Nora's Ballet Recital

Nora's ballet recital also looked rather different this year. She put on her costume and I fixed her hair and make-up, and then she danced for her family and Honey and Poppa. She did a great job and knew her dance so well! She was so poised and confident, and was very pleased to receive flowers afterward. We videoed her dance and her teacher is going to put all the little girls' videos together into a "recital performance." I'm sure she will enjoy watching it again and again!

Last Day of School: 2019-2020 Edition

The kids worked really hard this winter and spring to finish up our schoolwork a few weeks early, so we could take some fun trips in May. We finished the schoolwork but the trips are postponed for now. So we're moving on to our morning basket/summer school plans and saving the trips for later. I'm really proud of the skills and knowledge they gained this year. They're doing great in math, Sophie has become an amazing reader, Nora knows all her letter sounds and is starting real reading lessons, and Annie and Jacob have made big improvements in spelling. We read lots of books, did lots of science experiments, started learning Latin, and continued to love history. It is always amazing to me how doing our lessons day in and day out leads to so much cumulative learning by the end of the school year! Congratulations on finishing up your 3rd grade, 1st grade, and 4K years!

Nora's Fifth Birthday!

Nora requested a ballet party this year and it was so much fun! We invited her friends, put on costumes, and I got out my old dance cds and taught them some dances. Nora planned the menu: pizza, clementines, goldfish, juice boxes, and strawberry cake with sprinkles. It turned out to be a fabulous party--the little girls loved it, and it was easy for Mama to plan. And it lived up to all Nora's hopes and dreams!

Nora: Five Years

My baby girl is five! We had a fun and sweet ballet party for her friends last weekend (pictures coming soon). On her birthday, we enjoyed a family breakfast of monkeybread and turkey sausage and fruit (her choices), opened gifts, and then went to her favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner. Nora had been asking for a dollhouse for months and she was so excited when her wish came true! She played with her dollhouse literally all day long.

At five, Nora is spunky and cuddly. She loves to give hugs and kisses, but doesn't put up with anything, either. Playing with her siblings is one of her favorite things to do. She enjoys her K4 schoolwork and wants to learn to read this year. She loves to sing and dance and play outside. She has a sweet tooth and an affinity for pizza. We are so thankful for this sunshiny girl!

Last Day of School

We had a great year of school! I love having my kids home with me and being their teacher.

Sophie: finished kindergarten

Nora: finished preschool

Annie: finished second grade

Jacob: finished second grade

Trying out my new portrait lens...

I'm trying to learn how to use the new lenses I got for Christmas. Here are some of the better shots I took at the botanical gardens recently. Obviously there is lots of room for improvement. Jacob loves to ham it up for the camera. Annie's freckles are out with the sun. And Sophie and Nora have gotten to be such big girls! One bonus snap of babycakes, too.

Nora's Ballet Recital

Nora had been looking forward to her first ballet recital for years, and it did not disappoint! She LOVED being on stage and she knew every step of her dance. She was so poised and proud, and we were, too!

One Big Party

With a new baby this year, I just didn't feel up to hosting multiple birthday parties. I convinced the kids it would be really fun to have one big blowout birthday party and they totally went for it. ;) They were actually very excited to celebrate all their birthdays together. I made dozens of cupcakes, invited all the friends they wanted, and rented an inflatable obstacle course. This party was easy for me and so much fun for all the kids!