Sunday, June 23, 2013

"School"

We had a fun year of "school".  The kids went to school on Monday nights through Pine Island's ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) program.  I am very happy that I did that...
 
Both Blake and Addy grew through the year, making progress in their social skills.  Addy and Blake are not shy kids typically, but they both have their moments where they don't want to leave our side.  Typically it can make a difference if they are tired and such -- but at school - they both blossomed!
 
The evening started off with activities and 'play' time - followed by circle time, then a snack to end the night!  I took a few pictures of the last day of school for the year!
 

 
At the beginning of the year, during 'circle time', they both would want me sitting with them on the floor, or come sit by me in the back of the circle.  During circle time they would read a story and talk through some things and then sing/dance to 1 or 2 songs. 
 
By the end of the year, they were independent during circle time!  They would talk and answer questions when Ms. Liz & Ms. Kelly would ask questions, would dance and be silly like the other kids, etc.  It was fun to watch them grow in that way!
 
Story/Circle Time!
 
Ms. Liz with Addy & blake!
 Next school year, Addy will be doing a "School Readiness" session 2 days/week with Ms. Liz in the afternoons.  This is like pre-kindergarten.  Since she's a June birthday, I've been going back and forth between having her start as a young 5 year old, or waiting a year. 

I think she'll be ready academically and socially now, but I worry about middle school and high school.  You just never know how she'll mature.  We'll see!  My gut tells me this is the last year she'll just be my baby, "at home" ..... which puts a nervous/sad feeling in my heart.  They grow up to stinking fast!

Anyway - they had a wonderful year and they love their main teacher, Ms. Liz.  We are looking forward to school in the fall!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Tiny Dancer --- Addy's First Year of Dance!

I mentioned in a post in the fall that Addy was taking her first year of dance class.  She had a weekend of recitals in May --- she did SOOO good!  I honestly wasn't sure how she would do because the first time parents got to sit in and watch (for them to practice dancing in front of people) she got really nervous and started crying about half-way through her performance!

However, that night was off for the class (major tantrum by another little girl) and so it was just a weird night.....and she got better every week!  They did this for about 6 classes before the recital.

I also think it helped that my nieces Brynne, Brooklynn, and Ella are all in dance too.  She looooves to be able to do what her big cousins are doing when we are together...and she sometimes isnt' able to keep up.  But, she was backstage with them, and they were keeping an eye on her so I think that helped her.

Picture Day!
 
The recital was titled "Dancing with Flavor" and every song or artist of the song referenced food/beverages.  So they had these as props for the picture day --- our formal picture isn't with this scene, but Aaron snapped this shot on his phone!
The weekend consisted of a rehearsal on Friday night, and a performance on Saturday and Sunday.  I was nervous the entire weekend....I'm goign to be a wreck as my kids continue to get older and participate in events/sports.  ....seriously.....a wreck!


Rehearsal Night!  Heading to stage :)
I don't have the best camera, but you can see her having fun!



 I was sitting next to my dad during the performance, and he was laughing at how nervous I was.  I kept saying, "seriously dad, when I was in dance at this age, being so little...you didnt' get nervous??!" --- he didn't really answer!  But, my mom assured me she was a nervous wreck through my high school years :)

It's Show Time!  Waiting for the music to start...they danced to Animal Crackers in my Soup by Shirley Temple

My friend Jodi has a wonderful camera, and she is a teacher in Pine Island so she always attends the recital to see all of her kiddos that she teaches/has taught.  She snapped some good ones of Addy during her actual performance!
 
 

 Backstage, Addy did AWESOME!  Shannon (my sis) went during intermission to check on Brynne because she had a costume change - and she ran into Addy.  She said Addy was having a blast and was all excited that she had danced on stage like the other girls. 

On day 2, I had volunteered backstage to help out --- and Addy kept telling me to "go watch the dancers with daddy".  I kept telling her that I was also helping watch other kids, and not just her.  But...I was happy to see her so independent.  It is hit or miss with her and independence (fast forward to this month, when she refused to participate in track and field night here in P.I.  You just never know!)


Backstage after the recital - with her flowers and balloon! 


Proud grandma Bonnie and grandpa Tim giving the performer some hugs!

Proud daddy!

The performers with their grandparents!

Grandma Jean and Grandpa Paul came to the performance on Sunday.  Unfortunately Paul had to head out after her dance, but I goto to capture this one with Jean outside of the school!

 I think it is safe to say we've created a dancer!  I have a burnt CD in my car where she realized that one of the songs is the "song that she bowed to at her recital" -- (Tonights Going to be a Good Night by Black Eyed Peas), and she asks to listen to it almost every time we are in the car.  And, the other day she told me my heals sounded like tap shoes.  I asked her if she wanted to take tap next year and she was all excited!  Too Fun!  I did dance until sports started in 7th grade, so it is fun to see her start as early as I did :)

Daddy's Helper

Blake wanted to help Aaron hang some blinds by using his toy drill...just some cute pics I wanted to share (and of course the matching hats adds to the cuteness!)
 


Reeeaaallly Concentrating :)

An Easter Recap

Unfortunately, this year Easter was quick.  It came up on us quick, and with moving, it got mixed in with the rest of the days.  Sad. 

I think I mentioned that we went to Aaron's mom's on Easter day --- and then we celebrated with my family a few weeks later.  Here are some pics (not very good quality...but oh well!):

First night in the new house...just waking up (see the mess in the background!)

Ready to go to Grandma Jean's!
At G & G Tarara's...who's ready for the hunt?