bit differently.  I saw her in a different light.  You know, that 'my baby looks older and is growing up light.'  At first I felt proud like a 'look at my girl' pride but then that melancholy feeling settled in.  I couldn't believe that she was able to march in the whole parade stopping to dance the little Irish Jig over and over along the parade route. 

I pulled a little red wagon in case she got tired, but she didn't need it until the parade was done and she was so tired she could barely walk.  So I pulled her back to the car.

(waiting for her turn to join in the parade)





(love this one of her... waiting, watching the big kids rehearse)





(group pictures... I'm not sure what my goofy girl is laughing at)






(a little friend from her class)


(the beautiful capitol building in Connecticut)


(she's got her flag... lining up in the street.. ready to go!)


(And the Irish Jig which they did over and over and OVER though out the parade route)


(Sandy Hook... Newtown... was very present at this event as a reminder that we will never forget)


It was a super fun but overwhelming for her kind of day.  She really didn't know what to make of the crowds cheering every time they did the jig.  At one point along the parade route (where the crowd was less families and more the college partying kind) the crowd cheered like I couldn't believe.  One person even ran out and gave her a green carnation.  She was delighted.

What a wonderful first experience for Abigail (and for her mom) And what a wonderful way to celebrate Saint Patrick's day! 

When we were home that evening she complained that her feet ached.  I told her that she had PARADEACITIS.  Oh how I love little five year olds who really believe that paradeacitis is a condition.  Bless her heart; her little dancing heart. 

(this was about the 29th time she was doing the jig and boy was she exhausted)
Video

Mrs. Rothschild

Back in April Abigail had her last ever Kindermusik. It sure was a bittersweet one for me since I've been going to Kindermusik since Anna came home from China. It was the best 'mommy and me' class I've ever found which is why I was there with my girls for a total of nine years! Nine years! Nine years certainly deserves a better, bigger post with pictures dating back all the way to 2004 but I don't have them that organized today. I will soon but I just have to get this years out today.


(spring 2012)

Mrs. Rothschild is the rock to Kindermusik. Strong in her music background she brought so much wisdom to the little class. Yet it was her warmth and kindness over the years that brought me back semester after semester.

Each week I got to PLAY with my girls to music. Scarves, instruments, books, and just a whole lot of fun. The girls cuddled with me, giggled with me, and it filled up my mommy heart each and every week.


(spring 2005)


(spring 2011)

Thank you Mrs. Rothschild for stopping the clock for me if just for a bit each week over the past nine years. Thank you Mrs. Rothschild for reminding me that TIME with my girls was the best part of staying home.


(spring 2008)

It's hard to even think of saying goodbye to this little piece of my 'staying at home' life. So... I won't.

"We love you" was inscribed on a locket we gave her on the last day. And we sure do.

Planting, Painting, and an Art Show

On Saturday Scott did an amazing amount of spring yard work. He works hard I can tell you and our lush green grass this year, raised flower beds, and curved little gardens are all him... I can't take credit for our pretty yard at all!



It's our spring tradition for the girls to help us plant the annuals out front that line our walkway. And they did a great job!









In the afternoon while Daddy was gardening I got out the paints for the girls to do outside... always a big hit no matter what age you are!



Especially washing the brushes to change paint colors!



It was a relaxing day for the girls. Just what we needed!



On Sunday we headed to Anna's Art Show. She loves art so for the past 5 years she's taken an art class outside of school. Each spring they host an art show. The highlight this year was the face painting.









A fun weekend for sure! We loved the sun; we loved the warm air; we always love our weekends together!

Crazy Busy

I usually feel like I have total control over our family schedule.  I feel like I have a healthy balance for the girls of extra activities after school and just being home days.  And then a week and weekend like this hits...

kindergarten orientation
viola lesson
kindermusik
tennis lessons
art school
rehearsal for solo viola recital
rehearsal for Peter Pan
viola solo recital
rehearsal for liturgical dance for Easter
teaching religious education

just to name a few things this weekend.  And the worst part?  I'm flying SOLO!  Scott will be at a conference a few states away.  Man oh man I can't wait for Tuesday already! 

On Monday after school we usually go to the library to stock up on books for the week. This is what I'm reading (well not really from this point on) this week.  Cute, Anna found this top book for me when I was quickly browsing in the "new books" section.  "This one is perfect for you Mommy!"  love it! 

Townwide Art Exhibit

Anna has always loved art. She finds it relaxing and fun, and she's quite good at it. Every Saturday since she was 3/12 she's been taking art lessons at a fabulous art school in Connecticut. Lovely teachers, high expectations, right up Anna's alley! Her art school lessons are not right around the corner at all but we've never minded because it is the perfect fit for her. And that's why we've been going for 5 years now.

This week a special letter came home from Anna's school telling us that one of her school (not art lessons but regular school) art pieces was selected for town wide art exhibit... and we were thrilled for her.

We headed out last Wednesday and loved every minute of viewing all of the art. Only a few pieces were selected from each school so we were so happy for her.







This weaving was oh so beautiful. I loved her choice of colors and the tightness that hers had. Bravo Anna!

We also caught up with her art teacher.







One very special night.

The Cutest Tennis Player Ever!

Oh my goodness!  Abigail was so adorable at her very first tennis lesson.  We signed her up for some lessons this summer since she's old enough for the "tiny tots" class.  She looked (and was) so little on the court!  She was the only one and we were thrilled for her that her first lesson was one on one with a wonderful teacher.  Abigail didn't hesitate at all!  All morning long she kept telling me "mommy, I'm going to kick that ball so hard!"  "Abigail, that's soccer, you're going to play tennis today...." 

I dressed her in clothes that I had.  Imagine that this 4 year old was wearing a tennis skirt that I bought for Anna years ago size 12-18 mths?!  Tiny girl! 

Here she is right before her lesson...








Anna was so happy and excited for her little sister.




Tiny little girl on the court for the first time


A real first time hit! A bit blurry but I have to include a real hit!


Learning from her "coach"


She was beaming when she came off the court. "I loved tennis mommy! Thank you for taking me" (with all the enthusiasm she could have)


It was so hot that afternoon. Since tennis is at our pool I took her right in to cool off after. In the dressing room she couldn't stop thanking me for taking her. She loved the attention and doing something that her big sister does


Anna's turn. Even though she had lessons last summer she was hesitant to go on the court.




Her lesson was an hour. So while I took Abigail swimming (and watched her from the pool) Scott stood by the court.


Scott and I had so much fun watching our girls experience a sport that is so much a part of our lives.  Even though I could never learn Scott is a great player, and we both want the girls to love a lifelong sport.

ballet

A few pictures of Anna's end of the year ballet recital. 






I love how Abigail adores Anna oh so much and wants to do everything she does. 














Honestly, I was so proud of her but (shh) glad the year of ballet was over.  Only because it's on a very busy night already and at a difficult time.  Somehow in the fall and spring I didn't mind it but yuck, in the winter I never wanted to go.  Maybe next year her class will fall on a better day.  I do know that I'm so enjoying the summer unscheduled!