Elise's 6th Birthday

I need to catch up on this blog, but our Summer is flying by and so many exciting things are happening every day.

  So, I'll start with Elise's 6th Birthday.  It was about 7:00 a.m.  when I could here Elise waking up in her bedroom.  I could hear her saying Yes!! Yes!!! I'm finally 6!!!  It was so cute to hear her so excited to be 6 years old.  

I just can't believe how fast time flies.  I look at her and think of her as a little baby still, but she is growing up and going off to first grade pretty soon.  Sometimes, I have to tell myself that she's not going off to college, she's just going to first grade.  But, I really want to keep her at home and have her and Jayden play all day.  But, kids have to grow up and that is just the sad truth.  I'm so glad that Elise is 6 years old and that she is now beginning a new phase of her life.  Happy Birthday Lissy girl!!

 Elise planned her hula party.  She wanted a piñata.  We didn't put much candy though, we tried to get other little prizes that weren't so unhealthy.  I think the kids were a little disappointed.

 Elise's birthday cake bought for her by Nany and Papa, because I tried making a rainbow cake.  It looked really bad.  I should have saved it to eat it, but I couldn't stand to look at it and had to throw it away.  Good thing Nany and Papa were here to save the day.

Our Butterfly Ballerina

Elise has her ups and downs with ballet.  Sometimes, she loves it, sometimes she is done.  But, I think after her show she was so excited.  I loved her butterfly costume, and I got my experience in face painting.  I think Elise and all of the little girls in her class looked so beautiful.  Her dance teacher's Mom made these butterfly wings for all of the girls.  I'm so proud of Elise for being such a great ballerina.  She even remembered the steps very well, and tried to smile a little up on the stage.  What a great dancer!!

Our Little Kindergarten Graduate

Elise graduated from Kindergarten!!! What excitement!  She loves her teacher Mrs. Kattelman.  She said that when she grows up she wants to be a teacher.  But, when she got home she told me that she really wants to be a nurse and a Mommy.  She is very compassionate and caring and I told her that she will be a great nurse and a Mommy.  How exciting.  She finished the year, meeting or exceeding the standard in every area of school. so we'll see how 1st grade goes.  I just don't know if I'm ready to give up this little girl.  She is just so fun to have around.  

Dallin's Final Project

Who knew 2nd grade could be so much work.  I don't know if it is more work for the Mom or the 2nd grader.  But, it was fun to get to work with Dallin on this final project.  His report was on Siberian Tigers.  As soon as he got his animal that he was to do research about, he begged me to take him to the library so that he could check out books.  He got a stack of about 7 books and wrote his report all by himself at school.  This was right up Dallin's alley, he loves to do research on facts about animals and anything for that matter.  He just loves non-fiction books where he can learn as much as he can.  I was so proud of him for writing this report.  His teacher wrote Dallin a note and told Dallin how proud she was of him, and that she could tell that he did a lot of work and practiced his oral report a whole lot (and he did).  He had it memorized!  We made this board for his presentation with pictures of the Siberian tiger, and then we made this really cool habitat box it clay and fake snow.  I helped Dallin type out his report, and it turned out great. I actually learned a whole lot about Siberian Tigers.  Of course, we are so relieved to have this over with.  Justin kept on saying, "This is just 2nd grade", but Dallin wanted to do his very best, and of course I love to do too much.  It was all worth it.  Dallin got a S+ on the entire project (the highest grade that you can get).  Good Job Dallin for all of your hard work.  Now, we get to see what 3rd grade has to offer.  Dallin was very excited to finish 2nd grade and he got an S+ in every single subject.  What a smart guy.  We're definately ready for Summer.

Dallin's Fish

Dallin is very proud of his fish that he caught.  He caught so many that we didn't get a picture of all of them, but here are some big ones, and some tiny ones that he caught, and they were all caught using garlic bread as bait.

Greenhorn Ranch with the Tolman's

We just got back from the kid's favorite place in the whole world.  We had such a great time with the Tolman's at Greenhorn Ranch.  Tons of good food.  Lots of fishing, swimming and horseback riding.  It's so fun to watch the kids run around and have such a good time with their friends. Greenhorn Ranch is such a beautiful place, where we stayed up roasting marshmallows, singing cowboy songs with some (real cowboys) as Jayden would call them.  We even got to do Karaoke (not the best experience).  What a fun time. We got to go on a wagon ride.  Jayden and Elise were very sad that they weren't old enough to ride the horses.  They only allow kids 6 and older to ride the horses.  Jayden can't wait to turn 6.  Dallin, had so much fun riding his horse named Hoss.  The kids all caught a few fish and became expert fishermen.